Route Help Needed: MI / UP / WI Loop

[garry]

I'm toying with doing a long weekend loop to the UP from Ohio (use Toledo as a starting point) in the near future. A half hour on MS Streets and Trips yielded a rough plan of about 1600 miles to head to the UP, west to WI, south and then succumbing to a day on I-80 to get back.

So I guess I'm looking for suggestions on good roads once I escape civilization (Detroit, Grand Rapids) to northern MI, across the UP and WI. I've heard good stuff about the "letter" roads in WI, but don't really have a clue on anything else other than looking for squiggles on the map in national forests and other lightly populated areas.

I enjoy scenic back roads (mostly paved please) and also getting a lean on when curves and good pavement are available.

[dnlwthrn]

Not sure how it would fit into your route, but you may want to try hitting parts of the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive on your way south through WI.  It starts in Elkhart Lake (west of Sheboygan) and heads south around the western edge of the Milwaukee metropolis.  Link to driving directions (Adobe PDF)

Sounds like a fun trip!

[DrMikey]

Yesterday I was on a few good ones, bagging bonii in the Minnesota 1000. Wisconsin state 55 from Crandon to Shawano (pronounced SHAW-no; in northeast corner of state) is a blast. It runs along the Wolf River for about 30 miles of the stretch. For that matter, you could pick up 55 as M-73 near Mineral Hills, Mi, and ride it all the way down to Shawano. Others I've ridden in the past 5 years (both of these connect Wi 55 with US 141; many connect these two N-S highways): C from Wabeno to  Wausaukee and beyond, W from Mountain to Crivitz. Wi 47 westward out of Keshena is a hoot.
Now, for some really good alphabet roads, visit my corner of the state in the southwest. There are too many to list here.

[bluemax]

While I'm reluctant to recommend it, having a had a few bad experiences, but you can catch a high speed ferry from Milwaukee to Muskegon, MI. It will allow you to miss Chicago and all that entails, it will also allow you to miss the construction on I-94 from Milwaukee to the Illinois state line. It may be a good option for you.

http://www.lake-express.com/

[prosqtor]

If you end up on WI-47 near Keshena and Neopit (which are a great set of miles for riding), keep in mind you're on an Indian reservation, and the tribal police are not always particularly friendly to outsiders, especially those on fast bikes.

FWIW, YMMV, etc., etc.

+1 on CTH W east from Mountain to Crivitz / US141.  +1 on the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive.  Take a quick side trip off US41 near Slinger to ride in the network of roads near Holy Hill, too.

[CLAY]

After coming through GR, take this route:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=43.026737,-85.679626&daddr=Maple+St%2FMI-37+to:N+Evergreen+Dr%2FMI-20%2FMI-37+to:M+37%2FMI-37+to:MI-22%2FNorthwood+Hwy+to:MI-22%2FScenic+Hwy+to:MI-22%2FPilgrim+Hwy+to:9922+W+Front+St,+Empire,+MI+49630-9417+(Sleeping+Bear+Dunes)&geocode=%3BFahRlQIdWqDi-g%3BFQDOmAId4jrj-g%3BFeiLogIdisri-g%3BFaJvpQIdvmDc-g%3BFfJQqAIdrJbc-g%3BFWrhqQIdUwvc-g%3BFWbDqwIdbODe-iFwwpToadlujQ&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4,5,6&sll=43.022722,-85.314331&sspn=1.467804,2.801514&ie=UTF8&ll=44.247167,-85.372009&spn=1.4382,2.801514&z=9
 It's a great ride- depending on your time you can take M22 all the way around the penninsula in Traverse City then take US31 north through Petosky and such.  If you're strapped for time, skip the penninsula and head straight to US31 at Traverse City and take that north to the bridge.  You'll see some fantastic sites and some great twisties.  M22 is one of the best rides in the state.

   In the UP US2 is a great ride along the southern coast- you skirt right along Lake Michigan.  

[bomber]

+1 on the ferry idea -- Chicaga is a great desitination, but a lousy thoroughfare.

the fast ferry (linked above) is, well, fast ;-}

the Badger may be more your style

http://www.ssbadger.com/home.aspx

[2Pokey]

I did this trip from NE Ohio a couple of years ago. Check my travalogue. Long but indepth.

http://www.geocities.com/cafitz9400@sbcglobal.net/

[rabbott5]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=W+Central+Ave%2FOH-120%2FUS-20&daddr=I-196+W+to:N+US-31+to:N+Manitou+Trail%2FMI-22+to:S+Lake+Shore+Dr%2FMI-119+to:45.85176,-84.737549+to:E+Lakeshore+Dr%2FUS-2+to:MI-35%2FMI-M35+to:US-41+to:WI-55+to:US-14+to:Columbus+St%2FIL-23&hl=en&geocode=FSruewIdJB8D-w%3BFRZbjAIdPNbe-g%3BFYbRoAIdXHjb-g%3BFVZ7rgIdZjnj-g%3BFdjetgIdgEjt-g%3B%3BFa4yvQIdEvTb-g%3BFYvAtQIda5jL-g%3BFQREsAIdpvzG-g%3BFQccpAIdRuS8-g%3BFdZsiAIdwBS4-g%3BFSVYdwIdJHi0-g&mra=dme&mrcr=0,1&mrsp=5&sz=8&via=1,2,3,4,7&dirflg=h&sll=45.690833,-83.979492&sspn=2.240896,5.800781&ie=UTF8&z=8

We just did most of this trip Memorial Day weekend.  We live in Peru, IL. (I80 andI39).  We took I80 east and jumped off at 31 in Michigan.  Never saw 4 lane again

[garry]

We have some of GoogleMaps blocked at work, but this is kind of what I'm thinking right now. It's a tour of the Michigan (plus UP) shoreline. I'm curious what the riding is like. I'm sure it's very rural and quite scenic in spots, but what about pavement quality (some of it dirt?), twisties/sweepers, endless 35 MPH speed zones in little towns, etc.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=W+Central+Ave%2FOH-120%2FUS-20&daddr=I-196+W+to:N+US-31+to:N+Manitou+Trail%2FMI-22+to:S+Lake+Shore+Dr%2FMI-119+to:45.85176,-84.737549+to:E+Lakeshore+Dr%2FUS-2+to:MI-35%2FMI-M35+to:US-41+to:WI-55+to:US-14+to:Columbus+St%2FIL-23&hl=en&geocode=FSruewIdJB8D-w%3BFRZbjAIdPNbe-g%3BFYbRoAIdXHjb-g%3BFVZ7rgIdZjnj-g%3BFdjetgIdgEjt-g%3B%3BFa4yvQIdEvTb-g%3BFYvAtQIda5jL-g%3BFQREsAIdpvzG-g%3BFQccpAIdRuS8-g%3BFdZsiAIdwBS4-g%3BFSVYdwIdJHi0-g&mra=dme&mrcr=0,1&mrsp=5&sz=8&via=1,2,3,4,7&dirflg=h&sll=45.690833,-83.979492&sspn=2.240896,5.800781&ie=UTF8&z=8

[rabbott5]

Rte. 119 (tunnel of trees) is slow.  Less than two lane, but paved.  We really liked the scenery.  Heavy timber with views of the lake on one side and neat homes on the other, some old, some new.  We really enjoyed the ride from St. Ignace to Menominee.  Lake views and smooth turns.  Some towns, but not bad.  Skirting down the back side of Lake Winnebago was nice.  Some farm land, some lake and only a few towns.  My riding buddy knew the roads in this area, so I'm not 100% sure of the actual route we took.  Its pretty close.  We only hit a few tight areas on I80.  Once around Joliet (the Bridge) and again around the around the Rte. 80/90/94.  On the east side of the lake we darted of and on the route exploring.  Our stay was in St. Ignace at the Driftwood.  Hotel and sportsbar.  Cheap, clean and good food. My favorite section was from St. Ignace to Menominee.  Low traffic, only a few towns and several neat views of the lake.

[CLAY]

We have some of GoogleMaps blocked at work, but this is kind of what I'm thinking right now. It's a tour of the Michigan (plus UP) shoreline. I'm curious what the riding is like. I'm sure it's very rural and quite scenic in spots, but what about pavement quality (some of it dirt?), twisties/sweepers, endless 35 MPH speed zones in little towns, etc.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=W+Central+Ave%2FOH-120%2FUS-20&daddr=I-196+W+to:N+US-31+to:N+Manitou+Trail%2FMI-22+to:S+Lake+Shore+Dr%2FMI-119+to:45.85176,-84.737549+to:E+Lakeshore+Dr%2FUS-2+to:MI-35%2FMI-M35+to:US-41+to:WI-55+to:US-14+to:Columbus+St%2FIL-23&hl=en&geocode=FSruewIdJB8D-w%3BFRZbjAIdPNbe-g%3BFYbRoAIdXHjb-g%3BFVZ7rgIdZjnj-g%3BFdjetgIdgEjt-g%3B%3BFa4yvQIdEvTb-g%3BFYvAtQIda5jL-g%3BFQREsAIdpvzG-g%3BFQccpAIdRuS8-g%3BFdZsiAIdwBS4-g%3BFSVYdwIdJHi0-g&mra=dme&mrcr=0,1&mrsp=5&sz=8&via=1,2,3,4,7&dirflg=h&sll=45.690833,-83.979492&sspn=2.240896,5.800781&ie=UTF8&z=8

Like I said- skip US31 north of Manistee and take M22 right along the lake.  It's *way* better- other than that, it looks awesome!  I can't critique the Wisconsin side, but you have the best roads in that part of MI on your route.

[Mr.Awesome]

Like I said- skip US31 north of Manistee and take M22 right along the lake.  It's *way* better- other than that, it looks awesome!  I can't critique the Wisconsin side, but you have the best roads in that part of MI on your route.

+1 on M22 north of Manistee. Very nice road. Stop in at sleeping bear dune national lake shore and go up to the over look. I'm thinking it is a 4-500 foot drop to lake Mi. Just riding the loop through the park is worth the price of admission. Traverse City is a nice place to bed down for the night. Knowing your taste in beer, there are 3 micro brews in down town. Mackinac brewing co. Northpeak brewery and Right Brain brewery. Mission point peninsula is a nice out and back ride. Quite a few vinyards with beautiful views of both east and west bay's of grand traverse bay. A ride around Torch lake is also a nice side trip. Voted years ago as the third most beautiful lake in the world by national geographic magazine. Imagine caribean blue water without the salt. If you are in the area at lunch, stop at the dock side on the east side of the lake. Nice water front view of torch and decent food.

[CLAY]

+1 on M22 north of Manistee. Very nice road. Stop in at sleeping bear dune national lake shore and go up to the over look. I'm thinking it is a 4-500 foot drop to lake Mi. Just riding the loop through the park is worth the price of admission. Traverse City is a nice place to bed down for the night. Knowing your taste in beer, there are 3 micro brews in down town. Mackinac brewing co. Northpeak brewery and Right Brain brewery. Mission point peninsula is a nice out and back ride. Quite a few vinyards with beautiful views of both east and west bay's of grand traverse bay. A ride around Torch lake is also a nice side trip. Voted years ago as the third most beautiful lake in the world by national geographic magazine. Imagine caribean blue water without the salt. If you are in the area at lunch, stop at the dock side on the east side of the lake. Nice water front view of torch and decent food.

+1 on Right Brain- they have no food but the best "Ethel the Frog ESB" I have ever had.  It's in my top 5 best beers ever.

[pops66]

June 09 of Road Runner has an article about this loop. Starts in Muskegon , ends in Mil. Good reading.

[garry]

I ended up doing a loop in the southeast, then vacationing on Lake Erie in Ohio, then riding home today...