We're at the Econolodge in Kalkaska,MI 76 miles from our last hotel in Alanson, MI. My trailer is 10.58 pounds lighter than it was when we left this morning. This fact partially explains the extra 16 miles we covered today. It's amazing. Jan was giving me a hard time at the Post Office where we shipped the extra clothes, laptop bag and battery, and an extra tube to my parents' home in Indiana. I didn't mind. 10.5 pounds makes a difference on the hills. Yes, it does beg the question "Why did you have it with you in the first place?" All of the sources I read on tours suggested packing all that you intend to take with you on your tour and then riding a distance fully loaded. No, I didn't. We're all good now though.
We had several highlights today. Obviously the 76 miles was a highlight. Along the way we saw some beautiful country. Made a decision to bypass Traverse City and head South/Southeast. Had a hill climb that made us think that we were back in Virginia. Finished off the last 13 miles with some of the smoothest road we've been on so far.
Beautiful country: Petoskey and Charlevoix were gorgeous. We rode right along the rocky northern shore on a paved bike trail. This is just one of the beautiful places in this awesome state.
Bypass Decision: Steady, stiff winds out of the southwest gave us pause. We chose to appreciate what we had already seen and head for home. After dropping the weight in Charlevoix at the Post Office we stayed on M-66 and headed South -- Southeast. It turned out to be a good decision. Well, except for the hill climb that had us believing we were back in Virginia and riding to Charlottesville.
Last 13 Miles: Smooooth! and flat and even some slight downhill. We cruised. Yes we were zapped but boy did the miles fly by. The decision to keep going was based on the conversation we had with a kind older gentleman at the McDonald's we stopped at in Mancelona. He reminded us of Jan's grandpa Steffen in his overalls. He seemed fairly confident that the road was pretty flat. He knew the road we had just ridden and assured us there was nothing like that ahead. He was right.
Well it's time to hit the hay. We're planning a 60 mile day for tommorrow. Hopefully we don't run into any of the flooding they've been experiencing further south in Michigan.
1 comment:
Thanks for keeping us up to date. We've enjoyed reading about your progress. Sounds like you are doing some serious biking. Hope you don't have any drenching downpours such as we had here in the 'burg this afternoon. but if so, hope you can find a good safe place to take cover. There was even some large tapioca size hail at one point. We will continue to remember you - safe travels! Kathy H.
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