Great Lakes Dual Sporters

GLDS Expedition: Michigan

Reports

Great write-ups and photos galore from previous runs.

Much of the upper peninsula uses areas well covered from the UP Dual Sport Safari and the CannonTrek.

Bryan Much has arguably the best ride reports going. See his 2008 CannonTrek (UP) and 2008 GLDS Expedition Michigan (LP) on ADVrider.com.

Interactive Photo Map covering both LP and UP. Photo gallery as well (thanks to Bryan for use of his photos).

Images by Bryan Much

GLDS Expedition: Michigan

Help

Easy part first, the maps. The maps are PDF files, you’ll need the free Adobe Reader program from Adobe to see/view/print the maps. These maps are high quality, full color jobbies and include ORV trails, public land, county roads, gas stations and more. The main map set is a big download (150+ MB) and is not good for folks on dial-up. You should save the file (right click and Save Link As) and save the file to your computer, then open it.

Next up are the GPS files. These are track logs that we’ve created. There are a “core” set of tracks, named “GLDSEXMIUP” or “LP” depending on if they are for the upper peninsula or lower. The other tracks are named for the area/town/funny story related to them. The other tracks are options. They are what you can use to make smaller loops, connectors or whatever.

There are no “routes”. You will need to make your own based on these tracks or do a “track back” if your GPS supports that feature. Tracks just show as a colored line on your GPS, like a highlighted road on a paper map. They don’t tell you which way to go, just show you.

Waypoints are included for gas stations. We didn’t include lodging/camping information with the first release, let us know if we should include it.

Many GPS units have a limit on the number of tracks they can hold. Modern Garmin units of the mapping/outdoor variety (60CX) can hold 20 tracks at a time. This means you will need to know what your GPS can hold as well as delete some of the tracks from the file on the computer before sending to your GPS.

To make things a little easier, we have offered up a couple varients of the GPS files. First, we have “native” Garmin files (GDB); next we have “universal” files (GPX). If you have Garmin, then go for that, if not, get the GPX file. Best bet is to right click and “Save Link As” and save the file to your computer.

We also offer files with the “extras” already removed. If you are not so sure you can load your GPS let alone delete the extra tracks (the optional courses) then we have files that have just the core files or just the optional pieces.

Finally, if you can’t download the files (connection is too slow or whatever) or don’t want to spend the $$ printing your own maps, you can get a CD and a hard copy of the maps (wire bound booklet) through VVMapping; see link on download page.

GLDS Expedition: Michigan

3500 Miles. Dual Sport Heaven. Dozens of Loops & Options. Free Download.

3500 miles of Michigan’s fantastic Dual Sport riding. Big loops, little loops and linear options. Ride as much as you want, how you want.

There are two main loops, one in the LP for 1100 miles and the other in the UP for another 1000 miles. There are 1500 additional miles of options. You can combine them in any way that serves your needs – from an 100 mile, single day loop on up to a couple thousand mile, week-long adventure. The area covered includes most of the UP as well as a good half of the LP.

Want to spend a week riding one big loop in the lower peninsula? No problem.
Want to spend a day riding which loops back to your truck? No problem.
Want to camp from one location and ride different stuff for 3 days, coming back to camp on each day? No problem.

These routes are straight from GLDS’s playbook. Think of it as just a taste of what our rides are like, and yes, our events have even more “good stuff” than you’ll encounter while on this expedition. Here’s your chance to experience Michigan Dual Sport riding the way we love, but at your pace and your schedule.

It’s mostly two track with some road connectors and the regular pavement sections to get to gas stations plus an occasional stretch of single track.

You will need a street legal bike with knobby tires. Plus a GPS. And an ORV Sticker.

The terrain and course was targeted at a DRZ400. Anything bigger than a 650L will test the rider’s ability.

Camp it. Motel it. Campground it. Day Trip it. All up to you. We figure two weeks straight riding to cover it all and doubt any mortal can do so.

GPS data and the maps are offered up here for download. Free. No membership needed (but, hey, if you want to join it’s only $10).

Download and load up your GPS, fire up your printer and crank out the map pages that you need.

For those that need a CD with the files on it plus printed maps, we have a partnership with VVMapping to provide a physical product for the low price of just $30 (see download page for link).

You may not sell or otherwise use these files for commercial purposes. This includes using them as part of an event.