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Simply known as da U.P.
Looking at map of Michigan, I think most would agree that the Upper Peninsula of Michigan looks like a pretty darn interesting place. Sandwiched between three of the Great Lakes, the U.P. has over 1700 miles of continuous shoreline. That's one heck of a beach. By the way if you don't have a road map of Michigan, you can order a free one from the Michigan Department of Transportation website. Michigan's Upper Peninsula spans approximately 360 miles from end to end. At around 16,500 square miles, it comprises about 1/3 of the land mass of the State of Michigan, but only 3% of the population. That breaks down into a lot of open road with very little traffic. The U.P. has one hundred plus waterfalls, over four thousand lakes and thousands of acres of state and national forests. Toss in spectacular lighthouses, some great festivals and good old fashion U.P. hospitality and a biker has plenty of reasons to ride the U.P. (Upper Peninsula) So where to ride? If you like small towns, the U.P. is small town America and every town has an interesting piece of U.P. history tied to it. From the fur trade, which turned Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac Island into major fur trading centers to copper and iron mining in the Keweenaw and Iron Ranges, to the logging of huge White Pines, you'll find a story in every Upper Michigan city and town. I still find it amusing that in 1937, that a land swap took place between Ohio and Michigan gave Michigan the Upper Peninsula and Ohio the city of Toledo. When you consider that by 1860, Upper Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula’s copper production was supplying the country with 90% of its copper and two decades later the iron mines near Iron Mountain were the nations biggest supplier of iron ore, I'd say Michigan got the better part of that deal. Two major highways crisscross the peninsula. It's highways M-28 to the north and US-2 to the south. The two highways provide the main east/west links across the peninsula. They are roads that take you through small towns, along beautiful lakes shores and on stretches of road that will have you wondering if anyone lives there. While the two roads offer up some decent views of Lake Superior and Michigan, it isn't until you get off on to Upper Michigan's side roads that you really begin to enjoy the best motorcycling the peninsula has to offer. Upper Michigan will never be known for its fabulous motorcycling roads, but I haven't met any bikers yet who weren't glad they made the ride. Upper Michigan's open roads that take you to remote towns and past some fantastic scenery are more often the reasons bikers make their ride to the U.P. Oh, did I mention the food. Just about every U.P. town has at least one restaurant and saloon that serves up a good bar burger. Ever had a pasty? The pasty was brought to the U.P. by Cornish miners. Their wives would heat them up in the morning and the miners would strap them to their bellies before going down in the cold mines. I guess the shared heat kept the miner warm and the pasty somewhat edible by lunch time. I’ve thought a couple of times about strapping one to the side of the V-Twin to see if it would stay warm on a long October ride. Now if a pasty isn’t your thing, then I personally recommend you try Lake Superior Whitefish. Fresh whitefish coming out of the icy cold waters of Lake Superior is simply the best and a specialty on the menu at most Yooper restaurants. I've been asked when is the best time for a road trip through the U.P. I can tell you it's not in February, although I just read about a couple who did last winter. Upper Michigan is just like every other location on the Great Lakes. The riding season is mainly from May to October and the weather can change quickly. Still, if I were to pick two weeks out of the summer, I’d suggest the last week of July and the first week of August, but you never know as I've seen some great Memorial Day weekends. So get yourself some rain gear and ride the rain if you need to and come September and October come ride the Fall Color season. It makes for an unbelievable road trip through Upper Michigan. In case you haven't guessed it, Upper Michigan can be a pretty wild and pretty rustic in places and it's full of wildlife. Remember that as you take that curve through those the trees. It's not uncommon to find a deer, bear or even a snapping turtle in the middle of the road when you come out of a turn. Even more dangerous might be that friendly little Yooper tavern up the road serving happy hour. There might not be a lot of traffic in the U.P., but you still need to stay alert and ride safe. Unless you’re flying or bringing your bike in by boat, there are only so many ways to get to Upper Michigan. If you’re coming up from the Lower Peninsula chances are you’ll be crossing the Mighty Mac. The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world and will provide for an interesting, if not a bit of an unnerving ride. If you’re making the trip down from eastern Canada, it’s the International Bridge. To be honest, I haven’t ridden across either bridge so I can’t give you any personal insight about riding them. For those coming from Michigan's Lower Peninsula, you might want to consider a ride on the SS Badger Car Ferry over to Wisconsin and then ride up through Wisconsin. Just about everyone else will likely be entering through some point from Wisconsin which might explain all the Harleys one sees in the U.P. So if you like the open road, spectacular scenery, and friendly little towns then come ride Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. If I can't answer them I'll hook you up with someone who can. It's all about the journey,
Dave Johnson
Home
The U.P.
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Michigan State Map - see State of Michigan's online state map to plan your next road trip
Motorcycles Welcome
U.P. Chamber Websites See local area Commerce of Commerce websites for more info on area or event.
U.P. State Parks
U.P. Cruising Forum
U.P. Travel The official travel website for Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
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