"1907-8 Mindoro Cut" by Kevin Schuchmann - Own work.
Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
North of West Salem, ride the impressive Mindoro Cut, "which carries Wisconsin Highway 108
through Phillips Ridge, linking Mindoro with West Salem. The cut is 74 feet (23 m) deep, 86 feet (26 m) long, and 25 feet (7.6 m) wide; it is the second-deepest cut built by hand
in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest functional cut which has not been improved upon.[3] Work on the cut began in 1907 and concluded in 1908; the project was completed primarily with hand tools. The
Mindoro Cut was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007." More of the Wikipedia article.
3, Bissen, Adam (December 3, 2006). "This Cut is Second-Deepest - The Gap Cut in Rock on Highway 108 Near Mindoro
is Newly Recognized as a Historic Landmark". Wisconsin State
Journal.
Mississippi River from overlook on campground road, Great River Bluffs State Park, Minnesota, USA
"Great River Bluffs State Park overlook" by McGhiever - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons -
“Some of the most beautiful waterscapes and bluff-top views along the Mississippi River can be found in Wisconsin. The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River through 33 river towns. Along the way, travelers will discover the fascinating history and culture of these riverside communities.”
"The Great River Road is a 3,000 mile historic, scenic byway running through 10 states along the Mississippi River. The Great River Road offers a gateway to the river valley’s great history and a host of recreational options to all who journey it.
Wisconsin is home to 250 miles of the Great River Road, of which 22 miles is along State Hwy. 35 on the western edge of Vernon County. Vernon County’s section of the Great River Road runs from near the City of LaCrosse in the north, and southward to the Village of DeSoto.”
More on Wisconsin's Great River Road – 250 miles, 33 river towns
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The south end of our map is home of History Channel's Antique Archaeology in LeClaire, Iowa.
Here's more rides and info near I-90 in west central Wisconsin, the area around LaCrosse WI. They have PDF ride maps you can download.
Fly in and rent a bike
Fly in to Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport and rent a Harley just 7 miles from the airport. There are a number of other dealers to rent from around Milwaukee. Check the HD rental locator.
Green Bay Fly and Ride
The Outagamie County Regional Airport in Appleton, WI is just 4 miles from a bike rental at Harley-Davidson of Appleton.
Rockford, IL gives another fly in and rent option, and isn't far from our Mississippi River ride. Allegiant services this airport and Kegel Harley-Davidson is nearby.
Easy access to Michigan
Head east to Manitowoc to catch the SS Badger Ferry to western Michigan.
You can take the 2.5 hour Lake Express ferry to Muskegon, and ride western Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
The SS Badger Ferry crosses from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI
Information on where to ride in Minnesota
http://www.exploreminnesota.com/where-to-go/northeast/ride-the-arrowhead/places-to-ride/
There are lots of publications available for download at http://www.exploreminnesota.com/publications-order-form.aspx
Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge spans the Duluth Ship Canal. "Originally built in 1905, the bridge was upgraded in 1929–30 to a vertical lift bridge, which is rather uncommon, and continues to operate today...The bridge can be raised to its full height in about 3 minutes, and goes up 25 to 30 times daily during busy parts of the shipping season. The span is about 390 feet (120 meters)." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_Lift_Bridge
"Aerial lift bridge duluth mn" by Mfield, Matthew Field,
http://www.photography.mattfield.com - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Delta Diner as seen on Food Network's Diners, Drive ins, & Dives, is out in the forest 50 miles SE of Duluth, off US Hwy 2 -
see map
Northern Minnesota has plenty to see, and you can easily add Michigan's upper peninsula to your ride. Here's a 750 mile easy loop. Add Copper Harbor, MI to your ride (see below) for a total of 940 miles.
Or enjoy the 150 scenic miles on Hwy 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage.