The Dock Porter Bikes of Mackinac Island

I spend a portion of every summer racing to Mackinac Island and, as many of you know, with cars forbidden it is the land of Bikes and Horse's. One thing that I enjoy watching is the porters and their ability to carry some crazy amounts of bags to the various hotels. I was looking for some info and tripped across this article. Give it a read. 

http://outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=813

"I note that the dock porter scene has evolved in waves over the years. When I was on the Island the porters were at their peak. After I left it might be said that they got a bit carried away. The loads got bigger and bigger. Porters used "launchers"---guys who would hold them up and give them a push when their load was ready. Some riders overdid it and couldn't see beyond their loads. Front-runners who cleared the road ahead were occasionally used by porters who felt they didn't have enough karma in their favor. Even so, a few tourists were hit. Restrictions were enforced: no more bar-extensions, etc. But the loads crept up again. And again. A load used to net me $20 in the early 80's. You could do them in 10-20 minutes, say. Ferries arrive on the hour and even sometimes the half-hour. Loads have to be brought to them and from them. One stays busy. Busy cashing in, that is. And working at your max. "

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on July 29, 2013 at 4:04am

What a great article, Tim!

Visiting Mackinaw Island is still on our list of things to do, but getting there is either as expensive as flying to the Northwest, or it takes as long as flying to the Northwest.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on July 29, 2013 at 5:04am

Next year I am going to the Island, but by car. :-)  And I am going to bring a bike, but I am not going to use it to schlep my own stuff.  Have to use a porter, I guess.

Permalink Reply by Blatherskate on July 29, 2013 at 6:22am
The fiance and I went to Mackinac three weeks ago and I too was impressed with the porters, especially the ones who have to bike up the hill to the Grand Hotel.
We rented clunky 7-speed cruiser bikes and did two laps around the island, including riding the entire hilly interior. My bike literally broke (derailer) as we got back into town. Perfect timing I must say.

Bonus, the creepy Gerald Ford head next to the fort makes for a good photo opp.

Cool article.
Permalink Reply by Tim S on July 29, 2013 at 6:40am

In my head he makes the same noise as the body of Spiro Agnew's body on Futurama.

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