Dans Big Adventure - Northwoods loop - Fall 2020

Sept 29, 2020 Miles about 25 Total time 4:30 Ride time?? Another grey day, and a short ride planned to try avoid the high chance of afternoon rain. I stop at the tiny local bike shop to top off my tires, which is needed. They don't have any locks or odometers. As I ride away I see my backup odometer now is not working today. Worked fine yesterday, wtf. I futz with it, some time sensor and magnet get out of alignment. What are the odds that I lose use of both odometers on 24 hours. A premonition maybe. I can navigate along route fine with the excellent ACA maps, but I miss the numbers. I use milage to count down to the next turn or intermediate milestone (e.g. I am 40% done, only 2 miles to go, etc). I use the average mph to motivate pedaling. My psychological crutches are gone! I backtrack along my hotel detour until back on route, which was the last time I read the lost odometer, but no luck. Oh well, nothing I can do about it Ride on It is hillier in these parts, the hills rising...

Buckatabon Lodge to Iron Motel, in Iron River, MI September 28, 2020 Miles 43.4 Total time about 5 hours Ride time 4:05 Avg speed : 10.5 Autumn can play tricks on my mountain mind; leaves are most regularly tickling my tent on their way down, embrace their fallen brethren with a tick as they reach their resting place. Rain drops sound similar, but I'm sure the difference is easily recognizable to veteran north woods camper. I woke up at 4:30 trying to ignore my body, listening to the leaves, they come in weak waves as a breeze stirs them more strongly. I finally yeild, and head out. The clear skies of last night are gone, and I return, empty and still dry. As I try to will myself back to sleep, the leaves music changes subtly, becoming pervasive and more regular. Shit, this is rain so I rush out to retrieve my towel I left out to dry, and move my bike to under a tree. Just in time as it gathers to a heavy rain. While I am safe and warm in my tent, my mind wanders to a long cold we...

Day 4 Sept 27, 2020 Mercer,WI, Loon Lagoon Resort to Buckatabon Lodge near Conover WI   52??? miles total About 48 on route Ride time: 4:15??? Total time about 5.5 hours I woke up to a ray of hope shining through the window, after the night many waves of rain. It did not last, however Got out into a cool and damp morning, though made good pace at 12+ mph. After 10 miles, I catch the lovely Heart of the Vilas paved bike path to Boulder Junction. Lots of other bicyclists on this chilly morning. Have a nice chat with a mature group of bicyclists, asking about my travels and plans. The flag was appreciated and we share our love of our country. Nice  About noon, the sun start peaking through, and grows bolder as it loses its shyness during the afternoon until it is mostly sunny and warmer. This lights up the trees nicely on the country roads that transport me to my next destination. I arrive at the Buckatabon Lodge and Lig...

 Northwoods Day 3 Marion park in Glidden to Mercer,WI, Loon Lagoon Resort Sept 26, 2020   41.4 miles Ride time: 3:57 Total time about 5 hours Morning breaks, light suffuses from all around; my consciousness is awakened to just one sound - drip, drip, drip;  I am camping under a colorful maple, and it is either lightly raining, or the maple is making it last. I finally decide it is the maple playing tricks on my poor mountain oriented mind, and peak my head out. A fine fog greets me, yet the pavement is not wet. I drag all of my gear to the pavilion and pack, cook breakfast while I attempt in vain to dry my tent fly. I snap a few more shots of the unique Marion Park and leave about 10.  The fog has lifted and reveal a steel grey sky. There is a 50% chance of rain today, so I am going to do a modest length day hoping to avoid the highest chances in the kate afternoon and evening. First 10 miles ar...