Northeastern Minnesota

[tommymerle]

Arrowhead, nice to see you, too bad about that big rip in your leathers. That will teach you to harass my 3 month old puppy

[arrowhead rider]

Hi everyone! Hope memorial weekend was good to all. Who wants to do some riding this coming weekend? friday,saturday or sunday. Also just want to through this out. If anyone has vacation in july I am leaving the 5th of july for a 12 day trip out East. Ontario,Quebec,Maine,New York,Pennsylvania, Down to North Caralina,Tennesee, Up to Missouri and home. Plan on hitting Acadia,catskills,adirondacks,pennsylvania dutch,tail of the dragon and the ozarks. Probally do both hotels and camping. If anyone is interested let me know.

[Lutz]

I went out for a ride yesterday (last minute decision or I would have asked if anyone else could come). I ran north & west of Two Harbors, riding mostly dirt roads and logging roads. It was an exploration voyage of sorts, looking for connections through the woods (trying to verify what's on the maps) and/or fun spur routes. I did run into a lot of dead ends - typical of logging roads, and also passed lots of trails I didn't even start down. Put in about 80 miles total.

I did find some interesting and fun spots though. One sand pit straddling a dead end dirt road with some mild climbs and such, so I played there a while. That was fun - haven't had myself or this bike in the sand since I've got it. The golden rule of sand riding came back quick though - wide open throttle and rear wheel speed!

Off one of the woods trails, I saw this guy. It was very curious, which is pretty atypical compared to the others I've seen in my life - usually they go hide at the sight of a person. It did slap its tail a bunch of times, but rather than hiding it just kept swimming back and forth checking me out. Maybe it didn't connect the sight of a motorbike & rider to danger.

[arrowhead rider]

Sounds like you had fun. you will have to tell me where you went next time we ride. I also took an impromptu ride with my 6 year old on saturday. We spent more than an hour exploring the westover road hoping to find a connection to the laine road or back to the drummond. I believe it might make it to the drummond but being one bike with my son with I didn't want to push it.

[Lutz]

Yeah, it was fun for sure. Basically, I spent a few hours riding the roads and spurs off of Drummond/Alger/Westover. Over on the East Alger side, I saw signs of another dirtbiker not far in front of me timewise, but we never crossed paths at the same time.

Among other things, I was looking for a connection from the Westover back to the Old Drummond road as well. Is the Laine Rd on the St. Louis Co. side? I rode a few logging spurs in that direction to total dead ends. I'm sure the connection from the Westover to the Drummond exists...it's on the map, and the ATVs are running in there - I'm sure you know the exact place I'm talking about. I'm just not sure what the terrain is like in the middle...could be a fairly easy ride, or could be deep mud...I stopped at the first water crossing, because I didn't want to risk wet feet, as wussy as that may sound (yes, I just plain wussed out ).

I may be up for a ride this weekend, Saturday or Sunday. Will have to play it by ear and run it by my event coordinator. Actually, I might have to work from the sounds of it...possibly an excuse to trail ride on the way there/back.

[MikeS]

I'm up for a ride. I don't see anything on the calender for Saturday. Do you have anything in mind?

I still want to finish a ride that Arrowhead and I started earlier this spring. I'd like to get to the Pigeon River overlook on the Reservation, plus continue on to the old border crossing. Maybe even walk in to Pigeon Falls, or ride if it's legal.

An option is to ride up the Gunflint to the Greenwood Road, then take the logging roads above the South Brule River towards Camp 20 Road and Tom Lake. From there head to the Arrowhead Trail and east towards the Reservation.

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by arrowhead rider

If anyone has vacation in july I am leaving the 5th of july for a 12 day trip...

On the same note of trips, I want to get back for a second trip to Mexico this Sept or Oct. So far I'm solo, and I do prefer to ride with someone. My wife actually told me she prefers that too.

What I have in mind is a return for me to Creel and Copper Canyon. I want to ride from Creel down to Urique in the canyon, then take the "new road" to Batopilas. It's gravel to/in the canyon, with a river crossing near Urique as I understand. After Batopilas, up the canyon and east to the Gulf of Mexico and return to the States. Should be about a week in Mexico. I am working on getting some gps tracks from other friends who rode the "new road" earlier this year.

Here's a link to some pictures from my first trip to the canyon. The pictures do absolutely no justice to the stunning scenery when there in person: http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Creel%202010/

I did the Bato trip last year with 3 others, and crossed at Presidio, TX. It's a small crossing and no hassles. I trucked part way down, and if going solo I want to avoid that expense this time. Consequently the Sept/Oct dates in order to ride from here. The cost of trucking was more than all the time in Mexico. Copper Canyon is absolutely stunning, and I expect the ride from Creel and east to the Gulf will be nice through the mountains.

Trucking part way is an option, if costs can be shared.

[Mnrider2]

Originally Posted by Lutz

I went out for a ride yesterday (last minute decision or I would have asked if anyone else could come). I ran north & west of Two Harbors, riding mostly dirt roads and logging roads. It was an exploration voyage of sorts, looking for connections through the woods (trying to verify what's on the maps) and/or fun spur routes. I did run into a lot of dead ends - typical of logging roads, and also passed lots of trails I didn't even start down. Put in about 80 miles total.

I did find some interesting and fun spots though. One sand pit straddling a dead end dirt road with some mild climbs and such, so I played there a while. That was fun - haven't had myself or this bike in the sand since I've got it. The golden rule of sand riding came back quick though - wide open throttle and rear wheel speed!

Off one of the woods trails, I saw this guy. It was very curious, which is pretty atypical compared to the others I've seen in my life - usually they go hide at the sight of a person. It did slap its tail a bunch of times, but rather than hiding it just kept swimming back and forth checking me out. Maybe it didn't connect the sight of a motorbike & rider to danger.

My deer stand is near a pond and I was sitting there half asleep when it sounded like someone through a 50 pound rock in the water,damn near fell out if my stand.
It was a beaver slapping his tail on the water-loud.

[arrowhead rider]

Mike S- Your route for saturday sounds fun. And the weather looks good! I'm in!

[arrowhead rider]

Originally Posted by Mnrider2

My deer stand is near a pond and I was sitting there half asleep when it sounded like someone through a 50 pound rock in the water,damn near fell out if my stand.
It was a beaver slapping his tail on the water-loud.

Canoeing the Cloquet River after midnight on a very remote section when we thought someone was throwing rocks at us. Very nerve racking when you can't see anything! We figured out later it must have been a beaver or two.

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by arrowhead rider

Mike S- Your route for saturday sounds fun. And the weather looks good! I'm in!

So how about 10AM meet at World's Best Donuts in downtown Grand Marais, then head out after nutrition and coffee? I'm going to bring a sandwich, because there isn't much opportunity for lunch until we get back to the Shore. This route should put us on the Shore at Portage I suspect, via Mineral Center. The black flies are out up the hill, so hopefully I'll remember to grab some bug dope, or else we won't want to stop.

I like good weather. I was south last weekend on the RT, and hit big winds/rain along the IA/WI border on Saturday, then rain from Carlton to home on Sunday morning. I'm ready for a day of sun.

All others welcome!

[arrowhead rider]

Originally Posted by MikeS

So how about 10AM meet at World's Best Donuts in downtown Grand Marais, then head out after nutrition and coffee? I'm going to bring a sandwich, because there isn't much opportunity for lunch until we get back to the Shore. This route should put us on the Shore at Portage I suspect, via Mineral Center. The black flies are out up the hill, so hopefully I'll remember to grab some bug dope, or else we won't want to stop.

I like good weather. I was south last weekend on the RT, and hit big winds/rain along the IA/WI border on Saturday, then rain from Carlton to home on Sunday morning. I'm ready for a day of sun.

All others welcome!

I can do earlier than that if you want. My daughter and I will be riding up friday afternoon so saturday morning I will only have to go 10 miles. your call.

[Lutz]

I'd really like to come along, but I've got to work this weekend. Drats.

[arrowhead rider]

Originally Posted by Lutz

I'd really like to come along, but I've got to work this weekend. Drats.

Where are your priorities my friend! Would have been fun to have you with. Especially through the tough spots!

[Lutz]

Originally Posted by arrowhead rider

Where are your priorities my friend! Would have been fun to have you with. Especially through the tough spots!

I know, I know. I'm ashamed of myself. I'll make up for it someday, someway.

By the way, if you haven't been through there, they've got Hwy 61 torn up at Splitrock again, down to one lane with delays. It will probably be best to bypass via Co Rd 3 and Co Rd 4. Looks like they're prepping to tie the new section of road in to the old, then pave.

Have a great ride.