Safe route from Chicago to Michigan?

[Matt J]

Hello - I'm considering doing a small tour from a Chicago suburb (northern) to Western Michigan this
summer. It shouldn't be too hard once we're in Michigan, but does anyone have a suggestion as to how
to get around Chicago/Gary? Also, are there places to camp around here? I'm sure people have done
this before. Thanks! Matt

 

[Joel Roth]

I regularly ride the 'Tour-de-Gary' from Chicago to Gary and back.

Follow the Chicago lakefront path all the way south. Ride on 41 (South Shore Drive) when the path
ends. Continueon 41 under the Skyway to US12 (Also called Indianapolis Blvd.). Ride 12 all the way
into Gary. You can probably continue on US 12 to Mich, though I haven't ridden that far.

Good luck.

Joel

Matt J wrote:

>Hello - I'm considering doing a small tour from a Chicago suburb (northern) to Western Michigan
>this summer. It shouldn't be too hard once we're in Michigan, but does anyone have a suggestion as
>to how to get around Chicago/Gary? Also, are there places to camp around here? I'm sure people have
>done this before. Thanks! Matt

 

[Graham Harrison]

I assume you've already been North enough times that you've rejected http://www.ssbadger.com/

--
*****
*****The "return to" address embedded in this mail is wrong as an antispam measure. Please address
new mails or replies to edward<dot>harrison1<at>btinternet<dot>com replacing <dot> with a . and <at>
with an @*****
*****

 

[Matt J]

Graham Harrison wrote:
> I assume you've already been North enough times that you've rejected http://www.ssbadger.com/

Yeah, I initially wanted to ride all the way there, but my it was pointed out that your suggestoin
might be prettier and easier anyway - it's looking like we'll do that (though that ferry is
expensive!) Thanks Matt

 

[Mike Kruger]

"joel roth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I regularly ride the 'Tour-de-Gary' from Chicago to Gary and back.
>
> Follow the Chicago lakefront path all the way south. Ride on 41 (South Shore Drive) when the path
> ends. Continueon 41 under the Skyway to US12 (Also called Indianapolis Blvd.). Ride 12 all the way
> into Gary. You can probably continue on US 12 to Mich, though I haven't ridden that far.
>
Yes, you can continue on US 12 to New Buffalo; from there, US 12 turns east, but the Red Arrow
Highway continues straight to St. Joseph. At St. Joseph, one could catch the Blue Star Highway
(paralleling, and largely west of US
31) to go up as far as Saugatuck (at least).

There are some parallel routes possible through Beverly Shores, IN, and along "Lakeshore Drive" in
Michigan, but that's a lot of typing; the OP can contact me if he really wants details. Even better,
there are county levels maps of Michigan available from the state, or the Universal Map Co's
Southwest Michigan map.

From about Grand Haven on north, there's a route from the League of Michigan bicyclists available
(you can get maps on their website; I believe it is the shoreline route).

If the OP can be a little more specific than "western Michigan" I might be able to help a little, as
I just finished a trip from Kalamazoo to Boyne City and back to Chicago.