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BobB
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« on: July 03, 2016, 02:09:59 PM » |
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Over the top of Lake Michigan heading to West Branch, MI. I did not necessarily want to do this on The Fourth of July, but I have no choice. A Stepsister of mine passed away on Friday and her service will be held on Tuesday afternoon. Barb was only 80, but her health had rapidly diminished of late. She is in a better place. I guess one may say that I am taking advantage of the situation, in that I have always wanted to ride across the Mackinac Bridge...
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« Last Edit: July 03, 2016, 02:12:35 PM by BobB »
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RDKLL
Member
Posts: 1222
VRCC #1231 VRCCDS #271
Mesa, AZ
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« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2016, 03:26:32 PM » |
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First, condolences on your loss....second, stay on the grate, it is pretty cool to look down at the water while you go across
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cookiedough
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« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2016, 07:09:22 PM » |
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How smooth is the metal grate material though, would hate to catch a sharp edge and get a flat that far up over the water. Doubt it will happen, but ????
Sorry for the loss, but good way to get out and ride I guess?
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msb
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« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2016, 08:12:14 PM » |
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My condolences to you and your family on the passing of your sister. Road across that bridge on the way home from Inzane a couple of weeks ago. Kind of a neat experience, just had to stay focused and not get caught looking out over the lake and up at the support structure. Road all the way across on the paved lane, but the grate didn't look any worse than any other grated bridges I've ridden on.  |
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Mike
'99 Red & Black IS
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jim@98valkyrie.com
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« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2016, 06:42:56 PM » |
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Sorry for your loss, Bob, but ride safe.
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BobB
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« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2016, 08:21:20 PM » |
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Went over the bridge this afternoon. Stuck mainly to the left edge of the paved lane so I could still look down through the grate in the left lane. As I started up the approach a black Valkyrie Interstate passed by and I followed them. That is the first other Valk I have seen on this trip. I was slowed by a semi and pulled into the left grated lane to pass. The grate was a little wobbly but controlable. I took a video thru the windshield and will post it if possible...
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Hobo
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« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2016, 07:07:58 AM » |
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Is this a toll bridge and if so how much for a bike and bushtec trailer? Taking a trip up that way this fall...  Sorry for your loss..  |
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eat to ride---ride to eat
scenic hwy 7...Arkansas
Gooooooo** Razorbacks
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BobB
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« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2016, 07:59:18 AM » |
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Is this a toll bridge and if so how much for a bike and bushtec trailer? Taking a trip up that way this fall... Sorry for your loss.. The toll for a bike, like a car, is $4.00. They count axials, not wheels, so I may be more for your trailer. I thought about negotiating, but with three cars behind me, I did not want to take the time to haggle. The toll booths are on the north end. It helps to have the toll ready as you approach, the second time, I had the $4 in my tank bag. Rode back across yesterday. There is construction on the bridge which I did not experience when crossing on the 4th. It forced me to get onto the grate for a short way. The grate caused my Valk to wobble a bit. I ride with an Avon Cobra up front and an Austone TT in the rear... |
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« Last Edit: July 07, 2016, 08:08:55 AM by BobB »
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Alpha Dog
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« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2016, 08:20:57 AM » |
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The toll for a bike, like a car, is $4.00. They count axials, not wheels. I thought about negotiating, but with three cars behind me, I did not want to take the time to haggle. The toll booths are on the north end. It helps to have the toll ready as you approach, the second time, I had the $4 in my tank bag.
Rode back across yesterday. There is construction on the bridge which I did not experience when crossing on the 4th. It forced me to get onto the grate for a short way.
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There is always construction on that bridge. Been over in auto many times as wife's family has summer house in U.P., Curtis, MI. 4 years ago I finally got to cross over twice on my bike, definitely best to stay focused on the road as the sights high above the congruence of Lakes Michigan and Huron, and Mackinac Island to the east is breath taking. Also a bunch of darn near lifelong buddies always put together a softball team for what turned into a 27 year run for a Curtis,Michigan softball tournament the 3rd weekend of July. We called ourselves the Trolls due to that bridge and became quite famous in Curtis over the years and kicked out of many hotels and cabin resorts, not good, but I met my future wife there so one big plus.
I am very sorry for the loss of your stepsister. She must have meant a lot to make this journey. I went through West Branch the previous weekend on a quick Valkyrie dash from Dayton, Oh area to Tawas, MI area for a family reunion at Indian Lake. Not a bad little city at all.
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