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Ride Report: The Lake Superior Coastal Ride
- Thread starter kurtrules
- Start date
kurtrules
Well-known member
I wanted to go ahead, and explore all the rock drawings. But with riding boots, a heavy jacket, and a DSLR in one had – It was a risk I didn’t want to take. Perhaps I’ll be better prepared next time.
A few interesting spots on the trek back to the bike.
Back on the 17, I continued further down to a grand total of 2kms before I parked on the left at a lookout point
Stop 4: Agawa Bay Lookout Point
Another 5 odd kms down the road was the Lake Superior Provincial Park visitor center.
Stop 5: Lake Superior Provincial Park visitor center
It was a good opportunity to grab some memorabilia for the family. Queues were long – it took me almost 30 mins to get in, but a few things and get back on the road
Stop 6: Alona Bay Scenic Lookout
Stop 7: Pancake & Batchawana Bay
Next were the two bays. I spent some time just relaxing on the beach here
On the way, I stopped over at the Agawa Indian Crafts store to have a look around and relish a much-needed ice cream! It was, yet again, way too hot!
And finally, after three days circling the coast, I left Lake Superior behind.
The destination of the day was the Red Top Motor Inn, at Iron Bridge. I had a lot of daylight left, so I wasn’t too keen on going there directly. I pulled up on the side of the road and began planning route diversions in gmaps. I saw a decent, twisty road heading west off of the 17.
It was Hw 556 to Searchmont. I thought of giving it a try. Lo and behold, I had one of the best joyrides ever since I began riding in Ontario! What a magnificent road to lean on! A mix bag of tight switchbacks, and long sweeping corners. And to top it up, devoid of any traffic. The only slight drawback – Tar Snakes. So a little care was required, else I would lost the front to a washout.
The road ended at a junction – one lead to the Searchmont, which was a few kms ahead. The other was the ranger lake road, which was gravel
I was having too much on the 556 and was in no mood for 80kms of gravel to the 129. I would surely do this road, just not today. I was eager on going back the way I came to continue my enjoyment. So, I turned around back on the 556 towards the 17 and then continued towards Sue St Marie.
Stop 8: Sue St Marie Waterfront
I entered the city and headed toward a restaurant I’d heard rave reviews off – The breakfast pig – fo lunch. Unfortunately, it was shuttered for the day. So, I went to a mall on the waterfront and grabbed Chicken Teriyaki and Chowmein. Sat down near the riverfront looking over the horizon and enjoyed my meal.
After having my fill, I continued my journey. I had earmarked another roadside attraction on the way back
Stop 9: Echo Bay Loon dollar monument
Wasn’t as big or as popular as the nickel at Sudbury, but it was there nonetheless, and deserved to be clicked
It was around 3pm, and I still had some energy left for more exploration. So this time, I decided I would foray into the St Joseph’s Island.
A few interesting spots on the trek back to the bike.
Back on the 17, I continued further down to a grand total of 2kms before I parked on the left at a lookout point
Stop 4: Agawa Bay Lookout Point
Another 5 odd kms down the road was the Lake Superior Provincial Park visitor center.
Stop 5: Lake Superior Provincial Park visitor center
It was a good opportunity to grab some memorabilia for the family. Queues were long – it took me almost 30 mins to get in, but a few things and get back on the road
Stop 6: Alona Bay Scenic Lookout
Stop 7: Pancake & Batchawana Bay
Next were the two bays. I spent some time just relaxing on the beach here
On the way, I stopped over at the Agawa Indian Crafts store to have a look around and relish a much-needed ice cream! It was, yet again, way too hot!
And finally, after three days circling the coast, I left Lake Superior behind.
The destination of the day was the Red Top Motor Inn, at Iron Bridge. I had a lot of daylight left, so I wasn’t too keen on going there directly. I pulled up on the side of the road and began planning route diversions in gmaps. I saw a decent, twisty road heading west off of the 17.
It was Hw 556 to Searchmont. I thought of giving it a try. Lo and behold, I had one of the best joyrides ever since I began riding in Ontario! What a magnificent road to lean on! A mix bag of tight switchbacks, and long sweeping corners. And to top it up, devoid of any traffic. The only slight drawback – Tar Snakes. So a little care was required, else I would lost the front to a washout.
The road ended at a junction – one lead to the Searchmont, which was a few kms ahead. The other was the ranger lake road, which was gravel
I was having too much on the 556 and was in no mood for 80kms of gravel to the 129. I would surely do this road, just not today. I was eager on going back the way I came to continue my enjoyment. So, I turned around back on the 556 towards the 17 and then continued towards Sue St Marie.
Stop 8: Sue St Marie Waterfront
I entered the city and headed toward a restaurant I’d heard rave reviews off – The breakfast pig – fo lunch. Unfortunately, it was shuttered for the day. So, I went to a mall on the waterfront and grabbed Chicken Teriyaki and Chowmein. Sat down near the riverfront looking over the horizon and enjoyed my meal.
After having my fill, I continued my journey. I had earmarked another roadside attraction on the way back
Stop 9: Echo Bay Loon dollar monument
Wasn’t as big or as popular as the nickel at Sudbury, but it was there nonetheless, and deserved to be clicked
It was around 3pm, and I still had some energy left for more exploration. So this time, I decided I would foray into the St Joseph’s Island.
kurtrules
Well-known member
I found this quaint rest stop just before a bridge on the road to Richard's Landing. As always, beautiful little spot on the lake, devoid of any humans
Stop 10: Somewhere before Richard’s Landing
And for the last time – I finally turned around and headed back towards the 17 east. The ride back to the motel was as unremarkable, as the motel itself. But at-least I had a place to rest for the night. So I was happy. Dinner formalities were completed in the room itself.
Tomorrow, I push back home.
Stop 10: Somewhere before Richard’s Landing
And for the last time – I finally turned around and headed back towards the 17 east. The ride back to the motel was as unremarkable, as the motel itself. But at-least I had a place to rest for the night. So I was happy. Dinner formalities were completed in the room itself.
Tomorrow, I push back home.
I've never seen Old Woman Bay with no people on the beach or swimming. Nice to have it all to yourself.
The walk to those petroglyphs was pretty neat too. Great pictures as usual!
I liked that Agawa Bay Crafts shop - they had lots of nice t-shirts there too - some of the best Canada t-shirts I have come across.
The walk to those petroglyphs was pretty neat too. Great pictures as usual!
I liked that Agawa Bay Crafts shop - they had lots of nice t-shirts there too - some of the best Canada t-shirts I have come across.
And that last pic was awesome
kurtrules
Well-known member
True. May have been because I was there quite early in the morning
kurtrules
Well-known member
And that last pic was awesome
Thank you!
That's a great ride and an excellent report. Enjoyed your journey and I'll bookmark it for future reference
Since you have hard case luggage, I would suggest carrying sneakers for exploring/hiking. I can't even think of walking around in my riding boots for long, let alone hiking.
Since you have hard case luggage, I would suggest carrying sneakers for exploring/hiking. I can't even think of walking around in my riding boots for long, let alone hiking.
kurtrules
Well-known member
That's a great ride and an excellent report. Enjoyed your journey and I'll bookmark it for future reference
Since you have hard case luggage, I would suggest carrying sneakers for exploring/hiking. I can't even think of walking around in my riding boots for long, let alone hiking.
Thank you.
I underestimated the distance I'd have to walk around in boots; but yes, that's a learning experience for next time.
Here are the rates:
1. Parkaway motel wawa - $100 + tax
2. White Fang motel wawa - $95 + tax
3. Red Top Motor inn iron bridge - $85 + tax
The first two were walk ins and the last one was pre-booked. So yes, that does make a difference.
kurtrules
Well-known member
Thank you.
ifiddles
Well-known member
@kurtrules how did you find the air quality with the wild fires going on right now?...awesome pictures, loved reading about your adventure...
kurtrules
Well-known member
There were no wild fires when I was there. Can't say.
But, I can let you know in a couple of weeks. I am taking my family up there (They also need to experience this route) next week on a vacation and we'll drive through 17 and 11. I will update.this thread.
sburns
Well-known member
Yeah the pictographs park is neat, I understand the risk of going on that rock ledge to see the artwork. I had a death grip on my phone when I went to take pictures. There are also these painted rocks along the paths with little sayings on them. I only found them because someone else spotted them and was taking pictures otherwise they are somewhat hidden.
I did that same trip a couple weekends ago. I'm surprised you skipped the deer trail north on 108 from Elliot lake and around. Not a soul on it. I stayed at the old mill motel in blind river even though I had my camp gear with me.
It was very hot and I needed air con. The restaurant across the street, the 17, I recommend. Great food and prices. And great service.
On the way out I booked a cabin at serpent river campground. Very tidy and neat rv park. The first and last time I ever pre-book anything. Not my style.
I rode north up to wawa and turned around and head south with a few stops along the route. For such a highly touted drive, the ride up and down 17 has only a few views of the lake.
The agawa bay stop at the bottom was packed with cruisers ,cars and trailers.
I poked along on my way up, through Burkton, Rama road,Southwood rd, Bala rd,st.josephs lake road,just wandering.
You can fill up with reasonable priced gas at cranberry growers exit at the reserve.
BTW, the white fang motel in wawa is VERY rider friendly, clean rooms at a reasonable price. Please consider supporting them on your north travels. Expect to pay in the 90 to 120 buck range a night of motels and approx 1.45 and up for reg fuel.
I dont usually do a lot of riding in Northern Ontario but with the border closed options are limited as I usually head down to the excellent roads in PA,VA and WV. I'm down there about 3 times a season.
Ride safe everyone
It was very hot and I needed air con. The restaurant across the street, the 17, I recommend. Great food and prices. And great service.
On the way out I booked a cabin at serpent river campground. Very tidy and neat rv park. The first and last time I ever pre-book anything. Not my style.
I rode north up to wawa and turned around and head south with a few stops along the route. For such a highly touted drive, the ride up and down 17 has only a few views of the lake.
The agawa bay stop at the bottom was packed with cruisers ,cars and trailers.
I poked along on my way up, through Burkton, Rama road,Southwood rd, Bala rd,st.josephs lake road,just wandering.
You can fill up with reasonable priced gas at cranberry growers exit at the reserve.
BTW, the white fang motel in wawa is VERY rider friendly, clean rooms at a reasonable price. Please consider supporting them on your north travels. Expect to pay in the 90 to 120 buck range a night of motels and approx 1.45 and up for reg fuel.
I dont usually do a lot of riding in Northern Ontario but with the border closed options are limited as I usually head down to the excellent roads in PA,VA and WV. I'm down there about 3 times a season.
Ride safe everyone
I'm sold, gonna try and do some version of this in the near future
kurtrules
Well-known member
Thank you!
I use a combination of Nikon full frame and crop sensor DSLRs. But for this trip, I had wide angle lens mounted on a crop sensor DSLR, as that could easily fit into my tank bag.
The other one is a D750. It's big, heavy and pretty much a pain to carry around on a motorcycle trip like this.
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