Route from Boston to Madison?

notmike · 08-22-2006, 01:50 PM

I'm riding, as you may have guessed from the title, from Boston to Madison, WI in a few weeks, and am wondering if anybody has any route suggestions. My initial thought was through the Adirondaks over to Sault Ste. Marie then south, but would love to hear some other ideas. Free campsites are a plus!

Northwoods Yeti · 08-22-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notmike

I'm riding, as you may have guessed from the title, from Boston to Madison, WI in a few weeks, and am wondering if anybody has any route suggestions. My initial thought was through the Adirondaks over to Sault Ste. Marie then south, but would love to hear some other ideas. Free campsites are a plus!

How much time will you have? The most direct and quick route is staight over through Canada and then Michigan through Lovely Detriot

(not). There are 2 ferries that cross Lake michigan to Wisconsin. If time is short the high speed cat. out of Muskegeon/milwaukee is the way to go, about 2 1/2 hours across. It's smallish about 20-30 cars so get reservations. The other ferry is out of Ludington/Manitiwoc it is a much larger ship. They carry semi-trucks it has cabins, movie theater, food and more importantly a Bar. It can fill up as well so call sooner then later it takes 5 hours to cross. Goggle lake michigan Ferries the big ship is the S.S. Badger I forgot the name of the other one. They both run about $ 70-80 for you and the Bike. If you have time, go through through the Upper Pennisula of Michigan and blast down some back roads and get yourself some Pasties for dinner you won't regret it. Free campsites? can't help you there. Have a good trip what ever you decide

dr. jones · 08-22-2006, 10:06 PM

i rode Boston to the UP (upper MI) a couple years ago. i took the high road - up through VT and across on the trans-canadian highway. entered back into the US at Sault St. Marie and then onto Marquette on Lake Superior. took same route back. very nice ride w/ little traffic and lots of nice clean roads. you could do something similar one way or the other if you wanted something different. i've done the "traditional" route several times - through upsate NY, across CA and back into the US above Detroit... not nearly as much fun and can be very congested at the crossings. the ferry across lake MI can be fun, but yes, you may need reservations and it stops running in bad weather.

either way, have fun.

notmike · 08-23-2006, 05:29 AM

Hey Dr. Jones

Just curious, how long did the northern route take and what was the mileage? I'm a bit limited with time (10 days). Thanks.

dr. jones · 08-23-2006, 06:16 AM

if i recall, it took me 2.5 days but i didn't push it. can't remember the exact milage but i would guess i did about 400 miles per day. the lower detroit route would be faster, esp to madison, but not nearly as much fun, in my opinion.

notmike · 08-23-2006, 09:41 AM

Thanks. The northern route it is!

08-22-2006, 01:50 PM	#1
notmike ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Boston Oddometer: 243	Route from Boston to Madison? I'm riding, as you may have guessed from the title, from Boston to Madison, WI in a few weeks, and am wondering if anybody has any route suggestions. My initial thought was through the Adirondaks over to Sault Ste. Marie then south, but would love to hear some other ideas. Free campsites are a plus! __________________ The road less traveled is still a road.

08-23-2006, 05:29 AM	#4
notmike ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Boston Oddometer: 243	Hey Dr. Jones Just curious, how long did the northern route take and what was the mileage? I'm a bit limited with time (10 days). Thanks. __________________ The road less traveled is still a road.

08-23-2006, 09:41 AM	#6
notmike ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Boston Oddometer: 243	Thanks. The northern route it is! __________________ The road less traveled is still a road.

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08-22-2006, 10:06 PM	#3
dr. jones Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: The Ham, MA Oddometer: 267	i rode Boston to the UP (upper MI) a couple years ago. i took the high road - up through VT and across on the trans-canadian highway. entered back into the US at Sault St. Marie and then onto Marquette on Lake Superior. took same route back. very nice ride w/ little traffic and lots of nice clean roads. you could do something similar one way or the other if you wanted something different. i've done the "traditional" route several times - through upsate NY, across CA and back into the US above Detroit... not nearly as much fun and can be very congested at the crossings. the ferry across lake MI can be fun, but yes, you may need reservations and it stops running in bad weather. either way, have fun.

08-23-2006, 06:16 AM	#5
dr. jones Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: The Ham, MA Oddometer: 267	if i recall, it took me 2.5 days but i didn't push it. can't remember the exact milage but i would guess i did about 400 miles per day. the lower detroit route would be faster, esp to madison, but not nearly as much fun, in my opinion.