Bike Trip to Lake Superior/Minnesota side

[Mike C]

Looking for some advice and/or opinions.  I'm planning to take a ride up this summer to Little Marais, MN and work my way up from the Chicago area - up through Wisconsin of course through Apostle Islands National Park.  Have any of you travelled through there?  Any recommendations on a good or better route moving up from the Chicago area to northern Lake Superior? 

What do you think?

Thanks, Mike

[T.P.]

Well Mike if your willing to go as far North as Little Marais you should go to Grand Marais and a round trip on the Gunflint trail. back down 61 to 1 and west to Ely. get a hold of me if you need more options.  T.P.

[MNBill]

I tried Gunflint with my wife in the car, got carsick and turned back. I was thinking it would be great on a bike, watch for moose and deer. Bring warm clothes, wind off the lake is bitter. Take the scenic route from Duluth from Two Harbors, 4 lane is OK to get home quick. Do not go during Grandma's marathon as they use the scenic route and traffic is crazy, hotels full.

[Moonshot_1]

Heading that way ourselves this July. Gonna go all the way around Superior.
Was there back in 05 and went from Duluth to Thunder Bay. Wife and I did that on an 1100 Shadow.
Outstanding ride. Big water, cliffs, waterfalls, lighthouses, beaches, and on and on. +1 on Grand Marias. Not real impressed with Thunder Bay. Love Duluth and the canal district and the bridge.

North Shore would be paradise if it didn't snow in the winter. (I'm allergic to snow)

Looking forward to the Circle tour. We are going to do a day trip to Isle Royale via Grand Portage.

[Sodbuster]

This might be of some help to ya .... be prepared with some electric gear, it stays cool up there even during summer

http://byways.org/explore/byways/11185/itinerary/4127

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/grand_portage/index.html

[BradValk48237]

Have done the circle tour from the bridge... thru the Soo....  east to west..

Best part was Georgian Bay area and the west end of the UP...... Apostles are a great area...

Dragon flies were the biggest problem in that area.... like hitting little birds!!!!!!!! SPLOT!!!!!
Must have hit like 15 of em in the wetland area there.....

It was about 1600 miles round trip from the Lansing MI area... so be about the same from Chicago area...

Do it!!!!!!

Brad

[WarrenK]

Just North of Silver Bay, a small road winds up to the top of a tall, steep, cliff, Palisade Point.    DO NOT MISS THIS!   It is easy to miss, and well worth stopping by.  You get a panoramic view of Lake Superior.

[T.P.]

Just North of Silver Bay, a small road winds up to the top of a tall, steep, cliff, Palisade Point.    DO NOT MISS THIS!   It is easy to miss, and well worth stopping by.  You get a panoramic view of Lake Superior.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palisade_Head