Touring - CLE to CHI Route Planning

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freefallkev
06-13-10, 05:19 PM
So, I'm planning a trip from Cleveland to Chicago but I'm having a hard time panning the route. Digital means like google maps and mapmyride give crap directions, and every atlas in the book store has too little detail. Is there a better option? And has anyone gone this way before?
Thanks!
valygrl
06-13-10, 09:46 PM
If you aren't trying for a direct route, you could try the Northern Tier
http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/northerntier.cfm
gitarzan
06-13-10, 09:54 PM
Lincoln highway?
freefallkev
06-14-10, 04:40 PM
Since I'm somewhat averse to turns, I think I'm going to go on US Rt. 6 the whole way. Anyone see a significant downside to this?
whatsmyname
06-14-10, 11:28 PM
Isn't that taking a fairly busy ugly road the whole way when you could take much quieter parallel country roads for most of the way? That sounds like a trip that would be worth carefully plotting a better route.
Or follow the Northern Tier and take a train north to Chicago from Rensslaear for the last bit?
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=am2Station&pagename=am/am2Station/Station_Page&cid=1229726267953
freefallkev
06-15-10, 05:52 AM
Thank you for your input. When you say "ugly road" are you referring to the condition or something else? I've found US Highways to be pretty well maintained. Quiet country roads are nice for a while, but they soon grow boring. Again, I've found US Routes to be a good mix of rural/suburban/urban landscape, enough to keep a trip interesting. I'm not familiar with this "Northern Tier" that's been mentioned, but as best I can tell from the description it's just a route someone made up, no? The description of the route suggests that it focuses on deserted country roads of dubious quality. I'm not that great at navigating - knowing that I only have to remember the number "6" the whole time would simplify travel greatly :)
Thanks again for your opinions, it's given me some things to consider.
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