Great Lakes - Metro Detroit road ride? Where to go!

Hey all, so my cyclenut brother is coming into town this weekend from Seattle and he was looking for a decent road ride (40-60miles) somewhere around Metro-Detroit.

My usual answer is Stony Creek which isn't too bad, but considering tomorrow is the fourth it might be a wee-bit packed.

Thoughts on another sub-30 minute drive to a semi-natural environment?

My friend suggested Kensington. Any insight?

Here's a fun Saturday ride...not too far and a perfect 42 miles. Lots of cool local color and an island ride!
Start: Algonquin Middle School, 9185 Marsh Road, Algonac, MI 48001, 8am, Saturday July 5
Distance: 23, 42
The Algonac Lions Club is pleased to announce the first annual Algonac Pickerel Tournament Bike Tour. It is to be held Saturday, July 5 with checking starting at 8 am at Algonquin Middle School, 9185 Marsh Road, Algonac, MI 48001. There will be two routes of 23 and 42 miles that will tour southern St Clair County and Harsens Island. Both routes include a lunch stop at the Old Club turnaround on Harsens Island. Proceeds from the ride will go towards the Algonac Pool Access Fund which will make the pool ADA compliant and accessible to all persons with disabilities.

The Macomb Orchard Trail and connecting trails provide miles of fun riding...
But like you said, it might be a little crowded with the Holiday weekend...
Pedestrians, dog walkers, family biking trips, picnics, etc...

And you know with gas prices the majority of the people are staying home...
So no matter where you go it will most likely be jammed...

Here is a regional map of the trails:
http://www.macomborchardtrail.com/regional_map.htm

Have fun :)

Hey all, so my cyclenut brother is coming into town this weekend from Seattle and he was looking for a decent road ride (40-60miles) somewhere around Metro-Detroit.

My usual answer is Stony Creek which isn't too bad, but considering tomorrow is the fourth it might be a wee-bit packed.

Thoughts on another sub-30 minute drive to a semi-natural environment?

On the 4th or any day this weekend any of the Metroparks are probably packed - as they should be!

Look on Map My Ride, and if you're near Ann Arbor, the AABTS Website (Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society). There are some Ann Arbor and west side routes on there, not all of them long and tough.

Road Fan

I'll second the Algonac suggestion. Nice location along the St. Clair River, and a ferry ride across to Harsen's Island. Very scenic, but then again anyone from Seattle is used to being around a lot of water. :)