Maybe a couple of more tidbits. The investments in public infrastructure in Michigan, and likely in many other areas of the US, are inconsistent and often done reluctantly. In effect, the roads can be in bad shape, particularly towards their shoulders. With this, kevlar-lined tires are a must. During my first travel in the US with a new folder, that came with some stock Kenda tires, I had a flat nearly every day. Another issue is that of road illumination. Not just roads but even crossroads can have poor or no illumination in spite of an urban area. With this, a good bike lighting setup is a must.