Summer destination?

[Sharif]

I'm planning on a 4-5 day getaway in July. Did Lake Superior last year, have done the Dragon, Mount Rushmore. Looking for tasty roads within a reasonable distance of South Bend/Chicago.

 

Requirements:

* Interesting things to see

* Entertaining roads

* Preferably north to maximize daylight and minimize temps

 

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Glenn Reed]

Have you considered Unrally XI?

[TEWKS]

A good long day in the saddle will get you to upstate NY. Add two more days & you could toss in VT & NH.

 

Pat

[TEWKS]

NY... Whiteface Mountain

VT... Mount Equinox

NH... Mount Washington

 

 

Pat

[Sharif]

Ah yes, Mount Washington - that's tasty. It would be an easy day out, putter around for a couple days, then break up the ride home into two parts, possibly via Canada.

[Mike]

If you want to maximize your quality riding time, the Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin and Northwest Illinois offers great roads, you might consider tossing in a ride north along the Great River Road, which adjoins the Mississippi.

 

The Driftless Area was untouched by the Ice Age glaciers, leaving a sizable area of river valleys running between high ridges, sort of a reduced height version of the Smoky Mountains. Lots of twisty, scenic roads!

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

If you want to maximize your quality riding time, the Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin and Northwest Illinois offers great roads, you might consider tossing in a ride north along the Great River Road, which adjoins the Mississippi.

 

The Driftless Area was untouched by the Ice Age glaciers, leaving a sizable area of river valleys running between high ridges, sort of a reduced height version of the Smoky Mountains. Lots of twisty, scenic roads!

 

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. I have a favorite route through this area as a GPS file. PM me, and I'll email you a copy of the file; you can use it as a starting point for planning a trip to/through the area.

 

You might continue up to northern Wisconsin, then across the UP, and down the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Northern Wisconsin and the UP aren't all that twisty, but they're isolated and somewhat scenic. Mackinaw city is touristy - which may be good or bad, depending on your perspective. Hug the lake shore as tightly as you can after that, and you will end up on M119, "the tunnel of trees." Twisty, narrow, and wooded, keep right around blind corners; last time I was there, the road was very narrow and had no markings. If the timing is right, check out Legs Inn in Cross Village for a good Polish dinner.

 

Sault Ste. Marie is a significant detour, but you may find the shipping locks there of interest. And of course the Mackinaw Bridge is a hoot.

[Rocer]

Building off Mitch's suggestions I might add Macinac Island which is quite a unique experience (google to explore it).

 

If you do continue on to Saulte Ste Marie MI continue across the bridge to Saulte Ste. Marie Canada then South on the Trans Canada Highway along Georgian Bay's North Channel to Espanola where you can take Hwy 6 to tour Manitoulin Island. At South Baymouth at the - you guessed it - South end of Manitoulin take the Chichimon Ferry to Tobermory continuing along Lake Huron to Sarnia where you can cross back into Michigan.

 

Of course if you choose to continue East from Tobermory the welcome mat is out at our place, (as it is with all our friends on BMWST) in the Haliburton Highlands.