Anyone know these OH/MI roads?

[Lannis]

So I'm trying to put a route together from Virginia up to Grayling, MI as part of a ride to the West; this is all going to be non-Interstate.

Got most of it from Central Virginia up to McComb, Ohio, coming into McComb on OH-235.

From there, just based on the map, I'd planned:

County road 613 W to OH 109 N.

Cross the river on either US 6 or OH 109.   Cross the state line into MI where OH 109 becomes MI 52 to Unadilla, then Williamsville on 106 W, where I pick up the Dexter Trail and then north.

Anyone know OH 109/MI 52?    I'm OK with long straight two-lane roads in the Midwest, but hard to tell whether it's some alternate Truck Route or otherwise a bad idea.   We'll wait for the twisties when we get to Wyoming ... !

Lannis

[John Ulrich]

So I'm trying to put a route together from Virginia up to Grayling, MI as part of a ride to the West; this is all going to be non-Interstate.

If you are going over the Mackinaw Bridge, swing west to Lake Michigan and take the Tunnel of Trees and visit Leggs Inn at the north end.  You are 30 minutes from the bridge at that point.  Take a ferry to Mackinac Island for a tour, spend the night at Mackinaw City.

https://mynorth.com/2016/05/m-119s-tunnel-of-trees/

https://www.mackinacisland.org/

[Chuck in Indiana]

West shore of Michigan..
1-014 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
1-023 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

[Lannis]

If you are going over the Mackinaw Bridge, swing west to Lake Michigan and take the Tunnel of Trees and visit Leggs Inn at the north end.  You are 30 minutes from the bridge at that point.  Take a ferry to Mackinac Island for a tour, spend the night at Mackinaw City.

https://mynorth.com/2016/05/m-119s-tunnel-of-trees/

https://www.mackinacisland.org/

Yep, that was already the plan, what you've got there ... haven't mapped out the specific roads or days, but will probably just happen to be staying on the South side of the bridge, so that if the weather is horrible and windy, we'll tour around before crossing and maybe wait for a break ....

Lannis

[Madtownguzzi]

If you do not want to deal with the Mackinaw Bridge and ride threw Chicago there are the two ferries that cross Lake Michigan.

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

[Lannis]

If you do not want to deal with the Mackinaw Bridge and ride threw Chicago there are the two ferries that cross Lake Michigan.

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

The Bridge doesn't sound like fun on a blustery day, but on the other hand I don't see a news article every month about a bike going over the side, so it must not be too bad.   Besides, part of the country we want to see is the Upper Peninsula, riding along a lake shore and some of the scenic spots .... But I'll check out the Ferries as a fall-back position ....

Lannis

[Texas Turnip]

Ditto on the trail of the trees.

I've been over the Mack 3 times. Two times there was construction and I got to ride on the grated section. A little exciting, but don't look down.

Tex

[Lannis]

Ditto on the trail of the trees.

I've been over the Mack 3 times. Two times there was construction and I got to ride on the grated section. A little exciting, but don't look down.

Tex

 

I won't!

The OH 109/MI 52 section that I was asking about is the only one that's not part of someone else's "Scenic Ride" or "Good Motorcycle Roads" writeup, and that gets us to Grayling, which is the home of the Kirkland's Warbler.    It only lives in one pine forest up there, and Fay really wants to see one, and I figure that if we can ride 400 miles round trip for lunch, we can ride 1000 miles out of our usual way to see a Kirkland's Warbler.

Once I try to map us up to the U.P., then across Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and up into Montana, I'll have a few more questions of "What about THIS road?" .... !!

Lannis

[PeteS]

Can't help with the roads mentioned but we did take US 2 across the top of Michigan, to Norway, MI then US 8 across Wisconsin aiming for Minneapolis to US212. Virtually all two lane except interstate to get through Minneapolis. 212 is as good as any interstate for the speeds you can maintain without the traffic. Between Watertown, SD and Belle Fourche there is one, count 'em, stop light.
As for the Mack bridge I have done it on my Norton, Beemer airhead, EV, and Goldwing. With modern tires even if you are forced to take the grates its not bad.

Pete

[pmillar]

So M52 in the Chelsea area (west of Ann Arbor) isn't bad, although there are nicer roads in the vicinity (if you're just out tiding and not trying to get anywhere).  Once you get to Stockbridge, is changes from sweeping curves with minimal elevation changes to pretty straight country roads as you head north. I get pretty clueless regarding back roads north of I-96 since I generally hop on fwys to get up north as quickly as possible. My brother lives in Grayling and rides down to Chelsea (M52 is Main St. in Chelsea) so I'll see if he has any suggestions. One thing I can say though, is try to stay off of I-75 at least until you're past Bay City.

As others have mentioned the west side of the state is very pretty heading up along Lake Michigan. I'm particularly fond of the Traverse City area (west of Grayling) but there's no shortage of nice roads and sights up there and on into the U.P. Sounds like you have the makings of a great trip.

[vhntr1]

The roads you mentioned in Ohio are good roads not much traffic,they are located close to wear I live.
Save travels

[ChuckH]

The Bridge doesn't sound like fun on a blustery day, but on the other hand I don't see a news article every month about a bike going over the side, so it must not be too bad.   Besides, part of the country we want to see is the Upper Peninsula, riding along a lake shore and some of the scenic spots .... But I'll check out the Ferries as a fall-back position ....Lannis 

No, The Bridge is "Fun" on a blustery day, particularly when it's raining.  And don't worry about falling over the side, you'll probably have to ride the grates because they're generally doing work on the sides of The Bridge and the outside lanes (the ones that are paved) are closed.  The nice thing about riding the grates is you can see the water if you look down. 

Hwy 58 from Grand Marais, MI to Munising had been freshly paved the last time I was up in that area and it was a very nice ride along The Lake. 

Have fun.  The UP is one of my favorite places to ride -- good roads, nice people, low traffic density -- what's not to like.  And get yourselves a Yooper Seven Course Meal -- A pasty and a six-pack -- while you're there.

Ride safe.

   

[cookiemech]

OH 109 and M-52 aren't bad. My wife leaves the Ohio Turnpike at the exit for OH 109 and takes M-52 up through Adrian every month on her way to her dad's house. Adrian is a college town and probably the biggest town on M-52 until M-52 ends in Saginaw. I have ridden the length of M-52 (in 2010, on my way back from the U. P.) and it's pleasant and unremarkable.

Looks to me as though OH 109 starts around Ottawa, OH. I recall riding up to Michigan some years ago from Lima, OH, on my way from a BMW rally and picking up OH 109 from OH 65. Since I remember nothing about that ride, it must not have been unpleasant in any way.

Best I can do . . .

[ohiorider]

If you end up in or near Traverse City, and have time to throw in an extra day, you might want to continue north to Northport MI.  Touristy in a nice way, and I've enjoyed riding in the Leelanau Peninsula.  Nice country.  You'll have to backtrack to reach Big Mac and the UP.  Sleeping Bear Dunes is scenic and there's some overlooks that show off the beauty of Lake Michigan's shoreline in this area.

[kirb]

I live in Muskegon, MI, grew up in Hurley, WI, went to college in Houghton, MI and ride the area all the time.

Coming from the SE corner is the most difficult way to see anything good in MI. M52 is about as good as your are going to get from that area.
Here are some highlights-
M22 from Manistee to (Beulah for cherry pie) to Northport (go downtown and marina). We ride this a few times a year. Great views, great road, not fast paced. Work you way up to Petoskey after Northport
M119 from Petoskey to Mackinaw bridge. Leggs Inn in Cross Village is a cool food stop with a great lake view.

The Mackinaw bridge is easy-peasy to cross on a bike. I have done it dozens of times. Stay in the right lane if you don't like open grating (center lanes only have grating mid-span). Cross winds can be stiff, but they won't let trucks cross if too high. Lots of updates on highway displays. This crossing isn't even on my radar as a worry...the deer in the U.P. are.

I prefer taking US2 across to Engadine, 117 up to M28, then take M28 across to 41. I would highly suggest riding up to Copper Harbor if you have time.
Copper Harbor, Brockway mountain, take 41 up if you are going there and back or try to go through Eagle River/Harbor, lake run through Gay if you have time. Houghton or Marquette are good places to stay/eat. Sand Hills lighthouse/B&B if you want to experience something totally different.

Work your way back to US 2 as you cross into WI. You will pass through my hometown of Hurley, WI.

Hit me up with expected stops and I can give you meal suggestions.

 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yooper Seven Course Meal -- A pasty and a six-pack

Yep. 

You have 3 choices. The ferry, the UP eh?, and around Superior through Canada. All are good..

[kirb]

Yep.  You have 3 choices. The ferry, the UP eh?, and around Superior through Canada. All are good..

The Canada run is nice as I've done that loop a few times. There isn't much up that way, but worth doing at least once in your life. Fuel stops are best planned, but the scenery is as good in the U.P. as Canada.  It's not the end of earth, but you can see it from there.

[BMCMOTO]

Lannis, Dexter Trail peters just east Mason MI, good place to stop for lunch. What is your routing from there?  I am 10 miles or so North of Mason in East Lansing and would be willing to meet up in Mason or anywhere else close by. You could even stop by the house.  I might be able to persuade SWMBO to fix us all lunch, it's also just a short hop to excellent food.  It is a college town after all with excellent ethnic food all over.

Brian

[Chuck in Indiana]

The Canada run is nice as I've done that loop a few times. There isn't much up that way, but worth doing at least once in your life. Fuel stops are best planned, but the scenery is as good in the U.P. as Canada.  It's not the end of earth, but you can see it from there.

I've done it several times. Lots of rocks, lakes, and trees. I *like* that sort of thing..

[kirb]

I've done it several times. Lots of rocks, lakes, and trees. I *like* that sort of thing..

Wife: "I saw a moose back there"
Me: "Was it a cow?"
Wife: "No, pretty sure it was a moose"

[Lannis]

Lannis, Dexter Trail peters just east Mason MI, good place to stop for lunch. What is your routing from there?  I am 10 miles or so North of Mason in East Lansing and would be willing to meet up in Mason or anywhere else close by. You could even stop by the house.  I might be able to persuade SWMBO to fix us all lunch, it's also just a short hop to excellent food.  It is a college town after all with excellent ethnic food all over.

Brian

Well, here is my plan, just derived from a map and aerial pictures to get an idea of "density".

Go south of Mason proper on E Kipp Rd, S Edge Rd, W Columbia Rd, then jog south a bit on N Canal Rd, then Island Highway to M-100 north through Potterville, through Grand Ledge and north on M-543 Wright Road, through Fowler, then keep following 543 on Stone Rd, Waucosta Rd, through Middleton on S Ely Highway and then N. Luce where they join, then where N. Luce hits Lincoln Rd go left (west) then north on Lumberjack Rd., continue north where it changes to Greene Road at the county line, continue as it bends right to Ward Road then left onto S Whiteville Rd ...

Then Whiteville road bends right (E) and becomes E Broomfield Rd, then L (North) onto Lincoln Rd, then Right on East River Rd skirting Mt. Pleasant to the north, then left on Mission Rd (Old 27) through Rosebush, then through Clare on old 27 and keep going north where it's Clare Ave, stay on old 27 to Higgins Lake, then NE on 93 to Hartwick Pines State Forest where lives the rare and elusive Kirkland's Warbler.

As a wise man (?) once said "Everybody's got a plan until they get punched in the mouth".    We might get punched somewhere en route, and this route won't mean anything anyway to anyone except a native that knows the roads, but if it goes near you anywhere, we'll certainly plan to get together if we can ... ?

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

Sounds like a plan.

As a wise man (?) once said "Everybody's got a plan until they get punched in the mouth".

Absolutely..

[i HONK]

I live just off of M-22 near Honor & Little Platte Lake and strongly recommend M-22 out of Manistee to North Port. From there through Traverse City and up to the Bridge via US 31 to M-119 take your time and enjoy a beautiful ride.
If you need a bed or tools I have both.
Randy

[LeRoy]

Lannis, unless I wasn't paying attention, you didn't mention the approximate time frame of your travels. If you can narrow it down a bit then we can probably suggest a few more specific points of interest or things to do (or avoid) based on the calendar. Happy trails.

[Lannis]

Lannis, unless I wasn't paying attention, you didn't mention the approximate time frame of your travels. If you can narrow it down a bit then we can probably suggest a few more specific points of interest or things to do (or avoid) based on the calendar. Happy trails.

Not precisely sure yet, but we'll probably take off from here in Virginia around September 10th, plan on about 3 days to Grayling, then head north and west, our next goal being the Grant-Kohrs Ranch national park in Deer Lodge, Montana where my cousin is the superintendent, and stay there a few days (haven't mapped out the path across Wisconsin and Minnesota yet), then head south through Utah and see the sights, then meander back East some way, haven't figured that out yet.

But I'll be asking!   Lots of good info here already.

I know that some high passes will already be getting snow accumulation in late September, but we'll have to play that by ear.    Our plan would be to be home by the first week of October, so we'll be out for a month or so.    Being retired, it doesn't matter except to Jack our dog, but he has like the best boarding kennel in the world, where he's like one of the family, so he'll be OK.

As far as roads, we're just going to stay off of Interstates.   We both like "just seeing the countryside" in places we've never been, we don't need spectacular winding Dragons and Snakes ... just normal life, meeting regular people in diners and courthouse squares.   Never have ridden in Michigan or any points west except in Colorado when I was working there in 2013, so it'll all be motorcycle-new to us.  We WILL be paying attention to scenic roads in the Rockies that I've always heard about, Chief Joseph's and Bear's Teeth and Roads to the Sun and such, my map hasn't reached there yet ... !

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

Never have ridden in Michigan or any points west

Oh, man.. you guys have some things to do, places to see..

[Lannis]

Oh, man.. you guys have some things to do, places to see..

I know.   Close to half a million miles of riding in my life, and all but about 8,000 of it east of the Mississippi ....

Time to "break Western" while we're still young and energetic (relatively)!

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

Just trying out my new skilz at posting from Goggle images..

[PJPR01]

Not precisely sure yet, but we'll probably take off from here in Virginia around September 10th, plan on about 3 days to Grayling, then head north and west, our next goal being the Grant-Kohrs Ranch national park in Deer Lodge, Montana
Lannis

Lannis...another suggestion for you to wander just a wee bit farther west from Grant-Kohrs and you won't be disappointed.  You'd only be about 90 miles away from Lolo Pass just SW of Missoula.  That begins an absolutely fantastic road along the Clearwater river following the Lewis & Clark expedition out to Idaho, maybe as far as Kooskia or Orofino along highway 12 and then turn around and do it again.   Honestly, one of the most beautiful rides...you could go out and even come back on the same road before heading back to Red Lodge and doing the Beartooth into Yellowstone or heading up to Glacier to do the Going to the Sun road...

[BMCMOTO]

Well, Michigan and really all the northwesterly states from MI can have wildly variable weather in Sept..  Insanely hot to very wet and cold, earlier in Sept. the better. Probably worse in MI because of the lake and easterly winds.  I've had both my best and worst trips in MI during Sept. I can't promise great weather but I will promise interesting! I'll pm you contact info.

Brian