With child Northern Tier and North Lakes

[Chetta]

My husband and I are planning a self-supported trip camping
and motels this summer for about 3 weeks and with a
pedaling child attached. We have toured before but not with
child and I'm concerned about traffic levels.  Can someone
speak to the traffic levels, specifically with the Northern Tier  
Ticonderoga NY to Bar Harbor, ME.  We're from New
England and have recumbents that are not easy to transport
that's why the area is appealing but also considering North
Lakes Sections 1 - 3.  Any feedback is appreciated.

[Peaks]

Well, along the Northern Tier, there are places that are much scarrier than New England.  Places like Washington State and Michigan with the big log trucks.  Also states like Montana with 75 MPH speed limit.  

In general, New England is OK.  We didn't have any problems with the motoring public and dogs.  For the most part, the bike route is off major highways.  

For the North Lakes Route, you have the logging trucks to contend with.  Also, the route through the UP is on US Route 2. Route 2 is the major highway on the UP and carries a lot of traffic, but there is a good shoulder also.  But, once on the lower penninsula, the route is very rural again.  

[Peaks]

Well, along the Northern Tier, there are places that are much scarrier than New England.  Places like Washington State and Michigan with the big log trucks.  Also states like Montana with 75 MPH speed limit.  

In general, New England is OK.  We didn't have any problems with the motoring public and dogs.  For the most part, the bike route is off major highways.  

For the North Lakes Route, you have the logging trucks to contend with.  Also, the route through the UP is on US Route 2. Route 2 is the major highway on the UP and carries a lot of traffic, but there is a good shoulder also.  But, once on the lower penninsula, the route is very rural again.  

[Chetta]

Thank you for that insight.  So, it sounds like you might be
endorsing our choice of the New England route?  What about
those hills?  I know "vermont ain't flat" and we are training for
it, but is it overwhelming at any point?

[Peaks]

Well, I don't mean to diswade you from the Northern Lakes.  I have much more familarity with New England than Michigan.  The only section that I biked on the Great Lakes was the section between the Northern Tier in Wisconsin and Lake Erie connector in Michigan.  

But, I must say that we met some of the nicest people on the whole Northern Tier in Michigan.  Michigan is quite the mixed bag.  There are certainly some beautiful sections.  But you also get into the rust belt at times also.  Michigan is much flatter than New England.

Is it going to be overwhelming?  I don't know what you are accustomed to.  There are certainly some good climbs over Middlebury Gap in Vermont, over Kinsman Gap and Kancamangus Pass in the White Mountains.  So, just use the granny gear, and allow extra time.

[sunfisher]

It's been quite a while, but I recall Middlebury Gap as being kind of a
climb.  Kancamagus (sp) wasn't as bad, but Maine. Ow.  Steep.   Also, I
remember the road from Damarascotta area up to Bar Harbor as being
kind of busy, but not too bad north of there.
The Adirondacks were much easier, and with the exception of the
stretch from Boonville to Old Forge a little easier traffic wise, but like I
said, it's been a while.
 

[Peaks]

How do you get north of Bar Harbor?  That's where the Northern Tier ends.

Yes, Middlebury Gap is a good climb for a couple of miles.  Kanagamangus is also a good climb.  There are some steep climbs in Western Maine, but they are short.  

Route 1 in Maine near the coast is a busy highway, but has a shoulder as I recall.  Much like Route 2 in the UP, but you are not on it as long.  

In general the Adirondacks are easier with the exception of the climb out of Blue Mountain Lake.  And there is probably good climb if you are going west out of Ticonderoga and North Hudson (it was nice to be going east).