Discussion: Tough route
in: Ricka; Ricka > 2019-08-04
Aug 5, 2019 1:43 PM
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I've done that route, from Montague to Luddington. Actually we stayed on White Lake, out on the point, at an old hotel...very atmospheric with a dramatic sunset.
The ride along Lake Michigan up to Pentwater is very nice...old-time Michigan summer houses with lots of natural forest. But after Pentwater as I remember, there's no alternative but busy Hwy 31 up to Luddington. Which at the time, was an old 4-lane broken-concrete highway with absolutely no shoulder!
The only alternative was to 'take the lane,' block all the semis and heavy trucks, and pretty much create our own traffic jam. Eventually a cop appeared and ordered us off into the deep gravel alongside the pavement, where we patiently walked north the remaining miles, while the backed-up traffic zoomed by, honking and yelling.
Any improvement when you came through there?
The ride along Lake Michigan up to Pentwater is very nice...old-time Michigan summer houses with lots of natural forest. But after Pentwater as I remember, there's no alternative but busy Hwy 31 up to Luddington. Which at the time, was an old 4-lane broken-concrete highway with absolutely no shoulder!
The only alternative was to 'take the lane,' block all the semis and heavy trucks, and pretty much create our own traffic jam. Eventually a cop appeared and ordered us off into the deep gravel alongside the pavement, where we patiently walked north the remaining miles, while the backed-up traffic zoomed by, honking and yelling.
Any improvement when you came through there?
Aug 5, 2019 11:58 PM
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Out of Pentwater, we stayed close to the Lake. Bus 31 was busy but soon turned on Lakeshore Drive for 7.5 miles past Bass Lake and a reservoir - Nice climb. Really fast descent on Iris road.
Then old 31 was very busy but with wide paved shoulder. City streets to HS. Things have improved!
Due to Lake levels, we had to detour inland from Silver Lake to Pentwater. In Pentwater, Lake water lapped both shoulders of road - about 3" from covering road.
Only a couple narrow roads offered tough passing for cars when cyclists bunched up.
Then old 31 was very busy but with wide paved shoulder. City streets to HS. Things have improved!
Due to Lake levels, we had to detour inland from Silver Lake to Pentwater. In Pentwater, Lake water lapped both shoulders of road - about 3" from covering road.
Only a couple narrow roads offered tough passing for cars when cyclists bunched up.
Aug 11, 2019 10:23 AM
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Congrats for finishing the entire six-day ride! Were you the oldest person to finish? Did the ride take you over the Mackinac bridge and into the Upper Peninsula?
What did you think of the ride overall? Following along, and comparing your route with the route I rode from Chicago (up to Luddington, ferry to Wisconsin, and then back down along Ice Age trail more or less, to Illinois and home) I think I prefer the more populated southern route.
I feel this way because, despite more traffic, you're not riding that 'tunnel of trees' all day. Instead you're seeing small towns and farms, discovering more unique surprises, more bars, restaurants, motels, and interesting places to stop and meet some people. Just my opinion.
What did you think of the ride overall? Following along, and comparing your route with the route I rode from Chicago (up to Luddington, ferry to Wisconsin, and then back down along Ice Age trail more or less, to Illinois and home) I think I prefer the more populated southern route.
I feel this way because, despite more traffic, you're not riding that 'tunnel of trees' all day. Instead you're seeing small towns and farms, discovering more unique surprises, more bars, restaurants, motels, and interesting places to stop and meet some people. Just my opinion.
Aug 11, 2019 11:14 PM
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Ride finished in Mackinac City. Fran and I just crossed the bridge, turned left on US 2 for pasties and a blown tire, paused in Escanaba for new tire and to see their dwindled beaches.
Our route had towns (ice cream, bakery, cafe, tourist shops, beach, etc) every 20 miles more or less. LOTS of craft breweries-- even the die-hards had to skip some. All overnights in tourist towns. The eastern UP MUP ride 5 years ago was more like what you described. Great route! Though some paved roads were pretty beat up - dangerous on downhills. As route wound north then NE, headwinds were rare.
Oldest to finish? I doubt it. Mean age was 59; oldest was 81. LOTS of stronger riders - both sexes -- nice calves! There were shorter routes a couple days so no idea how many did "whole" route. On Day 5 about 1/3did long route. Another reason that the ride is so popular -- over 450 riders including 100 who only did last 3 days. I only skipped an optional steep climb -- doubt that my gears and legs would have made it.
Our route had towns (ice cream, bakery, cafe, tourist shops, beach, etc) every 20 miles more or less. LOTS of craft breweries-- even the die-hards had to skip some. All overnights in tourist towns. The eastern UP MUP ride 5 years ago was more like what you described. Great route! Though some paved roads were pretty beat up - dangerous on downhills. As route wound north then NE, headwinds were rare.
Oldest to finish? I doubt it. Mean age was 59; oldest was 81. LOTS of stronger riders - both sexes -- nice calves! There were shorter routes a couple days so no idea how many did "whole" route. On Day 5 about 1/3did long route. Another reason that the ride is so popular -- over 450 riders including 100 who only did last 3 days. I only skipped an optional steep climb -- doubt that my gears and legs would have made it.
This discussion thread is closed.