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Home The U.P.
Roads
& Rides Biker Discount Card U.P.
Bike Week
Probably most first time riders to the Keweenaw would likely ride up Highway M-26 all the way to Phoenix and then follow it west along the Lake Superior lakeshore. Today, we exited Highway M-26 in Ahmeek. From previous trips to the Copper Country, I had learned about Five Mile Point Road which takes you west out of Ahmeek down to the lakeshore and then north to Eagle River. Most people don't realize there is this nice little section of road that offers some nice riding. I guess it's the wanderer in me always looking for the road less traveled. In the above map you can see a gray shaded road leaving Ahmeek heading over to Lake Superior and then up to Eagle River. Basically you turn left at the first street coming into town and then you should see signs directing you to Five Mile Point Road. If you miss it just making right turns till you find it. Ahmeek is not that big as you'll discover. As we cruised along I found myself trying to remember what all was on this road. Things aren't marked real well, but just let your biker follow the main road it will take you where you need to go. It wasn't long before we passed by the Sand Hills Lighthouse. Sand Hills Lighthouse is now a bed and breakfast, but it was once the largest manned lighthouses built on the Great Lakes. It's tucked back off the road, but you can catch a glimpse of it as you ride by. If you like lighthouse bed and breakfasts, there is one of several in the U.P. Once in Eagle River, we hooked up with M-26 again. It's here you'll find the Eagle River Lighthouse located on a on the bay. M-26 winds around the lakeshore where you can catch a glimpse of it over your shoulder. We were now riding a section of one of the best roads for viewing Lake Superior in the U.P. As I leaned the bike into the next curve I couldn't help think how nice it would be to own a little cabin somewhere on this road. It wasn't long before reached the Town of Eagle Harbor. As we rode across the bridge, I took a left which took us down to the lakeshore. It was time to park the bike and do a little stretching. We found a beach area with a picnic table. Lake Superior is by far my favorite of the Great Lakes. Crystal clear, ice cold, and while it's not a lake for swimming, I've been know to take a dip on a hot day. Taking a walk down to the water edge, I put my fingers in the water. Ice cold! There would be no swimming today.
After about twenty minutes of walking the beach and warming up in the morning sun, we reluctantly got back on the bike. Highway M-26 between Eagle River and Copper Harbor is just one fun ride. The road curves along the lake shore dipping in and out with small twists and rolling hills. I was really getting into the swing of it when I caught up to a couple Honda Goldwings stuck behind a slow car. Just about the time I was thinking of passing they took a sudden right exit up Brockway Mountain. You can't visit Copper Harbor without a ride up Brockway Mountain, so on impulse I followed them up. As we soon found out, the road is in need of some serious resurfacing. From the top of Brockway Mountain you get a fantastic view of Lake Superior. Pulling in behind the Goldwings, we shed our leathers and took up some conversation with the two Goldwings riders. About then a group of touring cruisers pulled in. There seemed to be one of every kind of motorcycle in the group. So far we were in good company with the large number of motorcycles making the Copper Harbor ride.
The viewing area was crowded with tourists so we didn't stay long and decided to follow the two Goldwings we drove up with back down the mountain. As you wind down off the mountain there are several other pullovers offering great views. When I saw one that looked like it offered a great overlook of Copper Harbor I pulled over. I don't think my wife was too excited about this second stop. I'm sure she wanted was off this rough road and was thinking about something to eat by now.
Still it was a view I couldn't pass up taking some pictures of. So after a few quick shots, tired of riding, hungry and thirsty, we climbed back on the bike and eased our way down the steep winding road into Copper Harbor.
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Bike Week
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Motorcycle Friendly
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