CJS report on 2005 Midnight Ride

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CJS report on 2005 Midnight Ride

This past weekend I participated in the Midnight Ride, a fund raiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The ride is organized by the local GWRRA chapter and leaves Grand Rapids Michigan at precisely midnight on Friday and travels 250 miles north to the Mackinac Bridge. It was a blast. We left Grand Rapids with something over 500 motorcycles. The majority were Gold Wings, but all brands and models were welcome and participated; old, new, big and small.

By the time we reached the Mighty Mac across the Straits of Mackinac there were between 1200 and 1500 motorcycles all in row. We traveled as a single group the whole way, with three stops for fuel and snacks. At each of the stops additional bikes joined the group.

An amazing thing that I had not anticipated is the number of people that came out to see us go by. At every overpass on the way there were people watching and waving as we went by. We road expressway all the way, which is obviously the only way a single group of more than 1000 motorcycles could travel in a single pack. By my best estimates the groups was about 10 miles long and took something more than 10 minutes to go by. It probably was a lot of fun to watch, it sure was a lot of fun to ride. There were people on the over pass we went under at 3:30 in the morning. Must have been a great excuse for a little party time.

Here are a couple of pictures of the group, or at least as much of it as can be seen. The first one is at about 3am and the second is at about 7am when it was just starting to get light.

Approaching the Mackinac Bridge on a motorcycle is an impressive sight. Going across in a car is a real rush. Going across on a motorcycle was going to be really something. The bridge is about 5 miles in total length. The total length of the suspension section is more than 8 thousand feet or almost two miles. The bridge is just 200 feet above the water at mid span. It looked like two miles. The bridge is very narrow. On the right lane you are right next to the railing, and in the left lane you are on grating looking down 200 feet to the water. No one traveled in the left lane.
Here is a picture as we were getting to the bridge.

And here is one as we were going down the other side.

There were not pictures taken in the mid span since this driver/photographer was much too busy staying right in the middle of the lane and wasn't about to take either hand off the grips. Trust me it was quite a sight.

After crossing the bridge and getting some breakfast, consisting of scrambled eggs, potatoes, toast and a cold Corona, we were off to the motel to get some sleep. Oh by the way you may have noticed that it had started to rain as we crossed the bridge. As few sprinkles as we reached the bridge and a downpour before we got to the other side. Needless to say there was no room on the bridge to stop and put on rain gear. We go soaked. But we dried things out as we got some sleep.

The next day was much better, and offered some great riding and scenery in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We road along route 2 from St Ignace to Manistique.

I think the pictures speak for themselves about the scenery along the northern shore of Lake Michigan It is a beautiful area. My previous travel through the area had been in a car. Going through the area on Big Red gave me a wonderful new perspective. It was awesome.

Here are my riding partners, AJ and his dad Jim. Great duo to travel with.

On the way home we went through an area of Michigan that I did not know existed. It is route 119 called the Tunnel of Trees which runs from Cross Village to Harbor Springs. The sign at the entrance says narrow twisty road , next 22 miles. And it was. WOW! The trees form a canopy over the road for the whole way. The road is only about 20 feet wide. Oh, and by the way, it is right on the shore of Lake Michigan the whole way. Wonderful vistas through the trees and many places. Next time I will take some pictures, sorry. It was so engaging that I just totally forgot to get my camera out.

The rest of the trip home along Lake Michigan was on M-22 from Empire down to Manistee. I will ride it again some day soon and get some pictures to share with you. Let me just say, the the Tunnel of Trees and M-22 have to be some of the very best riding anyplace. I'll say that, I can't prove it, but I think it is true.

Anyway, thanks for listening, it was fun to share this adventure with you.