Day 7, August 10, 2019, Harbor Springs to Mackinaw City, MI

Today started out rather cool at 52 degrees with little wind.  By the time I reached Mackinaw City it was 69 degrees with a west wind of 10 mph.  There was only one tough climb today with a 12% grade.  The rest were manageable and not topping more than 6%. 

I’ve biked the route from Harbor Springs to Mackinaw City many times, but this time I noticed the roads were pretty awful once past Cross Village. If I were using my C2C scoring of road conditions, it would have varied from 1-3.  However, the Tunnel of Trees more than made up for it with a 9-10! 

Coming upon Good Hart and not seeing the normal set up that the DALMAC has was a little eerie.  We biked by relatively early in the day and nothing was open.  With the DALMAC ride, a full meal set up with barbecue is going.  Even Legs in Cross Village was still closed when I biked by.

Tunnel of trees

Good Hart General Store and Post Office.

Just past Good Hart I saw this deer. Sorry for the blurry image.

The view from Legs in Cross Village.

The end of the ride in Mackinaw City,

Day 6 - August 9, 2019, Charlevoix to Harbor Springs, MI

Today I opted for the shortest route that was about 32 miles.  It followed the Little Traverse Wheelway Trail. All the years that Doug and I cycled northern Michigan, we never did the trial -thus my choice for today. Before reaching the trail, we passed the Mushroom houses in Charlevoix – unique built homes.

The wind today was from the WNW at about 11 mph.  There were a few hills, with the worst one being up the road to the school.

My average for the day is deceiving because I stopped so many times to take pictures, walking from time to time. In addition, the trail crossed many parking lots and residential streets when in town.  However, it was worth it.  So many times, the ride sponsors kept reminding riders that this wasn’t a race, and we needed to enjoy everything around us – so I did

I still arriived at camp very early, even after stopping for coffee and a pastry.  After helping unload the luggage truck, I headed into town for lunch and a few beers. I ran into Julie’s husband and we walked together, thus avoiding a lunch alone. Dick continued to wander around Harbor Springs as I head back to find my tent that was now set up.  It is hard to believe that this is the last night of camp and tomorrow is the last riding day.  I know the route tomorrow, as it follows the same route as previous DALMAC rides with Doug (and Jill/Adam). We go through the tunnel of trees which is one of the most beautiful bike rides in the country.

Sunrise today.

A typical meal setup.

I do not know the other riders, but today we are all State family.

A mushroom house.

Another mushroom house.

Yet another Mushroom House.

Charlevoix Lighthouse.

I spotted Jane, from C2C, on the trail today.

A mini tunnel along the trail.

Petoskey Bay

On the walk back from lunch.

Day 5 - August 8, 2019, Traverse City to Charlevoix, MI

Well, today’s ride was a little better than Tuesday’s ride.  58 miles @14.2 mph. The winds started out at 9 mph from the west and shifted to NW 11mph and back to west at 14 mph.  That gave us a tailwind for a short time till we turned north and then we either had a head wind or cross wind depending on the part of the ride.

We started out on the TART trail as we headed out of Traverse City.  I rode past the back end of the State campground that our family used to camp at when we were kids. It brought back good memories.

We passed by some impressive sunflower fields, and of course, a fair share of hills.  One had a 12% grade and as I reached the summit, I mumbled “holy s$%t” and someone said, “yep, that should be the name of the hill.  Instead, it was called “spook hill.”

I did actually see Henry (from C2C) on the road for a short while. A rare sighting for me. I also saw a few post offices along the way. One time it was pure chance. I stopped to buy a cookie, and when I looked across the street, there was the small town post office in Elk Rapids.

The lunch stops were pretty early in the ride, so I didn’t stop.  That got me into camp before tents were up, but mine was luckily one of the first to go up!  My lucky day, because I found my duffel bags pretty quickly too!

I really liked this picture because it captured the hills and landscape out of Traverse City.

TART trail out of Traverse City.

The hill that had me cussing a little.

Henry from C2C is in the green shirt.

Best food served at school on this bike tour so far!

Day 4 - Rest Day in Traverse City, MI

Today was a designated rest day for the cycling tour and I took advantage.  My roommate from college, Julie, picked me up in a car and took me on a local tour.  We started the day with a great cup of coffee at a shop called “Morsels.” She then took me to a residential area to get a spectacular view.  Many of the cyclists took winery tours, but we chose to visit a few cider establishments. Afterwards we visited her sister at the Leland marina where she and her husband were docked with their sailboat. Lastly, we enjoyed dinner in “Fishtown” at the Cove.

View from the residential neighborhood.

View from Suttons Bay Ciders.

The sailboat with the pink kayak is Julie’s sister’s. They are sailing around the Great Lakes.

Tasting at Tandem Ciders.

Day 3 - August 6, 2019, Frankfort to Traverse City, MI

I thought today was going to be easier. Well, it wasn't - or I am just plain tired. We started the day with an 8% grade climb out of town. It was relatively flat for about ten miles, and then the hills were back.

I stopped at the Blue Heron for a needed cup of coffee. We rode through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore and I stopped at the climb area for a few photos.  There was no way I was hiking up the dunes with the shape my legs are in!  Just after I passed the dunes, I saw a bobcat in the road.  It moved to the side and then just sat there. I was quite surprised that it stayed so close to the roadway.

The next stop was the Cherry Republic. It was too early for a full lunch, so I opted for a homemade cinnamon roll.  There were many unique signs and beautiful flowers around their grounds.

Philosopher's Hill was a 3.7-mile climb said to be 3-5% grade. My Garmin said we hit 8% for a while. 62.8 miles today. tomorrow is a rest day with an optional ride on Old Mission Peninsula. If you followed me on C2C, I said Texas Hill Country reminded me on Northern Michigan. Yep, the hills are just as hard!!

I spotted a couple of post offices today.  We closed out the ride coming into Traverse City on the TART trail and a few neighborhood roads.  There were several optional “detours” that you could take today that I am sure offered spectacular views, but it was all I could do with the regular route today.

I averaged just 13.4 mph with over 2200 of elevation gain.  It got to the point that when I had a 1-2% grade, I thought it was flat, but knew better.  There was one awesome downhill after Philosopher’s Hill, but by then nothing was bringing that overall average back up! Winds started out of the WNW at 5 mph and ended at 9 mph out of the north and since the end of the day we were headed east, they really were not an impact.

View of the dunes where the public can climb.

Morning coffee stop.

Just after I passed the dunes, I spotted this bobcat along side the road.

At the Cherry Republic.

If you are from Michigan, you get this sign!

Along the TART trail.

More of the TART trail.

Day 2 - August 5, 2019, Ludington to Frankfort, MI

At the start of the day, I remembered to look for the lighthouse in Ludington, and then again for the one in Manistee  - I was able to photograph both from a distance.  I once again rode alone.  While I was in the small area of shorter hills, I kept a pretty good pace.  In fact, as a couple passed me by, the woman said “hey Cathy, you sure are doing a good pace.  I could see you in the distance and wondered if we would ever catch you.”  Of course, they did as they were younger and stronger.  They knew my name because we are required to wear a rider name plate.  I rode 65 miles at 14.3 mph.  I actually had about a 15.3 average until I encountered the first of the “three sisters” hill.

Just south of Onekama, I stopped at a lemonade/cookie stand.  The girls selling the goodies are related to one of the ride volunteers.

The highlight of today was climbing the “Three Sisters Hills.” I could not help but think of all my friends that like to climb hills – I am not a climb lover. They are between Onekama and Frankfort. The first hill is 1.45 miles long with grade averaging between 5-8%. Next up is “Watermelon Hill” which is a ½ mile long with a 12% grade. At the top of this hill the reward is watermelon! The last hill is 1.25 miles long with a grade of 5%. Needless to say, I was spent after the first one, however, I made it up all three!! Climbing Watermelon Hill I looked down and was going 3.2 mph. I needed more gears!

I did photograph two post offices today. The weather was great with 3-8 mph winds from the SSE switching to SW. I kept thinking that was the only thing helping me up the hills!

When I finally managed to make it into camp, most of the tents were not yet up.  I found my toiletries in the pile of duffel bags and took a quick shower and then walked to Storm Cloud Brewing Company for a local brew.  I ran into Henry and a few others there as well.  It felt good to walk after all the climbing today.  As I write this blog, a pretty good thunderstorm has rolled in.  It is supposed to be done my morning.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Ludington Lighthouse

Manistee Lighthouse

The young ladies selling lemonade and cookies.

View from the top of Watermelon Hill.

Start the descent down Watermelon Hill.

Almost to camp, we biked a short stretch of a paved trail. I saw this mom and son. I want this to be me and my granddaughter!

I made it into camp before my tent was up. It’s all good. I was able to find my belongings and start the”recharge” process for all my electronics. Last night when I was plugging it all in, some guy said i had a “six million dollar” bike. You have to be a few years old to know his joke!

I walked by these “lawn plates” on my way to the brewery. A first for me.

Day 1 - August 4, 2019, Montague to Ludington

61 miles averaging about 14.4 mph.  I was doing a little better until about mile 50 when we started to have some 5-8% grades and my knees just didn’t want to work any harder.  It was just a gorgeous day for riding.  I rode alone and battled the wind of 9 mph on my own.

I managed to miss the lighthouse near Silver Lake.  I guess I will need to pay better attention to my cue sheet book.  Those kinds of landmarks just don’t show up in Garmin files.  Maybe I will have better luck with the Ludington lighthouse when we start out tomorrow morning. 

I ran into Dick Ward in Pentwater near the Beach Nut coffee shop.  It was a great cup of coffee and if it hadn’t been so warm outside, I probably would have stocked up on some of their yummy chocolate treats. I am using Bubba’s Pampered services which makes it all good!

Start of the. ride today

Canadian Geese munching in a field along the road.

The only Post Office I noticed along the route today. I may have passed more…

These young riders are part of a team that rides to support youth cycling and raise funds for their organization.

Coffee shop in Pentwater where I ran into Dick Ward from 2018’s C2C.

Aug 3, 2019, 2019 - Day 0

Prep and Day 0

It took me two days to drive to Michigan: 11 hours the first day with an overnight in Murfreesboro, TN and 9.5 hours the second day spending the night in Caledonia, MI with my friends Mary and Chuck. They are gracious hosts with a gorgeous yard.  They let me store my bike at their home to avoid putting it on a truck. The next day I took a smaller step north (2 .5 hrs) to Fife Lake where I spent the night with my brother Steve and his wife Paula.  Once again, I had a pleasant evening and also took a walk down their dirt road where the “up north” feeling was all around.  I actually saw my nephew Shawn while I was out on my walk (he is getting married in two weeks!) who happened to be up at his family cabin running a few last-minute errands before his big day.

Then today, I drove the last stretch up to Mackinaw city (1.5 hrs) which is the location of the end of the ride. I left my car there for the return trip. Then I loaded my luggage onto a bus and headed back down state on a 4-hour ride back to the starting point in Montague, MI.  When I arrived, my friends Mary and Chuck brought my bike to me in Montague.  Finally, I am ready to start the ride tomorrow morning.

There are 452 riders on this tour with a range of ages from 3 to 81 years old.  The average age is 59.  Besides the U.S, there are riders from Canada, Netherlands and Brazil.  There are 31 U.S. states represented on the ride.  And for those people who have used Bubba’s Pampered services in the past, Coach (our beloved mechanic) is still healing a broken leg, so his son Kevin is the mechanic for this ride.  2018 C2Cers on this ride are Jane, Dick, me and Henry.  Henry is also support for this ride so he will only be riding every other day.

The front island at Mary and Chuck’s house. The angle doesn’t do it justice. The backyard is a landscapers dream!

The three busloads of riders stopping at a McDonald’s for lunch on the drive from Mackinaw City to Montague, MI.