riding around the leelanau?

[3d]

looking to do this route sometime later this summer, just wondering if anyone has any experiences to share

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source= ... 94763&z=10

[kalkaskawinterfest]

Pick yourself up a Cherry Capital Cycling Club map it will have a number of routes in it. Its been a couple of years but just north of the Home Stead in Glenn Arbor 22 can get bad but most of the roads out there are very nice riding.

[3d]

didn't see any maps on their site, i might looking in the wrong place perhaps.

get bad how? traffic-y? I've driven up as far as sutton's bay on the east side and there seems to be ample shooulder up to that point at least

[jalopy jockey]

didn't see any maps on their site, i might looking in the wrong place perhaps.

get bad how? traffic-y? I've driven up as far as sutton's bay on the east side and there seems to be ample shooulder up to that point at least

It's a buy at an LBS or through the website. Real nice map though.

I got mine in Charleviox but I've seen them at many other LBS in the area.

[mtnbikinbryno]

Whoa, that's a long ride with some big climbs. Are you going to do it all in one day?

Those are the busiest roads around, but I'm sure you realize that. I'm assuming you have a road bike, but if you have a cross bike, there is the TART Trail between Suttons Bay and Traverse City if you wanted to get away from the busy roads for a stretch. There's about a 5 mile section of gravel two track in the middle, though. There are great roads all the way through Leelanau if you could find a route to parallel the state highways.

Out and backs on Olde Mission are pretty popular, too.

Here's the CCCC map. http://www.cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org ... e_id=94445

[Boyneboy]

Yes get the map and avoid 72 and 22 when possible. The map will show you all the good bike roads and you can pick a similar route without fighting for pavement with the uptight tourist that will be driving those roads.

[3d]

Whoa, that's a long ride with some big climbs. Are you going to do it all in one day?

Those are the busiest roads around, but I'm sure you realize that. I'm assuming you have a road bike, but if you have a cross bike, there is the TART Trail between Suttons Bay and Traverse City if you wanted to get away from the busy roads for a stretch. There's about a 5 mile section of gravel two track in the middle, though. There are great roads all the way through Leelanau if you could find a route to parallel the state highways.

Out and backs on Olde Mission are pretty popular, too.

Here's the CCCC map. http://www.cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org ... e_id=94445

maybe not then?

I'm sure they are busy roads, but we are generally not phased by that so long as there is ample shoulder, but then again, getting off the beaten path a little would be more fun.

thanks for the link on the map too, unfortunatley there is an error with whatever form it links to, but i'll send em and email or something.

[SteveF]

We did a good bit of that loop last week--the shoulder is a bit rough and narrow in spots and I'd have just as soon been a bit inland but we survived...go up to the Lighthouse if you have the time and legs--it's a fun out and back.

Definitely get the map--there are a lot of nice quiet country road options in there that would suit a bike ride better. I might still have my ride sheets somewhere from the tour but I don't know where I put them.

[mtnbikinbryno]

We drove out M-72 yesterday, and I paid attention to the shoulder. Some of it is really nice, but there are a lot of spots as Steve mentioned that are pretty crappy. I'd avoid it if I were you until the entire thing is repaved and shoulders added, and then it would be a pretty awesome ride.

[Purple is a Fruit]

I've done that route several times and am originally from that area. 22 from TC to SB is very busy, but as you know it has a wide enough shoulder and great views of the bay. Once you get about 4 miles north of SB (and the casino) traffic winds down to a better level. Flat/rolling hills all the way to Northport. The 8 mile out & back to the lighthouse is good and I think they had the roads recently repaved north of Northport. The route from Northport to Leland has narrow shoulders, but again isn't too heavily traveled compared to 22 south of Suttons Bay. South of Leland, the road winds around a bit but is again a nice rolling hill jaunt to Glen Arbor. From Glen Arbor, you can either stick to 22 or take DH Day road out past the DH Day farm and the dunes before dropping back onto 22 again for the climb away from Glen Lake and then the descent back to Empire. 72 from Empire to TC is my least favorite section. Though it is the most hilly of the route, there is a lot of traffic. For the most part, though the shoulder should keep you fairly safe. Not too many "rest stops" between TC and Empire, so make sure you've got your fluid levels topped off if it's a hot day.

There are all sorts of alternative roads that you could use that could use (CR 633 from TC to Northport, 22 south to Glen Arbor, cut from Glen Arbor to Maple City and Cedar and follow CR 614 back into TC) but if you are going to be going on a weekday and traffic doesn't bother you too much... then go for it!

[3d]

thanks for all of the tips and observations about the route folks, especially your highly detailed tips ^ purple

this trip, if it even gets off the ground, probably won't take place until august so there is still plenty of time to plan routes and such, in concert with all of your advice, a and in lieu of having on of those cherry capitol maps, I've been scoping out some alternatives on mapmyride.com too.

[SteveF]

When you get to Empire, you should take 22 far enough south to descend Wilco into town. It's a blast!