On my own again

Apologies for the late post, I don't have very good service in Michigan.

Monday, May 26 (Day 10)

Distance: 93 miles

Average: 10.8 mph

Max: 19.3 mph

Total: 605 miles

Last night Remi and I camped next to a very friendly couple named Bill and Sharon. They gave us food and water and let me pet their cat and dog (how nice it was!) and Bill helped Remi figure out his route. Sharon told me about their adventurous daughter living in Colorado. She had her wedding on a mountain and they had to ride snowmobiles to get up, wearing avalanche reflectors on their chest and with backpacks full of survival gear, just in case. They took a picture of Remi and I for us. 

This morning, Remi and I set off in different directions, he is headed south through Detroit and I went north. I set myself a goal to ride 60 miles before 1:00.

The early morning ride was wonderfully flat and no wind at all, and I flew until late morning, when I headed inland and hit head winds and hills. 

Nearly all of it was farm land, and I didn't see a single cyclist all day, be it on a tricycle or a loaded tourer. Lots and lots and lots of bikers though. 

I've had nothing but strange encounters here in Michigan. I don't think most people have seen a touring byclist, let alone know of touring on a bicycle.

One man saw my bike and asked me, "How much weight can you put on that thing?"

"I'm not sure, I haven't weighed my things."

"How far you gone?"

"600 miles"

"Hey, that's a good idea. I'm going to do that."

I met my goal of riding 60 miles by 1 with a minute to spare! I was hoping to have an easy 30 mile afternoon, but that was when the wind, hills, and blazing sunlight picked up and the last mile alone felt like 90 miles, although I did find some nice non-farmland near the end of the day.

As I set up camp, a man camped with his family next to me asked, "How do you fit in that thing? It's so small!"

For the record, his tent is the size of a small house.

This is a beautiful site though!