This is most likely my last post on this blog. I just wanted to wrap up a couple of lose ends.
First, if you'd like to see some better quality and additional pictures, please go to Shutterfly:
http://bikingthenortherntier.shutterfly.com/pictures/41#112
Some folks might be interested in my touring bicycle components. So, here's a list of the major items:
- Gunnar Fastlane frame and fork
- Shimano PD-A530 Pedals
- CC Compact Brake Levers
- Shimano Deore XT RR DER 9-spd - Shimano Deore XT crank
- Hope Pro2 Rear and Front Hub Disc
- Thomson Seatpost
- Probike Headset Cartridge
- Specialized All Condition Tires 700 x 28
- Kalloy A-Head Road Stem
- Avid BB7 Disc Brakes
- Nitto Noodle Bar
If you have any questions about the bike, the guys at Crank Daddy's can help.
http://crankdaddys.com/
Other than a couple of flats and some minor brake adjustments, it was a trouble free ride. Total weight of the bike is about 27 pounds.
It was fun.
Mike
-
Friday, July 15, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Lime Kiln Hill - Revisited
There's nothing like the anticipation of coming home to move the pedals a little faster. Even though temperatures were in the 90's, I still managed 13.28 mph for those last 109 miles.
My route through Louisville took me up Lime Kiln Hill. This hill isn't big, by Western states standards, but it is one of the bigger and steeper ones in the area. With my friend Dave, I've probably ridden up this hill 100 times in the last couple of years. Normally it's a grind, but this time it was pure joy.
A few miles later, I was almost home when I encountered my friends and neighbors, Sue and Paula. They gave me a hearty "welcome back" but didn't let on that there was a surprise awaiting me.
I've met lots of interesting, helpful and friendly people in my 41 days of bicycle travel, but above all my experiences served to heighten the value of good friends and neighbors. It's good to be home.
I'm going to upload photos to Shutterfly in the next day or two. These will be much higher quality than what you see here. For anyone interested in the mechanicals, I'll also post the component package on my bike.
***************
For those of you who like numbers (I love numbers), here are a few:
Total miles: 3075
Average miles ridden per day: 75
100+ mile days: 6
Most miles in one day: 130
Fewest miles in one day: 20
Total crank revolutions: about 885,000*
Flats: 2
Riding days: 41
Rest days: 2
* I figured cadence of 80, 25% coasting, and average of 12.5 miles per hour.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
My route through Louisville took me up Lime Kiln Hill. This hill isn't big, by Western states standards, but it is one of the bigger and steeper ones in the area. With my friend Dave, I've probably ridden up this hill 100 times in the last couple of years. Normally it's a grind, but this time it was pure joy.
A few miles later, I was almost home when I encountered my friends and neighbors, Sue and Paula. They gave me a hearty "welcome back" but didn't let on that there was a surprise awaiting me.
I've met lots of interesting, helpful and friendly people in my 41 days of bicycle travel, but above all my experiences served to heighten the value of good friends and neighbors. It's good to be home.
I'm going to upload photos to Shutterfly in the next day or two. These will be much higher quality than what you see here. For anyone interested in the mechanicals, I'll also post the component package on my bike.
***************
For those of you who like numbers (I love numbers), here are a few:
Total miles: 3075
Average miles ridden per day: 75
100+ mile days: 6
Most miles in one day: 130
Fewest miles in one day: 20
Total crank revolutions: about 885,000*
Flats: 2
Riding days: 41
Rest days: 2
* I figured cadence of 80, 25% coasting, and average of 12.5 miles per hour.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, July 9, 2011
A Better Way Through Indianapolis
It's funny how things work out.
I started the day in Logansport and headed South on hiway 29. Winds were light, but more head than tail. Temperatures quickly rose and I had several Powerade stops. I have gotten to the point where a quart of Powerade is a typical stop. Fortunately, with the Burley, its no problem to keep a 2-3 qts in reserve.
In Michigantown, I finally got an Indiana map. I dreaded the idea of riding through Indianapolis and planned to take hiway 38 East and then take hiway 9 South past Indianapolis. Hiway 38 was just wonderful with almost no traffic. In Sheridan I stopped for another Powerade and banana break in one of the city parks. There was a Little League baseball game being played and so I took my time and watched a couple of innings. The home team put 6 runs on the board in the third inning, but the visitors were chipping away at the lead when I left.
Five miles out of Sheridan, hiway 38 was closed and I had to take a detour South on 31. It was about 2 p.m. and I was just about to make the turn back onto the 38. First though, it was time for some lunch: Taco Bell. While there, I met Dan, another cyclist. He asked me about my intended route and thought I could save several miles and avoid lots of traffic by taking Monon trail to downtown and then hiway 31 South. It so happened that the Monon trail began just a couple of blocks from the Taco Bell.
So off I went on the bike trail, saving miles and having a very pleasant ride. When I got downtown, it didn't take long to find hiway 31 South. This is a 6-lane urban hiway and for the first few miles the traffic flow made for challenging riding. It definitely not something I'd want to ride everyday. Nevertheless, after a while the traffic lightened and I was riding at a good pace. Still, I stopped twice for Powerade breaks. When you're riding in traffic, the most important thing is to be alert and have some power in your legs when you need it. The breaks really help.
So, if I hadn't gotten the map, I wouldn't have taken hiway 38, and if hiway 38 wasn't closed and rerouted onto 31, I wouldn't have stopped at the Taco Bell and met Dan and rode that wonderful city bike trail. Funny, in a nice way, how things work out.
The trip is winding down and while I'm looking forward to getting home, I'm also going to miss the daily mini-adventures.
Today I rode just over 8 hours and covered 105 miles. I'm just 33 miles shy of 3000 for the total trip.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I started the day in Logansport and headed South on hiway 29. Winds were light, but more head than tail. Temperatures quickly rose and I had several Powerade stops. I have gotten to the point where a quart of Powerade is a typical stop. Fortunately, with the Burley, its no problem to keep a 2-3 qts in reserve.
In Michigantown, I finally got an Indiana map. I dreaded the idea of riding through Indianapolis and planned to take hiway 38 East and then take hiway 9 South past Indianapolis. Hiway 38 was just wonderful with almost no traffic. In Sheridan I stopped for another Powerade and banana break in one of the city parks. There was a Little League baseball game being played and so I took my time and watched a couple of innings. The home team put 6 runs on the board in the third inning, but the visitors were chipping away at the lead when I left.
Five miles out of Sheridan, hiway 38 was closed and I had to take a detour South on 31. It was about 2 p.m. and I was just about to make the turn back onto the 38. First though, it was time for some lunch: Taco Bell. While there, I met Dan, another cyclist. He asked me about my intended route and thought I could save several miles and avoid lots of traffic by taking Monon trail to downtown and then hiway 31 South. It so happened that the Monon trail began just a couple of blocks from the Taco Bell.
So off I went on the bike trail, saving miles and having a very pleasant ride. When I got downtown, it didn't take long to find hiway 31 South. This is a 6-lane urban hiway and for the first few miles the traffic flow made for challenging riding. It definitely not something I'd want to ride everyday. Nevertheless, after a while the traffic lightened and I was riding at a good pace. Still, I stopped twice for Powerade breaks. When you're riding in traffic, the most important thing is to be alert and have some power in your legs when you need it. The breaks really help.
So, if I hadn't gotten the map, I wouldn't have taken hiway 38, and if hiway 38 wasn't closed and rerouted onto 31, I wouldn't have stopped at the Taco Bell and met Dan and rode that wonderful city bike trail. Funny, in a nice way, how things work out.
The trip is winding down and while I'm looking forward to getting home, I'm also going to miss the daily mini-adventures.
Today I rode just over 8 hours and covered 105 miles. I'm just 33 miles shy of 3000 for the total trip.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Franklin, IN
Friday, July 8, 2011
Maps
I got out early in hopes of beating the heat and getting at least 100 miles in. Well, I beat the heat for a while and with some effort, I put on 109 miles. I'm pretty sure I getting closer to Louisville, but without a map I'm not sure how much closer.
I figured I could get a map near the Michigan-Indiana border. I stopped in at least 6 gas stations/convenience stores, and none had an Indiana map. So I asked for directions and gradually made my way down to Logansport. I asked around for a map here too, but no luck. So, I'm going to go to Google and write down some directions for the next 100 miles.
At about 4 p.m. I stopped for a late lunch at the Kibitzer Tavern and Restaurant in Kewanna. I had a nice conversation with Bob and Jane, and the owner Gloria. I learned a little bit about the corn and soybean business (it's good) and enjoyed a great burger. I told them about my bicycle travels. When I was ready to leave, Gloria generously bought my lunch. Thirty-nine days of pedaling and there are still some new experiences and pleasant surprises.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I figured I could get a map near the Michigan-Indiana border. I stopped in at least 6 gas stations/convenience stores, and none had an Indiana map. So I asked for directions and gradually made my way down to Logansport. I asked around for a map here too, but no luck. So, I'm going to go to Google and write down some directions for the next 100 miles.
At about 4 p.m. I stopped for a late lunch at the Kibitzer Tavern and Restaurant in Kewanna. I had a nice conversation with Bob and Jane, and the owner Gloria. I learned a little bit about the corn and soybean business (it's good) and enjoyed a great burger. I told them about my bicycle travels. When I was ready to leave, Gloria generously bought my lunch. Thirty-nine days of pedaling and there are still some new experiences and pleasant surprises.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:E Market St, Logansport, IN
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Route Change
It was a great day for a ride. Winds were light, temps moderate, and traffic on the roads was light. Most of the day was spent on country road A2. From Grand Haven to Benton Harbor, I had either a bike lane, wide shoulder or so little traffic I could ride on the roadway.
Blueberries and raspberries are in season and I would have liked to buy a few quarts to enjoy while traveling. Unfortunately, transporting soft fruit on a bicycle really doesn't work very well. So, I'll just have to plan on getting some pie or pancakes with fresh berries along the way.
This West side of Michigan is very pleasant to travel through. Between the beaches, the lakeside tourist communities, the aforementioned seasonal fruit, and great roads, it is ideal touring country. I wouldn't mind coming up and going through this area again, just at a slower pace.
Today's ride was uneventful, save for one interaction. I'm still asking for directions (lousy map), and I stopped a woman just getting into her car to ask for directions to Saugatauk. She was very nice and carefully explained the best route to take. Off I went. A couple of miles later, I see her just ahead of me, waving me down. She explained that she made a small mistake in her directions and wanted to correct them. How many people would do that? BTW - She works for McDonald's. I guess she really understands the concept of service. McD's is lucky to have her.
I rode 85 miles today. Total miles ridden is now up to 2750.
Tomorrow I'll cross over into Indiana. As I have explained to several people, I've decided to change my route. Instead of continuing the Northern Tier route to Bar Harbor, ME, I'm going to ride South back to Louisville, KY. The miles are piling up and while I'm sure I could finish the coast to coast ride, there's little incentive to continue East. By riding back to LVLL, I'll save an airfare and the hassle of shipping the bike. Maybe I ride the Eastern half of the Northern Tier next year.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Blueberries and raspberries are in season and I would have liked to buy a few quarts to enjoy while traveling. Unfortunately, transporting soft fruit on a bicycle really doesn't work very well. So, I'll just have to plan on getting some pie or pancakes with fresh berries along the way.
This West side of Michigan is very pleasant to travel through. Between the beaches, the lakeside tourist communities, the aforementioned seasonal fruit, and great roads, it is ideal touring country. I wouldn't mind coming up and going through this area again, just at a slower pace.
Today's ride was uneventful, save for one interaction. I'm still asking for directions (lousy map), and I stopped a woman just getting into her car to ask for directions to Saugatauk. She was very nice and carefully explained the best route to take. Off I went. A couple of miles later, I see her just ahead of me, waving me down. She explained that she made a small mistake in her directions and wanted to correct them. How many people would do that? BTW - She works for McDonald's. I guess she really understands the concept of service. McD's is lucky to have her.
I rode 85 miles today. Total miles ridden is now up to 2750.
Tomorrow I'll cross over into Indiana. As I have explained to several people, I've decided to change my route. Instead of continuing the Northern Tier route to Bar Harbor, ME, I'm going to ride South back to Louisville, KY. The miles are piling up and while I'm sure I could finish the coast to coast ride, there's little incentive to continue East. By riding back to LVLL, I'll save an airfare and the hassle of shipping the bike. Maybe I ride the Eastern half of the Northern Tier next year.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Stevensville, MI
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Beaches
Yesterday, the fellow bicyclist I met on the Badger suggested that I alter my route. Instead of going inland as specified on the ACA map, he suggested I hug the shoreline of Western Michigan. I wasn't particularly enthused about the ACA route since it didn't have many lodging and camping options, and so early this morning I bought a Michigan map and set off to follow the shoreline.
Unfortunately the map I bought doesn't have much detail and the county roads either weren't shown or weren't labeled. So, I just picked roads that had "South" in the direction and hoped for the best. I'd ask for directions every once in a while, but for the most part my intuition was right.
This part of Michigan is well known for its sand dunes along the beach. I didn't take the time to explore them, but lots of other people do. There are a number of shops that offer dune buggy rentals or just tours.
I rode into Muskegon at about 5 p.m. and was tempted to try to make it down to Holland, but since I don't have a campground/motel listing, I thought it best find a campground early.
I'm spending the night at the Grand Haven State Park, right on the beach. If you just looked at the setting you might guess I'm on a California beach.
For dinner, I walked into town and had a hot dog and burrito at Butch's Beach Burritos. Doesn't this look like something you'd find along Highway 1? Even the hot dogs are served with hot sauce. They put the wiener in a bun, add the toppings and then roll it in a burrito.
I got back to my campsite just as the sun was starting to go down.
My neighbors at the campground noticed my minimalist approach to camping and offered to share their dinner with me. Even though I just ate, I couldn't turn down a friendly invitation for dinner (always need to fuel the pedaling engine) and conversation. Jeff and Mary and their family are here from Ottumwa, Iowa.
This campground is mostly big trailers and RVs. Many people brought their bikes. It occurred to me that while other people used their trailers to bring their bikes here, I used my bike to bring my trailer here.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Unfortunately the map I bought doesn't have much detail and the county roads either weren't shown or weren't labeled. So, I just picked roads that had "South" in the direction and hoped for the best. I'd ask for directions every once in a while, but for the most part my intuition was right.
This part of Michigan is well known for its sand dunes along the beach. I didn't take the time to explore them, but lots of other people do. There are a number of shops that offer dune buggy rentals or just tours.
I rode into Muskegon at about 5 p.m. and was tempted to try to make it down to Holland, but since I don't have a campground/motel listing, I thought it best find a campground early.
I'm spending the night at the Grand Haven State Park, right on the beach. If you just looked at the setting you might guess I'm on a California beach.
For dinner, I walked into town and had a hot dog and burrito at Butch's Beach Burritos. Doesn't this look like something you'd find along Highway 1? Even the hot dogs are served with hot sauce. They put the wiener in a bun, add the toppings and then roll it in a burrito.
I got back to my campsite just as the sun was starting to go down.
My neighbors at the campground noticed my minimalist approach to camping and offered to share their dinner with me. Even though I just ate, I couldn't turn down a friendly invitation for dinner (always need to fuel the pedaling engine) and conversation. Jeff and Mary and their family are here from Ottumwa, Iowa.
This campground is mostly big trailers and RVs. Many people brought their bikes. It occurred to me that while other people used their trailers to bring their bikes here, I used my bike to bring my trailer here.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Grand Haven, MI
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Across the Lake
I enjoyed a second day off yesterday. It was a quiet day capped off with a great barbecue and lots of friendly conversation. "Yes John, I'd like mine cooked on both sides." :)
This morning Ken and I got up at 6:00 a.m. and we were on the road 45 minutes later. Ken was the tour guide up to Port Washington. That was very helpful because the Google maps are so confusing. From there, the route was much easier to follow and I was in Manitowoc shortly after noon, ready for the trip across the lake.
The clean bike, fresh legs, and a slight tailwind gave me an average speed of 13.5 mph. That's better than my typical day. However, when I see the riders in the Tour de France running 40+ mph, I can't do too much chest pounding.
The Badger is a coal-fired steam engine auto transport ferry. Cost for the bike was just $6, but the cost for me was about $70. So, this wasn't a bargain, but I figured it was a one-time event for me. It is due to be retired in 2014 due to the environmental impact of the coal fired engine, so if I didn't do it now...
Here's the view as we leave WI..
and the view coming in to Ludington:
On the crossing I talked to another tourer. Dave rode his road bike from San Francisco to Michigan. He has a compact double crank with STI shifters. Everything went well from a mechanical standpoint up until a couple of days ago. For reasons unknown, his rear derailleur broke and the rear wheel locked up. He was fortunate to be able to come to a safe stop and lucky to be close to a bike shop that could make the repairs. Once again, I think the components on my bike are working very well. I'm glad we went with the bar end shifters and the mountain bike drivetrain.
The crossing took about 3 1/2 hours and with the time change and disembarking, it was nearly 7 p.m. by the time I got back on the bike. So Ludington is my overnight home.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This morning Ken and I got up at 6:00 a.m. and we were on the road 45 minutes later. Ken was the tour guide up to Port Washington. That was very helpful because the Google maps are so confusing. From there, the route was much easier to follow and I was in Manitowoc shortly after noon, ready for the trip across the lake.
The clean bike, fresh legs, and a slight tailwind gave me an average speed of 13.5 mph. That's better than my typical day. However, when I see the riders in the Tour de France running 40+ mph, I can't do too much chest pounding.
The Badger is a coal-fired steam engine auto transport ferry. Cost for the bike was just $6, but the cost for me was about $70. So, this wasn't a bargain, but I figured it was a one-time event for me. It is due to be retired in 2014 due to the environmental impact of the coal fired engine, so if I didn't do it now...
Here's the view as we leave WI..
and the view coming in to Ludington:
On the crossing I talked to another tourer. Dave rode his road bike from San Francisco to Michigan. He has a compact double crank with STI shifters. Everything went well from a mechanical standpoint up until a couple of days ago. For reasons unknown, his rear derailleur broke and the rear wheel locked up. He was fortunate to be able to come to a safe stop and lucky to be close to a bike shop that could make the repairs. Once again, I think the components on my bike are working very well. I'm glad we went with the bar end shifters and the mountain bike drivetrain.
The crossing took about 3 1/2 hours and with the time change and disembarking, it was nearly 7 p.m. by the time I got back on the bike. So Ludington is my overnight home.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Ludington, MI
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