72.1 miles/ +1145.3 ft/ Total miles 1455.7/ Tailwind
View of the bridge as I was heading west:
I took advantage of the tailwind to make some mileage today. Most of the ride was on US 2, with lots of truck traffic. Fortunately there is an 8 ft shoulder and a rumble strip. As long as they stay on their side and I stay on mine (as far to the right as possible), it all works. But it does require a lot of concentration to keep my line and avoid road debris without swerving.
Some of my traveling companions on US 2:
I am amazed at the size of the trucks in Michigan and how many axles they have. Michigan allows trucks over 80,000 pounds (the federal standard for interstate highways), as long as they meet limits on the axle loading. Yikes.
I took these photos at the motel where I am staying. It’s $28 to camp at a state park, with all the RVs and trailers, versus $50 for a motel. Easy decision. It rained last night and will probably rain again tonight. I’m drying out the tent now and at least I will be able to pack it up dry.
Thanks to the wind and easy grades, I made really good progress today. By noon I had covered 46 miles, and stopped at a cafe in Naubinway, sort of close to the Lake Michigan shoreline. I looked at my map and decided that it would be too early to stop at the campground about 15 miles down the road, and the next logical overnight stop was a motel and restaurant west of Blaney Park. I called to make sure I could get a room (and it still existed), all OK, so I set off. It turned out that for the next 20 miles I would be riding away from the lake shoreline and gaining elevation at grades of 1 to 4 percent. It never really flattened out the whole time but with the wind I was still clipping along.
It is nice to be headed west again, after riding more or less northeast along the Lake Michigan shoreline below the bridge. There were days that I rode east, south and north, and never west! Now I will be heading somewhat southwest, through Escanaba, where I will leave the Great Lakes behind and head toward Wisconsin.
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
Judy, I received your card today, thanks so much for taking the time out from your effort to send it. These are tough days for me, but your effort inspires me to think of the future and how I will reconstruct my new life. I hope you get to see and talk to all of my friends in Northern Wisconsin. I really think you would enjoy them. Good luck. I will be following your progress all the way to the end. Don
Hi Don, thanks for checking on the blog. I’m in touch with the folks in Wisconsin and I am planning to stop all three places. I’m looking forward to a new state in a few days – I’ve been riding in Michigan for a long time. Take care. Judy
Watch out for those multi-axled logging and mining trucks. On the back roads of the U.P.and northern Wisconsin they don’t give bikes an inch, especially on the down grades. Be safe, and eat some pasties along the way.
I am watching them all the time.It’s easy on US 2 with the wide shoulder. When it disappears (in towns) I ride on the sidewalk. They don’t want to move out of their lane. I have pulled off the road many times to let trucks by, and will continue to do that when I need to.
The deciduous trees are beautiful in the summer. Great pictures with the trucks. Looks a beautiful adventure!
Man, those trucks! Be careful.