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3.79 out of 5 Rider Rating 3.79
22 Reviews

Ride Round the Thumb

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Jul 31, 2008

Rider Reviews

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Guest
February 9, 2011
I did this trip over the past fall. Great roads…
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Guest
January 19, 2011
This route links up to lots of other cool little…
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Written Directions

Start in Point Huron, MI and look for Pine Grove Ave heading north, which will then veer right, onto 24th Ave. These roads get you through town, and onto M-25, or Lakeshore Rd. Head north out of town on MI-25. MI-25 will follow the thumb shaped coastline all the way up to Harbor Beach, Port Hope, and Port Austin (you'll see that Lakeshore Rd. turns into Grindstone Rd. and heads west into Port Austin). Continue on to the town of Sebewaing and to the end point of Bay City, MI. From there you can go through Bay City and hop on I-75 to go the fast way home. Or, for the more adventurous, travel directly south from Port Austin on M-53/Van Dyke Rd. towards Bad Axe. At Bad Axe, turn right heading west on M-53 and then turn right, onto Huron Line Rd heading west [about 35 miles south from Port Austin at this point]. Huron Line road will intersect Richie Rd. Turning left [south] will take you to the famous Octagon Barn [https://www.thumboctagonbarn.org/] - a true rarity and must see. After seeing the barn, keep going south on Richie Rd. to Bay City Forestville Rd. - turn right and head west again, towards Gagetown - who's claim to fame is the first bank to have FDIC!! And, if it's still there, also home of Michigan's only Anastazi Indian /Southwestern style restaurant. You can either backtrack to M-53 and continue south, or beeline straight south of Gagetown on Dodge Rd. til you T-bone M-81/Cass City Rd., where turning left [heading east] will take you to M-53, or turning right [heading west] will take you towards Saginaw where you can jump on M-23.

Scenery

Once you get onto scenic highway M-25, north of Port Huron, the sense that "you're somewhere else" really takes over. The hwy takes you close to Lake Huron quite frequently, as well as pastoral farm scenes as the road twists following the contour of the thumb. You can do this whole route as a day trip, or stay overnight in Port Austin and enjoy some of that good 'ol Michigan hospitality. Either way, it's a great motorcycle ride.

Drive Enjoyment

North of Port Huron, M-25 it's mostly 2-lane - no dirt or gravel roads. Not many blind corners, but be wary of wild turkeys crossing the road [they go left when they should go right].

Tourism Opportunities

Port Austin, at the very tip of the thumb has inexpensive lodging, The Garfield Inn (yes, the fmr. President was a frequent visitor) has wonderful food and very nice rooms, also there's several local eateries and taverns all on the main strip, south of the harbor breakwater. Make sure you walk out onto the harbor breakwater for a super view of the lake and the town inland. There's fishing charter boats available as well.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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absinthe minded
February 5, 2020
80 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring
2019 Started in Pa. to Buffalo thru Canada to Sarnia to ride The Thumb as part of our 1900 mile loop in a week which also included seeing all 5 Great Lakes. The Thumb was surely a nice ride and recommendable.
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Btrfly2023
August 24, 2018
7 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
I have never been North of Fort Gratiot. Loved the ride. Great lunch spot was Boondocks,,,, outdoor patio too... Beautiful Scenery, and had the roads mainly to ourselves. Stayed the night at Au Gres Inn,, great spot for a group of bikers, as their is a covered patio with tables to relax on after a great day of biking..
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ChiefPockets
June 7, 2017
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
As gorgeous as advertised - lots of small towns, scenic/rest turnouts, lake views, and farm fields. Be aware that state maintained turnouts don't open until surprisingly late in the spring. While well maintained and enjoyable, these aren't the sorts of roads that sport riders will want to seek out - lots of nearly straight lines and many patches of lowered speed limits for towns.
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