The bike truck broke down on the way to the starting point so the lucky crew had to unload hundreds of bikes from the broken down truck and reload them into the replacement all while anxious bike parents awaited word of the fate of their steeds. Finally, after dinner and the pre-ride meeting, at around 7 o'clock, the bikes finally joined up with their riders and a potential biketastrophy was narrowly avoided.
My wife of twentynine years and I spent our anniversary pedaling and sweating in the Midwest heat and humidity. Riding a tandem with your significant other can be a recipe for marital disaster so kudos to my beloved for putting up with me both on the bike as well as in life all these years. It's been, literally and figuratively, an exciting ride!
Here in Michigan the sweet cherries are being harvested and along the ride you can stop and sample all sorts of Cherry delights. They're all delicious, and so long as you don't overindulge (like that EVER happens) cycling is a great way to burn off those excess calories. Yum!
Tomorrow the ride continues with the first serious hills featuring climbs in the 5-12% grade range. The hills may not be anywhere near as long as riding Colorado's infamous mountain passes but what they lack in length they make up in steepness. In cycling parlance, Granny (as in granny gears) is going to get a workout. 64 miles up the coast is where we'll pitch our tent tomorrow.
Sunset this far north is around 9-9:30 p.m. but on a bike tour most folks are counting sheep in their tents long before old Sol does her nightly disappearing act. So as the sun dips towards the western horizon I'll sign off for now and bid you a goodnight from Ludington, Michigan. For my wife Sophie and I tomorrow will be 29 years and a day. Here's to the next 29!
You are my better half! Cheers to many more anniversaries, love you!
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