Peace and Trailways

Tuesday, May 27 (Day 11)

Distance: 61.5 miles

Average: 10.5 mph

Max: 20 mph

Total: 667 miles

Today's ride was lovely.

I started out at a luxuriously late 7:30 am, after another rather interesting exchange with the guy camped next to me. 

"How far you go yesterday?"

"About 94 miles"

"Ah, that's it? Are you headed back today?"

"No, I'm going to California"

"What, did you just wake up one day and decide you wanted to go to Cali?"

I'm really quite surprised by how little some people know about touring on a bike. I sort of wonder if they've ridden a bike before. The other day, I had a man advise me to take the interstate to avoid big mountains. He had good intentions, but really...

Much of my ride was on Trailways, which were paved paths exclusive to pedestrians and bicycles. 

It was wonderful because there was no one on them! I got to turn on my music and enjoy the scenery uninterrupted.

I took a rather long break at Frankenmuth, which boasts of being "Michigan's little Bavaria" and is known for it's $19 chicken dinners. I looked in the gift shop for a little while and broke the bank with a $.25 candy, after finding all the postcards inadequate.

The buildings were pretty cool though.

I arrived at Bay City in the early afternoon with plenty of time to spare to get to my campground, so I settled onto a bench for a snack and a good look at my maps. 

A little while later, who should stop next to me but another touring cyclist! Jerry is in training for a tour he is taking at the end of June, and he was incredibly nice, offering to lead me to the nearest grocery store and direct me to my campsite.

As I emerged from the store laden with enough food for a week (which will probably last three days...), he extended an invitation to stay at his house! 

He took me through a maze of trails, sidewalks, and streets before we arrived at his house, where I had a delightful shower and a very filling dinner, and met his wife Laurie. It was fun to follow him because his setup is so interesting.

I am so incredibly grateful to consistently meet wonderful people!