Wow! Time gets away quickly. It's time to start planning. Actually it should have been done a month ago, but I'm a man, so I will do it now. The Midnight Ride is coming up in three weeks. If you have never gone on one, you owe it to yourself to do so.

I remember my first one several years ago. I was sitting at the Clare rest area on US-127 waiting for the bikes to come in. It was about 1:30 am and I had been waiting for over an hour. There were many bikes already at the rest area and we had been stacked in neat rows in the upper parking lot. We all came to attention at the sound.

Motorcycles started rolling in. More...and more..and more. Workers were parking the bikes in tight rows so as to get as many as possible into the upper level. That was soon full and many spilled over onto the lower parking level. I was walking around just doing the "Wow" thing when the second group from southeastern Michigan began arriving! Police were directing the bikes in from US 10 and soon the entire lot was full.

When we pulled out about a half and hour later, I was probably _ of the way back in the group. We rode in staggered formation and when we reached the hills by Harrison, I could begin to see just how long the line actually was! There were miles of bikes behind me and even more in front. It was awesome! (And it has grown each year since. This is the 15th) The Midnight Ride started out with a small group of friends on the third Friday of August
Night Riders!
Thousands participate in overnight run to Mackinac Bridge. August event is usually warm, but can be VERY chilly up north!

All Makes Welcome
Even H-D riders are welcome, but they must be able to make more than 30 miles between stops! Benefits Juvenile Diabetes research.

It is now a Gold Wing sponsored fundraiser (they welcome all brands of bikes) for juvenile diabetes. Since my wife has diabetes, I have always been interested in the ride. In 2002 they raised over $37,000 to help find a cure.

The official starting place is the Whitecap's Fifth Third ballpark in Grand Rapids at midnight (hence the name) and they ride northbound up US-131 and east on M-46 to Alma. Then north up US-127 finally crossing the Big Mac bridge to end up in St. Ignace at 8:00 AM Saturday. They have several stops along the way for breaks and gas and to pick up additional bikes. (You can join the group at Alma Wal-Mart or Houghton Lake K-Mart or Glen's in Gaylord.)

Another group starts out from southeastern Michigan at an appropriate time and comes up I-75 to meet up at Gaylord. When the combined group leaves Gaylord, it is awesome! Fifteen miles of motorcycles in tight formation is quite a sight. Many people wave to you from overpasses along the way (that's an awesome way to see the entire group).

Kewadin Casino hosts the Midnight Ride in St. Ignace. There are even a couple of fun runs on Friday for those who wish to make a weekend of it, and Saturday has breakfast, vendors, and even a parade of lights through town. Be sure to buy a T-shirt! Of course this is Michigan, so pack accordingly. Although August is our warmest month, it can often get cold on the road at 4:00 AM. Bringing some warm clothes can keep the fun in the run. And of course raingear should be part of everyone's kit. Some choose to ride back home on Saturday, but most stay over so be sure to call ahead for a room. Staying over gives me a chance to rest up and enjoy the day. Best of all, on the way home I can ride back down M-119 through Cross Village and Good Hart, one of my favorite Michigan rides!

If you join the Midnight Ride, it will be something you will remember for years. For more information you can go to www.mi-gmidnightriders.org. For lodging and accommodations check www.stignace.com

Ride safe.

-LC