This year I traveled the country clockwise arriving in the middle America deciduous forests as they are turning colors. What a nature’s palette of stand out reds from the maples here in Marquette and Cable. Further west it was the sumac showing their true brilliant reds.
Thursday I did my wash, Dan showed up, he said that he concussed from his fall yesterday on the slippery bog boards.
Clean clothes some dried, others hung inside. Clothes are taking 3 days to line dry out because of the lower temps and higher humidity. I parked behind the abandoned Cable school building, the parking lot is a TH for the Cable trails. I pedaled south crossing the Namakagon river pedaling to the North TH and the Objibwe trail which is the first mtn bike trail CAMBA built. Old school, many places the tread was on the flat and eroded below grade. Several timber harvests, aka clear cuts, butted against the trail. The trail was a mix of old school and new improved building.
I hit my head on a fallen oak branch that stuffed my neck. Didn’t see the end among the brown leaves. Stayed on my bike.
Cable trails are fun and challenging. 18.44 miles climbing 1844′, 100 feet per trail mile.
Mic and Beth: I stopped at the Eatery hoping to catch you. I entered Marquette in the gps and learned that I had a long drive ahead and would arrive after dark. I decided I needed to get down the road. Mic, you asked me what i like in people. I read the quotes in the restroom which are thoughtful and provoking. I like that and whomever posted them. I attribute the characteristics to you. I look forward to connecting w/ y’all in Arkansas. The Rivers Eatery is a very cool and warm place to visit. I sat at the bar and engaged various sitters in conversation. Last was Eric who works for the USFS.
I headed east. Road passed thru the Ottawa NF and free camping, if I could find access to the forest. I saw a brown and white sign usually federal property and followed it to Bond Falls Flowage and found a free fee campsite right on the shoreline.
Sat I finished the drive stopping in Ishpeming to ride their trails. During my last visit 2 years ago local Paul guided me on a ride. Today I pulled up Trailforks and followed the gps track. Trails are in old iron ore mining: open pits and old shaft. Chunky ore rock covered by fallen leaves and interrupted by slippery roots. I heard a noise that was of concern. I stopped and looked over my bike. OI discovered an unthreaded spoke on the rear hub. I zip tied it to its neighbor and bailed on the ride gingerly picking my way till I hit pavement then pedaled back to the van. I chose Quick Stop bike shop in Marquette for repair. I needed to be there before closing at 4. I set them up to be my hero and they performed. Rethreaded and checked truing of wheel. No harm, all round again.
Shower at close in anytime and dinner next door at a grill. Next stop was Blackrocks brew pub for beers. Popular establishment. I asked permission to sleep in the parking lot. Cool I was told. I read a sign in the lot that in essence said just remove your car by 8:00AM. Once the lights were turned off I had dark and peace. Good beer also and conversation.
Today, Sunday, is the church service ride that I hoped Paul would be on and that I could find him. I guessed that they would be riding the Ishpeming trails. I went to the brewery where Paul previously told me they meet for ride. Nobody there. Next choice was to make the place where we had parked before. I got trapped in a dead end. Phooey. OK, I have a gps track. I geared up and pedaled out. Marquette is an IMBA Ride Center. I followed the epic course. The system had been ridden last weekend during a race. I was able to identify the course as it was swept free on leaves. No surface damage. Low and behold I heard voices, there was Paul and John. Way cool catching Paul and riding w/ him. He’s a Yopper.
Paul
The trails here are like ridden in, not as rocky as some of Cable, still with slippery stuff. Fall colors are spectacular.
Paul kept a running description of trail conditions only his voice projected forward and I was behind him. He rode his snow bike as he is waiting for frame replacement. Interesting riding the line of a fat bike. Great guy.
I bid Paul adieu and headed back to Marquette for a shower and a drive out to Lakenland to view the weld artist’s creative art work, some speaks of his life’s views:
The highway travels along an edge of Lake Superior
rebecca from Green bay will be here tomorrow for a group ride on South Mtn trails.
Next stop is short visit w/ Rebecca and Dave in Green Bay then long drive down thru IL to near Brown County IN for rides w/ Phil. Next weekend Ohio to visit w/ sister Lynn. Ride Mohican then head to the Appalachians.
To date I have ridden in 12 states this year. 2,0xx miles on the RFX.
Going to find dinner.