Michigan M25-US23. Any good?

[CLAY]

I'm thinking again about rides.  M25 to US23 around the east side of the state.  Any good?  I've never been there, but ridden the west side many times.  Thoughts?

[mxvet57]

I have no thoughts on this. Carry on.

[wibornz]

I have ridden it and enjoyed it.   Some nice small towns.......lots of small towns.  If you have not rode it, you should.  It is not like the west side of the state.  

[Ack535]

Clay, I have ridden on US 23 from Standish to Alpena. Not a bad ride, but lots of cross traffic on US 23.

I think the better ride is between Alpena and the Bridge on US 23, but I have yet to make it there.

Pete

[Yankee Dog]

I rode 23 from the bridge all the to Standish a few years ago. I will find another way next time. It is not as scenic as you might hope. 95% of the time you are too far from the water or there are intervening trees that prevent a good view. In the summer anyway, the traffic gets heavier the further South you go. It was bumper to bumper all the way through Oscoda, Tawas and points South. Even when we were not in town the traffic was heavy enough to make things no fun.

Did I mention I got run over in heavy traffic in Oscoda by a 16 year old.  Maybe that colors my opinion.  

[CLAY]

OK.  Maybe a weekday overnighter then.  I have never done that side of the state- I feel like I'd be remiss if I didn't at least circle the mitten once...

[DeansZG]

It all depends when you ride it.... We did it about 15 yrs. ago on the saturday of the Port Huron/Mackinaw boat race, starting on M25 in Algonac about o'dark thirty. Got thru P.H. before the crowds were stirring, but it looked like one hell-of-a-party the nite before.  North of there, traffic was unobtrusive with the occasional dawdler, easily passible with a twist of the wrist. Yes, the traffic did get a bit "busier" but tolerable thru the Saginaw/Bay City area, clearing out again north of there. Seems like the traffic up there thins out later in the day on saturdays, at least it did for us anyway. We were able to average better than 60-65mph north of Alpena all the way to the bridge. Got a pretty decent burger at the Keyhole in Mackinaw City too.

[Loki]

Paging TwoTrak,  we rode there for a tag last summer. Riding the coast is interesting, alot like said here already.
But, there are alot of off roads that run along the rivers and streams. Very nice some of them are.

If TT can't get the info to you let me know and we will get the maps out. Lol

L;

[twotrackhero]

I like the sunrise side of the state. Like it's been said before it doesn't have the same appeal as west michigan ( high bluff, dunes, etc.), but if you travel around you can find some cool spots with alot less traffic and tourism.

When Loki and I made our way up, we made a dash to get up to the tag in Comins. From there we ran back down 33 to Mio and picked up Mickinly Rd (F-32) it runs along the Ausable river to Mckinley, from there it runs down to Glennie near the Alcona dam. we picked up 23 around Oscoada and made our way south from there. Like Loki said look for roads that mirror rivers off 23 and you might be suprised.  

[Krellian]

OK.  Maybe a weekday overnighter then.  I have never done that side of the state- I feel like I'd be remiss if I didn't at least circle the mitten once...

We will happily set the tag up there for you!

[sleazy rider]

Here's one good ride over there - http://byways.org/explore/byways/10781

I've tried to make that ride at least once a year for the heck of it.  My opinion?  M-25 from Port Huron to Bay City is the best part.  US-23 from there north is way too heavily traveled for an enjoyable cycle ride.  Too many small towns with Barney Fife running the show to have fun, RVs clogging the road and the general asshattery associated with tourists.  Maybe on a Tuesday morning 6am strafing run it'd be ok, but I'm only on it when I need to be now.

[bikerx75]

clay, i to I'm from the gr area, been away from this site from some time. I'm from southern mi. and the 223 area and south. there's some great country road riding in that area! lets ride!

[CLAY]

I'm tentatively thinking about it for an extended weekend ride this summer.  I'll post it up here!