Grand Rapids, MN through Duluth on to Northern Lakes Section

[jcarlson]

I am traveling west to east and want to take in the ACS Northern Lakes route.  There is no ACS route from Grand Rapids, MN through Duluth on to the ACS Northern Lakes Route.  I can go down to Minneapolis then up following the ACS route but it seems a shame to go so far south to travel north again.  Any suggestions as to routes or resources.

Thanks,

[John Nelson]

Well, nobody ever faulted ACA routes for being too direct. I did this route last summer. You do have to go south to duck under Lake Superior, but it seems like the ACA sends you farther south than necessary.

If you ask Google for a route from Grand Rapids, MN to Escanaba, MI, it comes up with a 358 mile route. The ACA route between these two cities is 601 miles. Yes, the ACA route is a lot longer, but I would never suggest using an ACA route to somebody who is in a hurry to get somewhere. I'd rather meet Donn Olson at the Adventure Cyclists Bunkhouse in Dalbo, see the world's largest black bear in Glidden and ride on Wisconsin's Rustic Roads than see Duluth.

Note, you're going to think the ACA sends you too far out of the way again in the lower peninsula of Michigan. I sometimes wondered why I spent three days going southwest when I was trying to get to the northeast.

[JHamelman]

John is right, our routes are rarely the shortest distance between two points. =)

That being said, you might see what the state of Minnesota shows as suitable routing between Grand Rapids and Duluth. Check out their offerings here:

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

Have a great trip!

.Jennifer.