Ride #12 - June 26, 2011

We were at the Relay for Life on Saturday and didn't get home until about 11 PM.   And we were tired from all the walking.   So we dragged tail and didn't get started until about 10:30AM.   Our plan was to ride to the end of the trail and then head back.   All went well except Joe was feeling very weak and so was I.   We took it fairly slow for Joe's pace staying at about 16 mph on the way up.   Of course going that slow only invites the legs to want to turn faster so we did get up 20 mph at times.   We did our normal stops at Sanford, Coleman and Clare for lunch.  We got to Subway right after a group of female athletes arrived.   So we were in line for 20 minutes.  Lunch cost us over 30 minutes.

 We reached the end  of the trail at mile 53.   The next mile is ready for asphalt.

 Yea, Washington even claims they are helping the trail extension.   We thought it was cow manure we were smelling.

 Yep, Joe read the sign again.   Can you believe this??!!  Wasting money on a sign that only a hand full of taxpayers will see.

 Trail looking east.   Its straight but goes through some beautiful natural swamps and woods.

  We rode to the end of the trail.   It had gotten warmer and we were still not feeling very well.  So we called Mary and had her pick us up at the McDonald's in Clare.   It was a nice 68 mile ride.   The ride back to Clare was into the wind but we were dropping elevation so we were able to maintain about 20 mph most of the way.  Of course I always enjoy the little climb on Main Street in Clare as we headed out to "hamburger hill".   It was sunny and windy all day so we got cooked pretty good.   But a nice ride and soon the trail will be complete to Reed City.