Tag Archives: USA

Maps & Satnavs

Posted on August 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

Since the availability of GPS, there’s been a debate amongst motorcyclists about the merits of electronic as against paper maps. We’ve come down on the side of paper for most purposes when touring. We buy a decent scale local area map, and refold it to fit in the plastic window on top of the tankbag. So it’s always there to give inspiration about possible scenic detours, or to suggest where the next fuel stop might be found.
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29-30 July: La Crosse WI

Posted on August 4, 2010 | 1 comment

We finished the holiday by car, going to see our friends Kathleen & Tom in La Crosse. It was strange to be on four wheels instead of two. Pros: Keeping dry and cool. Cons: No longer enjoying the countryside as much.

Here we’re passing one of the many windfarms in the USA. I’m astonished that most Europeans seem to think that Americans don’t go in for renewable energy. This one in Wisconsin has only 20 towers – quite small compared with those we’ve seen in Nebraska, but very substantial by UK standards.

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Wed 28 July: Portage IN to Elkhorn WI

Posted on July 29, 2010 | Leave a comment

The final stage, albeit quite an exciting one in its way. After some debate, we decided to take the direct route, which is the I-90 Skyway and Expressway. We certainly got a good view of the Chicago cityscape, albeit shrouded in humidity and light smog. In total it was about 90 miles of urban motorway – pretty hot work on the bikes.

So, what else but … a Frappuccino!


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Tue 27 July: Maumee OH to Portage IN

Posted on July 28, 2010 | Leave a comment

The weather’s been beautiful today – too warm, even, in the afternoon. We have, as planned, stuck to the main roads to scoot across northern Indiana to our night’s destination just south of Chicago.
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Mon 26 July: Ashtabula OH to Maumee OH

Posted on July 27, 2010 | Leave a comment

The lakeside part of the tour ended in Willowick Ohio Motto: Willowick, Where Everybody Smiles

To be fair, it is a pretty place with great views of Lake Erie:

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Sun 25 July: Port Colborne ON to Ashtabula OH

Posted on July 26, 2010 | Leave a comment

We said our farewells to Canada today as we rode first eastwards to cross the bridge into Buffalo, then westwards along the southern shore of Lake Erie. After clearing the industrial fringe of Buffalo as quickly as possible on the interstate, an experience made even more depressing by steady rain, we joined New York State 5, which is the Seaway Trail, and a “scenic byway”. And the sun came out. Here’s a view from Erie State Park:

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Mon 19 July: Grand Marais MN to Terrace Bay ON

Posted on July 20, 2010 | 2 comments

This is what we came for! Riding along the shore of Lake Superior, with the sun shining, and a cool breeze to make the riding conditions just about perfect!

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Sun 18 July: Ashland WI to Grand Marais MN

Posted on July 19, 2010 | 1 comment

We’re following the shoreline of Lake Superior. We travelled from Ashland along the south shore to Duluth. At least we attempted to – yet another road closure frustrated our attempt to visit picturesque Bayfield. Continue reading →

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Saturday’s Pictures

Posted on July 18, 2010 | 1 comment

While we’re waiting for the rain to clear, with the promise of a fine day ahead, I thought I’d post a few of the pictures from yesterday. Forest roads are nicer to ride through than to photograph, but this gives an idea of the Ottawa forest, taken at an intersection with a county road:

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Sat 17 July: Marinette WI to Ashland WI

Posted on July 18, 2010 | 1 comment

What a great day’s ride!  It must look from the titles as though we’re entirely stuck in Wisconsin, but in fact most of today’s ride has been in Michigan, through beautiful forests.
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