Today the ride was scheduled for 95 miles and 2250 feet of
climb. The route went way south into the
sand dunes park, then came back north and joined highway 10 east. It was easy to see that this was riding 3
sides of the square again and being on back roads would have a ton of steep
hills and a lot of cross cracks in the road.
So Ken, Bob and I decided to ride straight down highway 10. This shaved around 10 miles off the route and
at least half of the climb. We were advised that this was a horrible idea and
we riding down the highway to Heck. As
it turned out there was some big piece of equipment blocking the route and
while a few of the lead riders got through most of the riders had to turn
around and ride down highway 10 anyway.
It also turned out to be a very nice piece of road with extremely polite
drivers.
As we had shaved 10 miles off picnic came up pretty fast. It
was at a beautiful spot on Idlewild Lake, which is the site of the famous
Flamingo Club of the late 1950’s where African Americans performed.
From picnic we had 15 miles down to the Pere Marquette
Trailhead in Reed city. This wonderful
piece of paved rails to trails leads us the remaining 36.4 miles down to our
camp in Farwell. Ed was riding the last
half of the day so he joined us at the Reed City Terminal. The four
of us sailed along at a nice easy pace chatting and telling stories. As we rode along seeing the sights it
reminded me of the other tours. The big concrete water and sand tower for the
trains, the big iron bridge, and of course the place where there was the famous
“don’t pass Earnie” site (even though he did eventually drop us all off the
front). The trail sure made the day go
by and turned a tough day into a really nice day.
As we rolled into town I saw this business which promises
that they can deliver mold in the future.
I guess some people have a need for mold.
When we got to town Ed treated us to chocolate milk. It was ice cold and so delicious. The entire
quart disappeared in no time flat.
My bike computer had the battery fail so I changed to my
back up computer which was brand new.
However the thing had some sort of brain damage and would reset itself
or go blank. So I got out the back up to
the back up and installed it. I no
sooner got it installed and tested than it started to rain. I quickly grabbed
my laundry and laptop and ran inside.
The rain turned into a 30 minute downpour. I am hopping it is over and I can re-hang my
laundry.
I believe that we passed the 3000 mile mark today. WOW!
Terry hot biker
Cold chocolate milk; the perfect post-ride drink. Even better when Ed treats.
ReplyDelete3,000 miles down, 1,300 to go. Keep up the good work.
Canada Ken C.
Good going Terry & a great read as ever on your blog. I think you are not getting your money’s worth by not riding all those two sides of the triangle and three sides of the square routing that Greg and Ed so diligently included in the official route!
ReplyDeleteI remember the chocolate milk in 2014 and regularly knocking back a quart’s worth. Best wishes for the last 1200 miles or so and keep the rubber side down!
Jos
" The four of us sailed along at a nice easy pace chatting and telling stories."
ReplyDeletejust great, sounds wonderfull!
...but no prize at the rider's meeting for the fastest rider of the day :-(
Looks like a good week ahead, just make sure that someone books the good weather and the right winds!
Jürg