I’m considering riding this weekend from the Plymouth/Ann Arbor area to my in-law’s home north of Kalamazoo (near 131 and D Avenue). Any suggestions on the most direct (and safest) bicycling routes would be greatly appreciated. Suggestions on roads to avoid would be equally appreciated.
Thanks,
Michael Bey
For God’s sake, don’t take I-94, whatever you do…
Just kidding. Direct route? I’d suggest taking Jackson rd./Old US-12 to Jackson. I can’t help you after that; everything NW of Jackson is michigana incognita to me. IMHO the roads south of I-94 are far quieter than the roads north of it.
I think my good twin will ring in on this sooner or later.
Although…Now that I have a better idea where your going to, You might consider following the “Helluva Ride” route to Stockbridge (intersection M-106 & M-52), the route should still be marked, and go due west from there. The roads (Fitchburg, etc.) are pretty quiet around the Leslie/Onondaga/Olivet area IIRC.
Agree totally with MET. From A2 take Huron River Drive to Dexter then Dexter-Chelsea Rd to Chelsea. Then M-52 through Stockbridge to M-36 West. This will take you through Dansville into Mason.
Thats as far as I can take ya, but from Stockbridge on it is all farm country and my favorite spot to ride (not much traffic).
My Grandparents live in Gobles (just past Kzoo) and I have been planning to do something similar. Good Luck and let us know how it goes and what roads you take. My guess is from A2 you are looking at about 130 miles.
Kinda bittersweet, talking about a ride like this. I thought about riding from my place in NW Ohio to my childhood home in Lansing, but I didn’t know the roads around AA well enough to give it a go.
I know the roads now, but sadly (ok, not really) I have no place to stay overnight in Lansing anymore.
I’m not familiar with too much after Jackson.
Sorry.
There is some software called “streets” I think, that shows all the roads and you can map out routes and it will figure mileage. I have it at home and will bring it to work tommorrow and give you some more info.
Agree totally with MET. From A2 take Huron River Drive to Dexter then Dexter-Chelsea Rd to Chelsea. Then M-52 through Stockbridge to M-36 West. This will take you through Dansville into Mason.
Thats as far as I can take ya, but from Stockbridge on it is all farm country and my favorite spot to ride (not much traffic).
My Grandparents live in Gobles (just past Kzoo) and I have been planning to do something similar. Good Luck and let us know how it goes and what roads you take. My guess is from A2 you are looking at about 130 miles.
Jeff:
Thanks for the suggestions. Is there a specific reason why you would not head directly west from Stockbridge towards Leslie/Onondaga/Olivet (as suggested by MET), or are you just more familiar with your proposed route? Your route seems to head a little farther north than I need to be.
Assuming I do this ride I’ll be leaving from Plymouth, so that will add another 10-15 miles. Whew…140-150 miles? Maybe I better rethink this…
Yep just more familar with that route. If it takes you to far North then ignore it. Take M52 toward Stockbridge then M106 west and then N. Territorial comes off of 106 before 106 heads south. I will try and look tonight a little more in depth and get back with you.
To bad you are not doing it in a couple of weeks. I would join you:)