BMWRA Yooper Rendezvous

Your host – Bob Alexander

For the second time in as many years, the North Coast is beckoning BMWRA riders to a warm welcome in the cool, carpeted forests of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan – this time, during the weekend of August 4–7 2022.  For those who haven’t been up here, It’s all about the riding in the historic iron & copper mining of the “U.P.” and northern Wisconsin. 

Our event base will be Big Snow Resort, a 2-mountain ski resort located in Wakefield, Michigan, tucked away in the heart of remote north country lakes and forests, within a 20-minute ride to the Lake Superior shoreline.  Riders can take in a variety of equally stunning road rides from nearby northern Wisconsin county highways through the endless inland lake country with forest canopy to a longer (320-mile day ride) voyage to the end of the earth/ the Keweenaw Peninsula with lovely Copper Harbor terminal point (1,990 miles from Miami via US-41).  This is ideal road riding–light traffic, generally great road surface conditions, and lots of switchback-forest riding. Some highlights include: 

• The Porcupine Mtns Wilderness Area (especially Lake of the Clouds and South Boundary Road)
• numerous waterfalls at the Superior shoreline
• Copper Peak ski jump
• Bayfield, WI 
• The Apostle Island National Lakeshore (ferry service to Madeline Island)
• Copper Harbor (especially Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and Mount Brockway scenic overlook of Lake Superior and peninsula.  A swim at the lovely Eagle Harbor beach near Copper Harbor is not to be missed.) 

For the GS/Scrambler set, the U.S. Forest Service road network is simply stunning and endlessly beautiful, great-surface forest roads again through endless U.P. lakes districts.  If you’re a seasoned off-roader, ride it “robustly,” and if new to gravel and 2-track Jeep roads, you can take it slow and easy but it will remain beautiful without ever being boring.  Maps and GPS files for road and off-road routes are on hand at the resort, along with ride leaders who possess thorough local knowledge of the routes.

Schedule of events and Particulars:

Thursday, August 4th:  Rider-guests roll in throughout the day with greeting+happy hour(s) beginning at 5:00 at resort’s Sky Bar Grill. (Indianhead Mtn. site).  Dinner ordered from standard menu, full cash bar service, music yet TBD.

Friday, August 5th:  Rider’s Meeting at 8:30 a.m. near check-in/main lodge.  Riders generally depart at 9:00 a.m.  Road and off-road rides to all points, with a list of “don’t miss” attractions and great lunch spots on hand.  Again, maps/GPS/ride leaders on-hand.  Social/cocktail hour starts around 5:00, with dinner service beginning at 6:30.  Summer cook-out fare of the burger and brat variety with two sides and coffee.  We’ll be outside unless adverse weather creeps in.

Saturday, August 6th:  A repeat of Friday w/ 8:30 riders’ meeting, 9:00 departure for parts known and unknown.  Same drill with maps and ride leaders.  Riders again convene around 5:00 for tall tales and tall beverages, with dinner again at 6:30–our special Prime Rib dinner with side dishes.  Music/entertainment again TBD/in the works…

Sunday, August 7th:  Riders returning home will depart just after breakfast; those staying on for a bit will again explore more of the North Country beauty.  Riders meeting TBD.  Sunday dinner from standing menu at Sky Bar Grill

The fee for this event is $75, which includes 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts.  Lodging is not included in this fee.  

Regarding lodging, BMWRA riders will receive the Big Snow Resort motorcyclist special on lodging–“Stay 2 Nights, 3rd Night is Free” with ski lodge hotel room rates beginning at $89/night.  Slopeside 1 and 2 bedroom condos start at $119/night again with “Stay 2 Nights, 3rd Night is Free.”  If you are concerned about the potential of a hot August day, the hotel rooms do have AC.  Indianhead was built as a Ski Resort so heat was more of a concern than AC.

For those that would still prefer to camp, limited  camping is available at the resort at no charge for the 3-day weekend. You still need to check in with the resort.

Firepits/firewood and picnic tables are available at various sites at the resort, and the ski summit center is available for meeting/social space as well as moto movie night if so desired (TBD).  Other resort amenities include a pool and hot tub area available to all guests.  Please contact Big Snow Resort directly to book lodging–online at  https://www.bigsnow.com/lodging, or–800.346.3426.

Note:  breakfast service (Sky Bar Grill) will run 7:30–9:30 on Fri/Sat/Sun for this weekend with a fixed plate traditional breakfast w/ limited options.

Overview of Big Snow

The event will be limited to 249 pre-registered/pre-paid riders and will not be restricted to BMWRA members.  The restriction is due to event insurance and also the catering capabilities of the resort. There will also a restriction on the number of campers due to limitations at the resort later. But with the great rates at the resort, who wants to haul camping gear.

Stay tuned to the BMW Riders Association website and the OTL magazine for further details and registration guidance.

The hard deadline for registration is Saturday, July 30, 2022 OR when we hit 249 attendees. No refunds after 20 August, 2022.