For the first time my legs were feeling strong, thinking I'm finally getting my riding legs. Hit the first climb at about 20 miles. At around 25/28 miles I started another long climb with a fabulous down hill making it worth while. Not much to stop and see so I made pretty good time getting to South Range. There is a steep curvy downhill with a lot of traffic entering Houghton, I actually rode my brakes for most of it. Crossed the lift bridge into Hancock and zig zagged to the Ramada Inn, 63.11 miles.
Today I spent wandering around Houghton, lunch at 5th and Elm coffee cafe - walnut veggie burger and dinner at the Library bar and grill - 3 cheese pasta.
Had a beer at the lounge in the Ramada with a couple women from the group.
Hitting the sheets early in hopes of a good nights sleep, I hear we'll be climbing hills again tomorrow!
Loving the trip, excited to start riding again. My butt was happy to have a day off.
Allergies are a bit wonky and I've learned that Bert's beeswax provides no protection from wind and sun. Bought new products with spf 23, my lips will be happy!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Ironwood to Silver City
We left the Comfort Inn and hopped on US 2, at a wee bit over 12 miles we caught CR519 towards the Porcupine Mountains. Bugs, bugs and more bugs!
After entering the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park we took a detour to check out the water falls. It was well worth the extra couple miles.
After leaving the water falls we started a loooooong climb, some say 3 miles. I'd say minimum 2 miles, tough to out ride the flying bugs.
After 55.26 miles I rolled into Silver City, MI. I think the entire town is 4 buildings including the AmericInn that we stayed in. A beautiful location right in Lake Superior. I spent quite a bit of time sittig in a rock meditating. I'd love to come back to that rock some day.
Another sun shiny day.
After entering the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park we took a detour to check out the water falls. It was well worth the extra couple miles.
After leaving the water falls we started a loooooong climb, some say 3 miles. I'd say minimum 2 miles, tough to out ride the flying bugs.
After 55.26 miles I rolled into Silver City, MI. I think the entire town is 4 buildings including the AmericInn that we stayed in. A beautiful location right in Lake Superior. I spent quite a bit of time sittig in a rock meditating. I'd love to come back to that rock some day.
Another sun shiny day.
Bayfield to Ironwood
I pedaled on out of Bayfield on SR 13, stopped in Washburn for coffee and a lemon poppyseed muffin. Sunshine and blue skies!
Arrived in Ashland around 24 miles down the road. Took a little detour off the route to see the murals and find a bike shop. I was able to buy 3 spokes at Bay City Cycles on Main Street.
Miles = 63.53
After dinner Ina and I walked into Ironwood to see Hiawatha, the tallest indian. I can attest it's the tallest statue of an indian that I've ever seen. On the way back we saw a beautiful mural dedicated to miners from the area.
With help from Cy (guide) I was able to replace the broken spoke from the previous day.
Arrived in Ashland around 24 miles down the road. Took a little detour off the route to see the murals and find a bike shop. I was able to buy 3 spokes at Bay City Cycles on Main Street.
Miles = 63.53
After dinner Ina and I walked into Ironwood to see Hiawatha, the tallest indian. I can attest it's the tallest statue of an indian that I've ever seen. On the way back we saw a beautiful mural dedicated to miners from the area.
With help from Cy (guide) I was able to replace the broken spoke from the previous day.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
90 miles
We zig zagged out of Duluth and onto the Bong bridge. The morning was overcast and foggy. Once across the bridge we zag zigged through Superior until we caught 13. At about the 28 mile mark I heard ping, ping, ping while climbing a hill. I stopped and discovered that I had broken a spoke on my back wheel :( Not much I could do about it on the road so I just twisted it around another spoke and kept on pedaling.
At about mile 33 it started to rain and pretty much continued to do so for the rest of the ride.
Stopped in Port Wing for lunch - grilled cheese n fries - and to warm up. My body was frizzin' my feet felt like blocks locked onto my pedals. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to unclip and get off my bike without falling. Brrrr, I haven't been that chilled in a very long time.
Stopped at a place in Cornucopia looking for a bathroom and was directed to a restroom about a 1/2 mile down the road. The restroom had one of those super high powered dryer which I attempted to use to dry my entire body! Spent quite a bit of time with that dryer! I think we need to get legislature to pass a law that all bathrooms are required to install these dryers!
The rain stopped for a wee bit after leaving Cornucopia but started again about 7 miles down the road and remained steady the rest of the ride.
The first thing I did when I arrived in Bayfield was to strip off my soaking riding gear and jump into a hot steamy shower in hopes of warming up.
The rain stopped and the sun came out about the time I got out of the shower and the evening turned out beautiful.
The group enjoyed a fabulous dinner outside followed by map reading and instructions for the next day.
I was in bed sawing logs by 9:30; I can't remember the last time I was that tired
At about mile 33 it started to rain and pretty much continued to do so for the rest of the ride.
Stopped in Port Wing for lunch - grilled cheese n fries - and to warm up. My body was frizzin' my feet felt like blocks locked onto my pedals. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to unclip and get off my bike without falling. Brrrr, I haven't been that chilled in a very long time.
Stopped at a place in Cornucopia looking for a bathroom and was directed to a restroom about a 1/2 mile down the road. The restroom had one of those super high powered dryer which I attempted to use to dry my entire body! Spent quite a bit of time with that dryer! I think we need to get legislature to pass a law that all bathrooms are required to install these dryers!
The rain stopped for a wee bit after leaving Cornucopia but started again about 7 miles down the road and remained steady the rest of the ride.
The first thing I did when I arrived in Bayfield was to strip off my soaking riding gear and jump into a hot steamy shower in hopes of warming up.
The rain stopped and the sun came out about the time I got out of the shower and the evening turned out beautiful.
The group enjoyed a fabulous dinner outside followed by map reading and instructions for the next day.
I was in bed sawing logs by 9:30; I can't remember the last time I was that tired
Monday, July 8, 2013
Day 1
Arrived in Duluth safe and sound thanks to Nancee! Orientation and check in followed by dinner. It's about 8:30 now and the rest of the night is mine. Too early for sleep so I think I'llhave a glass of wine before turning in.
Breakfast is at 6:30 tomorrow. Then off we go!
Breakfast is at 6:30 tomorrow. Then off we go!
Sunday, July 7, 2013
All of my biking gear is laid out on the table. I'll decide in the morning what to bring. With the help of Amy Anderson I found rain gear at REI and from the pitter patter on my windows I think I'll need it. My passport is packed and I have lady visa and mastercard in case I forget something.I think I'm ready!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Lake Superior Epic Tour
On July 8, 2013 I will begin my 26 Day epic trip around Lake Superior. On Day 1 we begin our tour with an orientation followed by a bike prep and then dinner together.
Day 2 we'll ride out of Duluth, cross into Wisconsin and through the town of Superior. Our first overnight is in Bayfield Wisconsin, known for being the state's Berry Capital (91 miles).
Day 3 we leave Bayfield and pedal to Ironwood, Michigan (62 miles). Ironwood is nestled within the pristine Porcupine Mountains.
Day 4 brings us to Silver City, Michigan (55 miles). Silver City is at the foothills of the Porcupine Mountains, beautiful sandy beaches, Lake Superior sunsets, waterfalls, rivers and streams, hiking, biking the list goes on.
Day 5 we pedal into Hancock, Michigan (64 miles). Hancock is on the North shore of Portage Lake, and is the northernmost City in Michigan.
Day 6 This will be our first "rest" day, I'll need to get out and explore the city of Hancock.
Day 7 Copper Harbor, Michigan (60 miles) Copper Harbor is the gateway to Isle Royale National Park.
Day 8 brings us to Baraga, MI. The village of Baraga is located in the northwestern part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula on L'Anse Bay, the lower part of Keweenaw Bay (80 miles).
Day 9, July 16 - Marquette, MI 74 miles. I'm really looking forward to visiting Marquette, my first mountain bike race - Ore 2 Shore ended in Marquette and I've always wanted to come back.
Day 10, July 17 will bring us to Munising Michigan - 43 miles. I'm guessing this will be a hill day as were only pedaling 43 miles :-/ Munising is the gateway to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Day 11 after 58 miles we pedal into Newberry Michigan. Pictured Rocks, Tahquamenon Falls, and the Two Hearted River made famous by Ernest Hemingway are a few of the attractions we may get a chance to see.
Day 12, Paradise, Michigan 61 miles. Paradise is a small town with history of shipping, logging, fishing, blueberry and cranberry harvesting. The great fire of 1922 destroyed the natural growth of the land and prepared it for one of Michigan's most productive wild blueberry reagions.
Day 13 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan - 60 miles home of the world famous Soo Locks. We will have a day to spend here.
Day 14 Sault Ste. Marie - 0 miles I'm going to guess that we cross to Canada today.
Day 15 brings us Batchawana Bay, ON - 48 miles. I like the name of this place, Batchawana! Pictures of this place look beautiful I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Day 16 Wawa, ON another fun name :-) this is the longest ride of the tour - 99 miles! Hell I might as well toss in another mile and make it a century ride. They have a 28 foot steel statue of a Wawa Goose, I hope I get a chance to see that!
Day 17 we"ll pedal 57 mile to White River, ON. the birth place of "Winnie the Pooh" White River holds an annual festival commemorating the bear cub who became the inspiration of author A. A. Milne.
Day 18, July 25 will find us in Marathon, ON. Another 57 mile day. There's gold in them there hills! In 1980 gold was discovered in Helmo, an uninhabited areas adjacent to Trans Canadian highway, some 40 kilometers east of Marathon. By the late 1980's there were 3 mines running, two of which located their employees in Marathon, which effectively doubled it's population making it the largest town along the North Shore between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.
Day 19 Terrace Bay, ON - 47 miles, does this mean a hill day? Slate Islands are located south of Terrace Bay, the islands were created by a meteorite impact which created a crater about 20 miles wide.
Day 20 Nipigon, ON - 66 miles. Nipigon is located along the west side of the Nipigon river. The Nipigon crater on Mars is named after the town; isn't that a great claim to fame!
Day 21 Thunder Bay, ON - 69 miles Canada's gateway to wilderness!
Day 22 Thunder Bay, ON zero miles, we'll have the day to spend exploring.
Day 23, July 30 after pedaling 82 miles we'll be back in the good ol' US of A!!! Grand Marais, Mn. Grand Marais was named a Top 100 Adventure Town by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, and the Grand Marais Art Colony was chosen as one of the top 10 artist colonies in America by Coastal Living Magazine.
Day 24 Silver Bay, MN - 55 miles. It's all down hill from here, right? Ha! Silver Bar was originally known as Beaver Bay housing project. The company town was built to process taconite mined and shipped by train from Babbit, Minnesota.
Day 25, August 1st - fifty nine miles of pedaling will bring us back to Duluth via 15 miles on the Gitchi-Gammi (another fun name) State Trail. We'll celebrate with a banquet.
Day 26 - home again :)
This is the itinerary as I know it. I'll try to keep y'all posted.
pedal, pedal, pedal...
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