Stormy Kromer Ride Recap — Motorcycle Touring the Michigan Upper Peninsula (UP)

Welcome to Episode 072 of the Best Motorcycle Roads Podcast — a full ride report from our 1,640-mile trip through the scenic, wild, and pasty-filled Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This isn’t your average motorcycle vlog. We’re talking route pivots, factory tours, small-town surprises, and the kind of food coma only five pasties in one day can deliver.

Ride Recap Highlights:

✅ How we used ChatGPT to dodge four days of rain by flipping our route direction last-minute

✅ Real talk on group hotel booking chaos (and how to avoid it)

✅ What makes Minocqua, Wisconsin worth a stop — ski shows, lakeside bars, and a one-pound ice cream cone

✅ The Stormy Kromer factory tour in Ironwood — led by the owner himself, Bob Jacquart

✅ Michigan’s most iconic motorcycle routes including M-119 (Tunnel of Trees)

✅ Pasty showdown: Joe’s vs. Ragus vs. Krupp’s vs. Roy’s vs. Iron Town — and the bakery that stole the show

✅ Glass-bottom boat tour over Great Lakes shipwrecks

✅ The story of the Edmund Fitzgerald at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

✅ Taco Bell Cinnabon Balls, Lou Malnati’s pizza, and other guilty pleasures

Stormy Kromer Hat Giveaway:

We’re giving away a limited-edition Stormy Kromer trucker hat! To enter:

👉 Comment on this video or on our trip planning episode before Labor Day.

We’ll draw one name and send a free hat your way. No spam, no catch.

Rider Toolkit – Motorcycle Gear & Tips (Mentioned in Episode):

Looking to upgrade your road trip gear? Here’s what we brought or wish we had:

• Helmet & Jacket Cable Lock – Secure your lid and gear while parked https://amzn.to/3Idr39J
• Visor Cleaner Kit – Spray & microfiber to fight those UP-size bugs https://amzn.to/44i1dZJ
• Disposable Lens Wipes – Great backup cleaner for visors and windshields https://amzn.to/4kX2MU3
• Jump Battery – Small, reliable power source for dead batteries https://amzn.to/44EXo15
• Quick-Dry Base Layer Shirt – Washable on the go, dry by morning https://amzn.to/4lqdMJy
• Hidden Cash Tip – Always stash a $20 in your jacket
• Bohn Body Armor – Lightweight underlayer protection that stays put https://www.bohnarmor.com

Tool Bag Hack – Our idea: modular saddlebag organizers that clip together (patent pending... maybe 😉)

Featured Locations Along the Route:

Minocqua, WI – Thirsty Whale + Briqs ice cream

Ironwood, MI – Stormy Kromer + Joe’s and Ragus pasties

Houghton, MI – Roy’s Pasties & scenic river patio

Calumet, MI – Overnight base

Munising, MI – Glass-bottom boat tour of shipwrecks

Whitefish Point – Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Edmund Fitzgerald)

Mackinac Bridge – Don’t forget cash!

Cross Village to Good Hart, MI – M-119 Tunnel of Trees

Big Rapids, MI – Schuberg’s Bar & Grill + Taco Bell Cinnabon Ball drive-thru

Lou Malnati’s in Chicago – Deep dish, butter crust, perfection

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How to Plan a Group Motorcycle Ride Without Losing Friends

Planning a group motorcycle ride? Whether it's a weekend trip or a multi-day touring adventure, group rides can be the best part of motorcycling—or the most frustrating. In this episode of Best Motorcycle Roads, we share essential group ride planning tips, including how to set expectations, avoid drama, and create epic rides your friends will actually thank you for.

We cover:

- How to plan a group motorcycle ride that works for everyone

- Tips for organizing motorcycle trips with multiple riders

- What gear and tech help group rides run smoother

- Real stories from years of group touring across the Midwest and beyond

Whether you're a ride captain or just trying to survive your next group trip, this episode will help you keep the peace, ride better, and stay connected.

TOOLKIT – RECOMMENDED GEAR & LINKS

These affiliate links help support the podcast (thanks for clicking!).

- Bluetooth Intercoms:

Sena: https://amzn.to/40aNZMY

Cardo: https://amzn.to/4jU34JR

- Phone Mounts:

Quad Lock: https://amzn.to/4kPEFqk

Goldstrike Constrictor: https://goldstrike3d.com/collections/smartphone-holder/products/gen-2-trim-line-cybercharger-goldwing-phone-holder-charger

- Backup Power:

Phone Battery Pack: https://amzn.to/3SYl3nx

- Emergency Tools:

Tool Roll: https://amzn.to/4lb4P6z

Tire Plug Kit: https://amzn.to/3SV3Ds3

Mini Compressor: https://amzn.to/3T14kQB

- Hydration & Snacks:

Granola: https://amzn.to/3SUEMoh

Jerky: https://amzn.to/4n5O8v0

Dried fruit: https://amzn.to/4lb4SiL

📣 SPONSORS WANTED!

We’re looking for like-minded brands to support the show. Gear companies, road trip tools, and riding communities—this is your chance to ride with us.

https://bestmotorcycleroads.com/contact-brm/

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Planning your next motorcycle road trip through the Midwest? In this episode of Best Motorcycle Roads, we highlight six of the most motorcycle-friendly towns in the Midwest—destinations that offer stunning rides, rider-welcoming atmospheres, and unforgettable roadside experiences.

We explore towns that go out of their way to welcome bikers—whether it’s a historic downtown with great restaurants, scenic routes perfect for cruising, or parking lots full of chrome on summer weekends.

Towns Covered in This Episode:

• Galena, Illinois – Ride the Stagecoach Trail, explore historic streets, and sip top-tier Bloody Marys

• Marquette, Michigan – Cruise Lake Superior’s shores and grab a warm pasty at a local gem

• Lanesboro, Minnesota – Fall foliage, winding river roads, and cozy breakfast spots

• Hermann, Missouri – Scenic hills, riverside rides, and a bratwurst or two

• LeClaire, Iowa – Ride the river bluffs and stop by the American Pickers HQ

• New Glarus, Wisconsin – Swiss charm, cold beer, and curvy Driftless Region roads

Rider Toolkit Mentioned:

• Kickstand Pad – Park securely on gravel and grass

• Cable Helmet & Jacket Lock – Secure your gear while you explore

• Microfiber Towel Set – Perfect for cleaning bugs, dew, and helmets

• Mini Jump Starter w/ USB Charging – Save your battery and charge your devices

These are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy through them—at no additional cost to you. It helps keep the podcast running!

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