2020, Day 5: Recumbent

Perks of retirement? Naps. Whenever you want. Generally we don't encourage drowsy driving, but some days on the trail are just a snooze. If dad had a recumbent bike today, he could probably lean back, grab the Reader's Digest, and pedal unconsciously all the way to Ohio. If he can do it on a freeway in Nevada, he can pull it off on a road bike in the Northeast.

Thinking of all the days and years behind him with steep hills and ruthless headwinds, rain, hail, sweltering heat, and dangerous narrow roads, it seems like dad's earned a week or three of steady, flat terrain and mild weather. While the West is getting blown over by windstorms and splitting trees, dad's blowing through Michigan like a breeze and catching zzzz's.

From Dad

I told Linda today that this is the terrain I trained for: mostly fall, cool temperatures, steady cadence. Temperatures were in the low 50’s today, with afternoon rain in the forecast. We got started about 8:30 and completed 55.8 miles in 4:20. Ended up at Manton, just as it was starting to sprinkle.

The day was pretty uneventful. I passed an amusing sign for a roadside business. It said:

Bob’s Way→

← or the Highway

A state trooper pulled a speeding vehicle over in front of me. I had to work around them. Two other state troopers were parked by the side of the road, sitting on their hoods talking. I waived to them and they shouted encouragement to me as I rode past.

After finding our motel in Cadillac, we drove around exploring a little. Took pictures of Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell.

I am nearly a day ahead of schedule, but with rain in the forecast tomorrow and Saturday, I may need the cushion. However, tomorrow I start riding on divided highway with w i d e shoulders. Hooray!