North Lakes Route

[RussellSeaton]

I would like some opinions and experiences of the North Lakes Route from anyone who has ridden it or lives in the area this route goes through.  It goes from roughly the MN/WI border north of St. Paul to Macinaw City, MI then down to Indiana.  I am really only interested in the part from northern WI to Macinaw then to Luddington, MI then across the lake on the ferry and then back north to form a loop.

I'm considering testing my self supported touring skills this fall with a week long ride along this route.  My other loaded touring has always stayed at motels, pensiones, hostels, family, friends with food at restaurants.  And of course self supported touring would require me to get an ultra light sleeping bag, lightweight sleeping pad, large, luxurious, but super light tent, and cooking stove and pots and pans.  Acquiring the gear is part of the fun.

[Peaks]

We took the North Lakes Route off the Northern Tier across Wisconsin to the UP of Michigan, and then down to Luther to pick up the Lake Erie Connector.  Wisconsin has some steep ups and downs.  The UP was mostly along US Route 2 on a wide shoulder.  Mackinaw Island is worth spending a day.  The Lower Penninsula starts with the Tunnel of Trees sections which is very enjoyable.  

What would you like to know?

[RussellSeaton]

Pretty much what you told me is what I want to know.  mainly the types/condition of the roads in the upper peninsula and the main part of Michigan.  I've ridden GRABAAWR and it started up in the area of Wisconsin where the route crosses into the upper peninsula.  So I know Wisconsin has lots of lightly traveled and tree filled back roads.  Were the roads on the North Lakes Route pretty untraveled and off the beaten path?

[Peaks]

Traffic:

Obviously, US Route 2 is the major highway in the UP.  So, that has a lot of traffic, but it also has wide shoulders.  

Likewise, there is traffic in the cities and towns, including Escanaba, Machinaw City, Traverse City, Petoskey, and such.  

However, the county roads are fairly quite.

[kiarmuid]

better late than never . . .

I was on the Lakes portion from Gulliver MI (72 miles from Mackinac Bridge) to Ludington.  

As said US 2 in the UP has an extremely wide shoulder.  Lots of convience stores 10-15 miles apart.  For $2 the Bridge Authority will drive you and your bike acrosss the bridge, if you don't want the islan.

Great road out of Mackinac City.  Petosky to Interlaken is very hilly on quiet backroads (OK there is 8 miles on a very busy road with a broad shoulder).  South of Interlaken its pretty gentle with one screaming downhill.  Again, very much back roads.

I didn't ride out of Manitowoc WI, but I don't live too far away and can tell you the first 60 miles are on very, very quiet roads with a tiny bit of roll to them.

We stayed in Motels.  I can give you info if you'd like.