Category: 2013

July 23rd

Posted on by mikebike

Muskegon to Morley Michigan. 67 miles. 2554 miles from the Pacific. Just as I left Muskegon I ran into about 20 riders that we’re going to Boston. I rode with them for most the morning on the Musketawa bike trail. After about 20 miles I turn north and said goodbye to my new friends. I zig zagged across Michigan to Cedar Springs where I picked up the white pine bike trail to Morley. The weather is much cooler than last week. I arrive at Newago State Park and set up camp happy. It is beautiful here. My campsite overlooks the lake and I am only 1 of 3 campers in a huge Campground. The rangers said the weekends are full but during the week one can have the place to themselves and the black Michigan squirrels.
some sad news today from my biking friends Meredith, Ruth and Nick that I rode with earlier in my journey. Ruth took a bad tumble off the road and hit her helmetted head. She is in the hospital with a brain injury. Please take sometime today to send her some good energy and prayers. Thank you
Take care, freebird

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

July 22nd

Posted on by mikebike

Stoughton wisconsin to milwaukee wisconsin ferry dock. 60 miles. 2488 miles from the pacific. It was great to have 4 days of rest at home.
Sleeping in my own bed was something special after 6 weeks on the road. I had time to catch up with family and friends , and Willy got time in the shop for repairs. The noise turned out to be a broken rear wheel. The rim was split in several place. It was only by good luck that we made it home in one piece.
The morning started out with fog and less than a quarter mile visibility, but much cooler than last week. Willy and I didn’t need the map today. These are the roads that we trained in the months before this journey started. We rode passed old familiar landmarks of lafollette park, lake kegonsa, thru the towns of Rockdale and Cambridge like we had never left. Before Lake Mills we jumped on to the glacier drumlin bike trail. The morning fog had burned off and I was beginning to feel the heat of the day. I stopped along trailside at sandy beach park and went for a refreshing swim in Rock Lake. After snack I head east on the trail which skirts the small towns of jefferson, hellenville, sullivan and dousman on its way to milwaukee. I turned north to Oconomowoc to meet up with my daughter and her husband. After a shower, a nap and some delicious corn cake, we loaded the bike in the truck for the car ferry. I decided that was a safer option then riding in milwaukee traffic at rush hour.
I will arrive in Muskegon Michigan later tonight, ride to my hotel. A great day on the bike, and a beautiful evening on Lake Michigan as the full moon shimmer bounces off the gentle waves. I am living the dream.

I read all your comments, sometimes twice. Sorry I don’t have the time to respond. Please forgive me.
Take care, freebird

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

July 17th

Posted on by mikebike

Elroy to Stoughton Wisconsin, 68 miles, 2428 miles from the Pacific Ocean. I pack up camp happy in the early morning light. The heat and humidity has already greeted the day. I think about jumping the fence of the pool one more time but then decide to hit the road. My body vibrates with excitement of getting home and Willie seems to want to go fast this morning, I remind him that we have a long day ahead of us and he settles down into a comfortable pace. The last part of the trail to Reedsburg is called the 400 Trail. It is beautiful as it follows the Baraboo River through the rolling Wisconsin countryside. Bugs are everywhere so I need to remember to keep my mouth shut. Little bunny rabbits jump to and fro across the trail in front of me like they want to play chicken or Frogger. One of them runs between my front and back tire without getting hit. A close call for me and bunny and I think about how fast the bike will stop with a bunny in the spokes. I stop for breakfast in a little town of Lavelle and meet a couple other day bikers. We chat for a while and then I’m off to Reedsburg and the end the Wisconsin bike trails. At Reedsburg I stop to pick up some maps for the final leg home. I stock up on water, ice and bananas. The climb out of Reedsburg over the Baraboo range is long and hot. Willie is making noises I have never heard before. It sounds like a bad chain or spoke or something worse. I start thinking about possible cracks in his carbon fiber frame or wheel and my engineering mind goes to work with the “what ifs” like a DFMEA. The noise disappears after the long climb and then reappears on every hill. My body is soaked with sweat and I can’t seems to drink enough water or electrolyte to keep up to rising temperatures. By early afternoon I tell myself that I need to find a cool place to rest. I stop in a little crossroads of Blackhawk Wisconsin and find a church where I refilled my water bottles. Evidently God is not locked up in towns like this. I go into this cool sanctuary and lay down on a patted pew for a nice long 45 minute nap. I have no worries because I know the big guy will be watching out for me in his house. I wake up refreshed and ready for the final push home. But the heat gets to me within 10 miles. I stop for a rest and noticed my hands are shaking and my body is overheating. Willie is now making those noises all the time and there is a thunderstorm chasing me. It’s time to call for help. My son Glen picks up on the first ring. He works in Middleton, but turns around and picks me up at the Missouri tavern which is just outside of town on highway 12 . I’m happy to see him. that is an understatement . Just as we got the bike loaded in the car the sky opens with rain and thunder and lightning. I am grateful to be sagged the last miles home where I will spend the next few days resting and regrouping for the next part of the journey to the east coast.
Willie and I and camp happy are home safely and I have a lot to be thankful for. ,
Willy will get a new rear wheel, chain, brakes, tires, and a good bath. Camp happy will get a good cleaning and some much needed TLC. And I will get some much needed rest, home cooked food, and time with family and friends.
Thank you so much for riding with me on the first half of my Journey. The technical difficulties with my blog seem to be fixed. Sorry for the delay and thank you so much for your concerns about my safety and wellness.
Take care, Freebird

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

July 16th

Posted on by mikebike

LaCrosse to Elroy Wisconsin. 64 miles. 2360 miles from the Pacific. When I left the Liz bike hostel at 6:30AM it was already 80°F. I can’t wait until August when it warms up. I rode the Lacrosse River Trail to Sparta and then jumped on the Sparta Elroy Trail. On the way to Sparta I stopped by West Salem to talk to my old friends (Eric and Joe) at the tool and die shop. I worked with them for many years while I was at Cummins. There shop is right on the trail and they have airconditioning and treats in the office, all good reason to take a break from the heat. They were surprised to see me and we chatted awhile about life. They pointed me in the right direction for a good breakfast. I left the shop thinking that “work” was a life time ago. I ride past a large fracking sand operation (photo) and remember all the oil wells in North Dakota. The highlight of my day was going through the tunnels that are naturally air conditioned (photo). In the afternoon I stopped in the town of Wilton and jumped in the city pool for an hour. Then back on the bike. It felt like the hottest day of the trip, and I went through gallons and gallons of water and ice to keep the motor cool and hydrated. When I got to Elroy at 6PM the pool was just closing, and I think to myself about jumping the fence later in the evening. After I set up Camp Happy and get some food, I am cooled by the refreshing water of the pool 🙂 It was a great day to be on the bike. Pictures of Liz and I, and some shots from the Sparta Elroy trail. I’m getting so close to home I can feel it like a magnet.
take care, Freebird

July 15th

Posted on by mikebike

Pepin Wisconsin to LaCrosse Wisconsin. 75 miles. 2297 miles from the Pacific. I packed up Camp Happy just as the sun was rising over the Mississippi bluffs. I had a quick camp breakfast of peanut butter and honey on flat bread and a fresh peach that I purchased at a roadside stand yesterday. It was so juicy I had to lean over when I ate. I rode down to the lakeside to watch sailboats bobbing in the morning mist on Lake Pepin. Pepin happens to be the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder, a famous author of childrens books – Little house on the Praire. A story of her life is on the historical marker in town. Willie and I never pass up these markers. The road is smooth and had a nice shoulder for bikes, the wind was in my face, but not much of a factor. By 10:30AM my stomach was telling me it wwas time for some food. I stopped in Fountain City for a burger, fries, and lots of water and ice. By noon I had crossed the beautiful Chippewa River (photo). Purple and yellow wild flowers made it seem like I was riding in a greenhouse that lasted for miles. I stopped at a bike shop for a new speedometer/odometer. I told Mark, the bike shop owner about my good fortune of not having a flat tire in over 2000 miles. About 5 miles down the road from the bike shop my rear tire went flat. make note to self not to brag about my tires. I put in a new tube and was soon back on the road. by midafternoon the heat and humidity had taken its toll on my energy and spirit. I pulled into the little town of Trempleau and got on the Great River bike trail. (photo). And just to my left was the public swimming pool (photo). I paid my $3 and jumped in. ahhhh, what a relief. After a refreshing swim I peddled the last 15 miles toward Lacrosse. That’s where I met Jesse (see post from him) laying on the ground all twisted up with his bicycle with skin missing on an elbow and knee. Not the best way to meet someone, but I guess it was meant to be. Turns out he was not any worse for the wear. He brushed himself off and we chatted until he got his bearings. He helped me find my way into LaCrosse via the bike trail. I was grateful that showed me the way into town since the maps were confusing and missing from the trail side. I rode to Liz’s house (a friend of my daughters and my host for tonight – see photo). I took a shower and then we went out for Mexican food at Manny’s. another great day to be on the bike.
take care, freebird.

July 14th

Posted on by mikebike

Stillwater Minnesota to Pepin Wisconsin. 70 miles. 2222 miles from the Pacific Ocean. the rest day at the Larsons recharged my batteries. I started out the morning from Stillwater in overcast sky. about five miles out of town a cloud open up on me. about the time I got my rain gear on it was done raining. as I approached the state line the clouds dissipated in the sun started to shine. I crossed into Wisconsin at Prescott and sang “when you say wisconsin you said it all” as I crossed the bridge. I had breakfast in Prescott and then began my climb out of the river valley on a full stomach. my legs had not seen a good climb since Bismarck. they began to complain about halfway up the first of many bluffs. after couple more of those steep climbs they seemed to remember how to do it. the Great River Road follows the countryside and then back down into the river valley at Bay City. about halfway to Bay City there was a sign that said ” pie”. I pulled in and had a piece of fresh rhubarb pie ala mode. the wind was light but in my face most of the day. the road was mostly smooth with wide shoulders. lots of motorcycles and convertibles with there tops down. at Bay City I stop for lunch and a nap. then another long climb out of the valley immediately followed by a fast downhill to the river. I stopped several times to water up as the afternoon temperature reached 90 degrees. orange and yellow wildflowers seemed to fill the roadside. at one of the scenic overlooks, a bald eagle passed overhead from his perch up on the bluff. I rode the last 20 miles with Lake Pepin on my right and the big beautiful Bluffs of the Mississippi on my left. this is God’s country for sure. it is nice to be back in my home state.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

July 13th

Posted on by mikebike

Stillwater Minnesota rest day. A sign from above said this would be a good rest day. That sign was rain when I woke up, so I covered up my head and went back to sleep at Larson’s Lodge number 2. Later I helped my friend Rich fix his lawn more and took a long nap while he worked on the landscaping. In the afternoon I had time for a 90 minute massage. Oh, that was so nice. Later we took a picnic dinner down to the river Park and watch the boats float buy. I had a beautiful view of Wisconsin just a acrosss the bridge. It was tempting to walk across and stick my toe in my home state, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I am grateful for my friends Rich and Nancy for hosting me and getting me caught up on my rest and laundry.
Take care, freebird

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

July 12th

Posted on by mikebike

Milaca Minnesota to Stillwater Minnesota. 59 miles. 2152 miles from the Pacific. The morning started out cool and refreshing. The humidity has dropped and the air is easy to breath. I take a picture of my bike shadow with the Minnesota hay field in the background. Sandhill cranes are everywhere calling in the morning light. I am making good time in the light winds. I stopped in Cambridge for breakfast, and then at a roadside stand to buy some fresh strawberries from Kate. Yum Yum. I should have bought more. Thank you Kate, it was nice chatting with you. I stopped in North Branch to meet up with my cousin Dean and his wife Lynn. they were on there way back from Hibbing and looked me up. I am grateful that they tood the time for me. At North Branch I turned south onto the Sunrise Praire bike trail. The afternoon winds had picked up to over 20mph directly in my face. The temperature rose to over 90°F . All the biker bliss of the morning was forgotten. the trail was rough and I started a pitty party for myself. After a couple of hours at less the bug speed I had had enough for the day. I called my friend Rich from Stillwater and he came out and sagged me to town from Forest Lake. It saved me 20 miles of hot windy conditions. Nancy and Rich made a delicious home cooked meal, and then we went down town Stillwater for some ice cream. Life was suddenly good again.
Thank you for all the posts, you guys are awesome.
take care, freebird

July 11th

Posted on by mikebike

Sauk Centre Minnesota to Milaca Minnesota. 80 miles. 2094 miles from the pacific ocean. I’m really tired tonight so I will be brief. I awoke at camp happy to the sound of a Loon calling on Sauk Lake. while I was packing up my bike the sun peeked over the lake (picture) . as I left town the church bell rang 6 times. I was in biker bliss again all morning on the wobegon trail. beautiful scenery including covered bridges, wildflowers, and big churches beautiful steeples (pictures). after lunch the route turned off the trail and into a strong headwind. I cross the Mississippi River and Platte River. both were overflowing their banks. I rode past lovers lane,(picture) but nothing was going on. lovers lane was a north/south road, which makes sense to me. Cuz sometimes a loves goes south too. The afternoon gusty winds took a toll on my energy. I rolled into town after 11 hours of time in the saddle. I checked into the hotel and then went to a local restaurant for big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. and now it is time to sleep. good night all. 🙂
Freebird

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

July 10th

Posted on by mikebike

Fergus Falls Minnesota to Sauk Centre Minnesota. 71 miles. 2014 miles from the Pacific. today I was in bicycle heaven. the Central Lakes Trail that I rode today is 7 feet wide and over a hundred miles long. smooth pavement on an old railroad grade. it was nice not to worry about traffic. just me, a tail wind, and my bicycle for miles and miles.
today I celebrated 5 weeks on the road and passed the 2000 mile mark. the weather continues to be friendly, and my body is getting used to the eat, sleep, pedal routine.
The trail goes through the beautiful lake country towns of Dalton, Ashby, Evansville Brandon, Garfield, Alexandria, Nelson, and Osakis. There are small lakes and ponds everywhere. I see cat tales, white and yellow water lilies, herons, ducks, and big white pelicans from trailside. I stopped and gathered some fresh asparagus to munch on as I ride. Minnesota dragonflies of every color have replaced the grasshoppers of North Dakota. The sky is cloudess and milky white. just a few days ago it was a purplish blue and crystal clear.
I met Kurt and his wife Jeanne from Alexandria on the trail. we rode together for a couple miles and chat in about life. he owned a restaurant in town and I was hungry for lunch. when I finish my lunch and went up to pay the tab I found out that it had already been taken care of by my new friends. nice people in Minnesota. that is Kurt next to me in the picture of the Big Viking. also a picture of Camp Happy set up next to the lake. Other pictures of the trail and beautiful Minnesota scenery.
sorry about the blog date mess up. Fargo is one day out of order. I will see if I can fix it soon.
Some of your asked, so here is your answer. my bicycles name is Willie (in honor of my father). Camp Happy is in honor of my big brother Dick, who passed away a few years ago. maybe this will be a subject of a road story later on.
Take care, Freebird.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone