Sunday night was another town night behind the brewery.
Monday Rebecca’s gang from Du Pere drove up to Marquette for a ride. Paul joined us for the first ride then left for work. We rode 3 separate loops from the parking lot. Colors have appeared up here. Marquette is an IMBA ride center. Some trails have extensive berming. There are several serious downhill trails that were best left unseen. Changed clothes we all sat at 1 big table, all 11 of us, at a Mexican restaurant. We dallied till almost dark then headed to Du Pere in the dark. Windy, van rolls. I visited w/ Dave and Rebecca till eyelids drooped. I spent the night in their driveway. Rebecca signed the poster. We visited some more in the morning before I left. They have 2 dogs that I have met several times since 2010. Dave said their behavior with me indicated that they remembered me. An example of recognition.
Tuesday was a big drive day heading to Brown County and Phil’s place. I found Walnut Point SP for the night near Oakland, IL. Paid campground.
Wed I finished the drive to Norman, IN and Phil’s place. I found a laundromat on the way and did my wash on Wed instead of Thurs as I would need clean riding clothes after riding 6 days in a row.
Thurs Phil loaded us up in his Honda element and we zipped the back roads to Brown County State Park. On the way we saw what Phil said was a bobcat. Perhaps, I made no identification.
Brown Cty trails are growing. Phil is the local. We met his friend Sally who runs a bike skills training. We met in Sedona this spring and maybe a previous year.
Phil took us on a newly made trail, Bobcat. Phil said that an ideal post title would be ” 2 Bobcats and no cougar”. The terrain has nice vertical relief and ravines that the designers have used well. Challenging w/ some walking spots. I was thrown by the sharp turns in and out of a wash, short length makes for front wheel stick on the far side. I learned that I need to bunny hop stuff taller than my bottom bracket.
We visited Gonzo’s shop outside the park. I know Gonzo from Sedona. My replacement treking poles were there but no RaceFace dropper post. Post should have been there.
Back at Phil’s he asked for me to fix my burritos for dinner which I did.
Corn is being picked. Corn fields surround Phil’s.
Thurs I drove east to Versailles SP for a ride. I used MTBProject for navigation successfully.
Clean water
13.57 miles climbing 837′ Twisty and windy thru the open deciduous forest. Acorns rain down, scampering squirrels gathered what they could stuff in their pouch leaving way more than they could consume or store.
Out of the hills to finish the drive to sister Lynn’s place at Celina, OH on Grand Lake. I visited 2 days. On Sat we went for a tourist drive. The Miami Erie canal ran nearby, Grand was a feeder. Amazing amount of work that was short lived as the railroad arrived. We visited the Bicycle Museum that as per a museum had many bikes on exhibit, none really of the modern mtn bikes, actually hardly a mtn bike. However, the first “bicycle” was on display.
On the way to Lynn’s I spotted a historical sign for Annie Oakley’s grave. Gotta go visit it.
She performed in Buffalo Bill’s wild west show. He is buried near Denver, CO. I visited his grave while biding my time for darkness to sleep in a closed restaurant parking lot. Before wake up I was rousted by a sheriff telling me to move on. It was my first roust.
I left Sunday morning heading east to Mohican. I drive back roads at slower speeds reaching Mohican later than I wanted to to be able to ride the big loop. I dropped off my bike and geared up. At the start of every ride I work the controls checking performance. Shit, the Lev wouldn’t go down. WTF? I removed it and installed the Reverb then went for the short loop ride. I camped in the electric hook up part of the XG, packed in w/ the land yachts. Hot shower. Cost $30. I installed new rear brake pads which caused the brake lever to engage the brake w/ a very short pull, too touchy. I put back on the old chain. Between the 2 chains I have 2092 miles on the same cluster.
Chilly night.
This morning was 41 degrees w/ a high of 61. I drug my feet waiting for sun warmth. I drove out to the bike TH which was shaded by trees. I waited until I was full sun on before venturing forth. Great trail, typical of the midwest rides so far with more vert .
Roots are the take away for this trail. 24 miles climbing 2312′ in 3 hrs. I started out strong but withered as the miles piled up. 2 racers just blew by me. I was young like them once.
I poached a shower at the XG.
My ride took longer than I planned. I wanted to make PA south of Pburg. Took far. I drove Lincoln highway, hwy US rt 30 for scenery.
I stopped at Guilford XG before dinner.
Tomorrow is Raccoon SP in PA. This time Trailforks is the gps source.
Ohio lacks the neighborhood bars and is starting to pick up churches.
Sunday eve I listened to the town hall. Driving in Ohio I notice way yard ornaments displaying trump’s name w/ very few Clinton name. Some yards have just down ballot republican names.
Appalachian mountains are just down the road. Trailforks shows way more PA rides than MTBP