2007 Michigan GS500 Meet & Group Ride

[darb85]

Taking Redshifts Suggestion, here is a planning thread for the above.

Im thinking up here In the travers City area, There are some sweet riding grounds.  so lets pick a weekend and start the planning!

Brad

[darb85]

suggest other routes, and such if you have an idea.  if anyone wants to truck it in, ive got parking places that can be used.  Im new to the planning of all this so im hoping all yall can give me some Ideas!  Heres to a successful ride

[manofthefield]

All I know is I'm in as long as I can scrape together some gas money  

I have nothing constructive to add at this point

[darb85]

well that makes 2.  Hopefully we can get a few more involved and take over TC.

[denman]

im in but for now im still frozen.

[vantec6040]

Okay, i've really wanted to get together for some time now with some gs's. My problem is, i've waited too long and now have a sv instead  And it seems i'm unwelcome at most sv rides lol . . . . soooooo . . . . may I tag along when you guys decide your trip? I'm surrounded by Hardley riders.

[manofthefield]

Sure, you just have to let me ride your SV





j/k  Where you from?

[vantec6040]

lol i'm from lapeer, so i'd have a LONG ride if this is going down up north. We can trade bikes for a bit if you want. I really miss my GS sometimes, but then I crack the throttle and its a reminder that I made a good upgrade.   The SV is the next logical step.

[RedShift]

Yeah, it would be a heavy ride from Lapeer to Traverse City (easily 3.5 or more hours), then a Leelanau ride?  Fun, but long.

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During the next few weeks I'll try and piece together a couple of routes and let everyone consider.  Don't wait for me -- anyone who wants to offer other rides please publish.

From my experience here are the areas where the interesting roads are:

[vantec6040]

I've heard really good things about the Pinckney area. Never been though . . . actually I haven't been to a lot of places lol . . .
But yeah, I say you guys plan the trip to where the majority of you are located (seems to be up north at this point). If its too far for me, then thats fine.

[RedShift]

I'm sure we'll try to be inclusive, considerate of source location and riding skill.

Last year we rode the Pinckney area, as detailed in the 2006 Michigan GS500 Meet & Group Ride thread.

I'm up for another go at that area, but I'd be inclined to choose a new area to explore.  Let's see where this discussion goes.   

[manofthefield]

The area North of Grand Rapids would be shortest for me to get to; the others are around the same amount of travel distance +/- a little.  I haven't driven around enough of Lower MI to have a real preference though. 

I guess I'll just say that if I'm the only one in this area, I'll do some riding to get you where ever you guys want to ride, as long as I have the time to dedicate the whole day to it

[darb85]

Im up for all those locations as well, Picked the Leelanau Ride because It had been recommended from a couple people, my vote is for that one or the one just north of GR on the west side of the state.big rapids area

[denman]

north of gr would be great,but that pinckney ride last summer was a blast+that sv1000 and that gsxr750 were cool.

[RedShift]

True Denman, that Pinckney ride was fun, even on a bum rear shock.  I'd do it again, but there's something to be said about exploring the state.  Maybe... we should plan more than one ride this year.   

[darb85]

sounds good to me! many group rides sounds like fun.

[vantec6040]

So I hope everyone was out riding today (75 degrees!) and scouting some new roads. I did a massive triangle from lapeer, to capac, to detroit and back.

[denman]

yes more rides this year, last year we started too late.     my back tire thin but not down to the wear mark's yet.    so im good for a ride or two.    see y'all.

[RedShift]

Let me throw a couple of ideas out there that I've had as riding interests and see what catches fire:

• Travel to Grattan Raceway
  Always wanted to visit this place, especially on a weekend when there would be Motorcycle activites going on.  They post an events schedule, and there are a couple of weekends in every month where they have something going on.  We can meet up in a several groups and ride to the Raceway, meeting there by lunch, take in the place and either ride out as a group for a piece and then disperse, or whatever.
  
  
• The Leelanau Loop
  This is the classic ride from Traverse City, up to Hwy 22, then down to Frankfort, then back to TC or where ever we disperse.  For several of you this would be one long day.  Would be fun if we pace ourselves (starting early and taking appropriate breaks to restore circulation).
  
  
• Mason to Dexter Trail to Brighton and Back
  This is the Pinckney ride we did last year Denman.  Brought a smile to everyone who was there.  I'm sure it can happen again.  Read the 2006 Michigan GS500 Meet & Group Ride for details.
  
  
• Huron National Forest Ride
  We meet at or near Bay City, ride north on 13 to Standish, then up past West Branch to Rosscommon, then towards Mio, Curran through Glennie to The Jackpines, break out to Oscoda perhaps and back.  Longer than it looks, and may want to shorten it up a bit.  Regardless, lots of great roads.
  
  
• The Thumb Lighthouse Run
  We could meet somewhere like Unionville, take 25 north-east along Saginaw Bay to Pointe-aux-Barques Lighthouse, then continue on to Harbor Beach, then disperse.  Again, for some this is a long ride, especially home to places like Grand Rapids.
  

.

Okay, more than a couple.  Should be food for thought.  I can put together a Trips & Streets highlighted map for the ones that catch the imagination.

Anyone have any other ideas, like along Lake Michigan, from Holland northwards?  Any good roads down there?  (I've never been down to that corner of the state, except along I94 by car.)

[manofthefield]

I haven't looked to see what those rides would be like (names mean nothing to me right now without a looking at a map too), but I did find some other rides or roads we could add to our rides posted on the West Michigan Riders forum.

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/mi.html

and

http://www.sportbikeroads.com/frames3.htm (click on the Michigan link on the left for rides)

I haven't really looked at any of these roads or rides yet on a map either; I just found them and thought they might be useful.