Topic: Huron River Drive Between Ann Arbor and Dexter... a word of warning

[Bob Wessner]

I know there are some members in the S.E. Mich area and some may be familiar with this stretch of road. It runs from N. Main in Ann Arbor to Dexter village, about 8-10 miles or so. Very nice stretch, winding, scenic, speed limit 35 mph for good reason. In the past three years I only saw police patrolling this for the first time this year. I don't know if it's because of an ongoing controversy about repaving and possibly restricting vehicle traffic or not. Anyway, it's a very fun stretch, or it was, at about 50 mph and quite popular with motorcyclists. Today I was pulled over. I was very lucky. Gave him lic., registration, ins. info and when he came back from his car he let me off with a warning even though I was doing 15 over. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket. Anyway, if you are out this way watch it on the Drive.

[Jonesy]

And you claim you don't really have an interest in going fast...

Glad to hear he let you off. (I could trade you my "sedate" K3 for your K0! .. Just kiddin'!)

[Bob Wessner]

Dan,

To be perfectly honest, it's hard not to have fun on this stretch of road. I'm thinking I got off because he must have thought, "how dangerous can this old guy on his 38 yr. old motorcycle be?" Truth be known, it was a little embarrassing.

[Kevin D]

HRD is one of my favorite places to ride. I sure hope its not turned into a private park for bicycles. I've been told that the Delhi bridge will be rebuilt soon.
Don't try to chase the Amtrak - 79mph speed limit- plus the RR takes all the shortcuts and wins the crossings.
I'm doing a much better job of holding my CB back these days, compared to my youth.

[Bob Wessner]

Kevin,

The suggestion to close it to vehicles was soundly rebuffed by the general public. They are scheduled to start the repaving next year. The Delhi bridge is also scheduled to be worked on next year. Fortunately, they will retain the original iron truss bridge after refurbishing it. The only departure from its current appearance will be the installation of traffic signals at each end. Apparently that is a federal requirement for one lane bridges if you seek federal funds as part of the project. Since that is a very nice scenic area, it seems like a small price to pay to retain the overall appearance.

[gerhed]

Bob,

I used to ride a nice twisty road in that area from Plymouth, I think--on into Ann Arbor.
The road went past the "Jokers" MC "clubhouse".
I made the mistake of stopping there once.
This was early 80's.

Phil

[Bob Wessner]

That must have been an interesting layover.

[gerhed]

That must have been an interesting layover.

The gentlemen in the clubhouse seemed to have taken too much medicine
and they were quite concerned that I was unmedicated.
The fact that I was riding my Indian might have saved me !

[Jonesy]

Dan,

To be perfectly honest, it's hard not to have fun on this stretch of road. I'm thinking I got off because he must have thought, "how dangerous can this old guy on his 38 yr. old motorcycle be?" Truth be known, it was a little embarrassing.

A buddy of mine in a similar situation got off by making the cop laugh about it. After the cop told him how fast he was going, he replied, "On THIS old thing???" I think he was "let off on humor"... 

[Kevin D]

Arrrrgggh - I just read a report suggesting 25mph and............ SPEED BUMPS...........

You're lucky you got your rocket ride in when you did!


Try these excuses out if you need to:

http://autos.aol.com/article/general/v2/_a/best-ticket-excuses-contest/20060906104309990001

[Bob Wessner]

25 mph!?! If that happens, with or without speed bumps I guess I'll cross it off my route list. That same day, coming back into town I couldn't even keep it to 35, I did 40. I bet the bicyclists won't have to go over speed bumps.

[mussamatt]

I think I must have caught the sheriff sleepin early this year.  I came around a turn and was facing the parked cruiser at somethin' like, errr, aaa 65. I thought  I was done for and to my suprise no chasing lights. It's a great ride and it will be a loss. It is difficult to stay under 40 and if the locals cant take it I guess they should do what they need to. Speed bumps will really suck.

[Kevin D]

Mussamatt... The speed bumps and 25 mph were only suggestions and far from a done deal, although I'm sure the bicycle riders would like to have HRD all to themselves. We will have to wait and see when the road construction is finished, but I think/hope no big changes except new road. I've found some new pavement on HRD near Dexter-Huron Metropark and I kinda like the HRD detour: uphill sweeper and slaloming through the traffic circles....gotta watch for the gravel leaving HRD onto Maple.


Here is the status report for the repaving project, the speed bumps and 25mph speed limit are mentioned in the community outreach survey:

http://www.a2gov.org/government/publicservices/project_management/upcomingprojects/Pages/HuronRiverDrive.aspx


Dreaming now........If they need to limit traffic on the nice roads, how about having a MC only day?!?!?!

[tramp]

good for you that the cop let you off
you are a moderator though and should be a role model to us lesser people
shame on you
now go for a ride and think about what you did wrong

[andy750]

I think we`ll have to change your name to "Bad Boy Bob" 

Nice one Bob!

cheers
Andy

[Bob Wessner]

Mussamatt... The speed bumps and 25 mph were only suggestions and far from a done deal, although I'm sure the bicycle riders would like to have HRD all to themselves. We will have to wait and see when the road construction is finished, but I think/hope no big changes except new road. I've found some new pavement on HRD near Dexter-Huron Metropark and I kinda like the HRD detour: uphill sweeper and slaloming through the traffic circles....gotta watch for the gravel leaving HRD onto Maple.


Here is the status report for the repaving project, the speed bumps and 25mph speed limit are mentioned in the community outreach survey:

http://www.a2gov.org/government/publicservices/project_management/upcomingprojects/Pages/HuronRiverDrive.aspx


Dreaming now........If they need to limit traffic on the nice roads, how about having a MC only day?!?!?!

Kevin,

I hadn't been on HRD in several weeks what with the reconstruction at the Main St. end and the pavement towards Dexter. It was pretty rough. Saw your post and just returned from a ride to include HRD. Much nicer now, can't wait for the Main St. end to be finished as well. It was strange seeing the Delhi bridge laying on the bank of the river. I'm glad they decided to restore the bridge rather than replace. It was always one of my favorite spots.

[upperlake04]

Michiganders - this would be much more interesting with pictures.

[jtb]

Michiganders - this would be much more interesting with pictures.

+1

[74cb750]

"oh! is That what the little white sign with numbers on it meant?"   

[Kevin D]

Delhi Bridge:http://www.historicbridges.org/truss/edelhi/photos.htm
http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/08/cranes_move_east_delhi_bridge.html

HRD Foggy Video:vimeo.com/480967[/vimeo]]http://www.Not a valid vimeo URL[/url] Warning - not at normal speed.

It was strange seeing the Delhi bridge laying on the bank of the river.

Bob,
 Did you see the "Road Construction Ahead" signs plopped in the middle of the river for the canoers?      

[upperlake04]

  That road must be especially nice for motorcycling on a warm calm fall day when the hardwoods are in full colour.     Thanks KevinD.

[BobbyR]

I GOT MY EYE ON YOOOU BOOOOY