Heading West.... Minnesota.... Wisconsin.... Upper Michigan

[BradValk48237]

All,

 Heading out Tuesday on annual after labor day trip with Dad.... this will make 27 years in a row!

Was going to go south, but with that Bitch Irma f'n things up we decided to head west from Detroit MI are and around Lake Michigan as we have never really explored Wisconsin, Minnesota on the bikes....

So looking for suggestions on what not to miss( or what to avoid)  and where to stop and if any other members are out there to meet up with....

This trip has almost always been "On the Fly" with no set destination and itinerary..... We just kinda pick a direction or somewhere we want to see and head out... No Reservations..LOL

So any ideas would be great...

B

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm no help, I've never been there. But I always look forward to the reports of your rides with Dad. 

[bassman]

Not certain of your exact route but I would avoid Chicago and maybe try the ferry across the lake to Wis and Minn areas then across to the UP and down the west coast of MI


https://www.lake-express.com

[JimmyG]

Visit mom and pop  cheese producers while in Wisconsin, unbelievable cheese, can't find in markets.

[GiG]

Brad:
Take the Mississippi River Road north out of Davenport IA. (53?)
There's a place called The Off Shore Landings where you can stop for lunch and look at the river.
HWY 16 in MN is a good one.
Probably less than 1000 miles from there to DRU... 
Have fun w Dad!

GiG

[BradValk48237]

Thanks GIG, .... was thinking of hitting the Miss higher up.....cuttin' the corner, maybe LACrosse....

General route is around Lake MI south to north, returning to detroit area via the UP and the bridge... Gots to get that Fudge....

B

[CajunRider]

I did a Motorcycle Trip in that area a few years ago... let me see what I can remember...

Pictured Rocks in Michigan... Take H-58 between Grand Marais and Munising.  Nice ride, plus the Pictured Rocks scenery.  

If you're a big Christmas buff... you can pass through the town of Christmas.  It's only 5 miles West of Munising and on the lake shore.  

If you're a football fan, Green Bay gives tours of Lambeau Stadium.  It's in the middle of the city, so not much of a motorcycle trip... but pretty cool for a football fan.  

If you make all the way to Minnesota... take HWY 61 heading North from Duluth to Grand Portage.  Not much in the way of curves, but awesome scenery and lots of waterfalls along the way.  In fact, I found this road to have the BEST views of Lake Superior from the road... many parts of the road are right on the coast.  

Also, most of the waterfalls along 61 are within a 5 minute walk from the road.  The best part is that Minnesota doesn't fence off the falls... you may see a lot of people swimming in the waters above or below the falls.  Feel free to join in with them (I didn't have a suit, but I did dunk my head under a couple of the falls).  

In Grand Portage, take the walk (a few more than 5 minutes) up to Pigeon Falls. It's no Niagara... but it's impressive.  

From HWY 61, you can take HWY 1 heading West.  It's a nice Motorcycle ride.  if you want to go underground, stop off at the Iron Ore mine in Soudan for a tour.  

I grew up 5 miles from the Mississippi River in Louisiana... so while in Minnesota, I HAD to stop by and visit the Mississippi Headwaters at Lake Itasca.  I can now tell people I WALKED across the Mississippi River.  I thought it was cool the see the river at 5 feet wide, when I often cross it at a point that is 5,000 feet wide.  

You can also ride sections of HWY 61 along the Mississippi River.  That road follows the river from Minneapolis to New Orleans... and large portion of it is a pretty decent motorcycle road.  

That's about all I can remember at the moment.  Enjoy the trip!!

[mrtlc]

It won't be a bad run in WI and Upper Michigan. The ferry crossing is neat if you haven't done it. You will never go wrong with anything along the river or the big lakes. I live SW Wisconsin, it is all beautiful riding. You could spend a week hear and not see it all. My 9 year old went to Idaho, Montana and Wyoming this summer for the Billings rally.  Right in the middle of those beautiful mountains he said( Dad this is pretty, but home is real nice to) If you get in this area, maybe I can take a day off  ride with you. Be safe and enjoy the ride with Dad.

[old2soon]

If you can AVOID the Gary/Hammond/Chicago arena uh area. I speak as an ex Trucker and a Motorcyclist who grew up in dem dere parts. Now granted I was in the cage but that U S 61 south outa Mpls/Stpaul down into Iowa was cursed interesting and just pick a wide spot anywhere for photo ops. We stopped at a couple different marinas-had youngest Daughter with me-and most of the folks at the marinas were helpful and like/enjoy where they live. I'd have to look it up but we were in the town on the river where water skiing was invented. Watching a tow go thru a lock is interesting as is riding a ferry across the river and meeting an empty tow. And the Mom and Pop resturants generally are good. Good clue is are the locals eating there?  Enjoy yer ride!  RIDE SAFE.

[thedon]

Brad,
If you are coming from the South into Wisconsin run through Oconomowoc and go North to Hwy 33. Take that West to LaCrosse. When you get into Wonewoc take hwy FF back to 33. Hwy FF is awesome, lots of curves and up and down. Back on 33 to go through Wildcat Mountain. Another awesome ride. Hwy 131 is a great road to the South, but you may want to stay on 33. Just before LaCrosse is Grandad Bluff. Great view and curvy road there.
Another way to get to LaCrosse is to run Hwy 60 across the Southern part of the state to Praire Du Chein. Then take the River road (Hwy 35) along the Mississippi to LaCrosse. Then head East on Hwy 33 and hit Hwy 67 and go North. All is great riding.
JimC and Blackdog live in the Oconomowoc area and may be able to ride with you part of the way.
Send me a PM and I'll send you their numbers
Don

[gregk]

You are promised good weather this week 70-80 next weekend An rain ?. I will be in TOMAHAWk Wi. For the Harley Fall run which will bring a hell of s load of bikers. Harley  Has a couple of plants there.  I have traveled a lot of Wi. And my bones will reside here. You should  have your trip planed by now and you have some good tips.
I will just hilight at this point. If you go up in the UP going down to Green Bay is nice or going across then go up to Copper Harbor.                The Big Manito falls south of Superior you can skip, if you get to Superior Wi. And want to go up the North Shore then get a Circle tour map at the tourist center or at the tourist center just west of Ashland Wi. Lots to see going up to the border.              The Mississippi river another good run , nothing south of Cassville Wi. --CARFERRY TO HOP THE Missippi ,run to RedWing Mn. That is your stretch. Pick roads close to the river. Cross in between at Praire Du Chien, lacrosse , Winona, Nelson /Wabeshaw .    South to north Bluff overlook at Ma Gregor, and just North is a Indian Burial ground National Monument.  Lacrosse- Old Grand Dads Bluff.  Alma Wi. Beauna Vista Park- Bluff and a lock an dam, Nelson Wi. Ice Cream!!!!. Pepin Wi. The pickel factory-eats, and Maiden Rock - 6 Strings Saloon.   
Their are so many good roads here in Wi. Southern west half up saying draw a line from Madison Wi. up hwy 94 to Eau Claire and beyond is all hilly and then the North across Hwy 29 is all woods and water.  If you get around Chippewa Falls Wi.  Give me a call 715-577-5187-000  i wount be eaving till Fri some time. Some say we have the worlds best beer here sorry I live 1 blk from the Brewery and with Austrian ancestry I find it hard to get down ha ha. Leinenkugel beer they been in business for a 150 years and just had a big party.                            Door County is OK not  great East side of State Green Bay - Kenosha is poor .  We have Deer so keep your eves open.

[cookiedough]

Cajunrider has a lot of good ideas for sure.

I loved the waterfalls and scenery up past Duluth MN along Lake Superior shoreline most within short walking distances as well as the roads around the Mississipi River in WI and MN mostly and MI sand dunes way up north.  That big waterfall way up north I think they call/nickname Little Niagra falls is worth the drive as well.  I say all 3 are must sees for sure.  Being from southern WI all my life I say skip the cheese factories a dozen or so nearby me, but that is just me not that big of a deal.  Deep fried squeaky fresh cheese curds are sure hard to beat though, even great and squeaky eating plain.  If into beer, a few brewery tours around me as well with samples.  

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28943-Activities-c57-t67-Michigan.html

If you dare,  may I add sleeping bear dunes national park in MI, climb the hill UP.  I dare you, but please do NOT do it unless in pretty good shape.  It is nice just sitting up on top watching the people attempt to get up the sandy, steep sand dune.   A few people have had to be rescued by boat since unable to climb BACK UP that steep sand dune hill.  For every step up,  I took 2 steps BACK sliding down the sandy, VERY steep hill.  I have done it twice in my life and you would think AFTER the first near death experience, i would have learned my lesson?   I ran down in 3-4 minutes with my kids when in my 30s, but took me well over 1 hour to get back UP and I was dead tired, near literally in HOT heat as well.  I literally crawled up on my hands and knees for better than 1/3rd of it no joke.  A few FIT YOUNG triathalon athletes who were in very good shape actually slowly jogged up the hill much to my amazement in say 20 minutes or so.  

[Randy52]

I agree with "thedon" post. I live in Wonewoc area and am on hwy FF and 33  to Lacrosse all the time. Great roads. Let me know if you want company.

[gregk]

Oops need to add another Mississippi River crossing, at Lansing IA. And it also has a Lookout Bluff , be carefull on the start up if pulling a trailer as it has a 90deg. hidden turn you could meet a car.

[Jack B]

Door Country is a great ride you just have to stay off the highway and ride the shore.
So if you end up ride along Lake Michigan in Wis., get a hold of me.
 Have a safe trip.

[gregk]

Cookie dough that falls you referee to is Keckabecka Falls , in Canada about 24m west of Thunder Bay, then by that time they might as well see Fort William which has been in existence for over 200 years and super to visit then they can go up on My.Makay in Thunder Bay Then they can go get some Amathest for the girls, and by that time they might as well take the trip around Lake Superior which I think everybody should do.We've only done it 6 times. From here its a 1400m loop which can be done in 3 days but you won't see nothin, its better to plan it in 5 days.

[cookiedough]

Cookie dough that falls you referee to is Keckabecka Falls , in Canada about 24m west of Thunder Bay, then by that time they might as well see Fort William which has been in existence for over 200 years and super to visit then they can go up on My.Makay in Thunder Bay Then they can go get some Amathest for the girls, and by that time they might as well take the trip around Lake Superior which I think everybody should do.We've only done it 6 times. From here its a 1400m loop which can be done in 3 days but you won't see nothin, its better to plan it in 5 days.

oh yah, that huge waterfall was in Canada, I forgot it was that long ago.  but hey, while up that far, why not cross the border and see an amazing waterfall that looks like the big Niagara falls, just smaller.  I though it was worth the drive into Canada years ago just to see that and other forestry scenery, but nowadays getting into Canada takes more of an effort to cross the border than it did 13 or so years ago.

[Ramie]

All,

 Heading out Tuesday on annual after labor day trip with Dad.... this will make 27 years in a row!

Was going to go south, but with that Bitch Irma f'n things up we decided to head west from Detroit MI are and around Lake Michigan as we have never really explored Wisconsin, Minnesota on the bikes....

So looking for suggestions on what not to miss( or what to avoid)  and where to stop and if any other members are out there to meet up with....

This trip has almost always been "On the Fly" with no set destination and itinerary..... We just kinda pick a direction or somewhere we want to see and head out... No Reservations..LOL

So any ideas would be great...

B

I guess it depends on what you like.  Northern Minn has some beautiful country.  I haven't been there in years but the Tower Sudan Iron ore mine is and interesting visit.

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

They have mine tours daily until the end of September.

[3fan4life]

You can also ride sections of HWY 61 along the Mississippi River.  That road follows the river from Minneapolis to New Orleans... and large portion of it is a pretty decent motorcycle road.  

That's about all I can remember at the moment.  Enjoy the trip!!

That's an idea for a trip; Follow the Misissippi River from it's headwaters to it's mouth.

[BradValk48237]

Thanks All!!!

Good Info...

Plan now is to go around the bottom of Lake Michigan.. maybe hit Chi Town ( I know, traffic, have beeb there MANY times) then head up into the middle of Wisconsin and MN..... have been around ALL the Great Lakes- several times and all over the UP.... So looking to see country have not bee to...

Wisconsin Dell area.. Worth it?

New Ulm, MN?... I am a beer geek and would like to hit Schell's...... do they still have a tour? Maybe Milwaukee?

Waterfall are always great...

Probably going to hit the Miss. around Lacrosse and run along it for a bit as several people have pointed out.

So keep ideas coming..... will post status as we go along and hope to meet others when possible

Plan is to be back Sunday night/Monday is.......

B

[JimC]

Brad,
The Wisconsin Dells ?  In my opinion the ugliest city in America (at least that I have seen), gaudy signs and billboards everywhere you look, quite the tourist trap.  It is however in a very beautiful area of Wisconsin with a lot of nice riding in that area.

Milwaukee ?  Everyone that I have talked to that has been to the Harley Museum has said it was worth the trip. I have not made it myself.

Jim

[sutterhome]

Maiden lake super club in Lakewood Wi, is nice if your cutting across the state from Green Bay, Door county is nice this time of year. Watch out for the deer everwhere.

[cookiedough]

yah, skip the CITY anyways of WI dells, not worth it, been there 1000s of times but ONLY when my kids were younger to hit like said the tourist traps of waterparks we did when kids were younger.

LIke said, the countryside is nice, especially west of WI Dells, but LaCrosse/Prairie du Chien area along the river is better along with Wildcat mountain state park area. 

If a beer drinker,  there are tours and samples nearby me for New Glarus brewery,  Minhas Brewery in Monroe WI,  Capital Brewery in Madison/Middleton, and further north 3 1/2 hours by Eau Claire north into Chippewa falls is Lienenkugels, just to name a few.  And of course there is milwaukee breweries as well.

[BradValk48237]

All,     Made it to Madison WI.....

Already hit the pool and heading to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.....

Just outside Madison on East Washington....

Going to 2 lane if from here towards LaCrosse..depending on suggestions... lol

B

[mrtlc]

This is the route I would take if I wanted a nice scenic ride from Madison to Lacrosse.
Take 14 west at Middleton to Black Earth go right on 78 north
it's a few miles past Black Earth. Stay on 78 North to US HWY 12
Turn left toward Sauk City. Stay on HWY12 to Baraboo.  Exit West on 136 to Rock Springs.  Go straight on 154 at Rock Springs. Stay on 154 until you get to 23.  Go straight ahead on Herritz road. Stay on road until you get to a T.  Go left at the T intersection you will be on County K.  Go right on County G at the next T-intersection.  Then go right on highway 58 at the next T-intersection this will take you to LaValle.  Take 33 west to Wonewoc  go left on FF in Wonewoc.  FF will take you back to 33 in Hillsboro.  Follow 33 to Lacrosse. Have Fun! Terry

[cookiedough]

u  can i-90 super slab it taking 2 to 2 1/2 hours from madison to lacrosse to make better time, but for scenery, take either hwy 14 to spring green and head west on hwy. 60 along WI river then north on hwy. 61 to hwy. 171 east.  There you can stop at the 3-4 apple orchards that should be open and buy some tasty apples and other treats if you like.  They should be open this weekend. Keep heading west on 171 to gays mills (curvy roads and good views), head north onto 131 and head towards to wildcat mountain state park and head east first on hwy 33 thru wildcat mountaint and then turn around  on hwy. 33 and head back thru wildcat mountain state park heading west again from there staying on hwy. 33 all the way to LaCrosse.  it might take you near 5 hours vs. 2 1/2 hours on interstate, but some nice, curvy and scenic roads doing that route. 

OR, just head north out of Madison on hwy. 12 past Baraboo turning west onto hwy. 33 and stay on that all the way to LaCrosse, but that way is quicker but not quite as scenic as above route.  You still go thru wildcat mountain state park on hwy. 33 though, just not along with WI river as heading more west on hwy. 60 which is right along part of it along WI river.

[cookiedough]

This is the route I would take if I wanted a nice scenic ride from Madison to Lacrosse.
Take 14 west at Middleton to Black Earth go right on 78 north
it's a few miles past Black Earth. Stay on 78 North to US HWY 12
Turn left toward Sauk City. Stay on HWY12 to Baraboo.  Exit West on 136 to Rock Springs.  Go straight on 154 at Rock Springs. Stay on 154 until you get to 23.  Go straight ahead on Herritz road. Stay on road until you get to a T.  Go left at the T intersection you will be on County K.  Go right on County G at the next T-intersection.  Then go right on highway 58 at the next T-intersection this will take you to LaValle.  Take 33 west to Wonewoc  go left on FF in Wonewoc.  FF will take you back to 33 in Hillsboro.  Follow 33 to Lacrosse. Have Fun! Terry

or this way being more direct.  All good roads thru there nice and curvy and rolling countryside.  This route similar to my route heading north to Baraboo, but probably even better than what I said. 

[BradValk48237]

That's what I'm looking for !!!

Will be going some of those ways!

500 miles of slab today. Will be 2 lane for the next 5 days or so

[Moonshot_1]

Looks like you intend to make LaCrosse a stop. From there you got 2 decent options. To go North or South. South is better for a motorcycle ride.
To the North of LaCrosse is Winona. The drive up there on hwy 14 is nice. To the North of Winona is a town of Kellogg. Home of a toy museum. Worth it.
Some wineries, nice scenery. Across is hwy 35 on Wisconsin side. Runs up the river for long ways. Lock and dam in town of Alma I believe. The Northern route is nice.

The Southern route out of LaCrosse is outstanding.
35 to Prairie du Chien then cross over the river there. You will be next to the river until then. Over the bridge into Iowa continue to follow the Great River Road. This will take you to Dubuque. Along the way you can find Effigy Mounds National Monument (a little north of the Prairie du Chien crossing on the Iowa side), a stop at Pikes Peak State Park along county road X 56. This goes into Hwy 52 at Guttenberg and there is a Lock and Dam there on the river. South on 52 till the county road CY9. The most awesomest road in Iowa for motorcycle riding. This will take you to Hwy 3 just outside Dubuque.
Along this route are small towns, restaurants and shops. Just an outstanding road with incredible views. Just outside of Balltown (just North of Dubuque) is an overlook of the Mississippi Valley that is stunning. Restaurant in Balltown is pretty good too. In Dubuque is an Aquarium related to the Mississippi fisheries, to the south a park called the Mines of Spain, a former lead mine held by Spain long ago, and great views of the river. From there, if you are a baseball fan, Dyersville and the Field of Dreams movie set is just 30 min. to the west from Dubuque.
If you head back east from there a stop in Potosi at the beer museum is a must. It is really really cool.
Along the way to the museum is the town of Dickeyville. A Catholic Church there has a rock Grotto. Very much worth a stop to see. Right along the road.

Don't know where you are at for time but if you still have some at this point you can continue down the Great River Road to Davenport. Stop at LeClaire. The American Picker guys have their shop there. Nice town to stop in. A distillery and a German Restaurant are also there.

You can catch I-80 there for the trip back.

Number of points of interest along the way as well.

Have fun. Post pictures.

[JimC]

OR,
You can just turn on the gps and head north and west, who cares how long it takes?

Actually MRTLC is from the area you are headed, he seems to know the area well, I have been on most of the roads he mentioned and they are all a nice ride. A couple of people mentioned Wildcat Mountain, do not mistake that with the mountains out west or south east. It is nice, especially for Wisconsin, but not to the extent of REAL mountains.

Actually, I like Hwy 60 west from the Madison area to Prairie du Chien, then 35 north along the river to La Crosse, you can take 33 back east on your way to the UP if you want to try that route. I really do not know the roads in the north end of the state, so I cannot recommend the best roads to upper Michigan.

Have fun,
Jim

[BradValk48237]

So....

Made it to LaCrosse WI..... Rode 12 to 78 and the got off on 28 to see the House on the Rock and Frank Lloyd Wrights  Taliesen.... both are worth a look....

I will post some pictures of the House on the Rock later as they are still uploading... but if you have not been there yet it is worth the $29 bucks to get in....amazing!

After that took 14 west  to 80 north to 33 west to LaCrosse.... 33 is a great ride.. almost like Middle KY or TN..
Smooth sweepers.. 70mph most of the way..... I would recommend it as a good trip

So heading west into Minnesota tomorrow... Any suggestions?

So far great rides

B

[BradValk48237]

Well had. Great ride today....about 250 miles, but saw some nice roads and scenery...

Realized last night that the bike had never been to Iowa.. I had been, SO Took 16 south out of La Crosse WI to 44 East.... At one point 44 was like under a mile from the Iowa border on 52... Ran down took a picture of the "Welcome to Iowa" sign and turned around.... Ran up to 52 N to 16E/and ran right back to LaCrosse.... 2 great roads.. gentle to tight curves and nice to run about

Took 61 north to Winona for lunch the back across the Ol' Miss to 35... took 35N ...... nice run along the river.... Was going to take 25N to Eau Claire, but missed it because of construction.....

But it worked out as I took CR N (County Road) that took us thru some nice curves and eventually ended up on 25 to 94 then south to Eau Claire...

Spending the night in TheQuality Inn... so Pool and a Hamms and some Makers on the rocks.. then we are heading to dinnner.. Randy's!!! Lol. Seems popular!

Heading east tomorrow.... have to be in Mackinac by Sunday

Any suggestions for Wisconsin Roads???  Pretty open as we have 2 days..... twisty and nice is what I am looking for

B

[Moonshot_1]

About an hour north of Eau Claire is the town of Dallas, Wisconsin, Home of the Valkyrie Brewing Company. Small craft and micro brewery. http://www.valkyriebrewery.com/

[BradValk48237]

ThanksMoon.... That might be out of the way but you never know...

Thinking about taking 40 north to 70 east...

Anyone been that way?  Want to get near the MI border by tomorrow night....  but options open

B

[cookiedough]

So....

Made it to LaCrosse WI..... Rode 12 to 78 and the got off on 28 to see the House on the Rock and Frank Lloyd Wrights  Taliesen.... both are worth a look....

I will post some pictures of the House on the Rock later as they are still uploading... but if you have not been there yet it is worth the $29 bucks to get in....amazing!

After that took 14 west  to 80 north to 33 west to LaCrosse.... 33 is a great ride.. almost like Middle KY or TN..
Smooth sweepers.. 70mph most of the way..... I would recommend it as a good trip

So heading west into Minnesota tomorrow... Any suggestions?

So far great rides

B

wow, 29 bucks to get in now to house on the rocks.  You can spend an entire day, well at least 5 hours in there, to take your time and see it all.  Have not been there in well over 12+ years when the kids were little and thinking it was over 20 bucks per person then.   Seems a lot of money to spend to see it, but for one person fine, but for family of four some 60 or so bucks again, no thanks.  Nice to see it once, but not really a 2nd time.  WE use to deer hunt the land due north of the house on the rocks so close you can hear the music playing inside, great hunting land called the Wyoming valley until the grandma died and the rich attorney son kicked us off after 20+ years of going there.  We even offered 50 bucks per person for the group of us 12 or so, but I guess he didn''t need the money?