Even though Day 1 of the adventure ride was delayed by nine minutes due to rain preparations, the crew of eleven total riders were in immediate banter via their in-helmet Cardo Communications PackTalk Edge devices.  Ricky heckling is former team Honda advisor, coach, mentor, but most of all dearest of friends: Jeff about being Prompt” and “On Time.”  Ricky’s buddies resurfacing deep scoops of stories regarding previous excursions, Jeff inserted narrative of local sights, meandering wildlife species and expectations ahead.  From there they traversed the gravel, seasonal, blacktop roads into Cadillac.  Peppered in a few two-track and single-track trails through the Manistee National Forest, rode along the areas notorious scenic highway: M-22 from Crystal Lake, Empire Bluffs, Sleeping Bear Sand dunes, all the while capturing peak-a-boo overlooks of the vast horizon sliced by Lake Michigan.  Throughout this leg of the tour, riders commented on the diversity of the fauna, the abundance of water and “The Sand”.  The high presence of it, how they “had no idea how sandy Michigan is” which prompted swift inquires that were answered with Jeff & Instructor Fred Britton’s real-time insightful instructions.  “Stand up, bend the knees and keep the front end loose.” Which is an instruction most guests receive and remember while riding with Jeff Stanton Adventures. 

What most of Michigan’s guest tend not to realize, is that a crescent shaped granite escarpment forms what is known as the Great Lakes Basin. The landscape that is responsible for designing the unique “mitten shaped” sandbar known as the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  According to Jeff Stanton: “Sand is the great equalizer for riders”.  A useful nugget-of-knowledge that supports his critically acclaimed “rigid style” of motocross riding techniques of yore.  A style that was forged over the course of many years of him efficiently navigating the sand, the clay, looming soil, rocks, silt and mud of the Great Lakes State in smooth orchestration.  Even though it appeared to spectators to be a bit inelastic, more like free Jazz.  A wide open rat-a-tat-tat more than anything else. Yet more refined than the signature style of Bob Hannah. 

Jeff inserts: “Thanks to the morning rain, the sand is packed down.” which quickly translates into: the group will be accessing level 2 and 3 routes with a hint of ease.  Please note: Jeff Stanton Adventures adheres to Triumph Motorcycles’ Adventure Training curriculum by assessing terrain on a scale of levels 1 through 3, with level 3 being the most challenging terrain for riders.  Fortunately for this particular crew, thoughtfully selected by Ricky mind you, includes a Colorado 500 board member, Australian Adventure/ Dual Sport professionals, Floridian Motocross/ Adventure riders, a Daniel Boone Kentucky two-wheel explorer and a few Michigan natives.  All of them welcomed the challenge of terrain tougher than the typical Jeff Stanton Adventure Level 1 tour as they round off their first day of riding through Leland, Northport, Suttons Bay area and pull the kickstands down at the private lodging along the shoreline of Traverse City.

As the snow skiers in these parts like to say: The Sky was “Robin’s egg blue” and the heat was rising on Day 3 of the adventure ride.  Jeff led the crew across the state’s majestic 5- mile suspension bridge, the Mighty Mackinac Bridge.  Once they made land, the terrain was noticeable different.  “It was epic”, “The Pine Trees and the forest density were vastly different.” according to rider- Chad Warrix.  From St. Ignace the group adventured paths through Cedarville, Barbeau, Sault Ste Marie, witnessed freighter crossings, carved their way along the shoreline trails of Whitefish bay, paid their respects to the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, passed numerous Moose Crossing signs where the Moose remained elusive, reveled in the power of the Tahquamenon Falls, rode the highly coveted fire roads, snow mobile paths and black bear junctions.  They even managed to be known as the last vehicles to travel the North Country trail just prior to its asphalt paving.  A controversial local construct that offered a fleeting moment for the team to take only pictures and leave only tire tracks.  The Pictured Rock national forest delivered a spectacle of scenery and undulated terrain all the way to Munising.  The sound of Lake Superior waves lapping on the windows of the private lodge built in Au Train, MI settled the guys instantly.  It offered the rustically elegant ambiance for the guys to exchange stories, examine GoPro footage and shake the dirt/ sand out of their gear.