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Routes / Re: NYC to Fargo
« on: October 07, 2023, 12:43:44 pm »
I did a modified Northern Tier in 2019 and the first half of my route is very similar to yours. I started at Sandy Hook in NJ - because I live in NJ and wanted to start at the Atlantic Ocean. My route was:
* Sandy Hook to Albany NJ along the Hudson River (crossing over at Bear Mountain bridge and at Albany). Moderately heavy traffic. Since my wife is from the mid-Hudson valley, I had places I wanted to visit and friends to see.
* Albany to Niagara Falls along Erie Canal - Lovely. Much of the time I stayed on the "parallel" highway. I didn't like the dust/dirt from unpaved bike path, and the traffic was light. Through Rochester, I stayed on the bike path to avoid city traffic. I recommend the Muddy Water Cafe in Palymyra NY. Owner was very helpful when I needed to attend to a medical issue. Also, Palmyra was the home of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion. Even though I'm not Mormon, I found it interesting to visit the significant sites of this religion. Crossing into Canada was a non-issue, w.r.t. customs and bridge traffic.
* Niagara Falls to Algonac across southern Ontario via Lake Erie Connector. Lovely.
* Modified route across Michigan to visit friends and relatives. Campground at Otter Lake Michigan was free to bicyclist (at that time).
* Badger ferry from Ludington MI to Manitowoc WI. I understand that the ferry is now closed due to mechanical problems. Hopefully it will be available for you.
* North Lakes from Manitowoc to Taylors Falls (just north of Minneapolis). Lovely riding.
* Nothern Tier to Fargo via Fergus Falls leg, and then on to Anacortes. Lovely riding throughout Minnesota. Wonderful bike paths much of the way. Courteous drivers (Wisconsin and North Dakota too). Be sure to visit/use Donn Olsen's bicycle hostel in Dalbo. Jordies Trailside Cafe in Bowlus was excellent. Scandinavian Heritage Museum in Morehead MN (just across the river from Fargo is nice if you have the time.
I started my trip on June 1st and had comfortable weather. Didn't have HOT weather until I reached North Dakota. Had some cool mornings in Montana and Washington in July, but generally had great weather. A few days had strong head winds which prompted me to shorten the route, but generally the wind was not a issue for me. I mostly stayed in motels, WarmShowers (I don't particularly like camping!) so I can't comment much about campgrounds along the route.
* Sandy Hook to Albany NJ along the Hudson River (crossing over at Bear Mountain bridge and at Albany). Moderately heavy traffic. Since my wife is from the mid-Hudson valley, I had places I wanted to visit and friends to see.
* Albany to Niagara Falls along Erie Canal - Lovely. Much of the time I stayed on the "parallel" highway. I didn't like the dust/dirt from unpaved bike path, and the traffic was light. Through Rochester, I stayed on the bike path to avoid city traffic. I recommend the Muddy Water Cafe in Palymyra NY. Owner was very helpful when I needed to attend to a medical issue. Also, Palmyra was the home of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion. Even though I'm not Mormon, I found it interesting to visit the significant sites of this religion. Crossing into Canada was a non-issue, w.r.t. customs and bridge traffic.
* Niagara Falls to Algonac across southern Ontario via Lake Erie Connector. Lovely.
* Modified route across Michigan to visit friends and relatives. Campground at Otter Lake Michigan was free to bicyclist (at that time).
* Badger ferry from Ludington MI to Manitowoc WI. I understand that the ferry is now closed due to mechanical problems. Hopefully it will be available for you.
* North Lakes from Manitowoc to Taylors Falls (just north of Minneapolis). Lovely riding.
* Nothern Tier to Fargo via Fergus Falls leg, and then on to Anacortes. Lovely riding throughout Minnesota. Wonderful bike paths much of the way. Courteous drivers (Wisconsin and North Dakota too). Be sure to visit/use Donn Olsen's bicycle hostel in Dalbo. Jordies Trailside Cafe in Bowlus was excellent. Scandinavian Heritage Museum in Morehead MN (just across the river from Fargo is nice if you have the time.
I started my trip on June 1st and had comfortable weather. Didn't have HOT weather until I reached North Dakota. Had some cool mornings in Montana and Washington in July, but generally had great weather. A few days had strong head winds which prompted me to shorten the route, but generally the wind was not a issue for me. I mostly stayed in motels, WarmShowers (I don't particularly like camping!) so I can't comment much about campgrounds along the route.