We talk a lot about paddling here, but how about two wheel travel? I’ve ridden hundreds of
miles of dirt road up in the BWCA region, some on bicycle, plenty on a motorcycle. Other than
fishing Sawbill Lake spending my free time on my motorcycle is my favorite thing to do up
here.
My bike is a 2023 Honda Trail 125. It’s based on the Trail 90 which was a wildly popular bike
from its inception in the mid 60’s right up until the 80’s. Initially marketed to hunters and
outdoorsmen, Honda sold millions of these bikes over the years. Mine retains the classic
styling of the original Trail bikes but with electric start, anti lock brakes and fuel injection. It’s
lightweight, easy to ride, low maintenance, and ultra fuel efficient (125 MPG or more!)
Northeastern MN is a trail riders paradise. The larger “main’ roads like Sawbill Trail, Perent Lake
Rd and The Grade are wide, well maintained, fun and easy to ride. But the real fun is nosing
down one of the hundreds of unnamed two track trails that peel off into the woods. I always
bring a Delorme’s Gazatteer (I’m obsessed with these things) with me but I rely on the ONX app
to track my routes and mileage. Sometimes these two tracks end in a dispersed campsite or a
stream crossing, and sometimes they just succumb to overgrowth and become unrideable.
During the right time of summer you can stumble onto fantastic berry patches. I’ve also
discovered interesting rock outcroppings and have seen moose, owls, a bear, and once a trio of wolf
pups.
Some of my favorite rides close to Sawbill include Pancore Lake Road, Honeymoon Trail and
Mark Lake Rd. Each one different from the others but that all have their distinct charms.
Last week I did a side trip to the Ely area and rode north of town up the Echo Trail. I did not see
any fire damage but there is plenty of fire prevention activity in that area. The day I was there
forest service crews were cutting back trees and brush on the north side of Echo Trail making it
a fire break.
Non motorized gravel biking (I have a motorcycle friend who’s calls bicycling “acoustic biking”)
is also great up here. A few years back I did the “Straddle and Paddle” backpacking route that
starts at Temperance River Park, then winds it’s way on dirt roads past Sawbill, Devil Track
Lake and then down the hill into Grand Marais before the long ride down 61 (on the bike path)
top the car. That was a beautiful trip but at around 160 miles not for the faint of heart or the soft
of bottom.
The slower pace of biking up here allows you to feel connected to the area in a deeper way.
You start to notice the small things that make the trip north special. Your eyes, and mind, are free
to wander. Not only are your legs and lungs are getting a good workout, so is your mind. If
you’re coming up for a few days consider bring along a bike (or motorcycle!) It’s a great way to
see parts of the wilderness that most folks pass by with their windows up.
Happy Trails!
D-Dawg.