Sunday, June 30, 2013

Day 27 - More Sunshine -- And Headwinds: Kaukauna, WI to Shawano, WI

Another beautiful day. And 48 miles of headwind. A big artic type front is blowing through from the north. It's keeping temps very pleasant, but bringing a pretty steady 15 mph headwind which has us laboring along at about 13 mph when we could otherwise easily avg 17-18 mph. It makes a difference on these 50 and 60 mile days. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

We're bound for Crandon, WI tomorrow. Supposed to be a 84 mile day, but we've already found a shortcut that will cut off a few miles. Still, that's a lot for us. We might look into a little hitch hiking. I'll hide in the bushes and send the fetching Martha out to snag a ride. Wisconsin is my favorite state so far. It is so green and lush here. Picture postcard pretty. There are many, many cow palaces along the way. That's why it's America's DairyLand!! Cows do seem to create lots of waste. There are mountains of it. Didn't take a picture. You can use your imagination. On an unfortunate note, Martha discovered through FB that the tandem guys, Zach and Parker, riding for the YMCA, that we met on the road a few days ago had a wreck involving an auto a couple of days after we saw them. Their bike was destroyed and Zach has a separated shoulder. Undeterred, they say they'll continue their fundraising trek for the Y as best they can and are still determined to make Bar Harbor, MA. Ah, to be young again. Heal fast and best wishes to our road warrior friends.
 
A drive-in theatre out in the middle of nowhere. There were actually two screens in the development.
 

The wind roaring in your ears all day becomes very fatiguing. This is a trick that I first learned from golfing in windy conditions. The plugs let you hear pretty much everything, but eliminate that wind roar. It makes a surprising difference.
 

Another gigantic cabbage field.
 

A little friend we met this a.m.
 

Yard art with a cycling theme. They might be onto something.

More evidence of the wind.
 

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Day 26 - Wisconsin! Cheeseheads! Headwinds!: Manitowoc, WI to Kaukauna, WI

Although Wisconsin is our seventh state in the current tour, it is the first 'new' state for me. I think I'm up to around 30 states in which I have ridden.

Wisconsin where we're riding is beautiful gently rolling farmland. As one would expect, we see lots of dairies. Also many fields of row crops. Today the wind made for a challenge. It was right out of the north at a sustained 15 mph. Of course, we were riding in a northerly direction almost all day.  The homes and farms in this area are so well kept. The fields seem weed free and every farm house is meticulously landscaped and pin neat. We are really enjoying America's Dairy Land. Tomorrow we continue northward to Shawano, WI. We're hoping it was just a passing front with those winds today. The terrain is bike friendly.

The TdeF started today (and what a day it was!). We let Barney look at some of the live coverage before departing this a.m. Them racin' boys got Barney all fired up. We had to rein him in a little the first few miles for fear he would hurt himself.

The temps today were great. This was taken late morning.
 

Wisconsin countryside. Martha's holding Barney's halter as Larry returns from a nature break.

Brave Barney. He was prepared to make a solo suicide mission into Z (Zombie) County! We talked him out of it because he is too important to national security. Thanks anyway Barney.
 

Check out that wind!
 

Friday, June 28, 2013

Day 25 - We've Got It! BADGER FEVER !!!: Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, WI

What a day! We made the jump into our 7th state (Wisconsin) with the help of our new BFF - The S.S. Badger.

The Badger is a carferry that has been in essentially continuous service since 1952. It's a great story. Look it up on Google/etc. We started out in a light fog that made our jackets feel good. The Badger has every amenity for its 4 hour crossing of Lake Michigan. Old folks us, we just napped and sat on the boat deck to enjoy the viewscape. The clouds started to part midway across and we arrived in Manitowoc in glorious sunshine.  Stopped by the local bike shop for a squirt of air and tips on places to eat and things to do for the afternoon. Heavy Pedal Bike Shop, Manitowoc was ever so nice on all counts. Thanks Guys!  Also spent time visiting with a local newspaper writer, also a cyclist, who gave us lots of great information about Manitowoc and it's history. We're back on Central Time. We'll like that. Feels more like home. Heading out tomorrow for Kaukauna, WI. They say Wisconsin is really flat. We'll find out. And the wind? They had a tremendous hail storm yesterday afternoon in downtown Manitowoc. The trees were nearly stripped naked of their leaves. It looked like fall with all the leaves on the ground.   
Barney patiently waiting to board. The Badger looms in the mist.

The Badger awaits final loading. It was built to haul train cars. Big semi-tractor trucks and their trailers are easily swallowed by the Badger. Barney stayed under the stairs and out of harm's way.
 

A saucy Martha checking out a sailing cap. Brenda Hall clearly didn't teach me to salute like that!  But then I did have a refrigerator magnet in my hand.
 

From the fantail. We learned very quickly that the fantail of a coal powered steamer is not the place to be unless you like gritty coal dust in your hair and everywhere else.
 

We moved to the bow. I couldn't get Martha to lean over the front and shout "I'm king of the world!!"
 

On the boat deck in the sunshine.
 

A final shot of the Badger in sunlight. She's loading up in Manitowoc, WI for the afternoon voyage back to Luddington, MI. Farewell old friend.

Haircut for Martha at the WalMart in Ludington. Thanks Terri!!  Marty, I'll be back in August!  
 
 

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Day 24 - On No! Barney's Gone OOP !!: Wolf Lake, MI to Luddington, MI

The Big Breaking News is that Barney has gone OOP!

If you're not a tandemista, you don't know what I'm talking about. A tandem's cranks are either In Phase (IP) or Out Of Phase (OOP).  If you're IP, the front and back cranks are at the same angle. If you're OOP, the cranks are 90 degrees 'out of phase' in relationship to each other.  We have always ridden IP (as do 99% of tandem riders). IP allows you to stand up as you ride the bike, which is really handy when you're riding unloaded in hilly country to help you power over the smaller humps. But with loaded touring, there is no standing. So, kinda on a whim, we decided to give it a try. Although the change is far from an 'Oh Wow!' difference, we have decided to keep things OOP for a while. Martha likes it because it gives her a pedal resistance feel more like on her single. I like it as Barney seems a little smoother and stable at ultra low speeds (as when we're climbing something really steep). Something new that we hadn't expected. That Barney. What will he think of next? Tomorrow a.m. we board the S.S.Badger (a car ferry) to cross Lake Michigan. Check page 8 of this journal for a previous post with details about the Badger. We've been thinking about the Badger a long time and are excited about some sailing action. Maybe the Badger captain will let Martha steer for a little while? Or not.

Waiting for our lunch order to come up.  Larry got happy then.
 
 

Check out those cranks.  Barney's OOP!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Day 23 - An Easy Day in a Great Area: LeRoy, MI to Wolf Lake, MI

Because of the 'jumps' between services, today was a very short mileage day - only 26 miles. We've had extra down time today and found a wonderful place to spend it - Wolf Lake. It's just a small resort on, you guessed it, Wolf Lake. Staying in a small mom and pop place right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, nice.

Last night's motel, better known as The Bates, was not so nice. Just one little step up from camping. But, we didn't get bit and, as far as we know, didn't catch anything. Met a group of 5 recumbent transcon riders in Luther, MI. Husband, wife, sister, father-in-law and sister's friend. They started about a week ago and are headed for Bar Harbor, MA. We gave them a couple of tips about the ferry across Lake Champlain at Ticonderoga, NY. In turn, they gave us some tips of what to expect as we continue west. Nice folks. Almost had a major navigation mistake coming into Wolf Lake. Big confusion on the motel's website as to their real location. We thought we had another 8 miles to the motel when we happened by pure chance to stop at a little convenience market for a short breather. While we were eating our Payday candy bar, Martha looked across the road and noticed that the motel had the very same exact name as the one we thought was still down the road 8 miles. Turns out it was our motel. Long story short, Martha's eagle eyes saved us 16 miles. Another great save by the naviguesser extraordinaire. Tomorrow we ride 51 miles to Luddington, MI. Friday a.m. we ride the S.S. Badger car ferry across Lake Michigan. Been thinking about the Badger since January. We'll be glad to see her in person.

The Bates in LeRoy. Very scary.
 

Recumbent riders heading to Bar Harbor, MA.
 

Quite a line-up!
 

Our place for tonight. On the peaceful shores of Wolf Lake. Very nice.
 

Martha lunching on the shores of Wolf Lake. Microwave mac and cheese, bologna, crackers, and a drink. Doesn't get much better.
 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Day 22 - A Day to Meet Fellow Adventurers!: Clare, MI to LeRoy, MI

We really hadn't met any other cross country cyclists - until today.

We passed the 1,000 mile mark just after the start of today's ride. About a mile later, we met Fred. Fred's a minister. He was just a few hours from completing a 2,500 mile ride from Everett, WA to Flint, MI. He hadn't seen his wife in 6 weeks and was really looking forward to a reunion. He gave us a few tips on what to expect on the road ahead. Later we came upon Zach and Parker. They're friends riding for a cause (the YMCA) from Duluth, MN to Brunswick, MA on a tandem (same brand as Barney - they're probably first cousins)! There was also another rider with the tandem guys (sorry, didn't get his name) on a trans-Michigan ride. Just a couple of miles after Zach and Parker, we were humbled to meet the cycling Mentzers. A cycling group consisting of mom, dad, three children (ages 3,4 and 7) and grandma. Daddy was pulling a kid-back and a trailer. Momma was likewise. And grandma was (just) pulling a trailer with all their camping supplies! What a crew. It made us feel that what we're doing is just a walk in the park. Mentzers! We salute you!!

The first thousand. One down. Three to go.
 

Fred. Finishing up a 2,500 mile trip from Everett, WA. Nice guy. Stay safe.
 

Zack and Parker. Pedaling for a Cause (their local 'Y'). A strong looking team -- and they're camping.
 

Sorry, didn't get his name. He was doing a trans-Michigan ride and was kinda hanging with the tandem guys.
 

The real deal. Nathan and Fay Mentzer with their three children, ages 3,4 and 7. Riding about 25 miles every other day and camping!
 

Here's grandma Mentzer with a Bob Trailer hauling all the camping gear. What a wonderful family!
 
 

I usually just post the same thing that Larry posts on "Crazy Guy on a Bike", but today I just have to add a little bit of my own touch to his great blog.  It was so exciting to meet these other folks today on the road.  I've heard so many people tell us that while they admire what we are doing, they pretty much think we are crazy.  Today, meeting others who are doing what we are doing, gave me such a huge boost!  They are all as excited as we are about traveling this beautiful country on the back roads on their bikes.  They all have fun stories to tell and there is a kindred spirit that connects us.  And I'm with Larry about the Mentzer family!  Wow!  Next time I try to pull that princess routine, he's going to remind me that I'm not camping with 3 children under the age of 10.  I'm not even sure I could handle that with the comforts of home.  But what a fabulous experience they are having as a family.  So Stay Calm and Ride On!  Love Larry for taking me on such a fabulous adventure!


Monday, June 24, 2013

Day 21 - What Goes Around Comes Around. A Hot, Uphill, Headwind Day.: Saginaw, MI to Clare, MI

It was a challenging day. Pretty much the polar opposite of yesterday. We rode the same mileage as yesterday, only it took us a full hour longer of seat time and probably 2 and a half hours longer, total.
 
It has finally gotten hot - upper 80s - and that took its toll. Plus, the day was all uphill, albeit slight, and that headwind. You earned every pedal stroke. No coasting today. Barely managed a 12 mph average for the day. Finished up with both of us pretty tired. A good shower and supper has made it all better. Still, early to bed tonight.  Heading to Leroy, MI tomorrow. Just a fifty mile day. Almost like a day off.
 
A 100 acre (of what turned out to be) radish field. Martha scolded me for 'vandalizing' the farmer's field for pulling a single plant to confirm they were, in fact, radishes. I am so bad. So sorry, Mr. Farmer.
 

Big Boy giving Barney the eye.
 

A children's water attraction in Midland, MI. It was hot. The water looked great. But for fear of being some kind of child predator suspect, Larry would have jumped right in.
 

Trail Angel Jerry Smith from Midland, MI. Met Jerry on the Pere Marquette rail trail. Jerry had ridden 50 miles from home the day before to visit a friend and was on his return back home. Jerry knows bikes and touring. A delight to talk to. We were fading a little when we met Jerry. After a 30 minute yakfest, Jerry had us ready to finish the last 10 miles into Clare, MI. Thanks Jerr!!
 

The Pere Marquette Rail Trail. 32 miles long. One of the best we've been on. Our mistake was we rode it uphill against the wind. We should have been going south! Duh.
 

For bike friends Lynn and Al. Met this guy at supper on his BMW. He's going from Ashville, N.C. to Prudhoe Bay, AK. Impressive.
 

Big Boy was out of strawberry pie in Midland (and its Strawberry Fest!!), but put a powerful craving on me. Another Big Boy is right next door to our motel here in Clare. Larry got his pie. It was delish!
 
 

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Day 20 - Downhill with a Tailwind!! We Could Get Used to This!!: Howell, MI to Saginaw, MI

Wow. What a difference a rest day makes. We planned up a good route out of Howell to Saginaw. Paved roads, low traffic count. Being Sunday morning didn't hurt either. And then, we drew a great tailwind. Averaged almost 16 mph! Did our 60 miles in a shade less than 4 hours. Checked in at the motel at 12:30. Life is good.

Had so much time on our hands this afternoon that we decided to see a Sunday Matinee at a real movie theatre. Saw 'World War Z'. We probably will have bad dreams featuring zombies tonight. Almost as bad as dreaming of Cannon County chasin' dogs. Yeah, those mutts are way worse than any ole zombie. We'll be getting back on the ACA route after about 20 miles tomorrow. Looking forward to the confidence that the ACA maps give us. Thanks again ACA.

Martha and Barney taking a little break. Notice that Barney is now carrying extra panniers/etc with all our camping stuff.
 

Martha's all loaded up and ready for the movie. Watch out for those zombies!!
 

A zombie seagull waiting outside the theatre for stray popcorn kernels (and the unwary).

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Day 19 - A Well Deserved Rest Day: Just Chillin' in Howell, MI

After 18 consecutive riding days (and an extra tough day yesterday), we decided it was time for a day off. Good decision.

Staying at the HI Express. Extra nice people here.  Met up with Dawn. She's the daughter of our good bike buddy Jennifer. We had supper together at the Tomato Bros Restaurant where we met the wife of yesterday's Trail Angel, Pat Wright. Eileen Wright is a waitress at the Tomato. Small world. Disappointed that Maddie, Dawn's daughter, age 2 1/2, was at the lake with her dad/Dawn's husband this week-end and we didn't get to meet her.  We also retrieved the camping gear we shipped from New Castle, PA to Dawn about 10 days ago. Martha and I went through all our gear and managed to cut out another 10 lbs of stuff we think we can do without. Left it with Dawn. Jennifer will get it when she comes to visit later this summer.Martha worked very hard this a.m. with her route planning for the next 6 or 7 days and feels very confident that we won't be needing that camping gear for at least several more days. Good. Good. We depart extra early tomorrow a.m. for Saginaw, MI. Expect to have our 60 miles in by lunch time and miss the 90 degree heat that has just gotten started in this area. Won't be many more days until we get to Luddington and our ferry ride on the S.S. Badger across Lake Michigan.

Martha goofin' around at the mall on her rest day.
 

Dawn. Trail Angel, Howell, MI resident and daughter of our M'boro bike buddy Jennifer D. Had dinner with Dawn. Enjoyed pictures of her daughter, Maddie. Thanks again, Dawn, for keeping our stuff. We so appreciate your help.

Day 18 - Michigan DOT, Would it Kill You to Pave Some Back Roads?: Tecumseh, MI to Howell, MI

A hard day today as we departed our ACA route to detour over to Howell to see a friend. Howell is where we shipped our camping stuff to back in PA. It seems that the State of Michigan does not pave back roads. The back roads are a gravelly/sandy mess. The available blacktop roads between Ann Arbor and Howell were mostly shoulderless with fast traffic. Not a fun day. We've got about 80 miles between Howell and Midland, MI to get back on the ACA route. Trying to figure out a way not to repeat today. May take tomorrow as a rest day.

Martha and Barney took a little bit of a beating with all the gravel, dirt and sand, but came through like champions. A good night's rest will make it all better.

Shop owner and Trail Angel Mike of SIC Transit Cycles, Ann Arbor. He was very helpful with the best way to get to Howell.  



A little bit of everything today - including single tract. That Barney - the do it all tandem.
 

 Pat Wright, Trail Angel and caterer (PrimOvations). Gave us some water and wished us safe journey. Check out those pork ribs he was prepping in the outdoor smoker!!


It was getting late and the dirt roads were starting to aggravate Martha.
 

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Day 17 - More Pretty Weather and Flat Ground: Oregon, OH to Tecumseh, MI

Another great day of weather and flat ground. Barney is loving this.

We have both gotten stronger as we are now midway of our third week of riding. Our endurance has really improved. We easily stay in the saddle for a solid hour between breaks and our speed has also improved. Neither of us is sore nor experiencing cramps or any other discomforts. We really like the way we're feeling. Don't think we've lost any weight, but may be toning up a little. We entered the state of Michigan this a.m. Our sixth state (so far!). Couldn't find the state sign for a photo. Sorry.

 Checking out a possible part-time job for Martha.
 
 
 

Taking a break and studying up the maps.
 

A fifty acre cabbage patch. Evidently no truth to rumor that your momma found you under a cabbage leaf.
 

A beautiful head.
 
Barney guarding the cabbage patch.