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planning a week long trip in july. looking for suggestions on routes i have not taken. starting point would be chicago area. i have done a lot or roads - old rt 66 to LA, route 50 to SF, rt20/SD 44 to sturgis, hwy 50 out east, hwy 30 out east, great river road to NOLA, civil way sites thru the south, tail of the dragon and blue ridge parkway, around many of the great lakes, hwy 2 out west, nova scotia and a number of additional roads.
was thinking of taking hwy 12 out west and see what there is.
was hoping that some of you might have some additional suggestions.
I once took a trip around Lake Superior, starting in Chicago. You’ll need a passport to enter Canada. The ride gets really nice once you get east of Duluth, MN. Watch your gas level. Stations get somewhat sparse west of Thunder Bay. On the way back you can either take rt 2 west or keep going south and cross the Mackinac Bridge.
I always wanted to ride the Great River Road to NOLA. How’s the motel situation along the route?
great river road. you are going thru some really poor states, so some planning is needed for nice lodging. but we didn't have any trouble getting decent lodging or camping. the one problem i had was which side of the river you want to be on. had just a little trouble following the signs for the great river road. lot of history along the way.
If you have an "enhanced" ( or whatever they call them in Chicago) driver's license you won't need a passport to get into Canada. If you don't have one, then yes, you would need a passport.
Another option would be to ride up thru Wisconsin into the Michigan U.P. and tour there for a few days (maybe to Sault Ste Marie to see the locks) and then down the western shoreline of Michigan and then take one of the ferries across Lake Michigan back to Wisconsin.
Not sure of the day/date, but there's a "free" bike ride on the ferries once a year so you may want to check (and confirm) if this is of interest to you.
Lots of things to see and do in the U.P, just don't go too early as it can be cool and wet at times!
Not sure how much time you have, and there is a lot of nothing from Chicago to where I am recommending. But, I can’t say enough praise about Western Wyoming with the Grand Tetons, Jackson, and Yellowstone, then Montana and Glacier National Park, and Idaho especially crossing it via Hwy 12. Of course you can also check out Sturgis and the Black Hillscon your way to one from that area.
Last edited by TriGeezer; Mar 24, 2021 at 10:37 PM.
I'm with TriGeezer on this one. I'm from the same general area as you and I can't say enough about the area he has recommended. Every time I plan a trip it is to the Rockies. As a matter of fact I'm headed to Montanna and Wyoming in June. Once you get passed the Missouri River the landscape becomes interesting. I do lots of camping as well and find this area of the country to provide amazing riding, scenery, and camping. Lolo Pass (hwy 12 south of Missoula) won't disappoint!! Let us know what you decide on and stay safe.
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need tour route suggestions
