SW Michigan Bike Ride Suggestions

I am planning a bike ride this summer. Last year I rode from St.
Joseph MI to Petoskey, MI using the strip maps from the LMB.

An option I am considering this year would be to ride south from St.
Joseph, through Northern Indiana, then north through Chicago,
Milwaukee, and on to Manitowoc, WI. From there I would take the ferry
to Ludington MI and bike south back to St. Joseph.

I really enjoyed the ride up the Michigan coastline and this year
would continue on to Mackinaw City, again using the strip maps if I
decide to do that trip.

Any thoughts on either? A great deal of the fun this time of year is
in the planning!

Once you get to Mackinaw, take the ferry to Mackinaw island. Ride to your
hearts content
with no cars to worry about (but watch out for the horses and their piles
:-) ).

-Kent-

"Mike" wrote in message
om...
I am planning a bike ride this summer. Last year I rode from St.
Joseph MI to Petoskey, MI using the strip maps from the LMB.

An option I am considering this year would be to ride south from St.
Joseph, through Northern Indiana, then north through Chicago,
Milwaukee, and on to Manitowoc, WI. From there I would take the ferry
to Ludington MI and bike south back to St. Joseph.

I really enjoyed the ride up the Michigan coastline and this year
would continue on to Mackinaw City, again using the strip maps if I
decide to do that trip.

Any thoughts on either? A great deal of the fun this time of year is
in the planning!

"Mike" wrote in message
om...
I am planning a bike ride this summer. Last year I rode from St.
Joseph MI to Petoskey, MI using the strip maps from the LMB.

I've done Chicago to Petoskey multiple times. I wrote it up last year
http://walloon.crazyguyonabike.com
The first time, I did the LMB route from Ludington to Petoskey; nice route.

An option I am considering this year would be to ride south from St.
Joseph, through Northern Indiana, then north through Chicago,
Milwaukee, and on to Manitowoc, WI. From there I would take the ferry
to Ludington MI and bike south back to St. Joseph.

This can be done. I've also ridden from Chicago up to South Haven, passing
through St. Joe along the way.
Roughly speaking, from St. Joe head down the Red Arrow towards New Buffalo.
When you get near New Buffalo there's side roads that are closer to the lake
and lower traffic. Through northern Indiana, you basically follow US12,
which has a fair shoulder. For part of that journey west of Michigan City
and south of Beverly Shores there's a parallel road closer to the lake. Yes,
you go through Gary, but if you stay on US 12 there's enough other traffic
around to feel safe. When you get to the Illinois border, start following
US41 through the southeast side. At 71st, the lakefront path starts; this
will take you all the way up to the northern part of Chicago.

From there, you can (if you wish) follow paths up to Kenosha, WI for all but
5 miles -- however, in Waukegan, IL you will want an alternate route - don't
take the path through Waukegan. You can basically hug the shore through
Milwaukee and all the way up to Manitowoc. I can be more specific if you
want.

Wisconsin has excellent bike maps, and they are on-line.
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/...t/bikemaps.htm

The area from the Indiana dunes around to Kenosha takes through through a
remarkable combination of preserved sand dunes, post-industrial rust-belt,
soaring architecture, expensive real estate, and the occasional marina. It's
a wonderful feast for the eyes.

"Mike Kruger" wrote in message ws.com...
"Mike" wrote in message
om...
I am planning a bike ride this summer. Last year I rode from St.
Joseph MI to Petoskey, MI using the strip maps from the LMB.

I've done Chicago to Petoskey multiple times. I wrote it up last year
http://walloon.crazyguyonabike.com
The first time, I did the LMB route from Ludington to Petoskey; nice route.

An option I am considering this year would be to ride south from St.
Joseph, through Northern Indiana, then north through Chicago,
Milwaukee, and on to Manitowoc, WI. From there I would take the ferry
to Ludington MI and bike south back to St. Joseph.

This can be done. I've also ridden from Chicago up to South Haven, passing
through St. Joe along the way.
Roughly speaking, from St. Joe head down the Red Arrow towards New Buffalo.
When you get near New Buffalo there's side roads that are closer to the lake
and lower traffic. Through northern Indiana, you basically follow US12,
which has a fair shoulder. For part of that journey west of Michigan City
and south of Beverly Shores there's a parallel road closer to the lake. Yes,
you go through Gary, but if you stay on US 12 there's enough other traffic
around to feel safe. When you get to the Illinois border, start following
US41 through the southeast side. At 71st, the lakefront path starts; this
will take you all the way up to the northern part of Chicago.

From there, you can (if you wish) follow paths up to Kenosha, WI for all but
5 miles -- however, in Waukegan, IL you will want an alternate route - don't
take the path through Waukegan. You can basically hug the shore through
Milwaukee and all the way up to Manitowoc. I can be more specific if you
want.

Wisconsin has excellent bike maps, and they are on-line.
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/...t/bikemaps.htm

The area from the Indiana dunes around to Kenosha takes through through a
remarkable combination of preserved sand dunes, post-industrial rust-belt,
soaring architecture, expensive real estate, and the occasional marina. It's
a wonderful feast for the eyes.


Thanks for the info. I looked at your website on your ride to
Traverse City. I've also ridden the Katy Trail in Missouri. Nice
ride.

After reading your post, and looking at your website, I might combine
the two and ride up through Manitowoc from St Joseph MI, take the
ferry back over to Ludington, then continue north along the shoreline
until I run out of days. I ride a Marin hybrid and average between 70
- 80 miles a day so I am no speed demon.

Thanks again for the info.

I agree with the route advice given for navigated the south shore of Lake
Michigan. A new option you should be aware of is a ferry from Milwaukee to
Muskegon, that began service earlier this month.




"Mike" wrote in message
om...
"Mike Kruger" wrote in message
ws.com...
"Mike" wrote in message
om...
I am planning a bike ride this summer. Last year I rode from St.
Joseph MI to Petoskey, MI using the strip maps from the LMB.

I've done Chicago to Petoskey multiple times. I wrote it up last year
http://walloon.crazyguyonabike.com
The first time, I did the LMB route from Ludington to Petoskey; nice
route.

An option I am considering this year would be to ride south from St.
Joseph, through Northern Indiana, then north through Chicago,
Milwaukee, and on to Manitowoc, WI. From there I would take the ferry
to Ludington MI and bike south back to St. Joseph.

This can be done. I've also ridden from Chicago up to South Haven,
passing
through St. Joe along the way.
Roughly speaking, from St. Joe head down the Red Arrow towards New
Buffalo.
When you get near New Buffalo there's side roads that are closer to the
lake
and lower traffic. Through northern Indiana, you basically follow US12,
which has a fair shoulder. For part of that journey west of Michigan
City
and south of Beverly Shores there's a parallel road closer to the lake.
Yes,
you go through Gary, but if you stay on US 12 there's enough other
traffic
around to feel safe. When you get to the Illinois border, start
following
US41 through the southeast side. At 71st, the lakefront path starts;
this
will take you all the way up to the northern part of Chicago.

From there, you can (if you wish) follow paths up to Kenosha, WI for all
but
5 miles -- however, in Waukegan, IL you will want an alternate route -
don't
take the path through Waukegan. You can basically hug the shore through
Milwaukee and all the way up to Manitowoc. I can be more specific if
you
want.

Wisconsin has excellent bike maps, and they are on-line.
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/...t/bikemaps.htm

The area from the Indiana dunes around to Kenosha takes through through
a
remarkable combination of preserved sand dunes, post-industrial
rust-belt,
soaring architecture, expensive real estate, and the occasional marina.
It's
a wonderful feast for the eyes.


Thanks for the info. I looked at your website on your ride to
Traverse City. I've also ridden the Katy Trail in Missouri. Nice
ride.

After reading your post, and looking at your website, I might combine
the two and ride up through Manitowoc from St Joseph MI, take the
ferry back over to Ludington, then continue north along the shoreline
until I run out of days. I ride a Marin hybrid and average between 70
- 80 miles a day so I am no speed demon.

Thanks again for the info.