Living Superior

Over the month of September 2023, I headed off on a bike trip with the goal of circumnavigating Lake Superior while also raising money for conservation, and creating a film documentary about the Lake and the people who call it home. The project is called Living Superior. I started in Duluth, MN and made my way clockwise around the Lake, which equated to 2600Km covered and 17300m of elevation gained.

Lake Superior or Gichi-Gami to the Ojibwe is the largest fresh water lake in the world. This is a journey where the main goal in mind was to connect with such a glorious body of fresh water that I remember swimming in fondly as a child, but I've never seen any more of the lakes shore other than the Minnesota portion and what a better way to do it than by my knew found love for bike touring.

BREAKDOWN

Minnesota: Duluth to Grand Portage. 300km-4 days.

I took the Gitchi Gami State Trail for most of the Minnesota portion. Which is a multi use trail that runs along the North Shore cutting through Minnesota's State Parks. It doesn't run the full length of the North Shore yet, but there are plans to full connect it one day. It was a beautiful 4 days with 90 degree temps with high humidity so taking 2 or 3 swims a day was part of the interary.

Ontario/Canada: Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie. 1000km-11 days

The longest portion of the trip and the most brutal for cycling. I'll be honest Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie aren't anything special, and the big highway that connects them has it's views and gems but makes for some brutal cycling with no shoulders for long periods of time with massive 2 trailer semi's making their way past you. If you're willing to do the extra work and head down the one way in and one way out roads that bring you down into the parks that hug the coast. It's worth the effort for these gems, Sleeping Giant, Neys, Pukaskwa, and plenty of other beaches and parks in between. I will say though I was treated to the most glorious wild camping I've ever had. This is also where I met Clair and Mathias, a couple from Duluth who just happened to get married and were doing the same route as me by bike! So I o and off road/camped with them throughout parts of Canada, before we parted ways in Michigan and wouldn't see each other again until Duluth.

Michigan: Sault Ste. Marie to Ironwood. 1100km-13 days

This portion of the trip was the part I was most excited for. San dunes, Grand Island, Keweenaw, Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks, and much more! Oh and I'd be getting to Michigan just in time for peak colors and wow was it a joy. Lots of good ORV trails, dirt roads, bike paths, hunting roads, forest roads, and well paved county roads/highways and a bike friendly society mostly. Really really enjoyed Michigan.

Wisconsin: 250km-2 Days.

This was the shortest portion of the trip and a part where I was ready to be done, my back was bugging me a bit at this point and the weather was about to flip. So I still hugged the coast best I could making my way up to Bayfield, but unfortunately didn't make it out to the Apostle Islands, but I was able to spend one last night on a remote beach to myself before waking up and finishing this journey riding right back into Duluth where I started.

LOGISTICS

Time: 32 days

Distance: 2600km

Elevation Gain: 17300m

Warater/Food: I would filter water when needed, I was always near a lake or river basically the whole trip and food I would carry enough to feed myself for a few days at a time, along with some emergency dehydrated meals. Other than that it was a mix of cooking, restaurants, or snacking.

Sleep: Wild camping, some paid camping in parks, and warm showers. Wild camping is extremely easy along basically the whole route.

Gear: As for gear you can check out my Lighter Pack here (There's very little I would change) https://lighterpack.com/r/kykhvw

ROUTE

CONCLUSION

I highly recommend the Great Lakes region for anyone looking for some different outdoor beauty. As for cycling Lake Superior I also do recommend it of course, but maybe not for a first tour, It can be a bit harsh at times, especially the Canadian side, but if you're looking for a rad adventure and to really connect with Mother Nature at it's purest form I highly recommend it.