The North Centrail Trail somewhere around Vanderbilt
We set off for the shortest ride of the tour – just 28.8 miles – from Indian River south to Gaylord, dodging raindrops that, despite the predictions, never materialized worse than a few pitterpats.
We rode the North Central State Trail and I was amazed at how much it has been improved since previous years when the ‘gander made its way up here.
Chris and Patty on the North Central Trail near Wolverine
It’s a crushed limestone surface, every bit as nice as Paint Creek Trail and the Clinton River Trail back home. I’m on a road bike and it handled the trail just fine.
I rode with Chris O, on her first Michigander, and Patty H, her second, and, as always it was like a huge family reunion as old friends passed and met at SAG stops.
The predicted rain seemed to move to our south and didn’t really start in earnest until most had arrived in the night’s camp, at the Otsego County Fairgrounds.
If there were any complaints it was that the ride today was too short. That and the fact that Patty got a flat tire. But it was close to the finish. Besides, Tina came by and it gave us an excuse to make a how-to-change-a-flat video.
Self Portrait: Bicycle riding is the closest a human comes to flying
I’m moteling it this year instead of camping. A hot shower, as long as I want, awaits. More later
Mileage increases from now on with hills tomorrow on the way to Bellaire and, particularly Tuesday, as we head west and then take a northern bead on Harbor Springs.
Here’s today’s download from my Garmin:
Category: Mike on a Bike
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