Mount Bohemia driving ???

[cuzinick]

Michigan, but I agree with the fly to CO contingent. Splurge on the ticket and save by skiing off Loveland Pass for the weekend.

[focus]

I went to school for a couple years in Berrien Springs, MI, and I'm from close to Houghton, MI. I made the trip more times than I can count. It's definitely faster (by as much as an hour or more) to go up through WI from Berrien Springs, but the further north and east you go the less worth it it is. It really all depends on when you hit Chicago. Early early AM or after 7 or 8 pm. Sometimes it isn't bad at around 3pm.

In winter going straight up through WI is usually a good idea just b/c of less snow. Shooting long-ways across the UP can fuck you with lake effect just as easy as traffic in chicago can.

All that said, I fucking hate driving in WI...

[focus]

It is less than 30 miles to the bridge from Boyne Highlands, you can actually see the bridge Pylons on a clear day from the "summit".

A long estimate to drive from most anywhere in Southern Mi to Mack Bridge would be 6.5 hours at most.

With minimum stopping and a heavy foot, I could be there from Lafayette Indiana in 7.5 hours. and I'm 2 hrs south of the state line.

The thing most people don't realize is that from the mack bridge to HERE is another GOOD 4.5 to 5 hours, and more if there's a snowstorm.

[focus]

DON"T EVER TAKE US2 unless it's snowing up north on M28. Anyway, usually I take 75 to M123 which cuts at a diaganol toward newberry. Then take 28 across...you get the idea. The drive can be friggin brutal....but also can be absolutely beautiful.

PM me if you need anything. See you this winter.

I'll echo the PM if you need anything sentiment...

and throw in a couple cents about cutting across the UP -- if you decide to do that. Aint nothin wrong with US2. Especially during the winter, there's typically going to be way less snow along US2 than M28. It's also faster and shorter, even during the summer. I'd suggest taking US2 from 75, hit 117 north, m28 through marquette, and then 41 all the way up. I've been doing this drive every few weeks or so. If it's snowing hard up North (most of the lake effect is on the northern edge) stay on US2 until Escanaba.

hint: prevailing winds are typically NW during the winter around here. Stay away from the NW'ern edge of the lakes and you'll be fine. Usually.

[ReaganLogan]

Thanks everyone... Looks like with Chicago only 2 hours South West of me, it will depend on the weather for that weekend...
Also with the talk of taking a flight out of Chi-Town, to SLC for less time and about the same cost, that becomes atrative as well...

[wanghoeby]

All that said, I fucking hate driving in WI... frickin 55 mph 4-lane highways.

When and where the fuck was this? I'm pretty sure it stays 65 way after Wausa. I believe there has been a good amount of construction in the past few years also.

[focus]

When and where the fuck was this? I'm pretty sure it stays 65 way after Wausa. I believe there has been a good amount of construction in the past few years also.

You're right.... I'm thinking of Indiana and 5-year-old wisconsin.

It used to drop to 55 north of Green Bay...

Still don't like driving in Wisconsin.

[justcuz]

I wouldn't think you would go through wausau though, right??? I thought the best way to go was through Green Bay and up through Iron Mountain???

[Grange]

Now that HWY 141 is 4 lanes through Crivitz and 4 lanes are being planned at least up to Iron Mountain I would think it would be quicker to go through Green Bay vs Wausaw.

[SoCalTele]

I would go straight up 75 through michigan and over the macinac bridge. or listen to these other gapers and fly out to the rockies and ski some real stuff

[focus]

I've never gone through Wausau -- I don't know why you would. Get on 43 in Milwaukee and stay on it until you see signs for Iron Mountain...and follow those.

You aren't just *there* when you get to the bridge. The bridge is halfway.

[wanghoeby]

I believe in my first post I referenced something about it not really mattering all too much, as it will take an entire day of driving to get there no matter which way you go.... I'm still holding to that. Besides snow is a long ass ways away, I'm still in full mtn bike mode.

[focus]

I believe in my first post I referenced something about it not really mattering all too much, as it will take an entire day of driving to get there no matter which way you go.... I'm still holding to that. Besides snow is a long ass ways away, I'm still in full mtn bike mode.

Good point, really. I always enjoyed the drive through Michigan a lot more. Much more scenic, much smoother, no big cities....

[ReaganLogan]

You really got me thinking of flying to SLC, but after looking at this again I will really ahve to make a hard decission on this trip. This place looks great...

[justcuz]

Yes, you can find raltively cheap flights to CO or UT. Consider though that you'll usually have to pay for transportation to and from the airport, you won't find nearly as cheap of lodging (loding by mt bohemia is usually very inexpensive), you have to deal with all that shit that goes with flying....etc.

The cheapest I've ever done any out west trip from the midwest was Utah...which I did for about $600....lift tickets included.

Mt. Bohemia is no CO or UT....but fuckin eh, it is so damn unique. You dudes from CO that always knock it should really try it before you fuckin whale on us for how shitty our skiing is.

[wanghoeby]

i Will take That bet ... J

Dude, you're on. It's already 2.49 in my area. Used to be 3 something.

[Grange]

I believe in my first post I referenced something about it not really mattering all too much, as it will take an entire day of driving to get there no matter which way you go.... I'm still holding to that. Besides snow is a long ass ways away, I'm still in full mtn bike mode.

[Thread hijack] I just reviewed a project that will purchase a large chuck of the Mathy Construction property at the end of CTH FA, just up the road from the Human Powered trails. From what I was told there will eventually be mountain biking allowed. Something to look forward to. [end/thread hijack]

[brizz]

If you got the time and want to check out a unique place, make the trip. Either way from where you are it’s a long drive. If you make the trip just make sure the weather is looking good. If you get snow and they have a decent base the place can be amazing. When it has been windy and cold and it hasn’t snowed in a week or two it can be awful. Some of my best days on skis have been at Bohemia, on weekdays when it snowed the night before, it’s basically you and another 12 people to the whole rock.

[wanghoeby]

[Thread hijack] I just reviewed a project that will purchase a large chuck of the Mathy Construction property at the end of CTH FA, just up the road from the Human Powered trails. From what I was told there will eventually be mountain biking allowed. Something to look forward to. [end/thread hijack]

Booyha!! High five anyone.... anyone....

I'm stoked. It's starting to get way too crowded in the small mini park here. When's the last time you were in the HPTS Grange? They made a bunch of sweet mods over this summer including various signs designating directions and locations.

[Grange]

I walked around there during lunch this summer when I was down there for a meeting. Apparently the state frowns upon transporting a dirty mountainbike in the back seat of state vehicle.

I haven't been biking much at all this year due to being gone quite a bit this summer and working with my dog. Besides the trails around here basically suck compared to La Crosse so there's not much incentive to get out.

[wanghoeby]

Thanks again for all those recommendations you gave me a year ago. I think now that I have a car I'm going to expand my riding into the Winona area and beyond; I've heard good things from across the river.

Edit: You still coming down for Oktoberfest?

[Grange]

Thanks again for all those recommendations you gave me a year ago. I think now that I have a car I'm going to expand my riding into the Winona area and beyond; I've heard good things from across the river.

Edit: You still coming down for Oktoberfest?

Not sure. I may be in the Cities or at my cottage that weekend.

I've biked near Winona before. Decent trails, but I like the Human powered ones better. If I didn't mention before check out Levis/Trow Mound in Clark County northeast of Black River Falls. Some nice switchback singletrack there.

http://www.worba.org/nasti/index.html

[wanghoeby]

No, you didn't mention that. I'll have to try and get there sometime in early October due to busy weekends until then. Thanks.

[RideTheRide]

Bohemia has a Mardi Gras weekend in March. Lots of parties and good fun. They have a great contest ON THE HILL. The girl who collects the most beeds wins $1000!!! (Warning, still lots more guys than gals in the UP, sorta a sausauge fest)

It's a long story, so I'll go straight to the end...
Picture this, its very cold, maybe low teens, the contest is about to end, riding the chair to the top of the hill,

At the top of the hill the 3 best girls of the day are negotiating to get every last string of beeds, from every guy, the reward.... a three way right there at the top of the hill, next to the chairlift. Moments later One girl standing, one girl sucking her breasts, one girl on her knees having herself a taco!
Couldn't believe it.

So my vote is to go to CO or UT. But should you make the drive to Bohemia, you may want to go during Mardi Gras weekend (assuming someone did not go to jail that day)