Biking Dude Blog

I traveled about 70 miles today.
Michigan has some of the best rail trails that I've seen yet. I took the Pere Marquette trail all the way to Reed City, then white pine to Big Rapids to visit some breweries and meet up with my host. Paved the whole way, I definitely got spoiled on these trails.
Stopped in Clare this morning on Dean's recommendation to visit cos and doughnuts. It's a donut shop started by local police officers that had become something of an internationally known tourist attraction. Bought a sticker and a doughnut there.
Staying in Ludington tomorrow, then biking to Muskegon and taking the ferry to Milwaukee on Saturday.

I traveled about 57.5 miles today.
Spent the morning exploring the bay city state park and the tobico marsh. Really beautiful place, with many birds everywhere. It was a nice break from biking all morning like the last few days. Made my way to Coleman in the afternoon. A lot of rain came pouring down at the Marquette trailhead in Midland, but I found some cover until it let up and stopped thundering. It was nice to finally get some real rain after two weeks of sun. Staying with Dean and his wife Keri tonight. Really cool people with lots of stories, and some of the best cookies I've ever eaten. Yum. Should be taking the ferry to Milwaukee on Saturday, looking forward to seeing family and friends in the area.

Misc gear. Passport, credit card, and money in a Ziploc. Some food and plastic cutlery. Garbage bag for a water proof liner in my rear bag. Water pouch. Chapstick. TP, just in case. Zip ties and binder clips, a little rope, pencil wrapped with duck tape, note pad, instructions for my bike computer and front bag assembly. Some food.

Riding gear. Neon yellow vest with snack pouch. Safety triangle that Velcro on my rear pack (I added the Velcro myself), sunglasses, helmet, lightweight combo lock (which I use in conjunction with an alarm lock that I duct taped to my frame).

Street clothes. Two t-shirts, from many point scout camp (it's the place to be), and trillium (one of my favorite breweries in Boston). Tan zip off pants that I've had for many years, they are light weight and super versatile. Boxers, gym shorts, bandana. My second set of footwear is Xero shoes. They are half-diy barefoot running shoes. Very light, durable, packable, and inexpensive. They are wonderful to wear after a long day of biking.

Riding cloths. Two white synthetic shirts (from when I used to play ultimate frisbee a lot more). A pair of riding shorts, they have padded commission shorts inside. Two pair hiking socks (which have now been replaced by black biking socks). One pair long liner socks, for tucking in pants or preventing blisters. One pair biking shoes, with SPD cleats. Not much to say, they get stinky and I wash them. I didn't bring lots of extra clothes, because the weight and discs really adds up, so I try to wash every two or three days, though I can go for a while with out if need be.

First aid-ish stuff. I have bandaids, gauze, medical tape, alcohol pad, moleskin, and stretchy ace bandage type wrap. That's all rolled up together. I also have a CPR mask, sunscreen, and loud whistle (the ACME Thunderer!). Again, thus is in my front bag for easy access. The whistle if for bringing on any hikes I take.

Tools. I have two extra tubes, a patch kit, tire levers, and tire boots. I have a crank bros multi tool (chain break, hexes, spoke wrench, Philips and flat head) and a small adjustable wrench. Mostly use those to adjust brakes and my seat post / saddle. I also have chain lube and a small letherman tool. Most of this stuff is packed on my handlebar bag, for easy access. I carry the letherman in my pocket, mostly from force of habit of always having a pocket knife on me.

Electronics. I have my spot (orange), which is what tracks my location on the map. Spare batteries for the spot. My phone (not pictured, it was to busy taking the picture). Extra battery for my phone, ear buds, charging cable and power adapter for my phone. Not much to say here. My phone is really my life line on this trip, as I rely on it for navigation, communication, pictures, compass, time, etc. I've actually been using the extra battery, and keeping the original (and better) battery as a spare. Haven't had to use it yet, as strategic use of airplane mode can really extend battery life.

Toiletries. I have deodorant, goldbond, Dr. Bronners (soap), toothpaste and tooth brush, extra contracts, contact case and fluid, and my micro fiber washcloth and towel (which I thought were lost for months prior to this trip, then found in the linen closet a few days before leaving). It's not enough to make it all the way, but it is easy to resupply this stuff.