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WildBillPurdue
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Post subject: The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally 2007
 Posted: Jan 09, 2007 - 02:59 PM
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All I do is scoot and post
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 8330
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Status: Offline
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WildBillPurdue
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Post subject: RE: The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally 2007
Posted: Jan 09, 2007 - 04:07 PM
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All I do is scoot and post
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 8330
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Status: Offline
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WildBillPurdue
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Post subject: RE: The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally 2007
Posted: Jan 11, 2007 - 06:53 PM
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All I do is scoot and post
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 8330
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Status: Offline
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I'd eat a million Minnesota bugs to ride a road like this one! And I will! In June!!!! |
_________________
Bill "WildBillPurdue" Gooden riding
"Willow's Black Diamond" an
'08 Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive
Super Scooter w/ CVT #3
http://www.allsuperscooters.com/bbs
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IronRanger
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 12, 2007 - 03:42 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Dec 13, 2005
Posts: 4927
Location: Minnesota's Iron Range
Status: Offline
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I'm back in town again and trying to catch up. First of all, Dave's right about gnats down in the prairie areas, they can be thick some years. We rarely get any up here. There's a military training area down there, and the only thing we found they don't like is Avon "Skin So Soft". You could smell the troop carrier before we arrived, but not a gnat in sight.
There are several different breeds of mosquitoes that show up at different times of the year. There is a small breed that is very aggressive but DOES NOT show up around mid July and then hauls off tourists, but June is a different story. That is unless you choose to wander into a swamp at sunset, then all bets are off.
I keep a small can of regular "Off" with me just in case I'm sight seeing at sundown or get stuck in a swampy area. It's rare that I've taken the can out, but I don't like to go out unprepared. A little on my clothes and I'm bite free. Breezy areas are free of bugs, so they like sundown when the winds calm.
Our North Shore ride is going to be awesome. That ride will be an all day affair, with rests and stops in a huge variety of geography and local flavor.
We will be spending some time in Ely, MN which is known around the world as "The End of The Road". It is the gateway to the Boundry Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). There are groups of adventurers from around the world paddling out of there into the only pristine International water park like it in the world. We'll also see alot of adventurers and boy and girl scouts looking ragged and beat from returning from the world of the Voyageur's. They all have huge smiles are talking about some rapids or cliff they portaged. Ely is also home to the Steger family of arctic explorers and their Steger Mukluk store. Celebrities are often in there trying on their new handmade boots. If you can get your hands on a copy of Charles Kuralt's autobiography, he explains why as a world traveler, he hid out in Ely, and felt it heaven on earth. The International Wolf Center is there, and so is a museum for Dorthy Molter. She was the last resident of the BWCA. Her place was an oasis in the wilderness, and she sold homemade rootbeer to the paddlers.
On our way out of Ely we will go through glacial rift and ridge areas, and will go through several moose feeding areas. Moose are rather docile in the spring, and are happy to stand in low areas along the road and rip out the vegetation leaving mud patches and trails.
When we get closer to the North Shore we will start seeing the landscape change and start seeing evidence of lava flows. The North Shore is very rugged and rocky, and is the result of heavy volcanic activity in the area. The beaches are gravel, and you see a lot of rock hounds bent over, searching the gravel for aggets to collect and polish. The rugged cliffs are cut open by rushing streams feeding Lake Superior. By the mouths of many of the streams are hidden beaches that people hike into to forget the rest of the world as the waves lap the gravel and rocks around them.
Duluth is a city built an a steep hill giving it several great parks and overlooks looking down on the harbor. The harbor services 1000' ore boats, along with salty's (ships) from around the world. The ore carriers are called "boats" since they cannot leave the Great Lakes and will never see salt water. They are much too large to fit through the St Lawrence Seaway. There is a main canal down on the water that is a great draw, as you can stand within feet of these huge ships and get your ears blasted out when they salute the lift bridge operators with their horns. Sailors are all out on deck hanging over the edge waving at the crowds and yelling their hello's. There aren't many places in the world where ships are welcomed into port by crowds anymore, and the sailors love it. There is also a sand point beyond the highlift bridge that is several miles long and is all beach. I like to ride across the lift bridge and go all the way down to the beach house and have a cold pop and soak in the sun on their patio overlooking the beach.
We're also looking at swinging in to visit the www.aerostitch.com storefront and shipping facility. It's not often that you find a two wheel accessory outfitter that understands the scooterist.
There is a lot of shopping and looking to do in Duluth, and for those who would like to take more time, it's a straight easy ride back to the Iron Range up Hwy 53, and you can wander and head north later. As always, please let us know you aren't sticking with us so we aren't looking for you, and we can point you towards any of your interests. There is a manuscript museum in Duluth that is free to the public and has a changing display of documents. They have everything from Jefferson's letters and instructions to his spies in Tripoli, to Motsart's manuscripts, to JFK papers and letters, to Darwin's letters and research notes. Canal Park is full of shops, food, a large Great Lakes Aquarium, harbor tours, an ore carrier to tour, and an Omnimax theater. There are also train rides and a large train museum called "The Depot" in Duluth. Keep in mind it is a one and a half hour ride back, and the rest of us will be back gathered someplace sharing stories and a cold beverage.
This ride will probably take place on Friday the 8th of June. I will post more on the activities of the other days, but this is a ride that I am very excited about sharing with all of you. It is an incredible feeling when you are on two wheels riding Hwy 1, and you start to smell the lake air, then you crest a hill and you see the great lake "Gitchigumi" the native name for the lake, reach out from you to the misty horizon. |
_________________
Kev
2005 Burgman 650
2005 Burgman400
The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally
Last edited by IronRanger on Jan 12, 2007 - 06:45 PM; edited 1 time in total
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WildBillPurdue
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 12, 2007 - 04:05 PM
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All I do is scoot and post
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 8330
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Status: Offline
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IronRanger
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 12, 2007 - 07:32 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Dec 13, 2005
Posts: 4927
Location: Minnesota's Iron Range
Status: Offline
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Carol523469,
Welcome, and of course, welcome to Maxi-Scooters! I sent you a PM with some info. Sorry I didn't get back to you before we locked the other thread. It'd be great if you could introduce yourself in the new member thread so we can all welcome you formally.
I'm sure we will find someone to share the road with you. Anyone coming through St Louis, or is merging on a route heading up from there, lets get a delegation formed.
For anyone coming up that needs a room, please book now. Check out the places listed in the original thread "June Meet and Rides". If something comes up where we are able to swing a deal, or we work out a block, you can always rebook and cancel your original reservation. The rooms around here can fill up pretty fast when people start thinking about heading up here to tour, or fish.
For those who do book, please post so others know where the free beer is. Just Kidding. It does help others who are looking to stay close to other riders.
If anyone is looking at coming or not coming because of a spouse or partner, consider trailering up. There are lots of places we can stash a trailer, and there are lots of things to see or do, if they aren't interested in doing the rides with us. There is also lots of shopping, plus there is the Judy Garland festival going on in Grand Rapids, MN which is about an hour west of here, and there is Cook, MN's Timber Days with professional lumber jack shows, craft sales, and log rolling if they don't mind a few bruises.
Looking forward to throwing the coffee pot on the fire, and sharing some tales. |
_________________
Kev
2005 Burgman 650
2005 Burgman400
The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally
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IronRanger
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 13, 2007 - 10:37 AM
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Site Admin
Joined: Dec 13, 2005
Posts: 4927
Location: Minnesota's Iron Range
Status: Offline
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For anyone needing to contact me about the Rally:
ironranger05@yahoo.com
or
Iron Range Super Scoot Rally
c/o Kevin Hendrickson
P.O. Box 485
Britt, MN 55710
Anyone that can help us with a sponsership, or door prizes, please contact me. Our board of directors will be contacting businesses to help dilute our costs, and as a thank-you, have their name placed on the posters for the event. Also, please contact me if you would like to be added to the board to help with planning or establishing sponsers.
By the beginning of March, we should know what the balance of our costs and sponserships are. We will then be able to take registrations and be able to let everyone know what we need for a donation to balance the budget. I'm keeping the budget at a minimum to keep this from being a hardship for anyone to join in, so this will be a nominal amount. Lodging is on the economy, so your own budget can guide you as to whether to rough it, or whirlpool it. Likewise with food for most meals, although a couple dinners will be at preselected establishments. |
_________________
Kev
2005 Burgman 650
2005 Burgman400
The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally
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IronRanger
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 13, 2007 - 02:25 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Dec 13, 2005
Posts: 4927
Location: Minnesota's Iron Range
Status: Offline
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| Just a quick note: for anyone who might be interested in www.aerostitch.com stuff, it is 10% off in their store, but you have to pay 7% tax on anything that is not clothing. They usually have clearance stuff there that I have to dig through. |
_________________
Kev
2005 Burgman 650
2005 Burgman400
The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally
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IronRanger
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 14, 2007 - 04:18 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Dec 13, 2005
Posts: 4927
Location: Minnesota's Iron Range
Status: Offline
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| Wisconsin has spoken. Looks like Silver-Bullet (BUSA and MUSA) will be joining us. They have a Silver Burg, and a Majesty trike. That will be a cool addition to the rides. They are looking at where to park their motorhome, so if anyone else is looking at camping, stay tuned and we try to get you guys together. I still have room at my place for campers/tents but they will go to the first who ask to stay here. |
_________________
Kev
2005 Burgman 650
2005 Burgman400
The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally
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Wingpilot
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 15, 2007 - 07:07 AM
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Scooter enthusiast
Joined: Nov 12, 2006
Posts: 956
Location: Meridian, ID
Status: Offline
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We're still trying to figure out just how we could make it up there for the rally, as we have also committed to a ride with some friends to Colorado at roughly the same time. We could cut that one short and detour north to Minnesota.
The fact that there will be a ride going through Ely interests me, as that is actually my old home town, even though we left there when I was 5 YOA. My grandparents moved there in the 1920's and my grandfather was a teacher there, and became dean of then Ely Jr. College. He was also an auther of some reknown, as he wrote quite a number of books devoted to the BWCA and the outdoors experience in general. He ran a canoe trip outfitting company out of Winton for years. My dad was a canoe trip guide for awhile, too. My granddad was intrumental in having the BWCA established. His name was Sigurd F. Olson. He passed away in 1982. So I do have some past associated with Ely and that area. I can vouch for the fact that the ride out to the North Shore of Lake Superior from Ely is a gorgeous one.
If we can swing it, we'd love to get up there for the rally. |
_________________
Greg Olson
Meridian, ID
2005 GL1800, yellow
2001 GL1800, red--PeggySuz's
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IronRanger
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 15, 2007 - 07:26 AM
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Site Admin
Joined: Dec 13, 2005
Posts: 4927
Location: Minnesota's Iron Range
Status: Offline
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Greg,
There definately would be a hole in the group without you two there. We could also really use some help in Ely when we break out for a short stop to do some exploring. Depending on the size of the group we end up with, I'm considering bringing them up to Palisade Head on the North Shore. I don't want to overrun the place, but I think that would also be a great stop. |
_________________
Kev
2005 Burgman 650
2005 Burgman400
The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally
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WildBillPurdue
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 15, 2007 - 04:57 PM
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All I do is scoot and post
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 8330
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Status: Offline
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| Besides Kev, when Greg turns his head, we'll take his Wing for a joy ride! |
_________________
Bill "WildBillPurdue" Gooden riding
"Willow's Black Diamond" an
'08 Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive
Super Scooter w/ CVT #3
http://www.allsuperscooters.com/bbs
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Wingpilot
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 15, 2007 - 08:26 PM
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Scooter enthusiast
Joined: Nov 12, 2006
Posts: 956
Location: Meridian, ID
Status: Offline
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| WildBillPurdue wrote: |
| Besides Kev, when Greg turns his head, we'll take his Wing for a joy ride! |
Heh, heh, heh!! 
But a possibility?
I think we have decided to abandon the Colorado part of our trip and just come on up to Minnesota. I spent some time perusing the map book and have come up with a tentative route. If anyone is coming from the PNW, feel free to chime in here.
Our tentative route takes us from Boise to Missoula, MT, up to Hwy 2 across to Malta, MT, Rugby, ND, to Grand Rapids, MN, then to Mt. Iron, MN. Looks like a total distance of approx. 1517 miles. Don't which way we'll return. We're definitely open to suggestions and to meeting up with folks along the way going to the rally. We'd be leaving Boise June 1 and taking 5 days of easy riding to get there. Should be a lot of fun. We plan on camping along the way and only staying at motels if the weather turns bad.
How about some feedback. |
_________________
Greg Olson
Meridian, ID
2005 GL1800, yellow
2001 GL1800, red--PeggySuz's
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WildBillPurdue
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 16, 2007 - 05:20 AM
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All I do is scoot and post
Joined: Sep 19, 2006
Posts: 8330
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Status: Offline
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WOW! 4 people traveling over 7 thousand miles one way to the Iron Range Super Scoot Rally!
WingPilot Meridian, Idaho - 1,517 miles
PeggySuz Meridian, Idaho - 1,517 miles
Didiki Lake Cowichan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia - 1,892 miles
Sailorbay17 - San Francisco, California - 2,227 miles
What an honor to meet and shake these folks hands! (I'ma gonna hug their necks too!  ) I cannot wait!!!! |
_________________
Bill "WildBillPurdue" Gooden riding
"Willow's Black Diamond" an
'08 Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive
Super Scooter w/ CVT #3
http://www.allsuperscooters.com/bbs
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IronRanger
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Post subject:
Posted: Jan 17, 2007 - 01:49 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Dec 13, 2005
Posts: 4927
Location: Minnesota's Iron Range
Status: Offline
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| Five Season's Sports of Eveleth, MN has offered to give us a hand with prizes and other needs. Their summer line-up is Harley, Honda, and Yamaha. They are located right on Hwy 53 in Eveleth. Sponsers really make the rally, so if you get a chance, give them a Thank-you. |
_________________
Kev
2005 Burgman 650
2005 Burgman400
The Iron Range Super Scoot Rally
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