Michigan Hiway 23 to Mackinac bridge

[fredlonas]

It's me again planning my 09 NT ride. Instead of going across Mi. to Luther then up to Mackinac bridge what is hiway 23 like from just north of Bay City to the Mac. bridge. Traffic, shoulders, etc.. I'll be coming from Port Heron, Mi. using the Lake Erie connector,
Thanks for your help.
Fred Lonas

[cameron2501]

Ok, 23 is a very well traveled route most anytime of the year, I live near Alpena, which is on route 23.  It's a good road but a lot of traffic

[rlovisa]

I just did the drive by car from Standish (a few miles North of Bay City) all the way up to Mackinaw City.  All on Route 23.  Very Nice.  The road does vary in width (most places with a shoulder) and composition (tar vs concrete) and in condition.  Speed limit was mostly 55 if I recall, and not a whole lot of traffic - at least the day I did the drive.  But I think it would be enjoyable.  There are many state and local parks with access to the lake for swimming, beach, with camping along the way and small towns for food, motel, etc.  Much of the route has private homes along the shore so that restricts the lake view and access. Call 888.784.7328 for Michigan travel info.  Ask for a free DOT Road map and if you can bike the bridge, but I supect they will not allow it.  Call and ask DOT.

I moteled in Mackinaw City. Very touristy, and expensive, especially on the weekend.  If you can, avoid the weekend.  Motel prices were 50% less weekdays. If you are going across the bridge, I would suggest you see M. City and then stay in St. Ignace in the UP - motels are a lot cheaper but far less to do.

If you have extra time and energy - consider doing a loop from M. City to Cross Village to Harbor Spring and back.  The road (route 119) from Cross Village to Harbor Spring is an outstanding bike route.  About a 90 mile loop.

Have a good and safe ride.
Robert

[koeneman]

It's me again planning my 09 NT ride. Instead of going across Mi. to Luther then up to Mackinac bridge what is hiway 23 like from just north of Bay City to the Mac. bridge. Traffic, shoulders, etc.. I'll be coming from Port Heron, Mi. using the Lake Erie connector,
Thanks for your help.
Fred Lonas


Hello Fred:  It's Neil from Oshkosh.  If you get a chance as you traverse Michigan, ride  MI 119 from Harbor Springs to the bridge.  The road is narrow, no shoulders, trees grow right to the edge of the black top but it is very pretty. Traffic moves slowly.  I have ridden it many times just for fun.  My son lives near there.  Enjoy your cross country ride in '09.
Stop in Good Hart or Cross Village for a pasty.  Great food eaten by the miners in the old days.  Still on the menu in small delis.

[DU]

I rode hwy 23 south from Mackinaw City to Alpena last summer as part of a loop. For the most part the road had nice shoulders, traffic got heavier the closer I got to Alpena. Not bad but it had been very light before that. I was riding on a Sunday morning. There are 2 campgrounds outside of Mackinaw City on hwy 23 and a KOA in town. I used Michigan State Bicycle Maps which can be purchased from the Michigan DOT. They were very useful and had more info than a road map. Good Luck.

[wildandcrazy]

My wife and I live in Bay City and rode around Lake Huron in 2007.  For the most part US-23 is a good road.  Traffic from Bay City to Tawas, and near Alpena, can be heavy, especially on weekends, but the road has very nice shoulders.  You can take the Bay City rail trail to meet up with US-23 just North of Bay City.  Old State road is a nice by-pass from near Pinconning to just North of Omer.  There is a new paved trail from Alabaster into Tawas City.  Harrisville State Park is a nice camping place.  There are some roller coaster hills between Harrisville and Alpena.  Traffic goes down after Alpena, and way down after Rodgers City.  South of Rodgers City there is a nice bike path, all the way into the State Park which is another great place to camp.  US-23 is along the lakeshore and from the Oscoda area north has great scenery if you like the water.  We are registered in Warm Showers if you stop in Bay City.

[paddleboy17]

Some years back I road US-23 North from Alpena to Mackinac City.  My ride day was on a Saturday, and it was good.  From what I remember, there is a good shoulder, and that is what I used.

[bivy]

I have a related question to this route.  We are planning  a west to east route, and will be in the UP in early May, then planned to go down the middle of the state and catch the Lake Erie connector across Ontario. From Mackinac City to Chebogan/Gaylord/Mio/Pinconning/BayCity.  Does this route make sense?  What can we expect?

[paddleboy17]

I have a related question to this route.  We are planning  a west to east route, and will be in the UP in early May, then planned to go down the middle of the state and catch the Lake Erie connector across Ontario. From Mackinac City to Chebogan/Gaylord/Mio/Pinconning/BayCity.  Does this route make sense?  What can we expect?

There is a rail trail that runs from Gaylord to Mackinac City.  It was finished last summer.  I did it last fall, and it is gorgeous.  There is a constant climb from Wolverine to Gaylord.  From Gaylord I would stay on county roads.  Getting to Mio should not be too bad.  What route are you going to use?

[bivy]

The plan is to take the trail from Chebogan to Gaylord, back roads to Mio, and the down 33 to Alger, Standish and on to Pinconning and Bay City.  At Rose City we may slip more easterly and come down on 65, or county roads.  We are wondering about road conditions, traffic, and whether 23 would be the better route.  Don't mind hills, if they are the substtute for headwinds.  Camping looks to be available in most ares.

[gamcgregor]

Have done some riding in the Fairview, Mio area. M-33 is not to bad from Mio to Rose city, most of the road has been redone in recent years and the shoulders were made wider in a lot of areas. Some hills, but pretty country. Live in Port Huron if your coming that way.

[bivy]

Been off planning/preparing for awhile.  gamcgregor, thanks for the info.  Looks like we will bike along the lake huron side now.  We will be crossing at Marine City around the 17-19th, so we will be close to Port Huron.  We'll see how it goes.  I'd rather not finish in the allotted time then be rushed.

[tomdett]

I am familar with the northern part of that route, Harrisville to Mackinaw City.   The hills by Harrisville are a treat if you like climbing.   Alpena has lots of services.   Check out the League of Michigan bicycle tour info that is fixed base from Rogers City.  Near RC the traffic is light and shoulders good.  Overall, I think US23 is a good way to go.  Near the lake, light traffic compared to the direct routes up the center or the more touristy routes alond the Lake Michigan side. 

[wildandcrazy]

Update:  Parts of US-23 from Standish to Tawas used to have a center passing lane.  These areas have been changed into 4 lane roads with the new lane provided by narrowing the shoulders.  The road is still rideable, but it is not as good as it used to be.  Good News:  It appears that work is being done to add the wider shoulders back in these areas.