My bike all ready to go, I added the front panniers at the last minute. Read a good article about 2 vs 4 (only a bit more wind drag). I am still trying to figure my final setup, the only thing in the front bags was my tent and day bag.
First stop was The Bake Shop, great pastries and pepperoni bread.
My new tent was great, 45deg with 15mph winds much of the night and I slept well. It was hard to setup in the wind, I finally had to put my bags into it then set it up, otherwise it kept blowing away.
Stopped for a burger and beer a few miles before the park, first time eating out since the pandemic. That burger and fries tasted so good! The beer made it the perfect meal.
Inside the tent is cozy, but not too tight.
Lesson learned:
1) Sunscreen is not enough for me, I need to have sun covering. DaBrim and sun leggings will be ordered. No I am not a vampire, yes I could play one on TV.
2) I need to drink more water along the way. I am prone to leg cramps and don’t drink enough, a bad combination I need to keep working at. My trip back was good because I made several stops for OJ which seems to help.
3) I like traveling with people! I don’t mind traveling by myself, but I enjoy company more. I met a 77 year old gentleman (John) who is still bike touring and road with him for about 15 miles, one of the highlights of the trip. I also ran into Jim on the return ride.
4) Coffee from a percolator is 30 degrees hotter than from an espresso machine. Burnt tongue is a painful! How many times have I learned this while camping? At some point it will stick!
5) I had everything I required at 50lb of gear. Now what can I get rid of and still have everything I require.
6) Michigan State Parks are required to accept cyclists even when full, much of their staff does no know this. The site they give you is not much.
7) I am in good enough condition to go, it will be more fun if I am in better shape.
A fun two day adventure!
