Originally Posted by Derailed

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm back from the trip, and it was awesome!

I did go all the way to Copper Harbor and very much enjoyed Brockway Mountain Drive. Unfortunately, the Jampot store was closed the day I went through. All the highways I rode in the U.P. were absolutely fine due to the wide shoulders (577, 41, 28). Traffic was light everywhere except around Houghton. The only problems I had were some nasty headwinds. I had a headwind the entire trip east before I went south to get over the Mackinaw Bridge (via a government truck).

All told, my trip was 1500 miles: I rode from South Bend, IN to Muskegon and took a ferry to Milwaukee, WI. From there I followed Lake Michigan up to the U.P.-- found I was ahead of scheduled so slowed the pace and went to check out some waterfalls. I spent five days backpacking on Isle Royale (I shipped the backpack and heavy boots). I came back down the east side of Lake Michigan.

I was very fortunate, and despite bad luck with wind had ZERO techinical problems-- no body or bike problems. Not even a flat tire, despite hundreds of miles on shoulders and some trails.

I got home yesterday (the 27th) and started on May 4th. Today is my first rest day-- I rode or backpacked every day -- 500 miles over the past five days, and am seriously enjoying some time on the couch! What a great experience!

-D

Brief bike details: Surly Cross Check with Shimano 8-speed Nexus internal hub, front generator hub and light, 700x35 Panaracer Pasela TG tires. I used a rear rack with paniers and a trunk bag and a handlebar bag. I camped almost every night, but ate out for almost all meals.