Lake Michigan Ferry and beyond

[Sykestone8886]

I’m heading out on a trip in a week or so, going up and taking the ss badger across to WI I have no specific plan but I’m thinking of heading up to Chippewa falls to check out Lienkugel brewery,any of you folks ever traveled in that area with suggestions on routes or points of interest? Trying to stay off the slab as much as possible, Thanks in advance.

[Tkelly]

Come to the rally In Wonewoc next Friday or Saturday,best motorcycle roads in the state.

[bad Chad]

I’ll second that statement!

[Tkelly]

The other good riding roads are near Elkhart Lake,the Kettle Moraine area.If you can’t make the rally call me if you want to discuss a route.608 583 7603.

[twowheeladdict]

I’m taking the SS Badger in the morning.

My suggestion is to stay off the interstates and map a route that keeps you away from cities. Not only more enjoyable, but cooler away from all that concrete.

[Sykestone8886]

Thanks for all the suggestions, unfortunately the rally’s out I’m not leaving PA till the 10th TKelly I may give you a call if needed.Have any of you been to the brewery in Chippewa Falls ? No big deal I’m just flying by the seat of my pants on this trip plus traveling solo.

[n3303j]

170 miles from Chippewa Falls is House on the Rock.
It's a collection worth a day of exploration.
https://www.thehouseontherock.com/

[travelingbyguzzi]

I want to hear about the Badger after you have crossed. It is quite likely that I will be crossing in late August from East to West.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I want to hear about the Badger after you have crossed. It is quite likely that I will be crossing in late August from East to West.

It burns a *lot* of coal, Bill.  It's slow. It's an experience, though.. from another time.

[Sykestone8886]

I’ll be crossing on the 11th or 12th of aug. it’s probably the 5th or 6th time I’ve been on it, it’s a nice relaxing 4 hour trip across the lake, I believe it’s like 410 ft long one of the only coal fired freighters on the Great Lakes check out there web page SS BADGER.com.for more info.

[PJPR01]

Thanks for all the suggestions, unfortunately the rally’s out I’m not leaving PA till the 10th TKelly I may give you a call if needed.Have any of you been to the brewery in Chippewa Falls ? No big deal I’m just flying by the seat of my pants on this trip plus traveling solo.

In case you have not done it before, riding parts of The Great River Road could be an option for exploring with a stop at Pikes Peak state park (the same Zebulon Pike who went to Colorado), and possibly riding the Cassville Ferry (oldest Wisconsin ferry) could make for some nice diversions.

If you're into breweries...there is Potosi, not far from Lake Joy, and New Glarus as well to consider...

Damn...I wish I was riding there now!

[Tkelly]

The Lake Express is an option .The ride around Chicago is one of the scariest rides I have ever done,and that was in a car.

[AJ Huff]

I can't imagine Gary IN up through Chicago on a bike!!! Bad enough in a car. My preferred method was train.

But the southern tip of the lake, on a combination of HWY 12 and Lakeshore Dr though MI and IN shouldn't be too bad. Going through Stevensville, New Buffalo, etc. Caveat, it's been many years since I've driven that route.

-AJ

[ccoli]

I'm about an hour north of Manitowoc, where the ferry arrives in Wisconsin. Welcome to come visit here. Contact info at wmgr.org or mgnoc.

[Tom]

You have to have your own tie-down straps for the SS Badger.  Lake Express, the deck crew will strap your bike down.  Make sure you make your reservations for both.  Check out both websites.  If you take the SS Badger WI to MI and it's the last crossing of the day.  Bucket of beer and free movie.  Be aware that you're crossing time zones.  I took a nap on a picnic table at a rest stop.     Lake Express is a faster lake crossing. 

[twowheeladdict]

I want to hear about the Badger after you have crossed. It is quite likely that I will be crossing in late August from East to West.

The ferry makes the crossing once in each direction per day. From Ludington you start loading at 0800, so I spent the night there. Took in the sights. While there.

Loading was easy.  I spent 3 of the 4 hours chatting with different riders and drifted off for an hour. They serve food and drink on the ship if you want it.

It was a nice relaxing journey. I will add photos of Ludington and the ferry to my travel thread.

[Tkelly]

Can bike,If you have time rideMI 23 along the west shore of Lake Huron,no traffic and enjoyable,assuming you are not taking the ferry.

[ccoli]

The ferry makes the crossing once in each direction per day. From Ludington you start loading at 0800, so I spent the night there.

Actually it makes 2 runs in the summer months.

[twowheeladdict]

Actually it makes 2 runs in the summer months.

Really?  Between loading and unloading plus four hours each way they would be running 24/7.

[Sykestone8886]

According to there website they only make two crossings, departs Mi.9am departs WI 2pm. The last time I was on it (2017) they made four crossings,evidently that has changed.

[Motormike]

Really?  Between loading and unloading plus four hours each way they would be running 24/7.

You'd be amazed how fast they can unload that thing.  They really hustle.

[Stuarto72]

I crossed on the Badger about 12 years ago on my way from Phila to Duluth.  My departure was late, 11PM maybe.  So I booked a 'stateroom' which was really cheap.  It was barely large enough to stand in but I hit the bed and slept 5 or 6 hours.  That took care of one night's lodging.,  Very smart!.  Yes, bring your own straps. 

Stuart

[Tom]

You figure it out.     Plan your route and have a good time.        I did all three before the National Rally bike drowning in MN. 

https://www.ssbadger.com/trip-planner/schedule-fares.html

https://www.lake-express.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Cassville-Car-Ferry-222503077861763/?fref=ts

[inditx]

The ferry makes the crossing once in each direction per day. From Ludington you start loading at 0800, so I spent the night there. Took in the sights. While there.

Loading was easy.  I spent 3 of the 4 hours chatting with different riders and drifted off for an hour. They serve food and drink on the ship if you want it.

It was a nice relaxing journey. I will add photos of Ludington and the ferry to my travel thread.

I second this!
inditx

[Sykestone8886]

I’m taking the badger 8/12 mi to wi, I was originally going to head west from there but now I’m going to head north to the UP and go from there , I appreciate all the suggestions!!

[yackee]

I've ridden across WI from Madison numerous times. A fun route alternative to US 94 (the limited access interstate) is US 12, which takes you through a lot of small towns. It is labelled at 94 "alt". I also really, really like the route of US 14 west of Madison, getting off in Gotham on the lower Wisconsin riverway to the river, then up to Red Wing (a really nice town, artsy, architecturally interesting, cool gift shops and bars). Lake Pepin is cool too. It's the home of Little House on the Prairie (Big House in the Woods) and of waterskiing.

If you don't get that far south, try to pick up US hwy 10, starting in Stevens Point. Or if you are staying further north, look for UW hwy 8, take it to St. Croix Falls, a charming little town on the river. The southern route, west of Madison, has amazing geography for riding, it's the "driftless" area, where the glaciers didn't carve everything flat. If I were you, I'd for sure head to the Mississippi on the southern route and return north, stopping at Chippewa Falls on the way home.

FWIW I90/94 is very fast. I've ridden it on a faired and unfaired T3 and in either case I can't wait to get off it. Lots of trucks and cars going 80mph.

[Sykestone8886]

CanBike, I’m not sure how far north I’m going, taking it day by day.