Lake Michigan 1000

[rabbott5]

I did my first Lake Michigan 1000 on July 2nd. This is my second SS1000. The weather was perfect and the traffic was light. I started out from my local gas station in Peru, IL. at 03:55. By the time I made it thru Rockford the sun was starting to come up. I passed thru Milwaukee just as traffic was starting their morning commute. My first fuel stop was at Sheboygan. Unlike my first SS1000, I decided to make each stop last a few minutes. 10 – 15 minutes at each stop.  
From Sheboygan I went on to Escanaba. I really enjoy this section of road. Route 35 on the west side of the lake and then Route 2 on the north offer nice views of the lake. To make sure I would have enough miles and because I’ve never been there before, I decided to take a detour to Sault Sainte Marie. I didn’t take as much time as I would have liked, my plan included going thru the Gary/Chicago while I still had some light. So after a brief stop it was time to head for the mighty Mackinac Bridge.
Even though the bridge had lane closures, traffic was light and I made it across the metal grate with no problems. The wind was gusting and I was glad I still had a long sleeved tee shirt and the waterproof liner in my vented jacket. The weather was perfect for this combination up till I hit the lower part of Michigan. I stopped at the first rest area and pulled the liner and changed to a short sleeved shirt.
My final two stops before I would head home took me through Cadillac Michigan and Michigan City, Indiana. Then the big question, “How would traffic be going on I94/I80.” To my surprise westbound traffic was not bad. Heavy, but not tight. I was able to make into Joliet before darkness set in. With just a few miles to home and plenty of time on the clock, Rte. 80 which I normally hate to be on seemed pleasant.
I’ll work on the paper work this week. From the fuel receipts and the gps, it looks like I did 1107 miles in just under 18 hours.  My first SS1000 was mostly slab. I wasn’t sure if I could do one, so I took the easiest route I could. This ride was a combination of two and four lane roads.  I learned a lot after my first ride.  I drank more water, took longer breaks at each fuel stop and was better prepared with my riding gear.  I felt much better after this ride than I did with the first one.
Great weather, nice roads and no troubles.  Life is good.

[Tony T]

Congratulations!  

I dig the lake rides, better scenery and more of a challenge that just busting out 1000 miles on the slab.

[CLAY]

+1 Tony- nice work Rabbott!  I did the same ride a few years ago.