Norther Tier - options around the Great Lakes

[Cyclist1852]

A group of 4 to 6 of us is planning the NT West to East in 2016 self supported and camping when possible.  We're thinking of diverting off the standard route and doing Michigan's Upper Peninsula and using the Erie Connector thru Canada rejoining the standard NT route outside of Buffalo.  We all have passports.  We'd miss the upper Mississippi River which I'd like to see, but we'd we'd also miss Cleveland the and sprawl around Chicago and Cleveland which we don't care to experience.  We'd also consider the southern edge of the North Lakes routes taking the long ferry ride across Lake Michigan which would make us miss the upper peninsula.  We note that Madison is no longer on any of the routes, and I understood it to be a highlight of many NT trips in the past.  I'm after recommendations or pluses minuses of the various options.  Also, if you know why Madison was removed from the route.  We'd appreciate your experience helping us decide on the route!

Thanks,
Steve

[John Nelson]

That option is so standard that the ACA even sells a special set of maps just for that: Northern Tier + Lakes. You get the Northern Tier maps 1-6, North Lakes 1-3, Lake Erie Connector, and Northern Tier 10-11. That's exactly the route I did. Lots of people do it. Even the ACA guided tour of the Northern Tier typically does this route, primarily to get some diversity from endless corn fields (although you still get more corn fields than you want). The north shore of Lake Erie is great riding. Don't be tempted to stay on the highway as a shortcut or you'll miss some of the best scenery. I also enjoyed the upper peninsula and Mackinac Island, so I'm glad I didn't take the ferry across Lake Michigan. Madison hasn't be on the route for as long as I can remember--that change is not recent.

[Cyclist1852]

Thanks!  That the kind of info I'm after!

[CMajernik]

None of the AC routes have ever gone through Madison - whomever told you that must be thinking of something else. The main Northern Tier route doesn't get anywhere near the sprawl of Chicago, though John is correct about the corn fields.

[dfeikin]

Am considering same options, but with wrinkle of having two kids on tandems.   are there any advantages to taking the regular northern tier route down into iowa, indiana, illinois, in terms of interesting sights or destinations for kids?   what are pros and cons of north vs. south shore of lake erie?   Is traffic more of an issue on one route vs. another?

Thanks
Danny

[indyfabz]

While it was 16 years ago, I don't recall anything of interest in IL or IN, period except for the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, IL, across the river from Davenport, IA. We were hosted by a couple in Davenport, which may be off route a bit. Took a rest day at their place. During the rest day I rode over to Rock Island and Moline. The John Deere Pavilion has combines and things you can climb up on. The kids there seemed to really enjoy it. So did I.

https://www.deere.com/en_US/corporate/our_company/fans_visitors/tours_attractions/pavilion.page

Oh. And you can have a Dan Quayle burger in Huntington, IN, which is his home town.

[intoTHEwind]

A group of 4 to 6 of us is planning the NT West to East in 2016 self supported and camping when possible.  We're thinking of diverting off the standard route and doing Michigan's Upper Peninsula and using the Erie Connector thru Canada rejoining the standard NT route outside of Buffalo.  We all have passports.  We'd miss the upper Mississippi River which I'd like to see, but we'd we'd also miss Cleveland the and sprawl around Chicago and Cleveland which we don't care to experience.  We'd also consider the southern edge of the North Lakes routes taking the long ferry ride across Lake Michigan which would make us miss the upper peninsula.  We note that Madison is no longer on any of the routes, and I understood it to be a highlight of many NT trips in the past.  I'm after recommendations or pluses minuses of the various options.  Also, if you know why Madison was removed from the route.  We'd appreciate your experience helping us decide on the route!

Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve,

we want bike the NT too. We start our tour at 06.June 2016 in Anacortes. When start your bike group? We are 2 or 3 People (1 w, 2 m) from Germany . Perhaps we could bike together. We are > 60 years. What ist our daily miles planing on road. Is your tour on road or is there a MTB tour?

Best regrads
Rudolf