One thing about us Valk riders… We know good food when we see it, and have been known to travel great distances to partake in a feast. This past Memorial Day weekend, was no exception for me, when I decided I had heard enough about something called a BAB (Big Azz Burger) served up a few times a year, in the north woods of the beautiful state of Michigan. I had to see for myself. I was headed to my very first ‘Q in da Woods’ hosted by Timbr n Chilli, in Grayling Michigan… A mere 500 miles away.
The Black Beast was packed and buckin’ at her hitchin’ post Thursday evening… I got a good nights sleep, and was on the road at 7:00 am, Friday morning. From the very start, this looked to be an unusual trip up and over the U.P. , in that there was no rain forecasted. You see, I’ve made this trip, dozens of times, and have been known to end any droughts within a day of departure…
Beautiful sunny skies, and temps in the low 70’s were the order of the day, and the air was oh so sweet… Traffic was light, and I had Green Bay in my mirrors by 9:00. From my place to just past Green Bay, is mostly Super Slab, and while the scenery is top notch, the ride is more of a exercise in self preservation… I 45 is a major truck route, and those boys can fly, so I just hunkered down and looked forward to the less traveled Hwy 41, once past Green Bay, through Wisconsin’s north woods.
For those of you traveling to InZane this year, consider the trip up and over Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, rather than the southern route, from IL or IN, or one of the ferry’s. You will not be sorry… The U.P. offers some of the best scenery this country has to offer, with Hwy 2, following the upper shore of Lake Michigan, sometimes a mere 50 feet from the cool waters.
I took a few pictures, and stopped to take in the pine scented air along the way… I was on a schedule (wanting to be in Grayling on time to take my hosts out for dinner), but needed to clear my mind of the ‘Devils and Dust’ that is the never ending divorce proceedings… My rides are ‘Mental Floss’, and this one, being the first major ride of the season, was necessary, and essential, if this Dawg was to keep from going botzo…
Just a few shots of the beauty that is Hwy 2...
A view from the cockpit...
Dunes, between the Hwy and the lake...
All too soon, I was at the ‘Big Mac’… The Mackinaw Bridge, linking the Upper Peninsula to the lower, mainland of Michigan. The last time I made this ride, the rain never stopped, and I was greeted with 45 mph cross winds… Not fun, when you are crossing a 7 mile long bridge, two lanes in each direction, with one lane made up of a metal grate. Common knowledge says that the ‘pucker factor’ can be off the dial, even on a nice day, for some folks… Today, as with the rest of this trip, there was nothing but sunshine and soft breezes. I paid my $3.50 toll, was handed a small American flag, and enjoyed the view.
Up and over...
Once over the bridge, I was but 85 miles from my goal, and rolled the throttle on. I 75 in MI is posted 70 mph speed limit… As in so many other states (and especially while riding the Valk) I took it as merely a sugestion, and settled in at an indicated 85… I got in to Dave and Faiths humble abode about 9 ½ hours after I started, or 5:30 local time…
Dave and Faith had been busting their butts, getting everything ready for the ‘Q’, but had also been quite busy, fixin’ up the interior, with the guest room getting special attention… Fresh paint, and enough ‘foo-foo pillows’ to hide the bed… Faith is a girly girl at heart, and she and Timbr made me feel right at home. A quick shower, and we were headed about 15 miles south to the next town, to Timbr n Chillies favorite Wednesday night pizza place, for a bodacious steak and baked tater dinner (the choice of Timbr and I) while Chilli chose the ‘Walleye’ fish fry. Dinner was superb, and after a nightcap, this Dawg was off to bed…
Saturday morning dawned crisp, sunny, and beautiful! We sat on the deck and killed a pot of coffee, before digging in and setting up for the main event. Faith was busy prepping side dishes, and making last minute runs to the store, while Dave and I were busy setting up grills, tables, chairs, and tunes… The guests started to arrive at noon, and the event was on…
Tony Z made this awesome banner, as a belated BD present for Timbr...
Fire good...
Everyone had a dish to pass, or as you can see here, pitched in helping in the kitchen...
It was starting to look like a 'biker' gathering...
Good folks, enjoyin' good friendship...
The man behind the 'Big Azz Burger', Timbr...
And the lovely Chilli Gurl...
This was worth every mile of a 1000 mile round trip...
Valk riders are a responsible bunch... Soda and water was the only liquid consumed all day... But when all the guests have gone, and the mess has been cleaned up, ya just gotta know the event wouldn't be complete with out breakin' out the 'Capin', and a lil Coke...
Timbr n Chilli, kickin' back relaxin', after a very good day...
I woke early Sunday morning, started the coffee, and took my shower. Packed the Valk, and woke my hosts to say good bye… We sat on the deck (I really liked that set up, so soothing) had a few cups, and I was on my way… About 30 miles north, as I cleared the rise of a hill, I saw a biker standing next to his ride, about ½ mile ahead… As would any good guy biker, I slowed to see if he needed help… As I drew closer, I could see that it was not a broken down rider, but a Michigan State Motor Cop, with radar gun in hand… I yelled to him as I got closer, that I though he was stranded, and he gave me a ‘thumbs up’ and wished me a safe ride… Guess my eyes ain’t what they used to be.
Hooked up with this rider, and he stayed with me all the way to the bridge...
I planed on gas, back on the other side of the Big Mac, in St Ignace, while there I grabbed a bite to eat at Burger King (bacon, egg, and cheese wraps, were pretty good). About 40 miles down the road, I came upon the aftermath of a hellacious head on collision, and was diverted around the crash site that had at least 4 State Troopers, two fire trucks and 3 ambulances I saw… One bad thing about Hwy 2, is that it is two lane most of the way, with passing lanes interspersed every 20 miles or so… Some folks don’t make the right choices, when pulling out to pass… I hugged the right side of my lane, when oncoming traffic was visible, for the rest of the way.
The weather was beautiful, but with the waters of Lake Michigan barely reaching 50 degrees, and a breeze off the lake, the air was cool, and my mesh jacket with liner, was just right.
The gear for the cool weather in the UP... (OK, I was board)
Once 20 miles in to Wisconsin, the furnace was cranked up, and I was riding in temperatures in the 90’s… First chance I had, I stopped, ditched the jacket and helmet, and donned my dew rag, after soaking it in cold water. That would occur a few more times along the way, just to keep from over heating.
I know, I know... But 90+ is too hot for this Dawg...
Good thing I look over my windshield... Killin' bugs, and Jammin' to the tunes...
Once back on I 45 in Wisconsin, it was hot and busy with traffic, so I just set my sights on home, and probably got my worst mileage of the trip…
Strange trees, along Hwy 45...
Is there such a thing as a 1000 mile burger? You bet, and even if the event had been catered by McDonalds, it would have been a great trip… It’s the people that make the VRCC great, and I’m here to tell ya, the folks from the great state of Michigan, are some of the best. I really want to say a special thank you to Dave and Faith (Timbr N Chilli) for putting me up, and putting up with me… They were great hosts, and made me feel at home from the very beginning…
Thanks for taking the time to look, and hope to see you all at InZane
Black Dog
