That’s min Upper Peninsula, MI. No internet access except for WiFi in brew pub.
Tues. I rode w/ Kristian in Marquette, finishing up the S mountain trails, mostly. Carp River trail was hand cut into almost cliffside w/ boards to create the outslope. One place there was like a fisheye mirror to warn riders of sharp hung in space turn or for riders heading the other way. Great challenging short trails.
I stopped in town @ Quickstop bike shop shopping for new Time cleats. I was greeted in the store by a guy w/ the Bike Mag article opened to my picture. I autographed it. I scored cleats for my Specialized shoes I wear when the trails are all pedaling because of the stiffer sole which makes for more efficient pedal power.
I drove from Marquette thru Houghton where my dad graduated from Michigan Tech w/ a degree in metallurgy to support his father’s non ferrous foundry. No doubt the school environs have changed in the intervening 60 years. There are trails apparently on campus that I will check out on my way back thru.
Kristian works for the US ski team and among other things has a Facebook site for environmental awareness. he has lots of friends. He posted a pic of me and my van. At Copper Harbor I walked into the brew pub and the brewer called me by name. Good beer.
I visited the local bike shop: Keweenwa Adventure Company. Copper Harbor mountain bike trails are free and supported by sale of trail map that I bought. I was given a ride route and suggestions on where to primitive camp for the night. Ice cream stand on the main drag provided desert b4 dinner. I drove out to the end of US rt 41 and found a pull off on the gravel road that continued to tip of peninsula. Knapweed. Still warm @ night.
Yesterday I drove back into town. I visited the shop again then geared up for my ride. My first ride was on the GardenBrook side of US 41. The trails here are mostly dirt w/ wooden bridges to keep the wheels out of the soft. 2 big attractions are the wooden features on trail On the Edge to climb up a cliff face and the Flow trail descent off the lakeside.
Trail tread is small sharp edged rock. The Flow trail is 3.4 miles traversing the N facing mountain side dropping back to water level. Bermed turns separated by traverses. View of lake:
I enjoyed my seat dropper.
I rode back to shop where Jerry laid out my afternoon ride on the other side of the highway on mostly old trails that are more technical. Big boardwalk ride up Stairway to heaven. I descended the Red trail that was a handfull of all hands paying attention. One place there was a sign warning of bridge followed by a blind roll over a roack face full onto a skinnier bridge that had to be hit straight on. A G out at the bottom followed by a steep rise to the trail above. A 14″ bridge w/ consequences was unsettling. Just look beyond where I am going and the bridge grew to 16″. red Trail is what I like to be challenged by.
I finished my ride then rode around the town. I bought a black and white chocolate malt and drank a beer later thus ending my riding for the day.
I learned that I have riding shorts for only 6 days between washes and today was the 6th day of riding. I found a laundromat in a campground and did my wash.
More later. fed Ex called and they have my package over in Hancock that I need to drive over to pick up