Brookings, South Dakota to New Haven, Connecticut --- June 1st - June 23rd

[magnus1225]

Greetings All,

First post for me here, great site!

I'm currently working in my hometown of Brookings, South Dakota at a full time temp position that ends June 1st.  I then head to New Haven, CT where I'll be teaching at a summer camp, have to be there on June 23rd.  I've been considering the idea of biking out there and have been trying to find as much information as I can about making such a trip.  This site has been extremely helpful but thought I'd try to get some more direct information by posting.

About me: 23 male, good shape.  Played sports most of my life.  I've been spinning every day at the wellness here for the past 2 months and plan to keep doing that until I leave.  I've biked most of my life, and the past couple summers I bike everywhere, and drive rarely.  I've never done a long bike trip like this before.  I would be doing this alone.

Route/Time: Doing a quick route mapping with google maps, the distance is about 1,500 miles (according to vehicle travel).  I haven't really looked too much into an exact route because I'm not sure how plausible of a trip this would be, that's why I'm looking for some advice.  Covering ~1500 miles in 23 days, I'm sure it's doable, is it manageable?  I'd have to avg. 80 miles a day correct?  If you think it would be manageable, what about advice on routes?  What would be the quickest route?  What would be an adventurous route?  Adventurous/quick route?  Scenic route? 

I think that is all I have for now but I'm sure there'll be more questions.

Thanks everyone,
Nathan

[VeloVeg]

Hi Nathan,

Welcome to the forum. Not only is your trek from Brookings, SD to New Haven, CT doable in 23 days, but it can be an awesome "scenic adventure". Our small group of four is starting from the Oregon coast this summer and taking a very indirect and adventurous route to the Maine coast. We will be riding through the Black Hills and Badlands before taking Hwy. 14 across SD. We will be rolling through Brookings around the third week of July.

Meanwhile, back to your question: To start, create a bike-suitable route straight across MN and WI to Manitowoc, WI and take the ferry across Lake MI as outlined on Adventure Cycling's (ACA) "North Lakes" maps section 2. Then connect with North Lakes map section 3 at Wolf Lake, MI and follow section 3 to Monroeville, IN. At this point connect with the ACA "Northern Tier" map section 9 and follow this route east to Orchard Park, NY. From there you'll want to map out a beautiful route across NY through the Finger Lakes region and the Catskills, across the southern Berkshire Mts. into CT and you're home free. This would be a great route and very doable in 23 days.

To summarize: you should purchase the ACA maps "North Lakes" sections 2 and 3, and "Northern Tier" section 9. These maps not only map out the route, but provide locations and phone numbers for lodging, camping, groceries, points of interest, all along the route. So this part of the trip is all done for you. The rest of the route will be up to your creativity. The web is your friend.

I hope you decide to do it. It should be an awesome adventure.

Safe journeys,

Ted

[litespeed]

Yup. Just get on US14 and head east. You might even live on 14. Anyway, you might want to bone up on the bike trails in Wisconsin to ease your route from LaCrosse to Manitowoc for the ferry. Wisconsin has lots of bike trails.

In New York you might want to take the Erie Canal bike route from Buffalo to Albany. This will avoid the brutal ups and downs in the Finger Lakes region.

[indyfabz]

In New York you might want to take the Erie Canal bike route from Buffalo to Albany. This will avoid the brutal ups and downs in the Finger Lakes region.

Yup.  Going north-south through the Finger Lakes is relatively easy. West-east, not so much.

If you do get on the Northern Tier, from Erie you can hook up with the PA Bike Route that goes across the northern tier of the state. I think it's Route Y. Take the spur at the eastern end to Milford and then head NE to Matamoras, PA and cross over into Port Jervis, NY, which will put you on the ACA's Atlantic Coast route. Cross the Hudson at Poughkeepsie and then head SE to New Haven

[CMajernik]

RE: Ted's ACA route suggestion. After the ferry, instead of taking the North Lakes Routes south to Monroeville, IN and across OH eastward you can pick up the Lake Erie Connector which goes along the northern shore of Lake Erie which will take you to Buffalo, NY. This routing would be shorter than what he suggested.

Here's a link for the PA bike routes: http://www.bikepa.com/routes/index.htm
And WI bike maps: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/bike-foot/countymaps.htm

[Rep]

I also am planning a trip from the Black Hills back to WI.  With all due respect to the OP, I am interested in knowing if Hwy 14 through MN is a good road with decent shoulders and what the traffic might look like.

[litespeed]

I also am planning a trip from the Black Hills back to WI.  With all due respect to the OP, I am interested in knowing if Hwy 14 through MN is a good road with decent shoulders and what the traffic might look like.

I rode US14 east-to-west across Minnesota a few years ago. As I recall there was ample shoulder but the frost cracks were often a bit annoying. But that is probably a common problem in that part of the country.

[JHamelman]

I also am planning a trip from the Black Hills back to WI.  With all due respect to the OP, I am interested in knowing if Hwy 14 through MN is a good road with decent shoulders and what the traffic might look like.

You might want to look into the resources Minnesota has on their DOT page in regards to bicycling maps:

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/maps.html

If you don't find what you need, contact someone in their Bicycle and Pedestrian program, that info is available through the Contact link on that same page. Then I'd love it if you'd report back to us what you find out.

.Jennifer.

[jimbo]

Nathan; In 08 I did some of the route  you are considering. I was slightly south of I90 in MN (took 18 across southern SD) took the Root River Trail in SE MN and ended up in Lacrosse. Nice bike trail from there to Sparta and then Elroy with fun tunnels. Took county/rural roads from there to Manitiowoc and in MI picked up the Erie Connector..( much shorter using Erie)
Nice riding on the Canadian side of Lake Erie. Used Erie Canal Towpath for most of NY. It is flat which is quicker than the hills south and north of I90; perhaps not as scenic as rolling up and down the hills of the Finger Lakes ( where I live).
If you are interested I can share the roads we used in WI if you contact me thru the message board.
You have lots of options to consider. Enjoy your ride.

[magnus1225]

Wow thank you so much everyone for the great advice!!!!!  It will definitely come in handy.