28.6 miles/ +751.0 ft/ Total miles 1280.4
Short ride today, so basically this counts as a half-day off. It also means I have a chance to patch a tube, check bolts to make sure everything is tight, and go over all the gear to see what can be ditched at the next post office.
The ride from Traverse City included a few more miles on the TART bike path, and then back roads and a short stretch on Michigan-31 – busy highway but it has a decent shoulder in this section. For once, there was a strong wind at my back — I could tell by the fact that all of a sudden I was riding at 18-20 mph on flat road and slightly uphill grade.
My sister in St. Paul does consulting work for arts organizations in Michigan, and she asked a friend of hers if they would put me up for the night at their place on Torch Lake. So this is a perfect spot for an afternoon off, watching boats on the lake. And since the temperature is in the mid-80s, it’s nice to be off the road, sitting in the shade by the lake.
Four weeks done! It’s been a good start and I’ve gotten into some routines that work for me. I have not done a lot of camping until the past week but with cold and wet weather, I think it works a lot better for me to take advantage of motels and B&Bs. I’ve stayed at some interesting places, all different, and eaten at diners, cafes, fancy restaurants, and bars. All the food has been OK to good and it provides the energy I need.
I’ve enjoyed riding on the Canalway Trail in New York, and the trails in Michigan, especially 70 miles on the Pere Marquette Trail from Midland to Reed City. In general, the back roads in the rural areas give me a nice break from traffic and great views across the farmlands or quiet rides through forests. Riding on the state highways in Michigan has been a mixed bag. Some of them have good shoulders and/or light traffic volume, and cycling is fine. Some of them have no shoulder and high traffic volumes, which makes the ride somewhat dangerous for me and for the traffic on the road.
I’ve met a lot of people and have gotten help easily whenever I need directions or other information. People have offered me water and food, which is a big help. And people ask about my trip and wish me good luck out there on the road. I appreciate it all. Most of all I appreciate the courteous drivers on the road who give me enough space or even slow down to wait a few seconds for a good time to pass me safely. The few bad drivers leave me shaking but I manage to calm down and get back on the bike.
I hope the next four weeks will keep adding to the adventures — in a good way. I expect to be crossing the Mackinaw Bridge on Tuesday morning, heading across the Upper Peninsula.
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
Nice progress, Judy, and nice to take an afternoon off on the lake shore. You should really enjoy the stretches ahead, up through Charlesvoix and Petoskey. The “tunnel of trees” north of Petoskey is a scenic stretch, but watch out — it is a narrow road with zero shoulder, but a lovely ride if the traffic is light. When you get to Cross Village you gotta stop at Legs Inn — a locally famous structure build by an eccentric Polish immigrant all out of local trees and rocks. Then on to the Mighty Mac and the U.P.!
It was nice to have you for the afternoon and morning. You are in a beautiful area of Michigan and hopefully you arrived in Petoskey prior to the impending storms. Travel safely Judy and thanks again for the Ice Cream cone last night.
And thank you for the hospitality!
Way to go Judy! Have you tried staying with warmshowers hosts yet? Lucia and I are out on bike enjoying the day along the ship canal.
Warmshowers tonight. Really great!
Hi Judy. I’m doing the same thing you are right now, sitting on a bench on the ship canal, watching the boats go by! (And only 4 miles from home.) I envy your travels, all the adventures you are having. Did you get a flag yet? Stay safe.
Glad you’re sitting by a lake for a while, resting and enjoying. A month on the road, you’re in Michigan, wow! What an adventure. I hope the upper peninsula is a good ride. I’ve been across the Mackinaw Strait in a car with my mom on our way to or from my grandparents in Hibbing MN – but a bike trip is a wholly different perspective. Have a good ride tomorrow.
I’m looking forward to seeing the bridge. Unfortunately I can’t ride my bike across it. I have to get a ride in a truck from the bridge office. Even the ride is supposed to be interesting. And if there’s no bike lane (and high winds) a lot safer!