Lake Superior Circle Tour Do's & Don'ts?
#11
03-01-2012 | 04:55 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
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Border- make sure the record is clear, even a DUI ( or parking tickets) can stop a crossing.
The US started it, Canada is reciprocating, and newly computerized records track offenses back to the dawn of time- even if you have prior crossing, be prepared.
Have a clear idea of where you are going, short, concise answers get you through faster
No Guns, weapon type knives or pot
Loud pipes can get you stopped, no club vests, no red and white support gear, a 'real' DOT helmet, just be mellow
Cross as individuals NOT as a group.
Just plan to meet up the road at a gas station.
that way if someone gets stopped, the rest won't have their stuff dug through- and the whole thing will be speedier.
rabies cert if you take your dog
verizon and sprint phones will likely not work, tmo and att, get the intl plan for better rates. turn off data roaming on smart phones, or the phone bill will cost more than your trip.
free internet at most mcdonalds and starbucks, some tim hortons ( coffee shop)- I use my ipod touch and skype to make my calls home- I also use a googe voice number so that my voice mails to my cell phone and transcribed and emailed to me ( free)
the Northern route is awesome- build in TIME for storm delays- storms come off Superior from the SW fast and hard.
so check the weather and have an extra day planned in case you have to wait it out- it's the high winds that take the fun away.
Ride West to East, so you are on the lakeside of the road
moose- usually evening and early morning- September is the rutt and they go mad- so be careful- I saw one take a run at a locomotive in 1974.
It'd be smart to wrap up the riding by 6 pm
Mike
The US started it, Canada is reciprocating, and newly computerized records track offenses back to the dawn of time- even if you have prior crossing, be prepared.
Have a clear idea of where you are going, short, concise answers get you through faster
No Guns, weapon type knives or pot
Loud pipes can get you stopped, no club vests, no red and white support gear, a 'real' DOT helmet, just be mellow
Cross as individuals NOT as a group.
Just plan to meet up the road at a gas station.
that way if someone gets stopped, the rest won't have their stuff dug through- and the whole thing will be speedier.
rabies cert if you take your dog
verizon and sprint phones will likely not work, tmo and att, get the intl plan for better rates. turn off data roaming on smart phones, or the phone bill will cost more than your trip.
free internet at most mcdonalds and starbucks, some tim hortons ( coffee shop)- I use my ipod touch and skype to make my calls home- I also use a googe voice number so that my voice mails to my cell phone and transcribed and emailed to me ( free)
the Northern route is awesome- build in TIME for storm delays- storms come off Superior from the SW fast and hard.
so check the weather and have an extra day planned in case you have to wait it out- it's the high winds that take the fun away.
Ride West to East, so you are on the lakeside of the road
moose- usually evening and early morning- September is the rutt and they go mad- so be careful- I saw one take a run at a locomotive in 1974.
It'd be smart to wrap up the riding by 6 pm
Mike
If you have something like pot or fireworks, it may not be enough for them to arrest you but they will impound your vehicle and you will have to pay to get it back.
#12
03-01-2012 | 05:11 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,023
Likes: 988
From: Just Outside Chicago
I say plan B is a GREAT option...The good o'l USofA sure does look like a plan...
Last edited by riteway; 03-01-2012 at 05:36 PM. Reason: The Times They Are A Changin'
#15
03-02-2012 | 07:29 AM
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,603
Likes: 126
From: Black River Falls, WI.
Question???Say you go over as singles and everyone makes it but one guy.What do you do? Does everyone turn around and go back?Man we used to cross the border years ago in our "Hippy" Vans to go fishing..NEVER a problem...Sounds like times have changed....EFIN Shame!!!!!
I say plan B is a GREAT option...The good o'l USofA sure does look like a plan...
I say plan B is a GREAT option...The good o'l USofA sure does look like a plan...
#17
03-03-2012 | 09:18 AM
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 618
Likes: 369
From: ont.canada
We talked about this last night and we would split the group and some ride the MN-WI-U.P. and other the CA side of the lake and meet on the other end someplace, but I don't think we will have any troubles. One thing that really stands out for me is the fact that I am 100% lost without my little pocket knife. I bet I take that thing outta my pocket 10 times a day for this or that. Guess I will live without it for a few days...
Biggest difference is we call our whiskey, Rye. Have a great trip and keep in mind our beer will knock you on your *** until you get use to it(wink)https://www.hdforums.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif
#18
03-03-2012 | 03:42 PM
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Black River Falls, WI.
You won't have any trouble with your pocket knife.(as long as your not waving it around screaming, I'll Kill ya. LOL) All you need is a passport and a clean record and your good to go. You'll find that border towns on both sides the people are pretty much the same.I live about 30 min from the Detroit-Windsor border and go back and forth all the time. Hell! Canada doesn't even consider us Canadian and were not American, kinda a blend. Americad.
Biggest difference is we call our whiskey, Rye. Have a great trip and keep in mind our beer will knock you on your *** until you get use to it(wink)https://www.hdforums.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif
Biggest difference is we call our whiskey, Rye. Have a great trip and keep in mind our beer will knock you on your *** until you get use to it(wink)https://www.hdforums.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif
Kris
#19
03-03-2012 | 10:11 PM
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 87
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From: Holland, Michigan
Did this trip 2 summers ago. We went counter clockwise. Glad we did. It is much easier/quicker to come back into the US at the Minnesota boarder. The Soo is very busy coming in from Canada. Huge line, and in the summer it didn't look fun. But we were going into Canada, and it was quick. We stayed overnight in Marathon at a nice little hotel. I think our expectations were a little too high. The town of Marathon was beautiful, but almost empty? It turns out the pulp mill had closed months before, and the mine up the road was closed. Just seemed depressed. The people were nice, but you could tell things were not so good. Gas was expensive, so was food. We were going to stay a night in Thunder Bay, but wanted to get back into the good old USA, so we blew thru Thunder Bay, and rode to Duluth. The trip from the border to Duluth along Lake Superior has to be one of the most beautiful stretches I've ridden. By skipping Thunder Bay, we stayed two nights in Duluth, which allowed us to explore the wilderness and small towns north & west of Duluth, including Ely. It was the highlight of the trip. Many small towns being used as summer vacation destinations. I could say the same thing for the U.P. but I've ridden it by bike and snowmobile enough times to not get overwhelmed any longer. Have fun, everyone should do it at least once.
#20
03-12-2012 | 07:30 AM
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,603
Likes: 126
From: Black River Falls, WI.
Did this trip 2 summers ago. We went counter clockwise. Glad we did. It is much easier/quicker to come back into the US at the Minnesota boarder. The Soo is very busy coming in from Canada. Huge line, and in the summer it didn't look fun. But we were going into Canada, and it was quick. We stayed overnight in Marathon at a nice little hotel. I think our expectations were a little too high. The town of Marathon was beautiful, but almost empty? It turns out the pulp mill had closed months before, and the mine up the road was closed. Just seemed depressed. The people were nice, but you could tell things were not so good. Gas was expensive, so was food. We were going to stay a night in Thunder Bay, but wanted to get back into the good old USA, so we blew thru Thunder Bay, and rode to Duluth. The trip from the border to Duluth along Lake Superior has to be one of the most beautiful stretches I've ridden. By skipping Thunder Bay, we stayed two nights in Duluth, which allowed us to explore the wilderness and small towns north & west of Duluth, including Ely. It was the highlight of the trip. Many small towns being used as summer vacation destinations. I could say the same thing for the U.P. but I've ridden it by bike and snowmobile enough times to not get overwhelmed any longer. Have fun, everyone should do it at least once.
Kris