Shoulders / Bike Lanes on ACA Routes

[dguthrie5]

Unspeak -

If you haven't left yet, here's the opinion of somebody who is currently in the middle of Wisconsin having taken the Northern Tier from Anacortes.  And, I also detest riding in urban traffic.

There have only been two short stretches where I regretted not wearing my mirror: 1) for ~5 miles immediately east of West Glacier -- narrow with lots of commercial and RV traffic as Logan Pass was closed, and 2) immediately west of Whitefish, MT -- very bad pavement which is under reconstruction.  The interstate stretches in ND have very light traffic -- a minute or two between vehicles was not unusual.

Montana has a random approach to rumble strips.  On US-2, you will see rumble strips: a) on the white line, b) on the outside edge of the pavement, c) in the middle of a three foot shoulder, and d) across the entire shoulder!  However, the vast majority of drivers were considerate.

Use a rear view mirror when you're uncomfortable.

[theunspeakablethings]

haven't left yet. this is SO helpful. thank you!!

[BentJay]

My daughter and I rode the (modified) Northern Tier last summer and encountered absolutely no routing difficulties EXCEPT when we left the ACA route.  Looking subjectively at the route vs. what seemed to be better. more direct alternatives we generally preferred the ACA recommendations.  That being said, when we realized we were running out of time (Molly had to go back to medical school...) we opted to use the Google Maps routing for bicyclists starting in Wisconsin, which was much shorter, used magnificent rail-trails and dedicated bike paths and also showed lodging, restaurants and supermarkets when we needed 'em. Some of the route was on dirt or crushed stone but, even though I ride a recumbent tadpole trike, there was no difficulty.  Here's a link to our blog:        crazyguyonabike.com/doc/pupine

The most frustration was when we were forced to use the wide and safe interstate shoulders in eastern Montana and North Dakota.  Especially in Montana, we had several flats due to tiny tire wire embedding itself in our tires.  Nevertheless, since the shoulders were 10 feet wide, we felt completely safe and protected by rumble strips near the right lane edge. 

BentJay

[ggwbikemt]

If you do plan to use ACA Northern Tier route, make sure you have the latest maps. The route was significantly changed in 2012 from Wolf Point, MT to Fargo, ND due to heavy truck traffic from Bakken oil boom making most of the 2 lane roads in western North Dakota unsafe to bike on. That's why the Northern tier route uses I-94 or nearby frontage roads from Glendive, MT to New Salem, ND. The route across Minnesota was changed in 2013 to take advantage of rail trails that have been built in recent years.

[theunspeakablethings]

Thanks everyone !! Really appreciate all the helpful information.