Road Runners had another successful and safe rally. This year we ventured up into Canada and around the North side of Lake Superior.
First morning of our Rally eight of us met up at my and Vicki’s house at 7:30 am to hookup shortly thereafter with the remaining four members at breakfast in Nowthen.
From there we traveled up to Virginia MN for our first of seven nights staying at a different location each night. First order of business each night upon arrival is asking clerk “How long does it take the cops to show up?” This always elicits a quizzical look, followed by apprehension, and finally relief, as they realize Road Runners are not as scary as Wiley E Coyote.
We settle in and order pizza, which is a staple of a Road Runner Rally diet. Spent the evening quickly reestablishing our bonds as a MC gang. The only issue we had was Tony the Pizza guy stalking Kimmy. As in all groups, the need for someone to take charge can be a hurdle. This night Kimmy stepped up to the plate and ordered our pizza’s. Well Tony was working the phones at Domino’s, and Kimmy, through no fault of her own, apparently enamored this guy somehow with our pizza order. Pizza gets delivered and we chow it down. No leftovers or any one left hungry. No problems right…..
Until Kimmy’s phone rings and she reluctantly answers a call from an unknown caller. Caller identifies himself as “Tony” and asks her to join him in a parade handing out candy. Somewhat bewildered, she says shes “busy with friends and would be unable to do so.” He insists, and Kimmy responds that her husband would not appreciate him asking her to do anything. Tony, being persistent, continues asking anyway. Finally totally creeped out she says “I have to goooo……..” and hangs up phone completely frazzled. Thats when I walk out from my room as Kimmy is determining that could not have been Tony, because she used another phone for ordering Pizza, and there was no way for Tony to have her number. Realizing the only creep that may have called was from within our group, she quickly turns her gaze at me leaving my room…
“@#$%&! Dale!!!” she shouts in my direction!
Kimmy is as good a sport as she is a friend, and accepts the prank with great reverence. Sorry Kimmy, I love you!! We had them light up this sign though in case Tony did show up.
Next morning prepping for 9 am kickstands up departure.
Ride Prep
The “Robfather” and his Consiglieres’
What May I Do For You?
We depart Virginia MN and head for Ely. In Ely we stop at the “International Wolf Center” and got a chance to observe five wolves in captivity. Fun to see, but also sad knowing they only have 1.25 acres to roam.
From Ely we travel down Hwy 1 along the edge of the BWCA. We stop at the only establishment located 2/3rds of the way to Lake Superior. Here we run into canoeist’s who slowed our Bartender down while they got BWCA access permits.
BWCA
Finally give our cheeks a break, face and bottom, and enjoy a beverage.
Bike Butt Break
We finally hit the North Shore and fall into formation with my BMW riding in the middle.
Front Two Bikes
Back Three Bikes
We travel North toward Thunder Bay and realizing Canadian Beer is expensive, we should stock up before crossing the border. Then realize its Sunday, and Minnesota conservative laws don’t do off sale. Unless its “Duty Free”. We discover there is a Duty Free store 1/3 mile short of the border that sells on Sundays and will carry your goods to Border Crossing station and hand off said goods. Smiles around since we will be saving $20.00 per case of beer. Van drove up as we stopped at Border and within in 30 seconds handed off our load so quickly that this was the only picture I could snap as he closed his door and sped off
Alcohol Delivery
Once delivered, and within complete view of border crossing guards, we pack in our haul.
Repacking Necissities
We make it to Thunder Bay and settle in for the evening to enjoy our haul. No terrorizing tonight.
Wild Nights
That more or less is a typical day for us. Sleep and repeat. Stopped and saw some waterfalls along the way.The weather as we had anticipated, and been warned, was on the cooler side. Nothing bone chilling cold and we did dress accordingly. Mostly overcast skies with small showers and drizzle intermittent throughout the ride. Only down pour was for about 35 minutes, which unfortunately, occurred during our Border Crossing back into the US at Sault Ste Marie. Its a high bridge that crosses over a nautical navigation channel. Our overnight stops were in order Virginia, MN – Thunder Bay, Ontario – White River, Ontario – Sault Ste Marie, MI – Marquette, MI – Ontonagon, MI -And Hayward, WI. I totaled up 1850 miles on my BMW for the trip.
Heres 2 video’s of a ride through a forest in the UP of Michigan.
Up on the right under the Road Runner tab are some more Pics of our “Road Runner Circle Tour”
Adventures with Vicki and Dale 
Road Runner Rally 2014
Road Runners had another successful and safe rally. This year we ventured up into Canada and around the North side of Lake Superior.
First morning of our Rally eight of us met up at my and Vicki’s house at 7:30 am to hookup shortly thereafter with the remaining four members at breakfast in Nowthen.
From there we traveled up to Virginia MN for our first of seven nights staying at a different location each night. First order of business each night upon arrival is asking clerk “How long does it take the cops to show up?” This always elicits a quizzical look, followed by apprehension, and finally relief, as they realize Road Runners are not as scary as Wiley E Coyote.
We settle in and order pizza, which is a staple of a Road Runner Rally diet. Spent the evening quickly reestablishing our bonds as a MC gang. The only issue we had was Tony the Pizza guy stalking Kimmy. As in all groups, the need for someone to take charge can be a hurdle. This night Kimmy stepped up to the plate and ordered our pizza’s. Well Tony was working the phones at Domino’s, and Kimmy, through no fault of her own, apparently enamored this guy somehow with our pizza order. Pizza gets delivered and we chow it down. No leftovers or any one left hungry. No problems right…..
Until Kimmy’s phone rings and she reluctantly answers a call from an unknown caller. Caller identifies himself as “Tony” and asks her to join him in a parade handing out candy. Somewhat bewildered, she says shes “busy with friends and would be unable to do so.” He insists, and Kimmy responds that her husband would not appreciate him asking her to do anything. Tony, being persistent, continues asking anyway. Finally totally creeped out she says “I have to goooo……..” and hangs up phone completely frazzled. Thats when I walk out from my room as Kimmy is determining that could not have been Tony, because she used another phone for ordering Pizza, and there was no way for Tony to have her number. Realizing the only creep that may have called was from within our group, she quickly turns her gaze at me leaving my room…
“@#$%&! Dale!!!” she shouts in my direction!
Kimmy is as good a sport as she is a friend, and accepts the prank with great reverence. Sorry Kimmy, I love you!! We had them light up this sign though in case Tony did show up.
Next morning prepping for 9 am kickstands up departure.
Ride Prep
The “Robfather” and his Consiglieres’
What May I Do For You?
We depart Virginia MN and head for Ely. In Ely we stop at the “International Wolf Center” and got a chance to observe five wolves in captivity. Fun to see, but also sad knowing they only have 1.25 acres to roam.
From Ely we travel down Hwy 1 along the edge of the BWCA. We stop at the only establishment located 2/3rds of the way to Lake Superior. Here we run into canoeist’s who slowed our Bartender down while they got BWCA access permits.
BWCA
Finally give our cheeks a break, face and bottom, and enjoy a beverage.
Bike Butt Break
We finally hit the North Shore and fall into formation with my BMW riding in the middle.
Front Two Bikes
Back Three Bikes
We travel North toward Thunder Bay and realizing Canadian Beer is expensive, we should stock up before crossing the border. Then realize its Sunday, and Minnesota conservative laws don’t do off sale. Unless its “Duty Free”. We discover there is a Duty Free store 1/3 mile short of the border that sells on Sundays and will carry your goods to Border Crossing station and hand off said goods. Smiles around since we will be saving $20.00 per case of beer. Van drove up as we stopped at Border and within in 30 seconds handed off our load so quickly that this was the only picture I could snap as he closed his door and sped off
Alcohol Delivery
Once delivered, and within complete view of border crossing guards, we pack in our haul.
Repacking Necissities
We make it to Thunder Bay and settle in for the evening to enjoy our haul. No terrorizing tonight.
Wild Nights
That more or less is a typical day for us. Sleep and repeat. Stopped and saw some waterfalls along the way.The weather as we had anticipated, and been warned, was on the cooler side. Nothing bone chilling cold and we did dress accordingly. Mostly overcast skies with small showers and drizzle intermittent throughout the ride. Only down pour was for about 35 minutes, which unfortunately, occurred during our Border Crossing back into the US at Sault Ste Marie. Its a high bridge that crosses over a nautical navigation channel. Our overnight stops were in order Virginia, MN – Thunder Bay, Ontario – White River, Ontario – Sault Ste Marie, MI – Marquette, MI – Ontonagon, MI -And Hayward, WI. I totaled up 1850 miles on my BMW for the trip.
Heres 2 video’s of a ride through a forest in the UP of Michigan.
Up on the right under the Road Runner tab are some more Pics of our “Road Runner Circle Tour”