Capacity - 8 people - or 2 people and 2 bikes... With a short 78 km day ahead of us, and to celebrate Canada Day, we decided that we would sleep until we woke up - which was at exactly 8:00AM for Cam. Ken had been up late blogging and had not hit the pillow until after 2AM. Even so, he awoke at 8:00AM as well, but was able to get back to sleep after Cam left to continue the blogging. Typically we like to get our blog published before we go to sleep, but last night things got late before we had a chance to start.
We enjoyed a leisurely morning and breakfast at the hotel and got packed up to leave at the 11:00AM checkout time. The only room that they had left when we arrived last night was on the second floor, and so we had to wheel our bikes into the elevator to get back to ground level. We have been surprised at how understanding hotels have been and have been able to take our bikes into our rooms into just about every place we have stayed.
We enjoyed a leisurely morning and breakfast at the hotel and got packed up to leave at the 11:00AM checkout time. The only room that they had left when we arrived last night was on the second floor, and so we had to wheel our bikes into the elevator to get back to ground level. We have been surprised at how understanding hotels have been and have been able to take our bikes into our rooms into just about every place we have stayed.
Filzer stopped working again... Proudly wearing red and maple leafs in honour of Canada Day, we finally got on our way at 11:30AM heading East on Highway 2, the road that we have ridden since Grand Forks. We have past familiarity with this highway as it is the road that we ride on the second day of our three day Going to the Sun Road bike trip in Montana - which we have ridden 3 times in the past 15 years. Today will be the last day that we ride this highway as we will be taking a Northern route on Michigan Highway 28 tomorrow towards Marquette which is where we will have our next rest day on July 4th – should be a great day for a break!
Not long after starting today's ride, Cam’s Filzer cycle computer stopped working. As previously described, information is critical to riding, and the lack of details like cadence, speed, and remaining distance make it far more difficult to ride long distances. Ken has reduced the risk of this occurring by having 3 computing devices mounted on his handlebars, and he generously offered to let Cam use his Garmin – however, Cam couldn’t agree to this. We took a break to reset the blasted device by removing the battery, but this wouldn't work, so Cam painfully continued without information. Cam would strongly recommend that all readers avoid Filzer cycle computers....
Not long after starting today's ride, Cam’s Filzer cycle computer stopped working. As previously described, information is critical to riding, and the lack of details like cadence, speed, and remaining distance make it far more difficult to ride long distances. Ken has reduced the risk of this occurring by having 3 computing devices mounted on his handlebars, and he generously offered to let Cam use his Garmin – however, Cam couldn’t agree to this. We took a break to reset the blasted device by removing the battery, but this wouldn't work, so Cam painfully continued without information. Cam would strongly recommend that all readers avoid Filzer cycle computers....
Wisconsin landscape
Daisies and other wild flowers line the highway Today was a beautiful riding day! Yesterday, we mentioned that we weren't sure if we blue sky and sun was a good thing or not. Today was evidence in favour of blue sky and sun. We started the day with blue sky, sun, and a very cool headwind. Once we started riding, we found that this combination resulted in perfect riding conditions. We were climbing very moderately for most of the day, but the cool breeze kept us very comfortable and took far less energy out of us.
We agreed that if we had more time to do this trip, we would love to have average daily rides of around 75 kms. This allowed us to have a leisurely morning and put less pressure on us to "make miles" during the day. We were able to take a nice break at a scenic overlook (which was probably far more scenic before the trees grew up and blocked the view of Lake Superior...) and we also had lots of time to deal with issues that came up later in the day. In spite of this, we arrived in our destination around 6PM with plenty of time to enjoy the evening.
We agreed that if we had more time to do this trip, we would love to have average daily rides of around 75 kms. This allowed us to have a leisurely morning and put less pressure on us to "make miles" during the day. We were able to take a nice break at a scenic overlook (which was probably far more scenic before the trees grew up and blocked the view of Lake Superior...) and we also had lots of time to deal with issues that came up later in the day. In spite of this, we arrived in our destination around 6PM with plenty of time to enjoy the evening.
The obligatory photo... Around 3PM, we arrived in the very nice town of Ironwood Michigan. We went for lunch at the Maplewood Steakhouse, which was very slow in spite of the fact that only one other table was occupied. After we were finally finished, Ken visited the washroom while Cam paid. Ken came outside and realized that he was missing one of his riding gloves, which he had carefully put in his pocket during lunch. After extensive searching inside and outside of the restaurant, Ken concluded that the only explanation could be that the glove fell into the toilet and was flushed...! He left the restaurant looking like Michael Jackson on a touring bike...
Ken models his spinorky new gloves As we left Ironwood, we passed the Hobby Wheel Bike and Ski Shop, and Cam wanted to stop to see if he could find a replacement for the blasted Filzer cycle computer. Unfortunately, they carried none with cadence (Cam's new best friend). However, Ken was able to acquire a new pair of ulnar nerve protecting riding gloves. While there, Cam asked them to pump up his rear tire as it had been feeling a little low. They were happy to do so. Strangely, about 30 seconds after they finished pumping it up, we heard a loud hisssss of air, and Cam suffered his 6th flat! The valve failed and so the bike technician took the bike inside and replaced the tube. This was fortunate as it took about half the time it would have taken Cam to do it.
Although the bike technician suggested we stay in Beesemer MI, we decided to continue another 10 kms to our original destination (Wakefield), and the charming Country Regal Inn - a mix between a motel and a bed and breakfast. Ken had called ahead to ensure there was WiFi - which there is - and that there was vacancy - which there was... In fact, we are the only guests in the hotel tonight, so we got a primo room!
Although the bike technician suggested we stay in Beesemer MI, we decided to continue another 10 kms to our original destination (Wakefield), and the charming Country Regal Inn - a mix between a motel and a bed and breakfast. Ken had called ahead to ensure there was WiFi - which there is - and that there was vacancy - which there was... In fact, we are the only guests in the hotel tonight, so we got a primo room!
The Fireside Room at the Regal Country Inn
And the winner of the "What's wrong with this Picture" challenge from our June 30th blog is...... Shirley Johnson who correctly identified that Ken's wedding ring was on his right hand. Well done Shirley - you have won 5 points! Honorable Mention goes to Gordon Shumley (aka "Alf") who suspected that it was not Ken's right hand, but a surrogate who wore a ring on that hand. Incorrect, although we are still not sure how Ken got his hand to look like it was detached from his body!
Ride Details:
- Distance: 78.8 kms
- Riding time: 3 hours, 54 minutes
- Average speed: 20.2 kms/hour
- Wind: East North East (Light to moderate, and cool)
- Cumulative: 3,317.4 kms
For more ride details see Strava and for more ride photos, see our Photo Gallery. And a new video in the Video Gallery!
Ride Details:
- Distance: 78.8 kms
- Riding time: 3 hours, 54 minutes
- Average speed: 20.2 kms/hour
- Wind: East North East (Light to moderate, and cool)
- Cumulative: 3,317.4 kms
For more ride details see Strava and for more ride photos, see our Photo Gallery. And a new video in the Video Gallery!