Plymouth to Manitowoc

July 30, 2022

The ride into Manitowoc and the ferry ride across to Ludington has always been billed as the longest short day on the Cycle America tour.  This is because it is only 40 miles in from Plymouth to Manitowoc making it the shortest day on the tour but by the time you get on the Badger to Ludington and take the 4.5 hour trip across Lake Michigan and lose an hour due to time zone change you don’t get into camp until dusk or later if the ferry is on time. This year however there is no Saturday afternoon sailing so we are camped in Manitowoc and will take the ferry on Sunday to Ludington.  Yes, this means that we will lose our rest day.  

This morning it was business as usual, up at 5:15, load baggage at 6:00 Am, breakfast at 6:30, and on the road by 7:00 am.  I rolled out with Aussie Bob and expected to have a leisurely ride however, Bob was putting the pedal down and we were flying down the road at 18-20 mph.   Before I knew it we were at the water stop which was at the 20.7 mile mark.  What’s the hurray here? 

As we were about to leave water Ken T rolled up so the three of pedaled off.  Bob’s was headed for the Whistling Straits Golf Course.  This is one of the premier courses in North America and home to the Ryder Cup.  It is a very exclusive club. Looking at the green fees it would appear that it is $630 per person, plus caddie fee of $80, plus a caddie tip $80 per bag with a two bag minimum.  The caddies were milling about the practice greens in front of the club all dressed in their white uniforms. In side we were told we could not just have a coffee in the restaurant but we could have a free coffee from the urn in the lobby and sit on the patio which over looked Lake Michigan.  Perfect! Sitting on the patio under the vine covered arbour and looking out over this famous course pretending to belong was great.

Back on the road with 19 miles to go we were hammering along a 18-20 mph with a good tail wind. At about the 33 mile mark there was new chip seal.  The tar had been placed and the chips placed but it had not been swept and so there was a lot of grinding in the loose gravel.  It was horrid.

 We needed to be at Cathy Wojta’s house by 10:00 am, as she was hosting picnic there.  It is always a magnificent feast.  Today was no exception. You name it and it was there. Homemade pickles, fresh made rolls, smoke salmon, fresh fruit and vegetables, a huge selection of Wisconsin cheese.  It was great.

Tonight we are in the Manitowoc elementary school where there are no showers so we had to walk over to the YMCA.  They had very nice showers and probably the best showers on the tour. 

As this is the weekend we are on our own to explore town for supper.  Should be fun

Terry