![Picture](/uploads/3/9/0/2/39023453/published/c5a887aa-9eba-4edc-8fdd-7e4f0b25f7b1.jpg?1582159267)
I’m not sure people really read blogs for information anymore but I’ll try to keep this simple. This section is about the route I chose for my first solo trip.
I chose to bikepack the “Straddle Paddle” https://bikepacking.com/routes/straddle-and-paddle/ because it was listed as gravel bike friendly and it had a canoe trip—duh! The original route is about 180 miles, and I ended up modifying it. The route shows most of the campsites in the area but not all. I found a couple of extra ones along the way, which is good to know when you aren't sure how far you'll make it each day. The great thing about choosing a bikepacking.com route is that most of the ground work is already done for you. BTW, it's a great website with all the info you really need to get started.
The suggested route starts along the shore but I started at Sawbill Outfitters. I wanted to start with the canoe trip instead of working it into the middle of my ride. This worked out really well. Sawbill has a little shop, showers (for $), and wifi (no cell service). I arrived, did my canoe trip, and then camped overnight. They have a public parking lot (FREE) that you can leave your car in. I packed up in the morning and rode off down the road. I left later than I thought I would on day 1, so I ended up only riding 34 miles the first day. You kind of just need to have an idea of where the campgrounds are and make a judgement call on when to stop for the day.
On day two, I continued to follow the Straddle Paddle route but I cut off a section to save time. Instead of going toward Kimball Lake, I went straight down to Grand Marais. This added a much longer section on a fairly busy paved road but it worked out ok. I stopped at Voyager Brewing for a delicious lunch with 4 other bikepackers that I had met. Then I rode back into the woods on the suggested route out of town. I made another change after Pike Lake--I took Honeymoon Trail and ended up at Temperance River campground (not on suggested route map). Prior to leaving for my trip I used Gravelmap.com and other Google resources to make this change. This put me closer to my car just in case, and left out a long section of a trail along the Lakeshore that I didn't really care about seeing (because I'd drive it anyway). The campsite was really nice and just off Sawbill Trail Rd.
On day three I knew a storm was coming in so I made another shortcut. But before that, I had to stop at the infamous Trestle Inn for a burger. 4 Mile Grade Rd to the Inn, and then Cramer/Wanless Trail Rd. north to Windy Lake Rd. and I was back on the original Straddle Paddle route headed toward Sawbill Outfitters.
Run-down:
Day 1: 34 miles, started at Sawbill outfitters, camped at Devil's Track campground.
Day 2: 53 miles, camped at Temperance River campground.
Day 3 49 miles, headed back to Sawbill Outfitters.
Tips and tricks for routes:
Use Gravelmap.com, Strava heatmap, RidewithGPS, Trailforks and other online resources to figure out the best roads.
Check out the Avenza App. which usually has free downloadable public land maps. They are on your phone but don't require cell service (use GPS satellites). I used the ones for Boundary Waters a LOT. You can also make your own maps and use them in this app--you just need a georeferenced PDF file.
Bring some kind of GPS bike computer. I used my phone a lot, but this is much easier.
The Dyrt has a great app with campground information.
Be brave, it will work out! If its rockier or hillier than expected, that's ok.
I chose to bikepack the “Straddle Paddle” https://bikepacking.com/routes/straddle-and-paddle/ because it was listed as gravel bike friendly and it had a canoe trip—duh! The original route is about 180 miles, and I ended up modifying it. The route shows most of the campsites in the area but not all. I found a couple of extra ones along the way, which is good to know when you aren't sure how far you'll make it each day. The great thing about choosing a bikepacking.com route is that most of the ground work is already done for you. BTW, it's a great website with all the info you really need to get started.
The suggested route starts along the shore but I started at Sawbill Outfitters. I wanted to start with the canoe trip instead of working it into the middle of my ride. This worked out really well. Sawbill has a little shop, showers (for $), and wifi (no cell service). I arrived, did my canoe trip, and then camped overnight. They have a public parking lot (FREE) that you can leave your car in. I packed up in the morning and rode off down the road. I left later than I thought I would on day 1, so I ended up only riding 34 miles the first day. You kind of just need to have an idea of where the campgrounds are and make a judgement call on when to stop for the day.
On day two, I continued to follow the Straddle Paddle route but I cut off a section to save time. Instead of going toward Kimball Lake, I went straight down to Grand Marais. This added a much longer section on a fairly busy paved road but it worked out ok. I stopped at Voyager Brewing for a delicious lunch with 4 other bikepackers that I had met. Then I rode back into the woods on the suggested route out of town. I made another change after Pike Lake--I took Honeymoon Trail and ended up at Temperance River campground (not on suggested route map). Prior to leaving for my trip I used Gravelmap.com and other Google resources to make this change. This put me closer to my car just in case, and left out a long section of a trail along the Lakeshore that I didn't really care about seeing (because I'd drive it anyway). The campsite was really nice and just off Sawbill Trail Rd.
On day three I knew a storm was coming in so I made another shortcut. But before that, I had to stop at the infamous Trestle Inn for a burger. 4 Mile Grade Rd to the Inn, and then Cramer/Wanless Trail Rd. north to Windy Lake Rd. and I was back on the original Straddle Paddle route headed toward Sawbill Outfitters.
Run-down:
Day 1: 34 miles, started at Sawbill outfitters, camped at Devil's Track campground.
Day 2: 53 miles, camped at Temperance River campground.
Day 3 49 miles, headed back to Sawbill Outfitters.
Tips and tricks for routes:
Use Gravelmap.com, Strava heatmap, RidewithGPS, Trailforks and other online resources to figure out the best roads.
Check out the Avenza App. which usually has free downloadable public land maps. They are on your phone but don't require cell service (use GPS satellites). I used the ones for Boundary Waters a LOT. You can also make your own maps and use them in this app--you just need a georeferenced PDF file.
Bring some kind of GPS bike computer. I used my phone a lot, but this is much easier.
The Dyrt has a great app with campground information.
Be brave, it will work out! If its rockier or hillier than expected, that's ok.