Superior Bike Tours – 2011

Tour in the majestic presence of Lake Superior, the biggest fresh water lake in the world!!!   View in awe, the beauty of the sunrise over the pines, watch the illuminated sail boats and freighters when the sun is in the right angle as it wanes at the end of the day.   Witness the powerful crashing waves, the lighthouses, the art, the people, listen to the stories and folklore, through spoken word and song walk along the sandy beaches, skip stones until your elbows hurt.  Come ride with us, you will not be disappointed.

Our bicycle tours are meant to be “smell the roses”, however all riders are given the opportunity to ride at their own pace.  Riders will have plenty of time and opportunity to take a walk along a sandy beach, stop for a burger in a “hole in the wall” pub, hike up along lake shore trails, visit an artisan shop, and still get in the day’s ride.   Wherever possible, in addition to our regular route, we will offer optional shorter and longer routes, and if anyone is ever not wanting to ride the entire distance, they may ride in the support vehicle. 

Rider’s gear will be hauled to/from each day’s destination, and will be offered “tail-gate” refreshments and snacks along the routes.

Come ride with us.

This year we offer 4 separate tours, one of which is a women’s only, and one which is a new route in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.  Take a look at the list below and pick one or more and contact us via phone or email to make arrangements.

COSTS :

- Costs can change with little notice

- All amounts can be paid in Canadian or USA funds (except for the TBT5 ride which must be paid in Canadian dollars or the equivalent USA amount

- All amounts are based on two people/bed, and, in most cases four people/room

- If you wish to have one person/bed, and/or two people/room and/or one person/room please contact us, the prices will be greater

- If you have a group who wishes to stay in the same room please contact us 

- Space availability in on a first paid, first served basis, so sign up fast.

Cancellation rate:

- Deposit – will be returned if cancelled 60 days or more before the first day of the tour

- prior to 30 days before trip: full refund (except for deposit) (TBT5 Tour is prior to 50 days) 

- prior to 10 days but less than 30 days before trip: 50% refunded

- 10 or less days before the trip: 40% refund

Payment methods accepted:

-Internet Banking (Interac via email) to frankothers@yahoo.com NOTE: if you do internet banking in Canada, this is a very convenient method of money transfer.

-Paypal (pay to frankothers@yahoo.com)

-Cash

-Cheque (payable to Frank Pollari)

Contact information:

Superior Bike Tours

Frank Pollari

413-B University Drive

Thunder Bay, Ontario

P7C 2C7

Phone: 807-473-4596 or 807-476-0485

Toll Free: 888-519-2250

Cell 807-476-4596

Fax: 807-473-4597

Ride Descriptions

All rides are considered of moderate difficulty, and you may ride in the SAG (support and gear) vehicle if you don’t wish to ride the entire distance.

MK4 - Keweenaw Penninsula, Northern Michigan, USA

4 days (3 nights of lodging)

Approximate distance: 300 km (200 miles)

First day’s ride starts in the early afternoon to give you time to drive there without having to sleep in a hotel the night before if you don’t live too far away

Last day’s ride ends in early afternoon

Meals included:  2 continental breakfasts

Route: Baraga to Hancock, to Copper Harbor, to Calumet, then back to Baraga. 

Summary:  This route is truly wonderful.  Some of the past riders have noted that the second day of the ride was their most beautiful ride ever.  Keweenaw is steeped in history especially in mining, and the town of Calumet which missed being the capital city of Michigan only by three votes.  White sand beaches, ghost towns, berry picking, mine tours, kayaking, tasting the local favourite “pasty”, and the awe inspiring 360 views from the famed Broakway Drive could be some of your experiences if you come on this wonderful ride.

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WK4 - Keweenaw Penninsula, Northern Michigan, USA Women Only

Guides are male

4 days (3 nights of lodging)

Approximate distance: 300 km (200 miles)

Description is the same as above

TBT5 – Thunder Bay Tour, Ontario, Canada

5 days (4 nights of lodging)

Approximate distance: 360 km (240 miles)

Meals included:  None

Route: Thunder Bay to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (2 days), to Kakabeka Falls, to Grand Portage, to Thunder Bay

Summary: This inaugural tour will be taking us in and around Thunder Bay area including the lake shore of Lake Superior in Chippewa Park, visiting an Indian Reserve cemetery under the towering 900 foot cliffs of Mt. McKay, having opportunity to taste freshly caught local pickerel, visit Terry Fox’s (Canada’s hero and inspiration) monument, taste our famous “finish pancakes” at the Hoito, and continue to the historic and east coast feel of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park’s tip called Silver Islet.   Sleep in a rustic resort cabin less than 20 feet from Lake Superior.  In this area we could have the opportunity to kayak, canoe, or hike the popular "chimney" or "chest" of the "Giant",or take a side trip to walk across the Eagle Canyon suspension bridge (longest Canadian suspension footbridge) or zipline the canyon.  Next, to Kakabeka Falls, also coined the “ Niagara of the North”, visit a straw insulated house, through very remote and haunting ride along Devon Road , across the International border over the very scenic climb up Mt. Josephine (to see everchanging views of the lake 500 feet below), visit the Witch Tree and Hollow Rock.  Then come back to Thunder Bay with an optional hike to the mysterious statue of the Madonna off Memory Road, visit and sample cheese at our local gouda cheese farm, opportunity to pick your own strawberries, pass the home of the Staal’s (the famous NHL hockey family), then along the towering cliffs of the Norwester’s and back to Thunder Bay.  Hear stories of local shipwrecks.  Listen to campfire music from ever-so-talented local musicians who join us during an evening or two.  Whew, all in 5 days!!!

            Oh, and let’s not forget the many opportunities to take a dip in the world’s largest freshwater, crisp and clear Lake Superior.

ABCFL – Ashland/Bayfield/Cable Falling Leaves, Northern Wisconsin, USA

4 days (3 nights of lodging)

Approximate dist total of 300km (200 miles)

First day’s ride starts around noon to give you time to drive there without having to sleep in a hotel the night before if you don’t live too far away

Last day’s ride ends around noon

Meals included:  none

Route: Ashland to Cable to Bayfield to Madeline Island to Ashland.

Summary:  The land of the famous Apostle Islands.  First through quaint farmlands speckled with these little pubs which tend to have the best burgers in the country.  Then through lush forest/cottage country, which in the fall season will be so bright with the yellow leaves of the trees that you’ll probably need sunglasses even on a cloudy day.  You’ll have the chance to eat at a stone oven pizza joint, visit the workshop of a local (but nationally renowned) artist.  Bayfield, with it’s colourful artisan shops will give you reason to walk and windowshop on the shores of the Apostle Islands.  Then, instead of just seeing the islands from a distance, you will get to ferry there and stay overnight in one of their condos.  The selection of character restaurants, and the entertainment at the “Big Top Chetauqua”, will complete your day in Bayfield.  And, a swim on the sandy beach, a boat or kayak tour of the islands, or a spa could be part of your stay in this area.  It would be surprising if you were disappointed during this trip.

TBT3 – Thunder Bay Tour Inn to Inn, Ontario, Canada (to be offered in 2012)

3 days (2 nights of lodging)

Lodging:  White Fox Inn; Rose Valley Lodge

Approximate distance: 200km (125 miles)

First day’s ride starts in late afternoon

Meals included:  1 dinner and 2 breakfasts

Route: Thunder Bay area, some city riding but mostly rural

This ride will start late on Friday afternoon so that local participants can loose a minimal time off work.

Summary:  It will take us along the rustic Chippewa Park with awesome views of Lake Superior, our endearing Sleeping Giant, an old Indian grave, a place to eat freshly caught local pickerel, a cheese farm, pick strawberries at a popular patch, (and maybe blueberries if the season is right).  Also our two inns are well renowned for their cuisine and ambiance which will add more spice to this great little trip.  Think of this ride if you want to experience a bit of the more finer aspects of travelling by bicycle.

Last update: 2011- April 20