I did a cross Canada ride a long time ago. The Kenora / Soo area is great scenery. The tough part for me was Sask and half Manitoba that is quite flat and straight.

G.

 

Yes. That's my concern. The two or three day stretch of flatlands between the Rockies and the Ontario boarder is daunting, and I just don't know if there is any way to make it interesting.

But I've ridden BC and the Southwestern United States many times, so I'd like to make an eastern trip for a change.

 

Are you passing through Kenora, Ontario? When I was a child, my family would go to Rushing River Provincial Park. Absolutely loved it and would like to return some day with my family.

The North Shore of Lake Superior (Minnesota) is a pretty drive (car or motorcycle). Grand Marais, Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, and Canal Park in Duluth are all great places to stop and visit (I'm sure there are more, but those are some family favorites). It's fun watching the big ships go through the canal and Ariel Lift Bridge in Duluth.

Sounds like a fun trip - enjoy!!!

 

Are you passing through Kenora, Ontario? When I was a child, my family would go to Rushing River Provincial Park. Absolutely loved it and would like to return some day with my family.

The North Shore of Lake Superior (Minnesota) is a pretty drive (car or motorcycle). Grand Marais, Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, and Canal Park in Duluth are all great places to stop and visit (I'm sure there are more, but those are some family favorites). It's fun watching the big ships go through the canal and Ariel Lift Bridge in Duluth.

Sounds like a fun trip - enjoy!!!

Thanks. I really have no idea what to expect because I've never been there.

 

I haven't made that ride or any thing like it. However I try and ride provincial highways instead of national roads. It may take a bit longer but will be much more interesting!

 

I agree. Main highways are designed to straighten the curves and smooth out the bumps - in other words to take all the fun out of riding a motorcycle.

 

I suggest taking Hwy 71 south after leaving Kenora and then travelling east on Hwy 11 to Thunder Bay. Much more scenic and you can avoid most of the idiots driving big semi's . Highway 17 can be a pain going east from Kenora.

 

Thanks DaWadd. I hadn't considered that option, but looking at a map I can see your point.

 

Make time for Pictured Rocks National Park, gorgeous area, and by now, the road should be paved all the way through. I went south from there, so I can't help you any further!

 

IMHO the trip around the lake is worth the 2 days of flat to get there. Last did the "around the lake" two summers ago in the van. Leave yourself plenty of time to stop and wander around. It's worth the ride up the Keweenaw Peninsula to Copper Harbor too. If you like history, the old copper mines are fascinating.
PS we met and talked for a while with an old guy (well he looked old) who rode his BICYCLE there from Edmonton.

 

Thanks for all the feedback people. It sounds like the ride is as good as I imagine it to be.

I ride every June with a group of about 12 guys and I'm pushing hard for an eastern route for 2013. The response I'm getting is lukewarm. Most of the guys feel that it is just too long a ride, especially after putting in almost 7000 km last year riding to the Grand Canyon and back. They want something shorter this time - likely into British Columbia.

So I have to make a decision: ride with the guys, or go it myself to Lake Superior. Hmmmm.

 

I last did the ride in '69 on a bike, lol, just a few years ago. From Vancouver to Montreal and back. It's been a while but I think 17 takes you to Ottawa. I loved riding N. Ontario some beautiful country there.From the Soo south on 400 is boring too. I didn't mind the praries though. I did it again with my wife in a cage a few years later, back when Terry Fox had just died. I remember stopping at the marker they had erected for him now it's a monument. You Must stop there it's very moving!!! I can remember hitting the Ontario border and thinking almost there, lol, I didn't realise at the time I was only 1/2 done. What an eye opener.

 

Ontario is a big province. lol!

I was one of the last people to see Terry Fox run. We drove to the main highway to see him run by, and give encouragement/money. We had to keep going back because he kept stopping. No one realized it was because the cancer came back until he got to a half hour out of T.Bay and he had to stop for good. It is a beautiful monument.

Edit: Sorry to get off topic. I hope you're able to ride this way. It would be a fun ride.

 

I'm with Willie. Definitely Hwy 17. Hwy 11 is a snore and more trucks than 17. The best part is from Thunder Bay to the Sault outstanding scenery with lots of curves and hills. Try not to ride after dark lots of deer and moose.