The Perfect Midwest Bikepacking Route

This 572-mile route connects some of the Midwest’s finest trails, quiet backroads, small towns, state parks, and the Mississippi River between Chicago, Illinois and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Along the way, it passes through Lake Geneva, Kettle Moraine, Madison, Devil’s Lake, the Elroy-Sparta Trail, La Crosse, Lanesboro, Mystery Cave State Park, Frontenac State Park, and the Twin Cities. Filmed alone with a single camera, everything carried on the bike. Rode over ten days in May and June, 2025. ––– Support the Films: If you’d like to support my work, consider liking and subscribing. You can also become a channel member. Your support will help cover travel, lodging, music licensing, equipment, and the other costs that come with producing these projects entirely independently. Most importantly, it will help make the next film possible. Join here:    / @leigh.foster   Instagram: @theleighfoster ––– The Route: I created this RidewithGPS route several months after completing the ride, so I can’t guarantee that it perfectly matches every mile I rode. It does, however, accurately represent the overall route and the places I visited. If you’re planning to ride this route yourself, I encourage you to use it as a starting point rather than following it exactly. There are many great ways to ride between Chicago and Saint Paul, and your ideal route may look different depending on your daily mileage, camping preferences, and the places you’d like to see. I intentionally linked as many state parks as possible, and because I was filming this video, my daily mileage varied a lot. Build the route that best fits your own trip. Get out there and enjoy it! https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55094568 ––– Gear: BIKE + BAGS Bike: https://konaworld.com/collections/sutra Pedals: https://www.sim.works/products/bubbly... Saddle: https://amzn.to/4eb1p2z Suspension stem: https://amzn.to/4iULHvT Stem bags: https://randijofab.com/products/barte... Fork bags: https://randijofab.com/products/copy-... Handlebar bag: https://amzn.to/4z81kEU Other handlebar bag: https://ronsbikes.com/collections/bags Seat pack: https://outershell.com/products/seatpack Frame bag: https://cedaero.com/products/customfr... Top tube bag: https://cedaero.com/products/tank-top... Bike pump: https://amzn.to/4y0HdaF Bike lock: https://amzn.to/4iZYmha Car bike rack: https://amzn.to/4hGhZZi CAMERA + FILMING Camera: https://amzlink.to/az0QH5JB6etyx 23mm lens: https://amzlink.to/az0Knk4Kxug1A 50mm lens: https://amzlink.to/az0QYsHBGMiIK Drone: https://amzlink.to/az0zmfqvtiNjk Microphone: https://amzlink.to/az0RJsEHeTJZz Tripod: https://amzn.to/4hXX98V Mini air dust blower: https://amzn.to/3TAvmC3 NAVIGATION + ELECTRONICS Bike computer: https://amzn.to/4rNug2Q Rear radar + tail light: https://amzn.to/4hqOPyw Satellite communicator: https://amzn.to/3Tk1Ctj Power bank: https://amzn.to/4z3HkmU USB hub: https://amzn.to/4yqHG7h SLEEP + SHELTER Tent: https://www.tarptent.com/tents/rainbow/ Sleeping bag: https://featheredfriends.com/ Inflatable pillow: https://amzn.to/3Vi0JSF Electric air pump: https://amzn.to/4rLvHi7 Headlamp: https://amzn.to/4rEBFkK Candle lantern: https://amzn.to/46Qd3vX Waterproof fire starters: https://amzn.to/3TxG9NA COOKING + WATER Water filter: https://amzn.to/46WXfHL Stove: https://amzn.to/4rItpA7 Cook pot: https://amzn.to/4hXQX0I Mug: https://amzn.to/4ytkEg4 Titanium spoon: https://amzn.to/3TcW7N2 Camping spork: https://amzn.to/4y0DGcG TOOLS + SAFETY Mini multi-tool: https://amzn.to/3W0w6kK First aid kit: https://amzn.to/47tasIp CLOTHING Shoes: https://rutsubarefoot.com/products/ru... Shirt: https://amzn.to/4zeQ3CZ Shorts: https://www.rei.com/product/C03060/sh... Pants: https://amzn.to/4y75AUw Base layer: https://amzn.to/47u1BpX Socks: https://amzn.to/3TD2XeF Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. ––– If you enjoyed this, consider subscribing. Thanks for watching.