Light turnout for cool Tuesday night ride

Tuesday, July 29 2014

Our mystery ride tonight was undecided until we were ready to ride.  After initially deciding to go to St. Joe Island, we changed our minds at the last minute turning left instead of right as we left the Husky. We decided to go to Gros Cap instead of the Island and I'm glad we did.

Drifter, Professore, MrsEchoBay, Dusty and myself showed up at the Husky around 6:00 pm. Dusty didn't come on the ride because his bike is still down but he came out to chat and see us off. Thanks Dusty.

We headed out under blue sky and cool temperatures, riding out Black Road to 4th Line then down Goulais Avenue to 2nd Line and out to Gros Cap. As we approached Gros Cap the sky became increasingly cloudy and dark looking once again like it was going to rain.  Arriving at Gros Cap, fog was moving in off the water with visibility offshore limited to about 50'.  The temperature had also dropped from "cool" to where it now felt "cold".

We didn't stay long before we headed back to MacDonalds at Great Northern Road for a hot coffee and chat.  8:45 we wrapped it up and headed home.

That's one more ride under our belts. LOL

Cool ride today.

EchoBay

(l to r) MrsEchoBay, Professore, Dusty, EchoBay and Drifter

Good turnout to Sunday "meet and greet"

Sunday, July 27 2014

Here we go again.

I seriously think the weatherman's been into the juice. lol.  It's just hard to figure out what we are going to get these days as far as the weather goes.  We need someone to actually monitor just the weather.  Today it called for thunderstorms and rain, rain, rain. It was overcast when MrsEchoBay & I left for the Sault but  all it did was spit for a minute.  That's it; then just overcast.

Anyway, today’s "meet & greet" at the Husky East was great.  We had 11 members and a couple of guests show up for coffee & breakfast.  They were: Twister, DD, Wolverine, Drifter, Hooleo, Kranky, Rosey, Professore, Pinky, MrsEchoBay, EchoBay and guests Michael and BP.  We had a good time eating breakfast, catching up, chit chatting, consuming numerous cups of coffee and sharing photos.

After everyone was done, we retired to the parking lot where there was more talk of bikes, rides and cross - border cell service.  We took a couple more pictures of the group, unfortunately Twister, Kranky, Rosey and guest Michael had already left.

All in all, we had a good time together. Good turn out and nice to see everyone who was able to make it.

Thanks

EchoBay

1st Officer and Road Captain

CMC Chapter 032

Sault Ste. Marie, ON

(l to r) Michael, BP, DD, Wolverine, Twister, Drifter, 
EchoBay, MrsEchoBay, Pinky, Hooleo, Rosey, 
Kranky, Professore

Another Sunday ride cancelled due to weather

Sand River, this Sunday cancelled!

Another Sunday and another rainy weather forecast . . .

Mainly cloudy with 60% chance of showers. Risk of thunderstorm in the morning and early afternoon. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 19 UV index 5 or moderate.

After a depressingly long winter, the summer is turning out to be cool and wet.  Let's hope that August and September bring blue skies and warmer temps so we can get together and enjoy our weekly outings.

CMC National Rally August 1 - 4

Next weekend (August 1 - 4) is the Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers' National Rally in Ottawa.  They have scenic group rides, bike rodeo, BBQs, live music and lots more planned.

Registration is $50.00 including unserviced tent camping.

To learn more or register, go to http://cmcottawa.com.

Tunnel of Trees, Michigan

Sunday, July 20 2014

Hi everyone:

Well we had a great day for a ride. We started out with 5 bikes but by the time we actually got to the meeting place we only had 3. Drifter showed up and explained he wasn't feeling good and that he wouldn't be joining us on the ride. Thanks for coming down and letting us know. Also Seventy showed up just to see us off which was really cool. Thanks for showing up Seventy, you made our day.

Then for the BAD news.  Pinky was suppose to come also but on her way to meet us a CAT JUMPED OUT IN FRONT OF HER, she turn to miss it and hit the curb bending her front rim on her bike. Luckily, Pinky's okay but her bike is down for awhile. She'll let us know what and when she'll be riding again. Take care.

(Later she emailed, "I only have a badly bruised baby toe and a sore upper butt/hip.  I'll find out in the next day or two what the damages (to the bike) are and if it is repairable.")

So that left Needles, Brad,and MrsEchoBay & I .

We all filled up in Michigan before we left and had a good safe ride. The weather was GREAT and there was a LOT Of BIKES when we were doing the Tunnel of Trees.  In addition to our three bikes, we also had DD and her granddaughter again riding behind the group in her vehicle as a backup . At Harbor Springs, we met Kranky and Rosey and they joined us for the Tunnel of Trees ride.  This was their first time and they really enjoyed it.

After we did the Tunnel of Trees ride, we stopped for some lunch at Legs Inn in Harbor Springs.  The food was great and DD's granddaughter found herself a pet snake (not a real one) lol but something the Inn had in their garden. She had much fun with it while we all watched.

After lunch, we headed back home.  Once we got back on our side, Needles went ahead because he had to go to work for 6pm and it was 4pm when we got to the border.  Kranky and Rosey also left to go home as Kranky also had to go to work.  So DD, her GD, Brad, MrsEchoBay and I went for ice cream at Dairy Queen then we all went home from there.

So as you can see our day turn out pretty good. Hope you're feeling better Drifter and glad you didn't get seriously hurt this morning, Pinky.

Hopefully, those of you that couldn't come today will be able to make the next one.

Until then, safe riding.

EchoBay

1st officer and Road Captain

CMC Chapter 032

SaultSte.Marie,Ont.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

From Needles . . .

I forgot to ask the group when we are at the restaurant if anyone saw the deer run across the road in front of me along the tunnel of trees road. I had slowed the group down and put my arm up but not sure if anybody noticed what was happening as we were in a dark and narrow band of the road at that point.

What an amazing day for a ride and what an amazing route that is. I love these forays into the United States!

If we had had more time, going the more scenic route of the Mackinaw Trail instead of I75 would've been nice but unfortunately for me, I had to get to work for 6 PM and we had to push a little harder. 

Ponder this thought, there are only 70 potentially good days for riding our motorcycles left in this year.  Let's make the best of it on our group rides and personal adventures. Remember to ride safely and gather lots of memories to think about this coming winter. 

Don't regret this winter what you didn't do this summer. Health and life is all unknown. Live it up on a motorcycle ride and share those good times with others.

The End (of motorcycle philosophy) for today

Needles

Tunnel of Trees, Michigan

SPECIAL NOTICE RE: SUNDAY'S RIDE TO USA

SPECIAL NOTICE 
RE: SUNDAY, JULY 20 2014 RIDE TO USA

Calculating the timing for the Tunnel of Trees ride Sunday, we will meet at the Nicolet parking lot at 9:00 am and leave at 9:15 am.  The round trip will be approximately 310 kms ridden over 4 hours.  The Polish Kitchen in Petosky is closed Sundays so we will go to Leggs Inn in Cross Village for lunch.

Bridge toll at the Mackinac Bridge is $4.00 US or $8.00 US both ways in addition to our SSM bridge tolls.

Be prepared for any weather conditions.  Sunscreen will be needed since the high is forecast to be 25C and only a 10% chance of rain.

We should be back to SSM about 3-3:30 pm.

Lunch will be in USA so don't forget your credit cards or USD cash.

Hope to see as many members as possible out for this mid - summer ride.

Regards

Needles

PS DON'T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT TOO

Tunnel of Trees, Michigan

Tuesday night ride to The Carver under cloudy skies

Tuesday, July 15 2014

Yippee for getting a group ride in despite the threatening weather west of the Sault tonight.

EchoBay and MrsEchoBay got a chance to use their Frogg Toggs coming to the ride from Echo Bay but fortunately the ride to Pancake was dry all the way.  

There were five bikes out tonight EchoBay, MrsEchoBay, Wolverine, and a friend of his, Andy riding a CB500 and getting an introductory ride with the group, Drifter with his demo bike a VTX Honda 1300 and me, Needles.  We also had a tag along support car carrying DD and our grandchild who is 5. A biker in the making, she asked EchoBay if she could become a member.

The weather was cool with blustery winds but after not having group rides due to the rain lately I am sure everyone enjoyed getting out. Once at the Canadian Carver, some of us had to get ice cream and while some just stayed warm. After some good chat and fun conversations, we decided it was looking close to raining again so we left the Carver and returned. The group reached SSM around 9 pm while I turned off at Goulais.

Thanks to all who came out. It was truly a family ride tonight for us with granddaughter in tow. Just goes to show, we truly are a family motorcycle club, accepting all ages. 

It was another ride which may not have been the best weather but in the depth of the coming winter I am sure it will be remembered as better than anything we will see in the winter in SSM. LOL

It was a good safe ride and the highway was not congested.

Let us hope for good riding weather next Sunday as we're planing to do the Tunnel of Trees in Michigan.

Regards

Needles

2nd Officer

Road Captain

(l to r) MrsEchoBay, DD and Needles' granddaughter, EchoBay, DD, Needles, Wolverine and his friend, Andy

Inclement weather turns another Sunday ride into a "no go"

Sunday, July 13 2014

Well here we go again!  I think the weather man has it out for us guys on bikes.

Sunday just before MrsEchoBay and I came into town, we got a call informing us it was dark and starting to rain in the Sault. We took our car instead of the bike so we could still have coffee with whoever showed up at McDonald's on Great Northern Rd. 

It was raining from Laird  to the golf course in Garden River then it started to clear up. At McD's, we met up with Professore, DD, Needles, Smitty, Wolverine and MrsEchoBay & myself.

B and B H showed up at Staples but missed the email saying to meet at McDonald's so when they drove in the parking lot and not seeing anyone left.

Here's hoping Tuesday will be a better day .

Thanks 

EchoBay

1st officer and Road Captain

CMC Chapter 032

Sault Ste.Marie, ON

Wet Sunday ride exchanged for 2 hour brunch

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Hi everyone:

Well today's Meet & Greet at the Husky East turned out great! There was a really good turnout, even though we didn't go for a ride to Tunnel Lake.  There was Drifter, Needles, DD, Kranky, Pinky, Mongo, Joe, Wolverine, MrsEchoBay and myself, EchoBay for a grand total of 10 members. 

Everyone had something to drink and some of us also had something to eat. We all had a good time and it was nice to see everyone.  It was nice that three of our newer members got to meet other members who were there. 

Don't forget, for those of you that aren't riding right now, you can still come for coffee and catch up on what's going on with everyone. It would be nice to see some of you that we haven't seen for a while. You're still part of this chapter and without our members, there is no chapter.

So pick a day - Tuesday or Sunday - then watch your email or check our new website to see where we're going and the time and location of where we'll be leaving from. Tuesdays our rides are at 6:00 pm and Sundays 11:00 am.  Needles or myself will let you know what the ride is about in an email along with whether we're heading state side or not. 

Great turn out this morning.  Hope to see the rest of our members soon .

Thanks 

EchoBay

1st officer and Road Captain

CMC Chapter 032

Sault Ste.Marie, ON

At the Meet and Greet, Drifter introduced those in attendance to our new Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers - Sault Ste. Marie 032 website.  The cmcssm032.blogspot.ca site will be available for local members, other CMC chapters and the public to keep up - to - date on what our club is doing.

CMC SSM 032 members only will also have access to a Dropbox site through their computer or smartphone where they can post photos and videos of rides, events and personal trips and view photos uploaded by other members.  Photos from Dropbox will also be taken, edited and posted to the website in each events' photo gallery.

 

 Left (f to b) Joe, Wolverine, Mongo, Pinky, Kranky

Right (f to b) Drifter, Needles, EchoBay, MrsEchoBay, DD

Canada Day ride

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

We had a small group of 4 to share a wonderful sunny hot start to the ride from SSM to Pine Shores across the Shewfelt Bridge to Mission Road and then followed the road through the reserve to the fishing harbour near the closed Catholic Church. 

We had a few sprinkles of rain threatening the ride but after last Sunday's wet ride we were ready for it again. After returning back to Hwy 552, we continued to Grant Road and toured that short leg then headed back to our homes with the threat of rain just behind us. Got home just in time before the rain came down. Lucky break this time not to be out in it. 

Thanks Echo Bay and Mrs Echo Bay for sharing the time and the adventure. Glad to show you something you had not yet seen.

Hope all had a wonderful Canada Day!

Regards
Needles

 

Fishing harbour