| Author | Message | ||
     Nickh |
Hey Guys, I've been planning a Lake Michigan motorcycle trip for a while now. I will be traveling for a total of 4 days. The first day will be a little rough (10-11 hours), but every day after that should be pretty relaxing. Saturday - Cedar Rapids, IA to Petoskey, MI Sunday - Petoskey, MI to Marquette, MI Monday - Marquette, MI to Stevens Point, WI Tuesday - Stevens Point, WI to Cedar Rapids, IA Let me know if you have any suggestions or places to grab a bite while I'm on my way. I'm originally from Marquette, MI so I'm pretty familiar with that area. Thanks, Nick | ||
| Sifo |
Heading north from Petoskey be sure to check out Rt. 119 right along the lake. It's very scenic and pretty twisty. Has a great restaurant toward the north end for lunch, but you would be way early for that unless you are spending your morning around Petoskey. I think 119 is also known as the tunnel of trees or something like that. I hate to say it but you will probably be blowing past some of the best riding of the trip on your first day when you are dead tired. Any possibility of staying around Manistee that first night? Make the second day quite a bit longer but add some good stuff that second morning when you are fresh. I can get back to this later in the day when I have time... | ||
| Sifo |
Depending on your flexibility of your schedule and where you are staying, there is some real nice riding near the lake shore between Manistee and Petoskey. Find Hwy 110 on heading north out of Manistee and you will get the road in my profile picture. Not very long, but it runs into M22. M22 is a classic MI drive with some views like this one...  You can save some time by skipping the northern part of M22 (only if you're pressed for time) and head east on 72 when you get to Empire. The entire county north of 72 has some terrific riding though. You can spend 1/2 a day riding great roads just in that area. Once you are past Traverse City ready to head north toward Petoskey you can slab it up 31 or go a bit farther to the east and follow the road north on the east side of Torch Lake (big lake, you can find it on the map). I've hit some great roads being lost around the East Jordan area too. Great rolling hills and plenty of lakes that kept them from building straight roads. As I mentioned north from Petoskey 119 is a great road on a bike. Towards the north end you will find a very nice restaurant called Legs Inn. You can't miss it and you can dine outside in back 600 feet above the shoreline over looking the islands. Even if you can't stay to eat, pop in for 15 minutes just to check the place out.  I've never ridden between 119 and the bridge, but my brother has and says there are good roads. You eventually wind up on the slab up to the bridge though. Hopefully you will have good weather for your crossing.  Of course following my preferred routes you will never make it home on day four. One last thing, heading north through the Lower Penisula you can go up 131 which is pretty quick, or 31 near the lake shore. 31 will take a bit longer, but is much more scenic, but still almost zero views of the lake. Fruitridge ave. out of Grand Rapids then north on 37 is a great ride too, but much slower. Good luck, that's a lot of riding in four days. | ||
| Nickh |
Thank you for all of the info. I wish I could extend the trip a bit, but it's tough enough trying to fit it around my work schedule. -Nick- | ||
| Basschica |
I also recommend 119 and the tunnel of trees. It's really beautiful in the fall. I've heard the restaurant in Cross Village (I think that's the one some other's might have mentioned) is good. My big big big recommendation if you can work it in is prior to all that though...if you go via Elk Rapids, there's a Cajun restaurant called Pearl's. Everything there is amazing, but I'd definitely say the jalapeno cornbread, red bean cakes, and banana foster are my favs. The bread is free. When not riding, I'd totally recommend some of their alcohol stuff, but you're doing a long haul, so I doubt that's in the cards. http://www.magnumhospitality.com/pearls/ | ||
| Nickh |
I appreciate the input. Depending on the traffic or how sore my butt is going to be, I may have to try out these roads. -Nick- | ||
| Brad_buell |
You can also stop by my place for a bite to eat while in Petoskey: Cormack's Deli. I'm located on US 31. One mile Before the US 31 and US 131 exchange. I'm open from 9:30am to 6pm. If you do stop ask for me....Brad Cormack. 2569 Charlevoix Ave(US 31) | ||
| Nickh |
Brad, I'll definitely stop by if I'm in town by 6pm. Are you guys open on Sunday? -Nick- |
