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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on May 12, 2013 at 1:26pm

I am in the same situation. So many brewpubs, why is it so hard to get there?

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Permalink Reply by Jared on May 12, 2013 at 3:47pm

I think I've seen someone put a bike on Megabus once, but I don't think they are officially allowed, so I wouldn't count on it.

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Permalink Reply by Jared on May 12, 2013 at 4:21pm

Apparently bikes on trains are coming to Michigan next year.

http://www.activetrans.org/blog/tvillaire/bikes-may-be-allowed-trai...

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on May 12, 2013 at 9:47pm

Red or Green line to South end, bus as far east as you can go, ride to Michigan? Indiana Dunes is a frequent camping spot. Ride around to Lake Michigan Ferry and back on Amtrack or ride to furthest Metra spot.

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on May 13, 2013 at 1:33am

Actually, NW Indiana can be a nice place to ride, as people who do all the beer ride know, just stay away from the lake. You can pick up the Erie-Lackwana trail in Hammond and take a series of trails almost to the Michigan border.

Daniel G said:

This would seem a pretty ineffective way to bypass Indiana. He's pressed for time and NW Indiana looks like a mess to navigate by bike. And riding the entirety of SW Chicagoland just seems like a crappy way to start out a spring country bike tour. I don't blame him for wanting to skip to the good stuff.

Mike Schwab said:

Red or Green line to South end, bus as far east as you can go, ride to Michigan? Indiana Dunes is a frequent camping spot. Ride around to Lake Michigan Ferry and back on Amtrack or ride to furthest Metra spot.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 13, 2013 at 2:15am

You can follow the Le Tour de Shore route. Mostly trails, that are generally a nice combination of suburban/exurban and forested views. Depending on you starting point and preferred distance, you can make it into Michigan on the first day.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=206659279600321314647.0004b751...

But I would agree, that I didn't know any of that either until I started doing beer rides ;)

envane (69 furlongs) said:

Actually, NW Indiana can be a nice place to ride, as people who do all the beer ride know, just stay away from the lake. You can pick up the Erie-Lackwana trail in Hammond and take a series of trails almost to the Michigan border.

Daniel G said:

This would seem a pretty ineffective way to bypass Indiana. He's pressed for time and NW Indiana looks like a mess to navigate by bike. And riding the entirety of SW Chicagoland just seems like a crappy way to start out a spring country bike tour. I don't blame him for wanting to skip to the good stuff.

Mike Schwab said:

Red or Green line to South end, bus as far east as you can go, ride to Michigan? Indiana Dunes is a frequent camping spot. Ride around to Lake Michigan Ferry and back on Amtrack or ride to furthest Metra spot.

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Permalink Reply by David P. on May 13, 2013 at 2:37am

Yes, as long as you don't require starting in the SW corner of Michigan.

-Metra to Kenosha

-ride from Kenosha to Milwaukee (or ride the whole way if you like)

-ferry (SS Badger) to Holland

-begin riding to wherever you want to go from Holland

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Permalink Reply by Alex on May 13, 2013 at 2:40am

Indian Trails buses will get you to a bunch of places in Michigan - you may need to box your bike, which might be as easy as stopping by Amtrak or Greyhound (where the buses leave from) and seeing if they have bike boxes, or Kozy's is a couple blocks away and I imagine would have bike boxes.

More interesting than a bus would be Metra to Kenosha, then ride to the ferry in Milwaukee (about 30 miles), then take the Lake Express to Muskegon.

However you get there, have fun!

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Permalink Reply by WillG on May 13, 2013 at 2:59am

Boo and hiss at the SS Badger, see link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Badger#Environmental_impact

David P. said:

Yes, as long as you don't require starting in the SW corner of Michigan.

-Metra to Kenosha

-ride from Kenosha to Milwaukee (or ride the whole way if you like)

-ferry (SS Badger) to Holland

-begin riding to wherever you want to go from Holland