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.
