North Lakes Bicycle Route
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The Adventure Cycling Association North Lakes Bicycle Route is divided into two route segments, one through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and an alternate that crosses Lake Michigan by ferry. The route plus alternate is a total of 1088 miles (1752 km). This route is very pleasant for biking through hardwood forests, lakes, and farmlands. Its beauty is subtle rather than dramatic. It's a route in which high-mileage days are possible, for those so inclined, because it is not particularly difficult. If you are doing the Northern Tier, It can used as a connector for the Northern Tier Bicycle Route instead of dropping south and going through Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. The Manitowoc Alternate uses a ferry across Lake Michigan and shortens the route by about 200 miles.
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[edit] Into the North Woods and Lakes
The North Lakes Bicycle Route can be ridden from late spring to mid-fall. Due to changing local conditions, it is difficult to predict any major wind patterns. Summer temperatures can be cool.
Starting in Minneapolis-St. Paul, riders can conveniently start the route by biking right out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport onto bike paths along the Minnesota River and the Mississippi River. The route uses city streets and connects with the Willard Munger State Trail, a beautiful bike trail that leads out of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The route crosses the St. Croix River into Osceola, Wisconsin. The route goes through dairy farmland and makes a gradual transition to the hardwood forests and lakes in the northern part of the state.
After Wisconsin, the route goes through the farmlands of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan and ride alongside Lake Michigan. At St. Ignace, passenger ferries can be used to connect to Mackinac Island in the Straits of Mackinac and then into lower Michigan. Alternatively, the Mackinac Bridge Authority will transport riders and bikes across the bridge. It is worth taking some time to visit Mackinac Island, including the short eight-mile loop around the island. The road is shared with only horses and buggies, pedestrians, and other bicyclists as motorized vehicles are banned from the island. The area between Mackinaw City and Traverse City, at the northern tip of lower Michigan, is a favorite spot for vacationing tourists. The route traverses farmlands and woods as it heads southward toward Indiana. Entering Indiana, LaGrange County is home to a large Amish community, and riders will share the road with the horses and buggies. Asphalt roads in this area have grooves worn in them from horses' hooves, so careful riding is required. At the end of the trip in Monroeville, riders can stay at the Shelter House in Monroeville Community Park. It's a "full service" shelter with kitchen facilities, showers, and lots of floor space for sleeping bags, set up specifically for cyclists. From here, the route rejoins the Northern Tier heading east or west.
[edit] Terrain
The route is generally rolling and one of Adventure Cycling's easier routes to ride. There are no dramatic climbs over mountain passes. This is not to say that there are no steep climbs, but difficult climbing is not the general terrain of this route.
[edit] Logistics
Services are generally plentiful. There are some especially nice campgrounds and resorts in northern Wisconsin where people like to spend their vacations "at the lake." Some cyclists may want to do this route during the colors of autumn. If you do, call ahead to verify campgrounds because many close after Labor Day. Weather can be sunny and warm or rainy and cold after Labor Day. If staying indoors, make advance reservations.
