I had one of these planned for tomorrow but then called it off because it was calling for rain. Dropped the bike to the dealer for the 15K service and made other plans. Now they are calling for 70 and sunny all the way around the lake. 

My route would have me leaving Grand Rapids at 5am (maybe a little before) going north then west thru the UP, south thru WI and back east/north to GR.
Would be running slap in the dark hours and two lane in the daylight. The deer are starting to move here so north it's going to be even worse.  I figure I could make the run in about 18 hours putting me home by around 10pm. That would only be about 4 hours of night riding, two in the start and two at the end and those would be all slab.

I would try to join up with you for part of it but the wife and I will be doing a 4 day tour of the north lower MI on our bikes. I'll be running some of the same roads it sounds like you will be. I'll keep an eye out for you.

I had one of these planned for tomorrow but then called it off because it was calling for rain. Dropped the bike to the dealer for the 15K service and made other plans. Now they are calling for 70 and sunny all the way around the lake. 

My route would have me leaving Grand Rapids at 5am (maybe a little before) going north then west thru the UP, south thru WI and back east/north to GR.
Would be running slap in the dark hours and two lane in the daylight. The deer are starting to move here so north it's going to be even worse.  I figure I could make the run in about 18 hours putting me home by around 10pm. That would only be about 4 hours of night riding, two in the start and two at the end and those would be all slab.

I would try to join up with you for part of it but the wife and I will be doing a 4 day tour of the north lower MI on our bikes. I'll be running some of the same roads it sounds like you will be. I'll keep an eye out for you.

Sounds good. We're leaving Cedarburg Wisconsin at 2:30 am Saturday morning heading south. We're doing the same thing, run the slabs during the dark hours and the two lane hwy's during the daylight.  I'll post our route as soon as I have it.

Well the Weather Forecast has gotten worse, not better over the last three days.  From 30% chance of rain to 50% and High temps from 65-69 to 59-54.

I don't mind the Rain.  And I don't mind the Cold.  But the two of them together for a "FUN RIDE" is not my idea of fun .  Seriously considering Bowing out of this one.  I want it to be fun, not miserable.

Sissy 
How are we going to get a good ride report if'n you dont ride in the rain and cold pavement?  Come on Doug; take one for the team 

Sissy 
How are we going to get a good ride report if'n you dont ride in the rain and cold pavement?  Come on Doug; take one for the team 

Yep. That's me.

Tires are scheduled for installation tomorrow.........hopefully. Take one for the team?  Only if there's large sums of cash involved. 

   I was in Duluth MN Sat. and was planning to spend about 3 days in the U.P Saw the weather report for this week. "A HIGH temp of 50 and a low of 38 to 40 AND rain!!! Not fun!  I was home by Sun evening. Not really a good way to spend a vacation ride.

OK.  Made it safe and sound.  Cold wet and windy.  17 hours, 22 min wheel turning time, 2 hours, 50 min of stopped time.  Couldn't get the new Shinko's installed before the trip so I had to make do with the "GT's".  As expected, they didn't let me down .

Still warming up and sleeping.  I'll fill in the details later tomorrow.  Thanks guys.

Excellent!

well done Tele

I have a little bit of paperwork to finish up and then send it in to make it "Official"!!!  I'm really glad I did it.  It was one of those "Bucket List" things. Will I do it again?  Very, very, very, very, very (gota make sure I get enough VERY's in there  ) doubtful!!!!!!!!!.

I will say that my Connie performed flawlessly.  My knees and elbows were the only body parts getting sore at the end of the ride.  Woke up this morning feeling great.  My buddy rode his 2010-11 (not sure which year) BMW R1200RT.........sweet bike!  It really was a very memorable ride.

 :)Good on ya, or how ever they say it.

  Good to hear you got your ride in. I think a heated jacket liner and gloves + rain gear would be a must for me. I don't do well in the cold,wet stuff anymore! I LIKE heat!! 

I'm really glad I did it.  It was one of those "Bucket List" things.

It really was a very memorable ride.

Pictures?

Well done, my friend.  Well done.
 

Pictures?

Well done, my friend.  Well done.
 

Sorry.  We never thought about taking pictures until we got home.  Since it was our "First IB Ride" we were just focused on being safe and making our time.  However, we have THREE more "Great Lake" IB ride to do.  Next summer is Lake Superior--June 22nd 2013........the longest day of the year, (daylight wise ).  I may be using the video camera portion of my iPhone for the next ride.

Anyone is more than welcome to join us .

Thanks 

  Good to hear you got your ride in. I think a heated jacket liner and gloves + rain gear would be a must for me. I don't do well in the cold,wet stuff anymore! I LIKE heat!! 

I wore my Olympia Phantom One suit.  High Vis-Yellow, water proof and a full quilted liner.  I also wore a second quilted jacket liner under my suit.  By "Base Gear" is from FirstGear.  It's a spandex type material that's fleece lined.  Insulated leather winter gloves and my Nolan N-103 helmet,  Boots are Gaerne (Italian made tour boot) that are insulated and water proof.  I was pretty comfy.  I felt cold at the end of the ride mostly because I was tired.  I do have an older Widder heated vest with the 7 position heat troller on it.  I just can't find the two pronged female connector on-line to hook it up.  Otherwise I would have used it for sure!

I just found and ordered the battery cord for my Widder heated vest.  You'll never guess who has it.........................................................."The IBA (Iron Butt Association)Store" of all places.......... .  Now I find it .