Great Lakes - Gr.Lakes vacation towns for family biking?

We're looking for a new summer vacation spot to try, in a village or smallish city on the SHORE of a Great Lake (sorry, marketing folks, but the Midwest does not have a COAST!:rolleyes:) that is bike-friendly for families. Mackinac Island is just too pricey and too fudgy/touristy. Washington Island not village-y enough. Something with a sandy, warmish shoreline, quaint downtown, and bike trails would probably be perfect. Any suggestions??

Boyne City or Charlevoix, both are smaller towns with lots to do in the summer. You can check the local chamber of commerce to see what is going on before you come. There is a nice bike path along lake Michigan from Charlevoix to Bay Harbor with parks and places to stop. The path actually goes up to harbor springs but the second half is not kid friendly. you can also go up North of cross village and bike along the lake up there. There is not much traffic and the roads are nice. There are also lots of group rides of all levels for both mountain and road bikes if you want to break away from the family.

Door County in Wisconsin has some great biking and lots of coast. There are also a ton of small towns that would probably be good choices.

Just thinking out loud now ... but doesn't Door County have more of a rocky shore than sandy? They have neat towns like Ephram and Egg Harbor, but I don't know what kind of beaches they have. Certainly Peninsula State Park is a winner anytime of year. The west shore from Sheboygan north to Manitowoc, Algoma, Kewaunee has a sandy shore.

Wisconsin has an excellent state park system. Along Lake Michigan is Harrington Beach (http://www.harringtonbeach.org/) State Park.

http://www.portportal.com/park/images/parksignsmcopysmsm.jpg

"The park encompasses about 637 acres including one mile of wide, sandy beach; a scenic 25-acre quarry lake; an 80-acre white cedar lowland forest; and a 300-acre upland area affording a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and excellent bird watching opportunities. There is a one-half mile interpretive nature trail, a hiking trail around Quarry Lake a historical trail highlighting the history of the ;Stone- haven ; mining community once located in the park, and about two miles of cross-country ski trails. Quarry Lake and Pucketts Pond provide fishing opportunities for trout, smallmouth bass and pan fish. There are four picnic areas over- looking Lake Michigan and two near Quarry Lake .All of the picnic areas are equipped with tables and grills, and the South Picnic Area has an open picnic shelter and sand volleyball court."

Take a look at this (http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/findapark.html) map and click on the parks along the lake:

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/images/findapark.gif

Kohler - Andrae (http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/ka/) is cool.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/ka/images/liljim.jpg

Riding along the lake is quiet and flat. If you want more challenges, just drive west a bit to the Kettle-Moraine. Twisty, hilly, and quiet.

Sheboygan county (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=223604&highlight=sheboygan) has probably got the best roads in the state right now for road cycling and here's (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=224209)a little
photo essay I did last year there.

I'm running out of ideas. Maybe I can think of more later.

... but doesn't Door County have more of a rocky shore than sandy? They have neat towns like Ephram and Egg Harbor, but I don't know what kind of beaches they have. Certainly Peninsula State Park is a winner anytime of year.

Last time I was there we found some nice sandy beaches near the Whitefish Dunes and yes Peninsula State Park is great for biking.

Leland, MI is a quaint little town with great biking down through Sleeping Bear Dunes or north to the tip of the Leelenau Peninsula. Sutton's Bay is nice, too, and both are fairly close to Traverse City if you want to go shopping or find some nice restaurants.

Petoskey is wonderful, as well, and is right along the shorline trail that goes from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs.

Door County, WI is beautiful.

However, hands down my favorite is the Keewenaw Peninsula in the UP of Michigan. Stay in Houghton or up north in Lac Labelle or Copper Harbor and ride L. Superior shorline and explore the woods of the peninsula.

Marquette is a nice place to stay, too or you can be north in Big Bay and ride the shorline highway there.

Highway 2 on L. Michigan is beautiful as well, and you can stay places like Manistique or if you want smaller check out Naubinway.

However, to reiterate my favorite, I would look at the Leelenau Peninsula in Michigan with Sutton's Bay, Leland and even Traverse City if you like more amenities.

If your don't mind a longer drive, Bayfield, WI is EXACTLY what you described.

If your don't mind a longer drive, Bayfield, WI is EXACTLY what you described.


Hear hear...Bayfield and Ashland are be-a-utiful! I was thinking towards Duluth and had a brain fart on the Apostle Islands area.

I, myself, like L. Superior much more than any of the other Great Lakes, but I know that the towns along it are less than, well, accomodating at times (read: harsh UP culture and a lack of amenities). However, the Bayfield and Ashland crowd are very nice people and the amenities are excellent. I've heard riding around on Madeline Island is quite enjoyable as well.

Hey guys, THANK YOU for the great suggestions! Lots of suggestions for stuff on Lake Superior. I'm a little confused because growing up in the LP I was always under the impression that the only swimming you would want to do in Superior is if you fell in. I've heard avg temp numbers like 38 degrees. Yikes. But I heard on NPR recently that temps are going up inexplicably in places, I think they quoted 70+ degrees, which would be fine. I know this is a bit OT but good biking and swimming both need to be in the vacation package.

I agree 100% on Leelanau as a great bicycle vacation spot. Wineries, beautiful beaches, lighthouses, Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Hey, if it is good enough for the pro riders it should be good enough for us. :)

http://www.tourdeleelanau.com/default.php

Nobody mentioned Kelly's Island, Put-In-Bay in Lake Erie.


http://www.kelleysisland.com/information/what_to_do_on_the_island.html

http://www.put-in-bay.com/

Mackinaw Island sucks for sure. But, nearby Wilderness State Park is among the best the Lower Peninsula of Michigan has to offer. Really a pretty area, and lots of beaches. And these days with everyone in the state selling their up north cabins, it's not very crowded at all.

Maybe I have thick skin but I've never had a problem swimming in L. Superior. when they say average temps are 38 degrees is that a year round average? I ask because there's a solid 8 month winter up there, but when the heat hits in mid June it is REALLY nice to get into L. Superior and soak. And, as the summer wears on it just gets warmer. August is the hottest and it's like a bath tub!

However, my wife thinks it's a bit too cold for her, except on the warmest days with the warmest currents. I, on the other hand, used to go out twice a day for a half hour to hour and a half long soak...take the Castille soap and tread water and enjoy!

I also think Superior is the nicest lake for swimming. L. Michigan is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but it has the algae bloom and more little dead fish on the bech. L. Superior is crystal clear, no algae, no fishies...just amazing clear water, so clear you'd think you were in heaven, and wonderful rock outcroppings and beaches.

Enjoy!

Hey guys, THANK YOU for the great suggestions! Lots of suggestions for stuff on Lake Superior. I'm a little confused because growing up in the LP I was always under the impression that the only swimming you would want to do in Superior is if you fell in. I've heard avg temp numbers like 38 degrees. Yikes. But I heard on NPR recently that temps are going up inexplicably in places, I think they quoted 70+ degrees, which would be fine. I know this is a bit OT but good biking and swimming both need to be in the vacation package.

Kids swim in Superior all the time. People in Marquette surf and wind surf. If there's a wind from the north, it blows the warmer surface water close to shore and swimming is great. Consider the hundreds of inland lakes for swimming if the big lake is too cold for you.

The Superior beaches between Munising and Paradise are some of the nicest anywhere. Pictured Rocks is very beautiful. Muskellonge Lake S.P. has access to a sandy beach that's many miles long.

All in all, I think Munising might be a perfect town for your family vacation. They even have several waterfalls within the city limits. Grand Island is great for hiking too.

See this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=316214) too.

I like the East side of Lake Michigan. Lots of bike trails (old rail-trails) up and down that area. Muskegon-ish area in Michigan. Beautiful.

Gary Indiana, inexpensive, and filled with excitement. FTW.

Gary Indiana, inexpensive, and filled with excitement. FTW.

Yikes!

Kids swim in Superior all the time. People in Marquette surf and wind surf. If there's a wind from the north, it blows the warmer surface water close to shore and swimming is great. Consider the hundreds of inland lakes for swimming if the big lake is too cold for you.

The Superior beaches between Munising and Paradise are some of the nicest anywhere. Pictured Rocks is very beautiful. Muskellonge Lake S.P. has access to a sandy beach that's many miles long.

All in all, I think Munising might be a perfect town for your family vacation. They even have several waterfalls within the city limits. Grand Island is great for hiking too.

See this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=316214) too.


Used to vacation in AuTrain Lake area. The only swimming in L. Superior was at the spot where the Au Train River flowed into Superior. You would be nice and fine in water about 75 degrees and take two steps in the wrong direction, and damn. You thought you stepped into an iceberg!

Since I own a home here, I'll throw in for my place -- Door County. Stay in Sturgeon Bay and ride out along County B up to Egg Harbor, a fantastic ride, or stay in Egg and ride down to Sturgeon Bay and back on same road. A good LBS in Sturgeon Bay where I get my tuneups. Area out by Whitefish Dunes is awesome for riding, Jacksonport, Bailey's Harbor, the "quiet" side along Lake Michigan gets my vote. I can ride from my house near Sturgeon up to Egg and over to Bailey's Harbor, cut up to Ellison Bay, Gills Rock, come back down to Whitefish Dunes, etc., head home and easily get 100 miles if I want with almost no traffic on some great side roads even in the high tourist season.

Right now, avoid Ephraim and Fish Creek, Sister Bay, like the plague. Don't get me wrong, they're very cute towns, but they are also packed with cars and people from Illinois at the moment, some of whom need to take a chill pill or two and remember that they're on vacation and not back in Naperville, so the riding there isn't the best, but if you must go there, there's a good LBS in Fish Creek. Fall is great in those towns, though, and I'll hit 'em when everyone clears out.

I do look forward to that day of quiet after Labor Day. :rolleyes:

Since I own a home here, I'll throw in for my place -- Door County. Stay in Sturgeon Bay and ride out along County B up to Egg Harbor, a fantastic ride ...

Thanks for the suggestions - very timely since I've never been to Door County and I'm about to spend a week in Sturgeon Bay. Been eyeing the county bike map (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/bike-foot/docs/bikedoor.pdf), looking forward to biking County T up the lake side and County B up the bay side.

Went to Elk Rapids MI last year and loved it. I wish I had rode when I was up there. Light traffic, awesome scenery and good roads. North of Traverse about 20 miles. The Traverse bay peninsula would be awesome for a ride too. Orchards and vineyards galore.

Although I live in San Diego, I "lurk" on this site because I am from St. Joseph, Michigan. This town in extreme southwest Michigan is a great area to bicycle. It is located on Lake Michigan with miles of sandy beaches. There are miles and miles of good road biking on farm country roads with few vehicles. It is also fairly flat if that is what you are looking for. Downtown St. Joseph has turned into a tourist town, with a number of good restaurants and cafes. It also has an excellent small Children's Museum. Someone has put together suggested bike routes. The biycycle store in St. Joseph on Niles Ave. should carry it. You can also get a detailed map of the entire county from the Berrien County Chamber of Commerce. I return every summer for a week simply to bicycle and visit friends.

Hope this post isn't too late.

San Diego Cyclist

It doesn't get any better than m-119, the "Tunnel of Trees", which runs between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. A 20 mile stretch of road that winds along Lake Michigan. The road is lined with trees that curve upward to form a canopy. One of AAA's ten most beautiful scenic drives.

http://www.mackinawcity.com/west-coast-77/

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=BGM011-017

It doesn't get any better than m-119, the "Tunnel of Trees", which runs between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. A 20 mile stretch of road that winds along Lake Michigan. The road is lined with trees that curve upward to form a canopy. One of AAA's ten most beautiful scenic drives.

http://www.mackinawcity.com/west-coast-77/

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=BGM011-017

That is one of the most scenic roads in the whole world, but damn if I would ever ride it on a bike.

My 86 year old great uncle drives that stretch of road at least two times a day from Good Hart to HarborSprings, and his Crown Victoria and he is not taking any prisoners. :eek:

It doesn't get any better than m-119, the "Tunnel of Trees", which runs between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. A 20 mile stretch of road that winds along Lake Michigan. The road is lined with trees that curve upward to form a canopy. One of AAA's ten most beautiful scenic drives.

http://www.mackinawcity.com/west-coast-77/

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=BGM011-017



That is one of the most scenic roads in the whole world, but damn if I would ever ride it on a bike.

My 86 year old great uncle drives that stretch of road at least two times a day from Good Hart to HarborSprings, and his Crown Victoria and he is not taking any prisoners. :eek:

I agree, There is a fast ride early sunday morning that we do when the taffic is light. However we are all good riders and I would never take my kids on that road. In my earlier post I mentioned north of cross village this is m-119 but after most of the traffic takes a cutoff. Still very beautifull roads but much safer.

If you do come up here and can ditch the kids and ride fast sunday morning is a great ride. double paceline around 20-21 on the way out. Then see who you can spit out the back and drop on the way back. 25-28 depending on who shows.

I too will vote for anywhere in the Traverse City, Elk Rapids area or for a shorter drive maybe Saugatuck or Grand Haven. The later of the two are definite money savers over TC. Just my $00.02

-Joseph