Hancock to Copper Harbor, 60 miles, 2000' elevation gain.
We are now riding on a Peninsula that juts into Lake Superior. We spent over 40 miles riding on a quiet road along the water. Beautiful wildflowers and homes on pretty flat terrain. Just one climb that hit over 13% but not long. This remote town is the gateway to Isle Royale National Park with daily boat service. Most of the riding, however, is in remote areas with no cell service and patchy internet.
Copper Harber to Baraga was 80 miles but my day to drive the sag. The route took us along inlets and harbors with some mild grades on the climbs. Wilderness views at their best. Plenty of roadside strawberry stands as they are in season. Yum. Our chef, Susan, continues to do magic with fresh fish and salads.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Riding day 4. Silver City to Hancock, MI 65 miles with 2,000' of elevation gain. Clear blue skies.
Today was another perfect riding day. Spent the day riding with Chris through forests, with the occasional river, stream and/or lake views. Flowering Water Lilies were a treat to see. Very quiet roads with excellent shoulders and a strong tail wind. We arrived in Hancock, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The are had extensive mining operations, but that all ended a few decades ago leaving the area hard hit. The hotel is right on the canal with excellent waterway views. There are actually two towns. We are staying in Hancock but Houghton is right over the bridge and an easy walk from out hotel.
Today is one of our days off. Laundry, bike cleaning, walking around the area are the activities of the day.
Today was another perfect riding day. Spent the day riding with Chris through forests, with the occasional river, stream and/or lake views. Flowering Water Lilies were a treat to see. Very quiet roads with excellent shoulders and a strong tail wind. We arrived in Hancock, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The are had extensive mining operations, but that all ended a few decades ago leaving the area hard hit. The hotel is right on the canal with excellent waterway views. There are actually two towns. We are staying in Hancock but Houghton is right over the bridge and an easy walk from out hotel.
Today is one of our days off. Laundry, bike cleaning, walking around the area are the activities of the day.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
WT Lake Superior Tour Day 2 & 3. Ironwood to Silver City, 55 miles and 2200' of elevation gain.
Yesterday was my day to drive the sag. The day was bright and sunny with a following wind pushing the cyclists along. Easy sag locations with the first at a visitor center with indoor plumbing and info on the town. I directed the riders off route and onto main street where there were these gorgeous hand painted murals on several buildings. Most impressive.
Today I rode with Chris all day in bright sunny skies, mild temps and views of Lake Superior. Beautiful riding on quiet roads many heavily forested and through the Porcupine Mtns. Gentle grades made for a great day. The destination hotel is right on the lake with a sand beach and plenty of benches and swings. Great for blogging and reading.
Yesterday was my day to drive the sag. The day was bright and sunny with a following wind pushing the cyclists along. Easy sag locations with the first at a visitor center with indoor plumbing and info on the town. I directed the riders off route and onto main street where there were these gorgeous hand painted murals on several buildings. Most impressive.
Today I rode with Chris all day in bright sunny skies, mild temps and views of Lake Superior. Beautiful riding on quiet roads many heavily forested and through the Porcupine Mtns. Gentle grades made for a great day. The destination hotel is right on the lake with a sand beach and plenty of benches and swings. Great for blogging and reading.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Duluth, MN to Bayfield, WI 90 miles with 2400' of elevation gain. 50 degrees and foggy to start with rain the last 50 miles.
We have started the Woman Tours Lake Superior ride today. This year I'm one of the sag drivers. I share the duties with three other women and we rotate. Today was a day for me to ride so I set off with a group of three others.
Started out OK but eventually the fog turned to rain and its always hard to enjoy a ride when you are cold and wet and dealing with the spray from passing vehicles. Nevertheless, I did the entire ride and all of the group of 19 riders finished safe and sound. We had an occasional view of Lake Superior but most of the ride was big trees and wildflowers.
We have started the Woman Tours Lake Superior ride today. This year I'm one of the sag drivers. I share the duties with three other women and we rotate. Today was a day for me to ride so I set off with a group of three others.
Started out OK but eventually the fog turned to rain and its always hard to enjoy a ride when you are cold and wet and dealing with the spray from passing vehicles. Nevertheless, I did the entire ride and all of the group of 19 riders finished safe and sound. We had an occasional view of Lake Superior but most of the ride was big trees and wildflowers.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Woman Tours Pacific Coast Ride, reflections
1,525 miles, 73,808' of elevation gain, 20,317 calories burned, 24 days of riding averaging 64 miles per riding day.
We had incredible good luck with the weather. Other than a little spitting one day, we had no rain and often had bright sunny weather. The only weather issue was the occasional fog.
We were able to enjoy the coastlines with all their rock formations, spectacular beaches and jagged coastlines very often on quiet roads. Coffee shops, parks, restrooms and food stops were in great abundance making this a ride where stops could be enjoyed on a daily basis. For variety, we rode through magnificent Redwood forests even as we approached the end of the ride.
Make no mistake, the rides were often challenging with the amount of climbing and some long mileage days, but we didn't seem to mind as the views often rejuvenated us along the way. Some days, we had significant challenge and a multitude of turns, but we all managed to stay the course and laughed and shared the day's riding.
I will never forget the spectacular day riding over the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco with weather that is rarely seen there and feel blessed that our ride went so well. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this ride but only if you dedicate yourself to train for the hills as well as distance. The views, however, were a great reward for all the work before and during the ride.
This photo was taken on the last day in Santa Barbara.
We had incredible good luck with the weather. Other than a little spitting one day, we had no rain and often had bright sunny weather. The only weather issue was the occasional fog.
We were able to enjoy the coastlines with all their rock formations, spectacular beaches and jagged coastlines very often on quiet roads. Coffee shops, parks, restrooms and food stops were in great abundance making this a ride where stops could be enjoyed on a daily basis. For variety, we rode through magnificent Redwood forests even as we approached the end of the ride.
Make no mistake, the rides were often challenging with the amount of climbing and some long mileage days, but we didn't seem to mind as the views often rejuvenated us along the way. Some days, we had significant challenge and a multitude of turns, but we all managed to stay the course and laughed and shared the day's riding.
I will never forget the spectacular day riding over the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco with weather that is rarely seen there and feel blessed that our ride went so well. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this ride but only if you dedicate yourself to train for the hills as well as distance. The views, however, were a great reward for all the work before and during the ride.
This photo was taken on the last day in Santa Barbara.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
WT Pacific Coast Riding Day 24, Lompoc to Ventura
84 miles, 2,700' of elevation gain, temp range of 35 - 80 degrees under early fog followed by bright blue skies with a strong tail wind.
Our last day of the Pacific Coast tour turned out to be a beautiful ride of 84 miles. Many including myself were cold to start with as a heavy fog had developed overnight and brought the temps down into the 30's but once the sun burned through, the temperatures warned quickly and we rode most of the day in our summer cycling clothes.
The early ride went through some beautiful valleys and hills before paralleling the ocean for the rest of the day. We had the good fortune of strong following winds that reduced the effort level of riding 84 miles. We were treated to seeing a pod of dolphins in one of the coves.
The route brought us onto several bike paths in Santa Barbara as well as a mixture of the Pacific Coast US 1 and the 101. The 101 was our least favorite because of the traffic and trucks but it was also the fastest.
We arrived into Ventura by 2:30 and quickly got to packing our bikes and suitcases and going out to our last dinner together. It was a fabulous ride without a drop of rain and the views we all hoped for.
Our last day of the Pacific Coast tour turned out to be a beautiful ride of 84 miles. Many including myself were cold to start with as a heavy fog had developed overnight and brought the temps down into the 30's but once the sun burned through, the temperatures warned quickly and we rode most of the day in our summer cycling clothes.
The early ride went through some beautiful valleys and hills before paralleling the ocean for the rest of the day. We had the good fortune of strong following winds that reduced the effort level of riding 84 miles. We were treated to seeing a pod of dolphins in one of the coves.
The route brought us onto several bike paths in Santa Barbara as well as a mixture of the Pacific Coast US 1 and the 101. The 101 was our least favorite because of the traffic and trucks but it was also the fastest.
We arrived into Ventura by 2:30 and quickly got to packing our bikes and suitcases and going out to our last dinner together. It was a fabulous ride without a drop of rain and the views we all hoped for.
Monday, October 22, 2012
WT Pacific Coast Riding day 23, Arroyo Grande to Lompoc
45 miles, 1900' of elevation gain, temp range of 55-60 degrees under mostly cloudy skies with some spitting rain.
Today's ride was basically an A to B ride with nothing particularly noteworthy. An occasional rain drop. Through farmland most of the ride. The last day of riding is tomorrow and as it is a long day followed by packing the bike and our final dinner together, may not post the last blog for a day or two.
Today's ride was basically an A to B ride with nothing particularly noteworthy. An occasional rain drop. Through farmland most of the ride. The last day of riding is tomorrow and as it is a long day followed by packing the bike and our final dinner together, may not post the last blog for a day or two.
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