49.6 miles/ +1312.6 ft/ Total miles 1330.0/ Flat tires – 2/ Total flats 3
Nice ride today through farmland and along Lake Michigan on another rail trail. For the first 11 miles, I rode with a man out for a road ride (after mountain biking yesterday). We talked a lot about biking and bikes, which was fun for me. Shortly after we turned onto M31 (main state highway in this area) I got a flat on the rear wheel and he helped me fix it!
Back tire went flat again about 15 miles later. Rats. I fixed it again, called ahead to the bike shop in Charlevoix about a mile away (closed on Sunday) and a shop in Petoskey (open til 5). So stopped for lunch and onto the rail trail to get to the shop. They did a nice job checking over the back wheel, trueing it, and adjusting the back brake so it doesn’t rub.
About the time the mechanic was finished, a huge thunderstorm and downpour came through! I called ahead to my Warmshowers host for tonight and got a ride to their house – only 1 mile. Better than riding through the big downpour.
Tomorrow to Mackinaw City.
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
Sounds like a good people day – you get more kindness and assistance traveling this way. And I’m glad you missed the rainstorm – the flat tire led to good karma…
Just finished reading all of your blog posts in one day. Feels good to be caught up!