Planning a Route

[walks]

My friend and I are just starting to plan a ride around Lake Michigan that we'll take in September. We're mostly on the same page, but we have a few differences in opinion about what is preferable/feasible so far so we could use some advice. I've been touring a few times and backpacking many times, but neither of us have done a trip anywhere near this length before.

1. Distance per day
The route is roughly 1100 miles, mostly flat and mostly paved and we're both in decent shape. He thinks we can average 80-90 miles a day and try to make it in two weeks, while I think 60-70 miles a day would give us more cushion, even if the ride takes an extra 4 or 5 days. Is 90 miles a day feasible with gear? We did a 100-mile ride together last summer in 8 hours and, personally, I don't think I could exert myself that much for two weeks straight. In the past, I've ridden about 50 miles/day while touring, but I plan to cut the weight of my gear considerably for this ride.

2. Camping
I would prefer to bring a backpacking tent and stay in designated primitive campsites in state and national parks, some of which can be reserved in advance. He would prefer to use hammocks, stealth camp, and choose our campsites day-by-day. He's worried that predetermining sites and staying around people will ruin the spontaneity and authenticity of the trip, while I'm concerned that, without an itinerary, we might not find an appropriate spot to camp on any given night. I'm not that worried about trespassing, but I am slightly concerned about sleeping in unmarked sites during hunting season. Does anyone have experience stealth camping in the area?

[evdog]

I definitely suggest building in some cushion.  It can be hard to keep up to a schedule on a longer trip like that.  Bad weather, headwinds or physical ailments could each slow you down.  Trying to stick together the whole time will also slow you down - you will each need to stop at times when the other doesn't, one will get tired and slow down when the other is feeling good, one may want to stop for the day when the other doesn't.  If you've planned out all your camp sites any mileage shortfall on one day has to be made the following day or your whole itinerary goes out the window.  This can add a lot of stress to your ride too.  The beauty of bikepacking is you have your gear with you and should be able to stop and camp whenever you want to or need to. 

If you are able to get enough time off to plan for 60-70 miles a day, do that.  Identify spots on your route that you'd like to camp at, but don't hold yourself to them if they don't fit with your progress.  Things are usually less crowded in September so hopefully you'd be able to get in to campgrounds without reservations.  Some have hike/bike campsites for people touring that don't require reservations.  For stealth camping, most areas prohibit shooting within a certain distance of roads.  So if you camp within that distance of a road, you should be ok. 

If the route is mostly flat and paved the weight of gear shouldn't be a huge factor in how far you ride.  Having an appropriate bike for the route will make a bigger difference - like a gravel bike or MTB with skinny xc tires.  You will ride yourself into better shape as the trip goes on. 

Have fun!