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A couple of years back, I did a west to east CC ride and went through the UP in MI to Sault Ste Marie. In Ontario, I took Rt 17 to Rt 417 to Rt 416(I believe). These roads were nothing spectacular and I'm sure there are better recommendations out there. It was fine fir me, because I just love being on the bike. I entered the states via Ogdensburg NY and made my way through upstate NY, VT, NH and back to MA. The NY/VT/NH portion was beautiful country though. Have a safe trip!
A couple of years back, I did a west to east CC ride and went through the UP in MI to Sault Ste Marie. In Ontario, I took Rt 17 to Rt 417 to Rt 416(I believe). These roads were nothing spectacular and I'm sure there are better recommendations out there. It was fine fir me, because I just love being on the bike. I entered the states via Ogdensburg NY and made my way through upstate NY, VT, NH and back to MA. The NY/VT/NH portion was beautiful country though. Have a safe trip!
I did the same trip years ago but reentered the U.S. via Thousand Island bridge into NY
You might want to reconsider going from Milwaukee all the way to Sault St Marie in one day. It is a long distance and it is all 2 lane road with a lot of small towns. Just my $.02 worth.
It does take a while I left Wausau, WI at 6 am heading to Sault Ste. Marie and with all the traffic and construction it was almost 5 pm when I crossed the border, google earth is about 7 hours it took me almost 11. After you cross the border hwy 17 is the most direct route should be able to make Ottawa easy in 10 hours. Its a busy 2 lane hwy 90kph with a few 4 lane section, if you have time head south from Sudbury on hwy 69 to Parry Sound then east on one of the 3 hwy 124 518 or 141 to hwy 11 Huntsville and from there east on hwy 60 to Ottawa. This will take an extra day but a very nice ride and very little truck traffic with the exception of hwy 69.
Do you have good tie down locations on your bike?
2 front, 2 rear. The ferry company provides tie downs, marginal in my opinion, but there are no tire chocks for the front wheel.
I usually bring 4 soft loops or something similar to make sure I can clear my faring and other bits with the tie downs.
My 2 cents.
It is a very nice ride across Lake Michigan though.
Last point, if you are going to eat on the ferry, get in the order line before the window opens, you could starve to death waiting for your food.
Agree with the previous post re time required to travel from Milwaukee to SSM. The distance isn't bad but plan for it to take several hrs longer than you think.
Hwy 17 between Sudbury and North Bay was under major construction last August, you will either benefit from all the work done or suffer the long delays we did. A little research on the current state of the Hwy may be beneficial. Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) would be the place to research -511-travellers road info-northeast. It lists the hwys and dates plus distances and approx wait times.
Bladerun, if you're pressed for time you could ride 43 or 41 north from Milwaukee, but I suggest hitting the secondary roads. As suggested earlier Doc's is an unusual stop just north of Green Bay. The U.P. has a couple different routes you could take once you turn the corner at Escanaba. East of Soo, Ont your only option is 17, beautiful shoreline between Blind River and Serpent River, then the terrain changes to rock the closer you get to Sudbury. I could help you out with routes through the U.P. if you wish to pm me.
A trip across the UP needs to include the Pictured Rocks area and a ride on H-58. Well worth the time. Overnight at the Clark Motel on M-28 would be time well spent too. Andy and Patty are scooter people and their place is something to see. Reminiscent of the many places encountered along Route 66 "back in the day"
I don't know how much time you have but I know a great route, ridden it many times.
From the Soo go east on 17 to Sudbury then south on 69 past Parry Sound to 141.
South on 141 to 169 then head east through Bracebridge to 118.
East on 118 to 28 go through Bancroft to 41.
This passes through Ontario's Cottage Country, Muskoka and Haliburton, very scenic.
Head south on 41 to Napanee to the 401 and head east to the Thousand Island Bridge to the USA which goes past Alexandria Bay.
South on Interstate 81 to highway 3 and then there are dozens of great roads through the Adirondacks.
PM me if you want and I can give you way more detail, I ride these roads a lot.
I don't know how much time you have but I know a great route, ridden it many times.
From the Soo go east on 17 to Sudbury then south on 69 past Parry Sound to 141.
South on 141 to 169 then head east through Bracebridge to 118.
East on 118 to 28 go through Bancroft to 41.
This passes through Ontario's Cottage Country, Muskoka and Haliburton, very scenic.
Head south on 41 to Napanee to the 401 and head east to the Thousand Island Bridge to the USA which goes past Alexandria Bay.
South on Interstate 81 to highway 3 and then there are dozens of great roads through the Adirondacks.
PM me if you want and I can give you way more detail, I ride these roads a lot.
I have to agree with this route.... Have also put 1,000's of miles on those roads, watch for deer of course.
Love the Harvard avatar!
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