Milwaukee, WI to Asheville, NC in fall...any thoughts?

[swduncan]

I'm planning to go to Overland Expo next year, and I'm thinking of riding down. The event starts 10/2, and I would drive back to WI. It's about 775 miles.

I've been an armchair tourist for many years, but have ridden several 80-100 days although not loaded. I would take a few multi-day trips during the summer to prepare myself and the bike (lht) /gear. The trip to NC would be in place of another tour elsewhere. Put another way, I'd either ride down there, or go somewhere else.

Looking at the overview map it's not clear that there are many routes between Milwaukee and Asheville. Anyone have experience riding in this corridor? Is likely to be enjoyable, or would the vacation days be better spent riding somewhere else, say along the great river route, or around the UP.

Last but not least, is 60-70 miles per day reasonable? I don't think I can afford more than about 12 days.

Steve

[Pat Lamb]

Interesting route you've chosen.  It basically parallels U.S. 19, which one rider on crazyguy has ridden in reverse, but which I would want to avoid!  You''ve got a good chance at hitting some great autumn leaf viewing.  There's three big obstacles: (1) miles of cycling wastelands, aka Chicago suburbs; (2) Ohio River; and (3) mountains.

Adventure Cycling routes can help some.  Once you get to Damascus, VA, which is on the TransAm route, there are a couple relatively decent ways to get to Asheville.  Illinois has a nice bike map (I assume Julie or someone from AC will pop in with a link), which could take you down to the TransAm.  Alternatively, if you drop south in Indiana, the TransAm goes pretty close to Owensboro, KY, which is just across the Ohio.

60-70 miles is going to be a stretch for most tourists.  If you're young, in great shape, and pack lightly, it's possible.  It's going to be tough to maintain that pace in the mountains from Kentucky down to North Carolina.

[swduncan]

Thanks for a nice, thoughtful reply. Unfortunately I am neither young, nor in great shape, nor known for packing especially light! I think this one might be too much of a stretch for the days I can afford to give it.

Now I've got to figure out where I _could_ go for about a week-10 days, maybe plus a few.

[etsisk]

I would be interested in hearing ideas for this , as I might possibly end up riding from Kentucky to Oshkosh WI next year (knee problems keep everything in flux, it seems)