Mark and DD wave from the bow of the Bluewater Ferry as it pulls away from Marine City, MI for Ontario (background).
Rob
Rob
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Ontario Canada
Crossed the St Clair River followed by a beautiful ride along St Clair Parkway.
Mark and I really missed our riding companions. DD
Sue's trip is put on pause
Sue had a successful muscle surgery and will make a full recovery. She will complete the trip with Rob and Bruce another day.
Dee Dee and Mark will carry the torch to the east.
~ DD
That's all, Folks!
I am sad to announce that my cross-country bike ride came to an end yesterday when I fell off my bike somewhere between Memphis and Marine City, Michigan.
We were riding along at 16-17 mph and I accidentally got too close to Rob's bike, bumped his tire, and instantly was deposited on the pavement. Or so I am told, as I cannot remember anything about the crash. My bike helmet did its job, sacrificing itself to prevent me from possibly a very serious injury.
An ambulance was summoned and I was taken to a trauma center hospital in suburban Detroit some 30-odd miles from the crash scene. Mark, Dee Dee, and Rob took Bruce's and my bike to a nearby farm for safekeeping, then proceeded to ride at speed into a headwind to the hospital. (I think we had already ridden over 40 miles that morning).
Initially, it was believed that I was suffering from bruises and road rash (after being X-rayed and CT scanned), but then I developed a huge hematoma on my hip and thigh. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say it was about the size of a spaghetti squash (very shocking-looking under spandex bike shorts).
The ER doc called in an orthopedic surgeon and he diagnosed a torn muscle with a lot of bleeding. So, last night I underwent surgery (with a general anesthetic) to repair the damage and install a drain. And here I sit in the hospital, planning on checking out this afternoon. Our immediate plans are to return to Bay City, then make travel plans for points west.
One incredible act of kindness was the ER doc handing over his truck keys (truck has bicycle racks) so that the guys could return to the farm and pick up our bikes and bring them to the hotel near the hospital. Then last night, Rob got a rental car and they all drove to Bay City (two hours each way) to bring back Rob's truck to transport us back to Bay City.
It has been a splendid ride from June 25 to August 30. I'm sorry it's over for me, but especially sorry that its the end of the ride for Rob and Bruce. We are already making plans for coming back and completing it next year. Mark and Dee Dee will continue on this afternoon, as they've got a lobster or two they need to meet.
The surgeon was just in and I got a good report for a complete recovery, although it will probably take well over a month or two. Thank you for all your kind emails of encouragement over the summer.
~ Sue
We were riding along at 16-17 mph and I accidentally got too close to Rob's bike, bumped his tire, and instantly was deposited on the pavement. Or so I am told, as I cannot remember anything about the crash. My bike helmet did its job, sacrificing itself to prevent me from possibly a very serious injury.
An ambulance was summoned and I was taken to a trauma center hospital in suburban Detroit some 30-odd miles from the crash scene. Mark, Dee Dee, and Rob took Bruce's and my bike to a nearby farm for safekeeping, then proceeded to ride at speed into a headwind to the hospital. (I think we had already ridden over 40 miles that morning).
Initially, it was believed that I was suffering from bruises and road rash (after being X-rayed and CT scanned), but then I developed a huge hematoma on my hip and thigh. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say it was about the size of a spaghetti squash (very shocking-looking under spandex bike shorts).
The ER doc called in an orthopedic surgeon and he diagnosed a torn muscle with a lot of bleeding. So, last night I underwent surgery (with a general anesthetic) to repair the damage and install a drain. And here I sit in the hospital, planning on checking out this afternoon. Our immediate plans are to return to Bay City, then make travel plans for points west.
One incredible act of kindness was the ER doc handing over his truck keys (truck has bicycle racks) so that the guys could return to the farm and pick up our bikes and bring them to the hotel near the hospital. Then last night, Rob got a rental car and they all drove to Bay City (two hours each way) to bring back Rob's truck to transport us back to Bay City.
It has been a splendid ride from June 25 to August 30. I'm sorry it's over for me, but especially sorry that its the end of the ride for Rob and Bruce. We are already making plans for coming back and completing it next year. Mark and Dee Dee will continue on this afternoon, as they've got a lobster or two they need to meet.
The surgeon was just in and I got a good report for a complete recovery, although it will probably take well over a month or two. Thank you for all your kind emails of encouragement over the summer.
~ Sue
Friday, August 30, 2013
Garden statuary
We've seen a lot of old bikes incorporated as garden art, but this is the first old truck buried amidst the flowers.
~ Sue
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Kraft Mac & Cheese a la Mark
~ Sue
The gang as they depart Bay City
At 11:30, after 41+ miles, we've stopped for second breakfast in Columbiaville, MI. We probably have 25 miles yet today.
~ Sue
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
In Midland, Michigan
~ Sue
Frequently seen road sign
~ Sue
The "Tridge" in Midland, MI
Located at the confluence of two rivers, the block in the center supports three arching spans converging on that spot.
~Sue
Rob rejoins Team Green
Debra dropped him off about halfway along our route today and he rode it backwards until we met up. Then we had a personal escort through Midland and on into Bay City.
~Sue
Sunday, August 25, 2013
What we enjoyed tonight
~ Sue
Any herpetologists out there?
Encountered this baby snake on the trail today. We think it is a copperhead.
~ Sue
Saturday, August 24, 2013
We take over yet another picnic pavilion
This one at a campground in Hersey, MI was very welcome after riding 68.35 miles today.
Sue
Reed City (Michigan) Depot
On many of the railtrails in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the old station has been restored and made into an attractive visitor center.
Sue
Sue
Friday, August 23, 2013
See the huge pile of coal?
The SS Badger is the last coal-fired passenger ferry operating on the Great Lakes. At 60 years old, she is the only vessel of her kind in the world.
Sue
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Big Green Bay Packers game this Saturday
> Manitowoc is only 40 miles away from Green Bay, and the locals have assured us that if we had come to town a day later, we wouldn't have had a chance of finding lodging here.
>
> The local store that sells "Cheesehead" souvenirs has gotten in a supply of Che-Z-Chests.
>
Sue
A Wisconsin tradition
> As we are about to exit Wisconsin, tonight was our last chance to try fried cheese curds.
>
Sue
Wisconsin locals are curious
We couldn't leave Wisconsin without thanking the locals for the great cheese!
>
Another beautiful small dairy along the way coming into Manitowoc, WI
> DD
Pulled into Manitowoc this afternoon
65 miles today. Only in the low 70s today and very overcast made for a pleasant ride to the shore of Lake Michigan and our last stop in Wisconsin. We take the ferry to Michigan tomorrow afternoon.
>
> Sue
In Manitowic
> Aug 22-Manitowoc
> 65 miles
> Delightful ride through pretty country. And there's the Lake! Downtown Econolodge near tomorrow's ferry to Ludington, Mich. everyone riding well and grinning ear to ear.
>
> If there is, anywhere on the planet, better cycling to be found than in Wisconsin, someone please let me know.
>
> Bruce
Biking and Beyond
We went to Gunnison, Colorado at the end of July to see Perry's parents and brother's family. The original intent was to leave from there to rejoin the cross-country bike trip. Alas, my knees had other plans, which was revealed on one of our training rides: a beautiful ride from Crested Butte to Gunnison with unloaded bikes, overall 1100' elevation drop in 28 miles (~ 1/2 of the touring mileage) and my knee pain returned, in spite of all the self care I'd been taught. For those interested, a summary of our vacation since then follows.
Highlights in Gunnison included visiting family, good local food, the Crested Butte art fair, and seeing Michael get acquainted with and ride a horse, under the patient guidance of the adaptive equestrian fellow named Mike.
After leaving Gunnison we drove to Denver and looked up a childhood friend of Perry's, Jim Ashe, and his wife Ruthie. They were both delightful for me to get to know, we should have been friends forever, though Jim and Perry haven't been in touch for ~30 years. They showed us around the Botanical Gardens, and we drove and walked through all Perry's old neighborhood haunts. Then we had lunch and a short visit with a Bend friend recently relocated in the Denver area. It was too short, but fun to see Shauna and her boys loving Denver.
We drove through Glenwood Canyon on the Colorado River which has a paved bike path beckoning us for another visit. In Glennwood Springs we stopped to try the hot springs this time, and on to camp at Rifle Gap Campground. Discovered in the morning that Rifle Gap was the location of a Christo art exhibit in the 70's, an orange fabric wall suspended across the Gap, and we saw the obvious location for it as we drove back to I-70.
We then drove to Nucla, by way of a gorgeous scenic drive on Hwy 141 through Delores Canyon. In Nucla we had a good visit with Vicki, a friend of mine from High School, also too long out of touch. Her home was an oasis for hummingbirds, and we also heard and saw some sandhill cranes. It was good to get filled in on some details of our adult lives.
Between Nucla and Durango we felt compelled to spend some time in Telluride. It's a touristy mountain town, but friendly and fun to visit. We lucked out getting there early enough to get a spot in the popular city campground. Even though we weren't there during the famed bluegrass or film festivals, there were multiple cultural offerings for us to choose among, as well as a free gondola ride up into the beautiful mountains above town.
We made a stop in the Anasazi Heritage Center on our way into Durango to visit my longest-time friend Judy. Though we've kept in better touch, it was good to reconnect and hear about the path her life is taking. We visited the fair while we were there, and learned that she and her neighbors have had home break-ins...from bears! Though Durango is having cooler and wetter weather than they might want for August, we soon had plenty of heat as we moved on into Utah.
First we went to the Visitor's Center at Mesa Verde, then on to camp in Natural Bridges National Park. We hiked some of the shorter trails along the loop road, and especially loved the last bridge, which we were able to walk underneath. Characteristic of summer weather in the southwest, we had afternoon clouds and frequent storms. Here we were treated to a long lasting rainbow, and Perry took many photos.
From Natural Bridges we drove to Capitol Reef National Park. Along the way we stopped in Hite where the highway crossed the Colorado River. We took some pictures of that end of what is normally Lake Powell, but so dry here that boats cannot launch. The Capitol Reef led us from one outstanding view to another, and we enjoyed camping in Fruita campground within the park, an old Mormon settlement with remaining orchards we were allowed to pick from.
Having had enough of the footloose life, especially camping with no showers, we headed home in 2 days, spending a night in a Winnemucca. NV motel.
~ Carol and Perry
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Temperature 88; Heat index 96
At 58 miles today we were almost to the turnoff for our KOA campground several miles outside of Eden, Wisconsin, when all of a sudden there was this ice cream store by the side of the highway out in the middle of nowhere. What's a cyclist to do when seduced by the siren call of homemade ice cream?
>
>
> Sue
>
>
> Sue
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Pride of America
Name of our campground east of Portage, Wisconsin. We are about halfway across Wisconsin already!
Sue
Sue
Monday, August 19, 2013
Monday night camp
Village of Wonewoc (Wisconsin) Legion Park a fairly short distance from the "400 Trail". $5 campsite with free showers (cold, but very welcome).
Sue
Sue
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Major milestone
> Although we are a little over halfway across the U.S. now, crossing the Mississippi River really makes us realize how far we have come.
>
Sue
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