Day 38. Wednesday, July 24.

Day 38. Wednesday,  July 24. Mount Pleasant to Birch Run, MI  74 miles

Well, it would have been close to 74 miles had we not had a bit of a detour. My odometer read 81 miles by the time we pulled into the hotel this afternoon. Again I learned to never assume a day will be easy.

We got a late start this morning - a little after 8:15, as we had our "rap" meeting this morning rather than last night because of the long day yesterday. It was nice to have Bill Drake ride with us is morning.    Amy, Yuval, Terry, Gary, Ann and Gail, Bill and I headed off together, hoping to lessen the impact of the east and north east winds today by riding in a pace line. I'd say it helped quite a bit, but the day was still a lot of work at times. It was nice when we had to go south.  Bill is still riding strong at 70 years old. There were a few times we had to tell him to slow it a bit.  As I mentioned yesterday, Bill was one of two that got me into riding 12 or 13 years ago when we lived in Sylvania, just outsideToledo. I remember Bill came riding by the house one day while I was standing outside. I asked him how far he went and he yelled back over his shoulder, "35 miles."  I went into the house and commented to Tam, "Who in the heck would ever ride a bike 35 miles?"  I asked her that last night as well!!

The day was fairly uneventful with only one SAG stop at the Reeves farm. I guess the story is that several years ago, one of the ride leaders stopped at this farm to take a picture of a tractor and the owner showed him a barnful of refurbished tractors in pristine condition. They stopped again the next year to say hi and the friendship was born. It's now a regular stop, even though Mr. Reeves has passed on.

With today's ride, we've officially ridden 3/4 of the route. We've now completed just over 2800 miles. But there's still a lot of riding to do with over 850 or so miles to go. The next few days are relatively flat, but there will be some roll when we get to the Finger Lakes region in New York, and Vermont and New Hampshire will have some tough climbs. We all know the end is not too far away, but I just have to keep in mind that there are still 11 riding days left. Now is not the time to ease up.

I'm looking forward to seeing Mandy, Vaughn, Sophia and Cate tomorrow in Port Huron.

Again, Bill, thanks for coming up for the ride today. I looked for you after my shower, but you were gone. Thanks, too, for the pictures.

Be well. Do good.

Don

Day 37, July 23

Day 37,  July  23.  Ludington to Mount Pleasant, MI. 115 miles

After a quick night, we ate about 5:30 this morning and loaded at 6:30 for an early start, as we had a long day ahead of us. The weather was a bit cool and breezy, with winds out if the NNWat 10 to 15 mph. We should get a little push today from the wind, but it felt a lot like a strong cross wind much of the day. Lots of rolling hills which generally cause me to fall behind a bit. After all the ups and downs we have done, you'd think this flat lander would do a bit better on the rolling terrain. I think I'm going to have to learn to spin faster at less of a gear. Once I caught back up, I'm generally able to stay up, but it's still work.

Just before one of our SAG stops, we saw a mouse dart across the road just ahead of us. A few miles later, we saw a bald eagle come out of one of the trees just ahead of us, then flew directly overhead. very cool, but I think he missed his chance for that little mouse.

Our third SAG stop this afternoon was at mile 84 and was at a senior center about half way between Big Rapids and the Village of Lake Isabella. When we pulled up, Harold was sitting in his electric wheel chair waiting to talk with the riders. He told me he used to ride bicycle when he lived in Toledo, but that he was hit by a car in 1988. The wreck broke his arm and caused some other problems as well. He was hospitalized for several weeks. He's been up here in Michigan since 1989 to be near his mother. He said he owned a little house a few miles away but that he came to the nursing home every Tuesday and Friday for arts and crafts and to flirt with the ladies. He said he had never married, but worked for a number of years as a brickmason's assistant, hauling bricks and blocks at work sites.  I then went in to use the rest room and saw John sitting by himself eating lunch.  John appeared to be maybe early 50s with shoulder length hair and his left eye permanently shut - and no teeth. When I greeted him, he said, "I thought I recognized you."  He proceeded to tell me that his teeth hadn't been able to stay in lately and that made it difficult to eat. My hat is always off to those who work and volunteer in these types of facilities. It is important, yet hard and low-paying work. They deserve all our thanks for caring for people like Harold and John.

At mile 99, we felt obligated to stop for ice cream. Yeah, I can hear your comments, but this lady normally doesn't open her store until 4pm. She opened a few hours early today just because she knew our group was coming through. It was the right thing to do! For her and for us.

Finally, we arrived in Mount Pleasant, home to Central Michigan University. This was our last 100 + mile of the trip. Tomorrow should be a bit easier at only 75 miles - and pretty flat. 
I cleaned my bike tonight after getting in and changed brakes as well. After taking a shower and getting ready to go to supper, I was down in the parking lot and got a huge surprise. An old friend, Bill Drake, from Sylvania, OH, was standing there with a big grin on his face. He had driven up from Toledo this afternoon and plans to ride to Birch Run with us tomorrow. Bill was one of the guys I used to ride with before we moved to Columbus and was one of the early ones (along with Chuck Van Rens) to encourage me to get on a bicycle 11 or 12 years ago.  Even though he's older, I expect that he is still faster than I. Thanks for the surprise, Bill.

Be well. Do good.

Don

Day 36. Monday, July 22

Today is rest day, even though we will be traveling about 115 miles to the east.  Today  we cross Lake Michigan, from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI. and enter the eastern time zone. I feel decadent sleeping in to 6:45. Yuval, my roommate, made me a cup of coffee and brought me the paper before I got up. What a guy! I wonder how I can arrange for this when I get home.  

We slowly got ready this morning as we had to load bags by 10:00, but not get on the boat until about 1:30. Of course we had a three mile bike ride to negotiate and find a nice place for breakfast. We were greeted at the dock by an ABB alumnus from 2011,  Gary Butters. he served us crackers and cheese and says "Hi!" to Dan Schoedinger who was also on that ride. Dan, he added a "go, Blue!" just for you!

So we sailed across the lake on the SS Badger. It is the last coal steam powered ferry in the U.S.  It was originally launched in 1953 to haul rail cars across the lake, but in 1992, it was repurposed to haul cars and passengers across the lake, between Manitowoc and Ludington, which are about half way up the lake on either side. I'm sure this saves a lot of time compared to driving around the lake. Because it is coal powered, it is not known how much longer it will be allowed to run. There was some speculation earlier this year that it would be shut down, as it burns 55 tons of coal each day and dumps 4 tons of coal ash directly into the lake every day. For now, they have permits through 2014, but who knows what will be decided after that.

Did you know that Lake Michigan is the only one of the Great Lakes that is entirely within the U.S. and not shared with Canada?  It has a surface area of 22,400 square miles, making it the largest lake , by surface area within e borders of one country. It has an average depth of 279 feet, and, at its deepest, it is over 900 feet deep.  You cannot see anything but water when out on the middle of it.

Once in Ludington, we had another three mile ride to the hotel of a quick night sleep. We leave at 6:30 in the morning for Mount Pleasant, MI, about 115 miles away.  Hard to believe, but this will be the final century ride of the trip.

Be well. Do good.

Don

Day 35. Sunday, July 21

Day 35. Sunday, July 21. Fond du Lac to Manitowoc, WI.  57 miles

On paper, today's ride looked easy enough. One of the lowest mileage days on the whole trip; only 1350 feet of climb. Most of us were thinking this would be a riding rest day. But we learned - Never take any ride for granted.

Lake Winnebago lighthouse

The day started out easy enough. We didn't load until 8:30, so we all had a little more relaxed start. The hotel had a chef fixing each of us individual omelets, as opposed to the freeze-dried scrambled eggs from a bag - try eating those for 30 days in a row! We took a leisurely ride out to the lighthouse on Lake Winnebago before leaving town. And then the riding began. We knew there was a threat of rain, but it held off all day. The winds, though, were blowing from east to west at about 10 to 15 mph (the flags were straight out). After the last few days with a tailwind, the headwind reminded us that cycling is not always easy. Even though the climbing did not look that difficult on

paper, getting up some of the hills had us all working.  Fortunately, there were seven of us working a pace line that gave each of us a chance to "rest" as you worked through the line, but still a lot more work than what we originally thought. Finally at about mile 49, we could see the lake (Michigan) and turned north. We were in town by around 1:00, so before checking into the hotel, we decided to stop for a nice Sunday lunch. Ahhh!

A quick shower and then on to the laundromat to make sure we have clean biking clothes. Tis group has learned to party wherever they are. We had the shuttle service from the hotel stop first to get some needed supplies - wine, beer, pretzels.  Did anyone bring soap?

Don's roommate, Yuval

Tomorrow is a rest day, although we have to bike three whole miles to the lake to get onto the SS Badger, an old coal powered ferry that will take us across the Lake to start our travels in Michigan - then another three miles to the hotel in Ludington.

Be well. Do good.

Don

Day 34. Saturday, July 20

Day 34. Saturday, July 20. Wisconsin Dells to Fond du Lac.  84 miles

It's amazing the difference ten to fifteen degrees in temperature makes on a bike ride. The heat finally broke and I think all the riders were a bit relieved and refreshed. I know I am.  We left the Dells this morning about 7:15 after a big breakfast at the local Denny's restaurant. The morning was filled with great country roads and small towns that make for good bike riding. In Packwaukee, half the town had all their stuff out for garage sales. Our first SAG stop was in the little, but busy town of Montello. In Princeton, the local American Legion was grilling and selling bratwurst, almost a mandatory stop around noon time. They sell them every Saturday and Sunday between April and October. And they are good!

Store owned by Karen Washbush's grandfather 

We finished 84 miles  and into the Ramada Plaza in downtown Fond du Lac (it means the bottom or foot of the lake, as the town is at the south end of Lake Winnebago) just before 2:00.  Our hotel tonight is just two blocks from where Karen Washbush's grandfather owned and operated a grocery store (not exactly sure when). Karen's father, Chuck, grew up here.

Well, 84 miles is not exactly a rest day, but most of the day felt good. In the last five days, we have ridden nearly 480 miles. When home, I don't ride those kind of miles in two months! Tomorrow will feel like a piece of cake. We're riding to the east coast of Wisconsin at Manitowoc, less than 60 miles away.

Be well.  Do good.

Don

Day 33. Friday, July 19

Day 33. Friday, July 19.  La Crosse to Wisconsin Dells.  91 miles

The day started out great. Due to a passing rainstorm, load and take-off were delayed an hour. The rain dried pretty quickly and left the morning a bit cooler. Road surfaces were wonderful and the first third of the day was very nice. You could hear the wheels humming on the road, and, to a cyclist, that's a pretty cool sound.

Our first SAG stop was in Sparta, WI, the reputed bicycle capital of the world. From what I understand, the first "rails to trail" was built here in Sparta, going to our next stop, Elroy. In Sparta we stopped to take pictures of Ben Biking, a huge statue of an old time cyclist.
Then we jumped on the bike trail of crushed limestone for the next 33 miles. The surface wasn't too bad, although at times the gravel was a bit loose. But it slowed the average speed down to about 15 mph. Along the way, there were 3 old railroad tunnels - long and dark. The first tunnel was nearly 3/4 of a mile long. The bike lights were swallowed up by the darkness. When you started, you could not see any light from the other end. On the last two, you could. At the end of the bike path, we stopped for a nice lunch. Two o'clock already and still 30 miles to go. Except we learned that, due to construction, we would be re-routed, making the day 7 to 8 miles longer, making it almost another century ride.  Oh well, what's another few miles.

After lunch I began to feel a bit sluggish. And then it got HOT. I didn't have to stop, but I sure had to slow down a bit, as I could no longer keep the 18 mph pace.  I started to feel a bit light headed (not dizzy), enough to give me some concerns. Thankfully my riding buddy Amy stayed back to make sure I got in safely.  We finally got to Wisconsin Dells just after 5:00, the longest day in the saddle yet. We were tired, beat, ready for a nice showere and dinner. So why were they just emptying the luggage van as we got there? Well, the hotel had recently changed hands and the new owners didn't have any of the reservations!! The ABB team was great and arranged rooms at 3 or 4 different hotels. Certainly not as convenient, but catastrophe averted!

In the past four days, we have ridden just about 400 miles. Holy smokes. No wonder I'm so tired.
Luckily we only have an 83 miles ride tomorrow!

Be well.  Do good! I'm out like a light!

Don

Day 32. July 18.

Day 32. July 18. Rochester, MN to LaCrosse, WI.    88 miles

Well, the heat got to me a bit today. We were into the mid 90s by noon or so. With the heat reflecting up from the road, it was hot. Fortunately, at mile 50 we got to ride on a bike path for 13 miles. the shade was a welcome respite. In addition to the temperatures, the terrain changed from flat to nice rollers to mountains. I never realized Minnesota had this kind of terrain. I assumed it was all

prairie like we had seen on the western half. Today, we had a fair amount of climbing, with the longest at mile 70 - one mile climb at 9-11% grade. That was hot. Lots and lots of water today. Once we got to the top of the ridge, the scenery was beautiful for several miles before dropping down for a nice fast descent. Then we crossed into Wisconsin and rode across the Mississippi River bridge and into LaCrosse. We've now ridden completely across five states!

Today was laundry day; still waiting for the dryer. Hopefully I won't be up too late as tomorrow is another 90 miles ride.  Thirty miles will be on a hard packed bike trail and part of that will be walking the bikes through three tunnels. I think that will be better than riding over three big hills on a hot day!

Laundry just finished - 9:45. Way past my bedtime. G'night!

Be well.  Do good.

Don