Author Topic: North Lakes Tour  (Read 16394 times)

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Offline kiarmuid

North Lakes Tour
« on: April 03, 2004, 08:52:26 pm »
I'm taking the North Lakes route, Escanaba to Luddington.

How bad is Route 2 in Michigan, traffic wise?

Any memorable motels, good or bad?

Thanks


Offline zendo

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2004, 09:12:57 pm »
I rode the North Lakes route last summer from Escanaba, MI to Luther, MI.  US 2 traffic wasn't bad at all, and the highway has a wide rideable shoulder.  No one in our group felt unsafe on US 2.  Our group camped, so no motel info to share.


Offline kiarmuid

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2004, 11:47:45 pm »
Thanks for the tip, Zendo.  Any comments on the Lower Penninsula roads; I know they'll be days of hills early on.

thanks for your help,




Offline zendo

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #3 on: April 27, 2004, 07:02:10 pm »
Yep, hills early on, for the first few days.  The "Tunnel of Trees" on the day from Mackinaw City and to Petosky is a treat.  I remember the day from Petosky to Traverse City being one of the toughest.  After that it levels out a good bit.


Offline GreatLakes

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2004, 04:52:33 pm »
I'm reviving this thread, because I recently moved to Wisconsin, and I'm considering doing the North Lakes route.

My concern is wind and bugs. If I wait for late August, can I bike bug free?  What about the wind?

Thanks.


Offline Peaks

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2004, 09:03:54 pm »
Our cross country trek included the UP last summer.  Route 2 is the major highway in the UP.  So, there is plenty of traffic going past you, but as I recall, there is a wide shoulder.  The final 3 miles into St. Ignace are nail bitting.  No shoulder there.  

We tented, or at least tried to.  The Straits State Park in St. Ignace was closed, so we went into a motel that night.  

Memorial moments on the Lower Penninsula.  Well, Wilderness State Park near Mackinaw City was full, but they allowed us to tent anyway.  The Tunnel of Trees was a beautiful ride.  We met the Michigander tour going the other way.  Great lunch spot in Harbor Springs (ask about it at the bike shop).  There is a section of road I think between Wallon Lake and Boyne City that's rougher than a corn cobb.  Steep descent into East Jordan.  Known by bikers coming the other way as "The Wall."  

Wind?  It's always a headwind, no matter which way you are going.  Bugs?  They get blown away by the headwind.  Not an issue for us.


Offline kiarmuid

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2004, 12:12:40 am »
The wall!  I remember coming upon that baby.  I didn't know it had a name but BITCH would have been it if I was going UP it.  Down seemed like a trick.

RT 2 is fine with a car lane like shoulder.  I'd skip all the cut offs -- adds miles and Cut River Road has 2 dogs with VERY bad manners.

My trip to Luddington (from mid UP) last June had zero bugs and only one day of wind.  There is a beautiful section of Rt 2 along Lake Michigan that had a horrendous cross wind (from the south) but it was only about 15 miles worth.

We motel'd it.  Let me know if you need info on that stuff.


Offline jclark

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2004, 07:18:42 pm »
Did lower Michigan summer of 03 (JULY).  Tough riding during  previously reported areas.  Wallon Lake and Boyne City area.  We tried to do over a 100 miles during this section and payed for it.  Otherwise not a bad ride.Don't recall wind or bugs being any issue.  


Offline scrooge

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2005, 03:36:16 am »
Pardon my coming upon this late:
FYI, We spent one of the worst nights we've ever had with bugs at Flowing Wells campground in the UP (probably 30 miles past Escanaba), but the others weren't so bad (it was the "flowing wells" the campground was named after that seemed to be the problem).  Either way, I'd recomend getting one of those ridiculous looking misquito nets for your head--they really do help!


Offline TheDaltonBoys

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2005, 01:36:15 pm »
To All - If the attendant at the state park on Lake Cadillac is to be believed...if its a true Michigan state park they MUST allow hikers, (which includes bike campers) entry even if they are full. If the park in question is closed for the season then its moot. I found this out while going both ways on the Whit Pine Rail Trail on the lower part of the state. Enjoy the Voyage.....Mark of the Dalton Boys


Offline Peaks

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2005, 09:26:16 pm »
Well, I don't know if Michigan State Park are required to allow all cyclists to camp, but in practice they sure do.  We arrived at Wilderness State Park after it was full and they promptly found us a site.  Frankly, our site was better than the regular sites.  


Offline TheDaltonBoys

North Lakes Tour
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2005, 09:36:13 pm »
Peaks - as a matter of policy, yes they do, there is always the "new park attendant" factor that sometimes weasels in but that's just life. I was more than satisfied with my site, in the shade, tempuratures well below what they were back home in Texas, tent set up, themarest inflated. So how could this idyllic moment have gotten better? I got invited into the campsite of those adjacent for evening coffee....they didn't know me from Adam!! These moments are when the best of people rise like cream to the top....awesome!!! Enjoy the Voyage...Mark of the Dalton Boys