Riding through Michigan .Need suggestions
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 9
From: Southern Illinois
2PawsRiver is right. My old lady is originally from St. Joseph Mi. so we ride up every year to visit her family. Always have a nice time and the Red Arrow Highway isn't a bad ride at all ( her family lives on Red Arrow). We always try the lake ride when there and have never been disapointed.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I hate I94 between Milwaukee and Madison. It is overcrowded and boring. If you take Hwy 18, a 2 lane, you will go through beautiful farm country, with long sweeping curves, and little traffic. So every state can be fun, if you know where to go. Anybody who follows the Traverse City, Petoskey route and gets depressed needs to be medicated.
I get a kick out of guys that ride an Interstate and think that represents the state. Do the interstates in your state represent your state?
I hate I94 between Milwaukee and Madison. It is overcrowded and boring. If you take Hwy 18, a 2 lane, you will go through beautiful farm country, with long sweeping curves, and little traffic. So every state can be fun, if you know where to go. Anybody who follows the Traverse City, Petoskey route and gets depressed needs to be medicated.
I hate I94 between Milwaukee and Madison. It is overcrowded and boring. If you take Hwy 18, a 2 lane, you will go through beautiful farm country, with long sweeping curves, and little traffic. So every state can be fun, if you know where to go. Anybody who follows the Traverse City, Petoskey route and gets depressed needs to be medicated.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,023
Likes: 989
From: Just Outside Chicago
I'm from Florida and still visit often and love it and miss it but as far as scenery other than Winter, Michigan has the winning hand!!!And yes their is better places to ride, arn't there always?
Just got back from a great 4 day Michigan trip,we did the West coast and UP. Personally the UP was just alot of straight roads with not alot to see.The bridge is $3.50 to cross...The run on highway 123 was a great ride and the town of Paradise was a nice Beer stop :-)..Lower Michigan's upper west coast is Very nice. Take 31 and just get off the beaten path when you can!!Tunnel of trees was Fabulous!! Its 109 west of Traverse City..Be very careful as the road has alot of sand and the curvers come up quick...Just lay off the front brake...At the north end of the Tunnel of trees is Legs Inn (A MUST STOP) get their lunch special.it is a best of plate.
I'm in Chicago and we normally do Wisco...But i will make a ride to Michigan more offen...Stop at the first Michigan welcome center..Alot of info!!
All the highways around lower lake Michigan can get a little nerving to say the least with all the truck traffic so is you can go around or atleast do the highway off rush hours...very early or late would be much better....
I found Michigan folks to be full of great info, so stop and ask for great roads to ride or Eating joints...Very Nice People!! Happy Trails................ Tim :-)
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,961
Likes: 263
From: Conroe Texas
I think the word depressing describes Mich, and Chicago pretty well, go south or west from Mich and there is great riding without all the law and rules. Lots of beautiful places and rides in the UP but its still Mich. Been there many many times, wont go back.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I am still curious why you find Chicago and Michigan depressing? Most guys who post about the Great Lake rides had a great time. I grew up in NY and I liked the Midwest so much I moved here, and I love it. Natural beauty, friendly honest, people, down to earth.
C'mon just give me your reasons. Everyone has their own tastes, just wondering why you don't ride in the Midwest.
Last edited by Ron750; Aug 25, 2011 at 08:02 AM. Reason: spelling
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,072
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Two guys from Beautiful,Flat and straight road Florida gotta show their asses....
I'm from Florida and still visit often and love it and miss it but as far as scenery other than Winter, Michigan has the winning hand!!!And yes their is better places to ride, arn't there always?
Just got back from a great 4 day Michigan trip,we did the West coast and UP. Personally the UP was just alot of straight roads with not alot to see.The bridge is $3.50 to cross...The run on highway 123 was a great ride and the town of Paradise was a nice Beer stop :-)..Lower Michigan's upper west coast is Very nice. Take 31 and just get off the beaten path when you can!!Tunnel of trees was Fabulous!! Its 109 west of Traverse City..Be very careful as the road has alot of sand and the curvers come up quick...Just lay off the front brake...At the north end of the Tunnel of trees is Legs Inn (A MUST STOP) get their lunch special.it is a best of plate.
I'm in Chicago and we normally do Wisco...But i will make a ride to Michigan more offen...Stop at the first Michigan welcome center..Alot of info!!
All the highways around lower lake Michigan can get a little nerving to say the least with all the truck traffic so is you can go around or atleast do the highway off rush hours...very early or late would be much better....
I found Michigan folks to be full of great info, so stop and ask for great roads to ride or Eating joints...Very Nice People!! Happy Trails................ Tim :-)
I'm from Florida and still visit often and love it and miss it but as far as scenery other than Winter, Michigan has the winning hand!!!And yes their is better places to ride, arn't there always?
Just got back from a great 4 day Michigan trip,we did the West coast and UP. Personally the UP was just alot of straight roads with not alot to see.The bridge is $3.50 to cross...The run on highway 123 was a great ride and the town of Paradise was a nice Beer stop :-)..Lower Michigan's upper west coast is Very nice. Take 31 and just get off the beaten path when you can!!Tunnel of trees was Fabulous!! Its 109 west of Traverse City..Be very careful as the road has alot of sand and the curvers come up quick...Just lay off the front brake...At the north end of the Tunnel of trees is Legs Inn (A MUST STOP) get their lunch special.it is a best of plate.
I'm in Chicago and we normally do Wisco...But i will make a ride to Michigan more offen...Stop at the first Michigan welcome center..Alot of info!!
All the highways around lower lake Michigan can get a little nerving to say the least with all the truck traffic so is you can go around or atleast do the highway off rush hours...very early or late would be much better....
I found Michigan folks to be full of great info, so stop and ask for great roads to ride or Eating joints...Very Nice People!! Happy Trails................ Tim :-)
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
Michigans got beautiful roadways
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
Two guys from Beautiful,Flat and straight road Florida gotta show their asses....
I'm from Florida and still visit often and love it and miss it but as far as scenery other than Winter, Michigan has the winning hand!!!And yes their is better places to ride, arn't there always?
Just got back from a great 4 day Michigan trip,we did the West coast and UP. Personally the UP was just alot of straight roads with not alot to see.The bridge is $3.50 to cross...The run on highway 123 was a great ride and the town of Paradise was a nice Beer stop :-)..Lower Michigan's upper west coast is Very nice. Take 31 and just get off the beaten path when you can!!Tunnel of trees was Fabulous!! Its 109 west of Traverse City..Be very careful as the road has alot of sand and the curvers come up quick...Just lay off the front brake...At the north end of the Tunnel of trees is Legs Inn (A MUST STOP) get their lunch special.it is a best of plate.
I'm in Chicago and we normally do Wisco...But i will make a ride to Michigan more offen...Stop at the first Michigan welcome center..Alot of info!!
All the highways around lower lake Michigan can get a little nerving to say the least with all the truck traffic so is you can go around or atleast do the highway off rush hours...very early or late would be much better....
I found Michigan folks to be full of great info, so stop and ask for great roads to ride or Eating joints...Very Nice People!! Happy Trails................ Tim :-)
I'm from Florida and still visit often and love it and miss it but as far as scenery other than Winter, Michigan has the winning hand!!!And yes their is better places to ride, arn't there always?
Just got back from a great 4 day Michigan trip,we did the West coast and UP. Personally the UP was just alot of straight roads with not alot to see.The bridge is $3.50 to cross...The run on highway 123 was a great ride and the town of Paradise was a nice Beer stop :-)..Lower Michigan's upper west coast is Very nice. Take 31 and just get off the beaten path when you can!!Tunnel of trees was Fabulous!! Its 109 west of Traverse City..Be very careful as the road has alot of sand and the curvers come up quick...Just lay off the front brake...At the north end of the Tunnel of trees is Legs Inn (A MUST STOP) get their lunch special.it is a best of plate.
I'm in Chicago and we normally do Wisco...But i will make a ride to Michigan more offen...Stop at the first Michigan welcome center..Alot of info!!
All the highways around lower lake Michigan can get a little nerving to say the least with all the truck traffic so is you can go around or atleast do the highway off rush hours...very early or late would be much better....
I found Michigan folks to be full of great info, so stop and ask for great roads to ride or Eating joints...Very Nice People!! Happy Trails................ Tim :-)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,072
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Yep Leggs Inn at Cross Village. Nice place to stop and "replenish".