During this trip, I decided that continental breakfasts are pretty much the best thing ever. Yogurt, French toast, fruit, juice...all super tasty and perfect for fueling up for a long day on the road. Silver City to Hancock was the longest day of the trip at nearly 65 miles. It was a chilly morning, but we were hopeful that the sun would break out, so I busted out my cool new arm and leg warmers, as well as my trusty convertible windbreaker and headed out for the day.
Casey from the bike club was in the UP during our vacation, and he joined us for the first part of the ride. In addition, Grant had joined up with us, so we were only down one rider. The group settled into the usual breakup - fast boys in the front, and the rest clumping up along the road behind. The first part of the ride was good, but I was feeling a bit of drag on my bike. A quick look determined my out of true wheel was rubbing, so I opened up the brakes and immediately felt about 3 mph faster, even while climbing some big hills.
 |
| Photo by Scott Duffus |
Ann and I were frequent companions on the ride, and this day was no different, except I had mysteriously started to drop her. Grant was riding with us, and was chivalrous enough to wait while I kept riding, so I didn't think much of it. However, after a while I realized that I hadn't seen them in a while and began to get a bit worried. I pulled off to the side of the road and grabbed my map to make sure I hadn't turned off the route somehow. Reassured, I hung out until finally I saw Grant and Ann coming along. It turned out that Ann's rear tire had been losing air for quite some time, and was in fact nearly flat. We tried to ride with it for a while, but before the final descent into Hancock, we bowed to the inevitable and busted out our flat changing skills.
 |
| Well, they did. Mostly I just watched and made unhelpful comments |
We rode into Hancock, crossing the super cool lift bridge and rolled into the Ramada parking lot to cheers and applause. I choose to believe they were not mocking. We then proceeded to bask in the sun for a while, drinking beer with entertaining names like "Dirty Bastard".
 |
| The lift bridge |
 |
| Scott, Tom, Pat and Kathy chilling in the parking lot. |
After everyone recovered from the ride, the kayaks came out. It was pretty windy, so I bowed out as my seasickness was not something I wanted to chance. Several others, including Ann went out. Originally Ann was going to go out in a fold-up tandem with Dave, but (fortunately), the menfolk were unable to figure out how to construct it. Instead, Ann went out in an infinitely more robust kayak of Scott's. Dave, Randy, Todd and Scott also went out.
 |
| Ann heading out |
 |
| Randy about to get into the super tippy kayak |
 |
| Scott on his paddleboard |
That night we went for supper at a bar and restaurant called "The Library". It was pretty awesome, and they had their own home-brewed beer and root beer. I had a fantastic meal of Chipotle glazed salmon and then overstuffed myself with an apple dumpling. If I am ever back in the Houghton-Hancock area, I definitely plan to go there again.
Then it was back to the hotel to sleep and prepare for the next day of riding.
No comments:
Post a Comment