Conquering the North: A 133-Mile Upper Peninsula Century Ride Two day road cycling route covers an impressive 133.9 miles through northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula. Departing from Caswell, WI, the north-south endurance ride tracks through pristine timberland—including a large stretch through the Ottawa National Forest—and small northern towns before pushing all the way to Hancock, MI on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Key Ride Metrics Distance: 133.9 miles Elevation Gain: 5,089 ft (Max grade: 10.4%) Moving Time: 9 hours, 32 minutes (Total duration: 10:51:38) Average Speed: 14.0 mph Route & Terrain Breakdown The journey takes cyclists across rolling terrain, accumulating over 5,000 feet of total elevation gain. As riders navigate the dense wilderness of the Ottawa National Forest, they encounter sharp, punchy climbs peaking at a steep 10.4% maximum grade. Riders spend over five hours tackling ascents before descending back down toward the waters surrounding Hancock. Rider Effort & Performance Recorded using a Garmin Edge 1030, the ride demands serious athletic output. The record shows an average heart rate of 123 bpm, topping out at 165 bpm. Over the nine-plus hours of moving time, the rider maintained a steady average cadence of 81 rpm and averaged 154 watts (burning an estimated 5,055 calories and expending nearly 4,000 kJ of work). Whether tackled as a long-distance training ride or an adventurous regional tour, this century route highlights the quiet, rugged roads connecting Wisconsin's border country to the heart of Copper Country.