Yooper Event 2020 July 31 / Aug 1

[Dagwood]

Expecting to get up there this year, booked at the campground just North of Newberry.

Steve - Here is kinda what I am planning on, about 7 hours with photo ops and a meal in Grand Marias with 77 the only road you double back on.

not sure why you do go to Grand Maria’s and Miners castle without riding along the lake. H58 connects those two points and is arguably the best ride in the UP.

My bad. Remembering the days before that stretch was paved. 

[GiG]

For MITCHO and Wizard:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,111690.0.html


The Groundhog predicts "Partially Shitty"  

[Skinhead]

Canucks welcome?

Of course.

[Wizzard]

If you can cross the border? When is that opening up?

[Fazer]

I heard on the radio this morning that Trudeau is not going to open the borders until the end of July.  The Canadian air line companies, especially Canada Air are pushing hard to open sooner.

I guess Inzane is out.  Looks dicey for any of our Canuk friends as far as the Yooper is concerned. 

Hoping for the best.

[Jack B]

Bring your mask, it must be worn in public or face a $500 fine.

[rainman]

Bring your mask, it must be worn in public or face a $500 fine.

they can kiss my ass not going to wear a mask being outside

[Wizzard]

Bring your mask, it must be worn in public or face a $500 fine.

they can kiss my ass not going to wear a mask being outside

You will have company on that 

[rainman]

Bring your mask, it must be worn in public or face a $500 fine.

they can kiss my ass not going to wear a mask being outside

You will have company on that 

[GiG]

A couple of rooms opened up at ground zero today.
Call Park-a-Way / Evening Star now, its going to be a good one.
 

Rooms won't last long, you can book now:

Park a Way Motel
 Newberry, MI
906 293-8342

Say "GiG Up North" July 31 / Aug 1.
Rooms range from $62 to $84 depending.

We have also reserved the "Evening Star" Motel as well, on the same property,  same PH #, same owner as Park a Way.

When these rooms fill up, there are other Motels in this small town, so come join us.
Looking forward to Summer riding in Michigan! Woo-Hoo!!!  Cool

[GiG]

2020 YOOPER Shirts are in, available in black, light gray, light blue - deadline for orders is July 24, so hurry please. Long sleeve $20, short sleeve $15, almost free. Coolest YOOPER Shirt of 2020.
Order lots of extras for all your loved ones and everyone you know.

Contact Stephanie G
Text:
(931) 622-0051

[GiG]

Getting near the home stretch, we'll be heading north soon...  

Several riders have asked if I could re-create the weather from 2019 for this year. I've been working on it on my laptop and headphones, and came up with:

Friday: 76* Sunny
Saturday : 78* Sunny

Great riding (and sleeping) weather! 

[Oss]

nice ! wonder how cold the water is in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior ?

My pool was 91 when I got home from work yesterday.    

Been watching 3fan's Mac video to de-sensitize myself for the next Yooper ride in 2021

The height of the roadway at midspan is the same as Delaware Memorial Bridge but the wind is higher
at least when I get to cross the thing.  DMB is also at least 4 lanes each way on each span and no metal grating,   Have fun at Yoopee

Oss

Give my regards to Grizwald and Lulu

[Skinhead]

Binkie had to cancel on me so I have a bed available at the Yooper ride if anyone is in need of a room to share.

[GiG]

Traffic Update:

I-75 is a mess through Oakland County (Sinkhead's  neighborhood), and should be avoided. The sections further Up North should be OK.

Alternatives include: US-23, M-52 (nice), US-127, US-131.

Ground Zero is booked, looking forward to seeing everyone Up North!

[luftkoph]

As traffic increases and delays return, Mackinac Bridge Authority asks customers to be patient
Posted on May 20th, 2020
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Last weekend, as weather improved and stay-at-home orders relaxed, the Mackinac Bridge saw an uptick in traffic and delays – and some impatience from customers.

As on a typical weekend, northbound traffic was particularly heavy on Friday between 2 and 6 p.m., along with heavy southbound traffic Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Mackinac Bridge Authority’s (MBA) temporary restriction on cash transaction slowed toll payments, resulting in some traffic backups.

“To help slow the spread of COVID-19, we stopped taking cash payments in mid-March. While credit cards take only a few seconds longer to process, that delay adds up during traffic peaks,” said MBA Executive Secretary Kim Nowack. “This change helps keep customers and our staff safe, and we ask that customers be patient and kind to our employees who are just trying to do their jobs during this stressful time”

Customers might also consider crossing the bridge at other times to avoid peak traffic. Traffic is expected to increase this weekend as well, particularly on Memorial Day for southbound traffic.

Until further notice, Mackinac Bridge customers will need to pay with a credit or debit card, or use a MacPass card or windshield sticker. If drivers wish to pay with credit or debit cards, the toll collector will hold the credit card device out to the driver so they can insert their card. Drivers will not need to hand their cards to the toll collector. Other payment types on phones, including Google Pay and Apple Pay, also are accepted.

Information on this new payment policy is posted on the MBA website, www.MackinacBridge.org, and on the toll plaza marquee.

Frequently asked questions:

Why is the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) temporarily halting cash payments amid the COVID-19 outbreak?

This temporary measure to stop the exchange of cash may help to protect MBA toll staff as well as the customers they service. Paying with cash and requiring change being handed back to a customer creates additional contact points that are unnecessary as we work to practice social distancing.

What can customers do to reduce their risk while making payment at a bridge crossing?
Customers are being encouraged to reduce their contact with toll staff by paying with credit/debit cards or a MacPass device. If drivers wish to pay with credit or debit cards, the toll collector will hold the credit card device out to the driver so they can insert their card. Drivers will not need to hand their cards to the toll collector.

While paying with a credit/debit card does not create a touchless payment, it does reduce the contagion potentially exchanged during payment between both the customer and the toll staff. In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, customers are also encouraged to increase their hand washing and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth.

Is there an option to eliminate any contact between the customer and the toll staff?

The MBA offers a pre-paid toll account called MacPass that uses a windshield-mounted sticker that is scanned when passing through the toll booths at the bridge, requiring no contact with toll staff. More information on the MacPass, and how to open an account, is available at https://MacPass.MackinacBridge.org/Login.

Phone-based payments, including Google Pay and Apple Pay, are also accepted.

What can customers do if they reach the toll booth and do not have a credit/debit card or MacPass?
Toll collectors will provide instructions for payment for customers who only have cash available. The move to eliminate cash is a precautionary measure to reduce person-to-person contact and is not intended to completely eliminate travel, especially when deemed necessary.

Who can customers direct questions to?
Customer questions can be directed to the MBA at 906-643-7600 or visit the MBA website at www.MackinacBridge.org.

Where can we find more information about the COVID-19 outbreak and managing the spread?

For current and up-to-date information regarding the coronavirus, visit http://www.Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or http://www.CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

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[GiG]

Thanks for the info, luftkopf.

Its always better to plan to cross the bridge in the morning in order to beat the crowds and its generally less windy.

Also, most businesses in MI require a mask for entry. Once you walk in, at least in the places I've been to in the Lower Peninsula, most customers do not have the masks on, enforcement seems to end at the door. I think the Upper Peninsula is even less stringent.

[GiG]

Binkie had to cancel on me so I have a bed available at the Yooper ride if anyone is in need of a room to share.

LuLu is worried about Binkee 

[GiG]

LuLu will be cooking a Friday dinner again this year for everyone that rolls in, no need to go looking for food! She has already bought all the groceries herself, and some of the YOOPERETTES have volunteered to help feed the hungry bikers. Sinkhead will bring his famous Ghost Pepper Bean dish, and anyone that would like to bring a dish is also welcome (not required).
 Looking forward to seeing everyone and getting some good Up North miles riding!

Cheers,
~GiG~

[da prez]

Gig , do you have room for one more.

         da prez.   Ross

[GiG]

Ross:

Skinhead has a bed available - contact him if you want to share a room at Ground Zero.
Ground Zero hotel is sold out, there is a Quality Inn and several other smaller mom-and-pop type hotels nearby.
The Pleasant Moose Lodge is directly across the road from Ground Zero.

Hope to see you, its going to be a good one!

[da prez]

DONE- DONE AND DONE. Will see you all there.

                                              da prez

[GiG]

DONE- DONE AND DONE. Will see you all there.

                                              da prez

[GiG]

Crost the Big Mac bridge at 4:30pm - no line, no backup, no wind, no problem 
Bridge toll payable by plastic or prepay only -  no cash.
Masks are "required" to enter businesses, but I don't think anyone will yell at ya for not complying.
See maybe 1% of people that are outside and socializing wearing the mask - same people that drive around in the car with one on their face...
 
Went to our regular diner / pastie place (secret), and they had taped a big  "X" on half the tables. We sat at one of the "X" tables, waitress could not have cared less. Other folks also sat at other "X" tables as well. The bad part was the diner had no Bison Pasties!!! SOLD OUT! Waitress claimed all the places around were sold out due to heavy tourist traffic (Gustofsen's Smoked Fish has some in the cooler, pre-made in saran wrap of dubious character.  I dunno, traffic and touristas seems almost normal Yooper amounts  to me...
Lots of bikes around, weather is FANTASTIC.

Grizwold is happy he is on vacation, he told me to tell all his friends - "C'mon up to YOOPERVILLE!"

[Skinhead]

Grizwald is cool.

[Funbaldguy]

I had book a room back in January. It was not meant to be. My mom is in the hospital after having her cancerous colon removed and has developed pneumonia. She’s not doing very well. Then my oldest daughter had back surgery today. Says it hurts a lot since getting out.
I was really looking forward to meeting you all that go.  Plus getting to enjoy the riding. Maybe next time

[GiG]

I had book a room back in January. It was not meant to be. My mom is in the hospital after having her cancerous colon removed and has developed pneumonia. She’s not doing very well. Then my oldest daughter had back surgery today. Says it hurts a lot since getting out.
I was really looking forward to meeting you all that go.  Plus getting to enjoy the riding. Maybe next time

FBGuy:
Sorry to hear, brother, take care and hope to see y’all next time.
Did you cancel at the hotel?
Some folks is looking for a room here
All the best
GiG

[GiG]

Important Update:

Hotel is officially the Evening Star. On the east side of US123 directly across from the 24hr Holiday Gas Station.

Park a Way sign is gone, look for the NEW Evening Star Motel sign.

I’ve already been chastised for causing some advanced riders to go in circles 

Woo

[Oss]

I was one of those but it was all good

Might have found the pastie bar   

[BradValk48237]

Heading out tomorrow at 8 from Detroit.   How was 75?  Meeting Dad in Grayling then taking time to get up there

B

[GiG]

Yooper 2020 is in the books, hope everyone had a good time! Great friends and weather, good food and riding, all add up to a successful event - thanks to all that participated.

Special thanks are in order to the VRCC wives that worked so hard to serve the meals  - Shelia, Sue, Laura, Becky, Diana, Lonnie, Stephanie and (I hope I didn't leave someone out!).
LuLu broke even on her grocery outlay - THANK YOU all for donations! A couple members even offered to make up any shortage, too cool. She enjoys cooking for us and goes over the top with the preparations, hope everyone got enough to eat.

Thank you to Stephanie G for the shirts, great job.


Looking forward to Yooper 2021 - Thanks Again!


~GiG~

[Wizzard]

Yes it was great. Please reserve the same weather for next year. 

Had a blast
Will post some pics tonight

[rainman]

Yep another great event even with all the covet 19 BS  had a good time see everyone and meeting some new folks.  can't wait till next year
was in the rain coming and going but what the hay
here are some pictures that diana took
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3110486202353256&set=pcb.3110489675686242&type=3&theater

[Oss]

Great pics   

Thank you for posting and Diana thanks for taking the pics

Hope to see you all next year

[trout dude]

Sheila and I made it home yesterday morning from the Ride I would like to thank GIG and Teresa for all the hard work for making it a success. I would also like to thank Oss and Bonnie for their hospitality And tour guide service We saw some great sites With great people.  The morning we was leaving On Sunday we followed wizard out and found some tires for she’s a keeper.  Another big thanks to the pit crew Mitcho ( Randy wizard )(Joe Skinhead)They had the tires all ready  to go on the trailer when I came out with the new ones I love it when a plan comes together.  They also had the support group of Laura ,Sheila and let’s not forget Bam.  Sheila and I had a large time we put in a round 4300 miles on this trip it was great until we hit Louisiana 95° hundred percent humidity hard to breathe after being in the wonderful weather we had but life goes on.  It was great seeing everyone and meeting new folks hopefully  we  will be able to make it again next year

[Skinhead]

It was good hanging with you guys.  Glad you made it home safe.

[trout dude]

Thanks Joe and the same to you   Ps I don’t think I told you we had Mitch and Laura and Bam turn and go look for you when you turned off to go to your sons  lol  Glad you had a good evening with him

[Farside]

  Wow, Great pic's and looks like a great time had by all. Maybe one of these days I'll make that trip and see that beautiful part of our country. Thanks for sharing 

[Skinhead]

Thanks Joe and the same to you   Ps I don’t think I told you we had Mitch and Laura and Bam turn and go look for you when you turned off to go to your sons  lol  Glad you had a good evening with him

No I didn't know that.  I didn't mean for you guy to come look for me, but you were heading in the wrong direction to get to 131.  I thought maybe you guys decided to take a different route, so I peeled of before I went further out of my way.  I waved at Mitch when I turned hoping he would realize I was OK.  I hope They didn't waste a lot of time, I was making tracks.

[Wizzard]

We did eventually get to 131.Was my fault. We should have continued on down 37 from the tire store but GPS misguided me. They are not perfect. We did no go to far out of our road but the traffic on 31 got bad so we took 115 over to 131. It all worked out