Planning to tour MI West Shore this summer; suggestions?
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#29
Its only pain
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Ok. I just did a Google map for a beginning rough estimate for what I would do. I have 10 days off. First day is driving to Manitowoc and taking the ferry across. Last day is the opposite. That leaves me 8 days for what Google maps is listing at 460 miles. If I were to go up and over through the UP back to Manitowoc, it is about 520 miles. When I did my other trips, a long day was 80 miles. That was a half decade ago before the "incident" that gave me a new hip. I'm feeling a bit concerned with the miles and timeframe. Is the riding easy in Michigan, or can I expect a lot of up and down elevation? BTW, I got my APPROVED time off request form back!
#30
Senior Member
Frankfort is a great little place, a little touristy but still has a small northern "slow down," town kind of feel. Plenty of places to eat and resupply. I recommend staying north of town at the NFS Platte River campground. It's a beautiful place, and affordable. Take 22 north from there next day to Empire and jump on the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage trail. It's scenic, windy, twisting and paved, and will take you all the way round to Glen Arbor and even a bit past. (it's being extended every year) If you have the energy to spare, do the Pierce Stocking loop which intersects the Heritage Trail. It's 7 miles one way, very scenic and fun but very, VERY hilly. Worth it but tiring. Indigo Bluffs is a decent campground just south of Glen Arbor. Tent sites are limited, tho.
Orchard Beach State Campground north of Manistee is a decent little place to overnight between Ludington and Empire if you want.
You will find hilly terrain in the area, no mountains but lots of steady climbs that extend up to a mile, and lots more shorter ones. It's beautiful but it's not easy rolling terrain. The Cherry Capital Cycling club out of Traverse City has a lot of area routes options on there website.
I don't have enough posts to be allowed to share links but google will get you more info about all that.
Orchard Beach State Campground north of Manistee is a decent little place to overnight between Ludington and Empire if you want.
You will find hilly terrain in the area, no mountains but lots of steady climbs that extend up to a mile, and lots more shorter ones. It's beautiful but it's not easy rolling terrain. The Cherry Capital Cycling club out of Traverse City has a lot of area routes options on there website.
I don't have enough posts to be allowed to share links but google will get you more info about all that.
Last edited by 5teve; 03-21-18 at 08:48 AM.
#31
Its only pain
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Thanks! I appreciate any and all helpful pointers I can get!
Frankfort is a great little place, a little touristy but still has a small northern "slow down," town kind of feel. Plenty of places to eat and resupply. I recommend staying north of town at the NFS Platte River campground. It's a beautiful place, and affordable. Take 22 north from there next day to Empire and jump on the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage trail. It's scenic, windy, twisting and paved, and will take you all the way round to Glen Arbor and even a bit past. (it's being extended every year) If you have the energy to spare, do the Pierce Stocking loop which intersects the Heritage Trail. It's 7 miles one way, very scenic and fun but very, VERY hilly. Worth it but tiring. Indigo Bluffs is a decent campground just south of Glen Arbor. Tent sites are limited, tho.
Orchard Beach State Campground north of Manistee is a decent little place to overnight between Ludington and Empire if you want.
You will find hilly terrain in the area, no mountains but lots of steady climbs that extend up to a mile, and lots more shorter ones. It's beautiful but it's not easy rolling terrain. The Cherry Capital Cycling club out of Traverse City has a lot of area routes options on there website.
I don't have enough posts to be allowed to share links but google will get you more info about all that.
Orchard Beach State Campground north of Manistee is a decent little place to overnight between Ludington and Empire if you want.
You will find hilly terrain in the area, no mountains but lots of steady climbs that extend up to a mile, and lots more shorter ones. It's beautiful but it's not easy rolling terrain. The Cherry Capital Cycling club out of Traverse City has a lot of area routes options on there website.
I don't have enough posts to be allowed to share links but google will get you more info about all that.
#32
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I live in the Petoskey/Harbor Springs area and will echo what others have said about this area is a must see. If you come into Charlevoix, get on the Little Traverse Wheelway and ride it through to Harbor Springs. You can ride Lake St in Harbor through to M119 at the west end of town where Lake St intersects. Go N on M119 for the Tunnel of Trees ride into Cross Village and further to Mackinaw. It’s gorgeous scenery!
Give me a PM when you come through and I may join you for a section if you dont mind some company.
Give me a PM when you come through and I may join you for a section if you dont mind some company.
Last edited by OldsCOOL; 06-28-18 at 12:02 PM.
#33
Still learning
Hey @dannwilliams and @Tesgin, where are the pics and trip reports?
#34
Its only pain
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Hey @dannwilliams and @Tesgin, where are the pics and trip reports?