Twin Cities to Ithaca, NY

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

Thinking of riding to 35th reunion of our high school class (1972) from just north of Minneapolis to Ithaca, NY. 1100-1200 miles depending on the route using parts of the ACA North Lakes and Northern Tier Routes, . (Avoiding Chicago.)with some addendas based on areas I know in MN, WI and NY. Anybody ridden that way can give me any insights?

Thanks,
Hans

Minnesota Backcountry Trails
www.wintersnowtrails.org

[litespeed]

A great way to avoid Chicago is to take the ferry from Manitowoc WI to Ludington MI. It's an interesting ship - big, well-appointed and one of the last steam powered boats made.
The most direct route for you would be to cross Michigan from there, enter Ontario at Port Huron and enter NY at Buffalo. This would take you across the Finger Lakes region of NY which is very hilly - endless short, steep ups and downs.
Going from Michigan down to Toledo, along the south shore of Lake Erie and on to Ithaca would be a little easier but a bit longer.
You should have a nice tour with tailwinds.

[ptaylor]

Hans. Sounds like a fun trip.

It also sounds like you have done enough research to know that the ACA routes will take you from about 35 miles of Minneapolis to about 60 miles of Ithaca. I rode that route this past summer, cobbling together parts of the Northern Tier, North Lakes Sections 1, 2, and 3,  and the Lake Erie Connector. You may want to look at my BLOG, where I talk a bit about the trip.

One option of the ACA North Lakes Section 2 route (which I did not take) will take you across the Manitowoc WI to Ludington MI ferry LiteSpeed mentions.

Paul

[TwoWheeledExplorer]

I know the routes out here (MN), and I rode some in the Adirondacks a couple of summers ago, but I was not into biking when I lived in NY (Birth--1954--to 1988) I hiked a lot, so I know the terrain. Not sure if I can take that much time off yet. Have to see what happens.

Thanks for the replies.
Hans

[litespeed]

Here is a good suggestion for crossing New York state: Get on the Erie Canal Trail at Buffalo, continue on it to about Newark or Clyde then cut SE to Ithaca. This would undoubtedly be very pleasant cycling and avoid the ups and downs (and traffic) of 20  and 20A. To get the guidebook "Cycling the Erie Canal" go to http://www.ptny.org/canaltour/ and download the order form.

This message was edited by litespeed on 2-5-07 @ 11:43 AM

[jimbeard]

  I did this same trip 3years ago using a combination of ACA maps and Federal Highways . Not familiar with ACA routes across Canada .
Another good route that paralles Erie canal route is NYS bike Route #5  Excellent free maps@
http://www.dot.state.ny.us/pubtrans/bikemap.html#br

email: eophardt@dot.state.ny.us


Jim

[ptaylor]

Jim. I will echo that NY Bike Route 5 is an excellent alternative to the Erie Canal..

I came across it by accident when I was looking for a shortcut with my GPS. I think, for some sections at least, it is shorter, and avoids the 'muck' problem of wet crushed limestone. In that area of course, you've got to ride at least a portion of the Erie Canal trail for peace, solitude, and history.

Paul

[randyberlin]

I did the North Lakes route with the Erie connector in 05. I loved all of it. There are so many rides to do but I am seriously thinking of riding this again.