From detroit to Lacrosse WI need answer quickly

[Oss]

what highways or roads should I take to bypass the construction and traffic of chicago

do I go south around Gary Ind or sooner to miss the bad stuff

although the ferry from Muskegee to Milwaukee is free for bike its still 95 bucks and 3 hrs as you have to get there early and I would need to leave Detroit real early to catch the am 1015 ferry  Is traffic THAT BAD? on all the roads?

Gig what do you say?

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

It's been awhile since I was in Michigan however I do know for a fact if you can avoid Detroit do so  ( with you being from New York the Detroit traffic will be a piece of cake ) It's not that bad if you can stay away from the morning and evening rush. The super slab's in Michigan remind me of the main roads of Louisiana ....ROUGH ....With potholes big enough to swallow a Valk     As stated its been awhile since I rode through Detroit I'm hoping they have filled a few holes in the road since my last vist as I plan to head that way for InZane.I wanted to make the VOAI Rally this year Evan but no way could I take time from work to do both it and InZane along with taking my grand-daughter Presley to the beach for a week plus all the money involved in doing all    ....Ride Safe  

[GiG]

OSS / Joe: Traffic is not that bad in Detroit. I'll show you how to get around on some decent roads. What Joe says about the roads is true - sort of. I suspect the conditions are WORSE than last time he was here. Worst roads in the nation, I believe. OSS - it's Chicago you want to avoid regarding traffic - starting in Gary. There are no real good alternatives - other than US2 in the U.P. over the Big Mac. Otherwise, you have to go South into Indianner - which may be the best bet for your trip...

BTW: I scouted a real nice route up to IZ10 - 2 lane country roads all the way from Rancho la GiG to Traverse City... SWEET!!!   

[fudgie]

Yes, anything around Chicago sux. Even the indiana side. I-80,90,94, US 30- all sux.

[G-Man]

I plan to head that way for InZane.

Hey Joe, Evan and I are heading through Detroit on the way to Inzane as well.  The wives are flying into Detroit on Tues and we'll be hanging with GiG that night and riding up to ground zero on Wed.  Would be great to find a meeting place to hook up at.  You plan on a 2 day ride, or you gonna iron butt it all in one day?

[Jabba]

Yes, anything around Chicago sux. Even the indiana side. I-80,90,94, US 30- all sux.

It's like a 4 hour detour around chicago if you want to avoid it.

Personally, I'd leave at 0-dark-thirty, and get thru chi-town before about 6 AM.  or after 9 PM.

But that's ME.

Jabba

[Revalator]

The main times to safe for Chicago or detroit would be AFTER 9 am or AFTER 7pm rush hour in those cities is a large pain.

There are other routes to get up here. for those flyong into Detroit you are far enough south of DSetroit proper to take some different routes

Here is one that will save going thru detroit and is the best way to go in my opinion

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=dtw&daddr=5820+Shanty+Creek+Rd,+Bellaire,+MI+49615-9634+(Shanty+Creek+Resorts)&hl=en&geocode=FQkyhAIdBggI-ynD4W7Wa087iDHTVhBrwArIVQ%3BFTvfrQIdeVTs-iHu5phpQSjzMw&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=43.581287,-84.265553&sspn=5.188826,14.227295&ie=UTF8&ll=42.352455,-83.905334&spn=0.661703,1.778412&z=10]
[url]http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=dtw&daddr=5820+Shanty+Creek+Rd,+Bellaire,+MI+49615-9634+(Shanty+Creek+Resorts)&hl=en&geocode=FQkyhAIdBggI-ynD4W7Wa087iDHTVhBrwArIVQ%3BFTvfrQIdeVTs-iHu5phpQSjzMw&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=43.581287,-84.265553&sspn=5.188826,14.227295&ie=UTF8&ll=42.352455,-83.905334&spn=0.661703,1.778412&z=10[/url]

[fudgie]

Yes, anything around Chicago sux. Even the indiana side. I-80,90,94, US 30- all sux.

It's like a 4 hour detour around chicago if you want to avoid it.

Personally, I'd leave at 0-dark-thirty, and get thru chi-town before about 6 AM.  or after 9 PM.

But that's ME.

Jabba

Last year going west we hit Chi at 2p. It was busier then then it was at 6p the year before. No win for us!

[Oss]

I just booked the ferry going out there  They overbooked for me cause I am so nice to talk to.

Then after 3 fun days of riding Wisc Minn and Iowa I can ride back sunday early in the morning over route 2 thru the Upper Penninsula.

Sorry you cant figure out a way to go to Lacrosse Joe, its always lively when you and your crew are in town

Gig what kinda bagels and such you want me to bring out from NY?

[GiG]

Gig what kinda bagels and such you want me to bring out from NY?

How about Boatgirl?        She digs you, ya know...

You got the route I sent before?

Toledo - US23 North to Willis Rd East 8 miles...

[Momz]

Oss,

DO NOT RIDE THROUGH CHICAGO! (Voice of experience)

Take the ferry (SS Badger) from Ludington MI to Mantowiac WI, take the evening cruise and get some rest. When you get off in Mantowiac, it's virtually a straight shot across Wisconson to La Crosse.

Ludington is quite a ways north of Muskegon and there are some very pretty roads in that area.

[JimC]

OSS
From Detroit, I would seriously consider the ferry into either Milwaukee or Manitowoc.  You will spend a few hours on the ferry, but you will also save 6-7 hours of time riding if you go north, and probably the same if you go south due to the heavy traffic and traffic jams in the Chicago area.  The only way I would take the I80 route south of Chicago is if I could make it after midnight, but even then it is still heavy truck traffic.

I used to run heavy equipment in Chicago - Indiana area and that section around Gary Indiana was referred to as the A++ Hole of the midwest. Take a look at a map and you will see that numerous major Interstates merge near there, Interstates 94, 294, 80, 90, not to mention the feeders to them like 57, and 65. I have never been on that roadway when there was not VERY HEAVY  traffic, with a large percentage of it being trucks.

Good luck, Jim

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I plan to head that way for InZane.

Hey Joe, Evan and I are heading through Detroit on the way to Inzane as well.  The wives are flying into Detroit on Tues and we'll be hanging with GiG that night and riding up to ground zero on Wed.  Would be great to find a meeting place to hook up at.  You plan on a 2 day ride, or you gonna iron butt it all in one day?

We can talk more on this as time gets closer. T-Bird and I maybe Normandog as well will be headin' that way . We had talked about cuttin' across Hell on the way up.I talked to GiG on The Whiskey Run and I'm thinking its not far from his place to Hell.

[GiG]

Joe:

Hell is ~60 miles West - nice ride, all new blacktop on 2 lane country road. In fact, its part of the route to IZ10. There really is nothing in Hell, just a bar, but at least you can say you've been there and back!  

Offer is still on for Ronnie & Carolina Girl, too! Lots of room - 5 acres in the country.  I've been stockpiling air matresses   

[G-Man]

I talked to GiG on The Whiskey Run and I'm thinking its not far from his place to Hell.

Too funny!   

[GiG]

Gary - You crack yourself up!  For that - you get to sleep on the floor 

[Normandog]

Joe:

Hell is ~60 miles West - nice ride, all new blacktop on 2 lane country road. In fact, its part of the route to IZ10. There really is nothing in Hell, just a bar, but at least you can say you've been there and back!  

Offer is still on for Ronnie & Carolina Girl, too! Lots of room - 5 acres in the country.  I've been stockpiling air matresses   

That's a generous offer Gig and I do appreciate it. Five acres !!! You can't hide money.   
Unfortunately we will be leaving NC thursday morning and arriving @ IZ friday afternoon. (wife has to work)
Thanks for the offer and I look forward to seeing ya @ Shanty Creek. 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Joe:

Hell is ~60 miles West - nice ride, all new blacktop on 2 lane country road. In fact, its part of the route to IZ10. There really is nothing in Hell, just a bar, but at least you can say you've been there and back!  

Offer is still on for Ronnie & Carolina Girl, too! Lots of room - 5 acres in the country.  I've been stockpiling air matresses   

That's a generous offer Gig and I do appreciate it. Five acres !!! You can't hide money.   
Unfortunately we will be leaving NC thursday morning and arriving @ IZ friday afternoon. (wife has to work)
Thanks for the offer and I look forward to seeing ya @ Shanty Creek. 

Oh well  I was hoping we could share the wind to InZane ...I'm thinking Terry and I are rollin' out of Knoxville on Monday morning 7-12....If you head home on Sunday maybe we can hook up then.

[jrb]

if you want to drive thru chicago just shoot yourself now it's quicker and less painful than driving thru there

[Oss]

Looks like I will have to go into work early sunday morning to get stuff done but I am real excited to be seein so many friends again next week

Thanks for the suggestions - the ferry should be a real nice ride, never done a ferry on a bike before that I can remember and my buddy Griz is riding the UP back on Sunday so I will have company at least to Flint area of Michigan.

To quote my brother from another mother CANT WAIT and WOOOOHOOO

Maybe I will get to see stuff like this while on the ferry

[Willow]

... never done a ferry on a bike before that I can remember ...

Oss, get off the bike while you're on the ferry.  You'll find the ride much more enjoyable.    

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

... never done a ferry on a bike before that I can remember ...

Oss, get off the bike while you're on the ferry.  You'll find the ride much more enjoyable.    

Or better yet stay on the bike and make loud motor noise with your mouth the entire trip 

[Oss]

busted

[Normandog]

... never done a ferry on a bike before that I can remember ...

Oss, get off the bike while you're on the ferry.  You'll find the ride much more enjoyable.    

Or better yet stay on the bike and make loud motor noise with your mouth the entire trip 

   

[Rescueroy]

If you take I 94 to Gary, go south on I 65 for about 20 miles max.  Just past the first rest area is Ind. 10.  Take this west.  It turns into IL 17 into Kankakee.  Continue thru Kankakee till yo get to Dwight Ill.  Take IL 47 back up to I 80.  I 80 west to I 39 north. Take I 39 towards Rockford IL.  Then catch I 39- 90 to 39-90-94 to 90-94 to 90 into La Cross.  We take the route from Michigan to Kankakee on our way every year when we go to Springfield Il. to the flat track races.  and alsdo in the truck when we go to So. Padre Island, TX.  Rescueroy

[Cliff]

Yes, anything around Chicago sux. Even the indiana side. I-80,90,94, US 30- all sux.

It's like a 4 hour detour around chicago if you want to avoid it.

Personally, I'd leave at 0-dark-thirty, and get thru chi-town before about 6 AM.  or after 9 PM.

But that's ME.

Jabba

and hopefully you'll be riding on those new works shocks by then!