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day 59
chasing a greased pig
Actual Date: 2007-07-02
Uploaded: tue, 3 jul 2007 05:36:35 -0700
Distance: 108.00 km
Loomis, Michigan to Manton, Michigan
Today was an eventful one.
It started with a morning when I could see my breath. Since I've been brushing regularily all that's left is cold temperatures. I got out of bed anyway and finished off the rail trail to Clare where I sat down to breakfast at a small restaurant that made some terrific pancakes and bacon.
Although I have the equipment and foodstores to make my own breakfast there will be plenty of time for that later when I am in much more remote areas. Eating breakfast out allows me to meet some of the locals and hopefully learn a bit about the town.
When I sat down I overheard a conversation that talked about a pig getting loose and taking the local kids more then five hours to catch it. A discussion around the proper technique to use continued and once my city-slicker interest in the discussion became evident then I was invited to participate. The discussion eventually worked around to a description of an event that used to be common at country fairs where kids would chase and attempt to catch a greased pig. Now it could be that my leg was being pulled but if it's truly an event then I would love to give it a try!
Apparently Clare's claim to fame was Johnny Carson calling it the welfare capital of the United States. Based on the people I met and the vibrant feeling downtown I doubt if that statement is still true today.
Back in 1942 US General MacArthur made a famous statement -- I will return -- when the japanese invaded the Phillipines. Two years later he did just that.
Today on a much smaller scale I also completed a similar feat. Two years ago a time crunch forced me to accept a ride from Cadillac to Mackinack. I decided back then that I would someday return to complete my journey through an area that had given me so much fun and excitement. Today I achieved my goal of returning to Cadillac. In the near future I will complete the remainder of the goal as well by journeying to Mackinack so for now I've returned to my Round Lake Michigan tour.
In breaking news my rear rack did just that. I guess after journeys around Lakes Huron, Michigan, Ontario plus numerous smaller tours and a lot of commuting the weld on the rear left side of the rack fatigued and failed. Over the past few days a slight wobble at medium speeds had grown worse. At first it felt like a load imbalance but today just after Clare another very intensive search turned up the failing weld. Some ziplock ties (never leave on tour without them) helped hold the rack together until I reached Cadillac.
At Cadillac I stopped in at the only bike shop in town hoping, but not really expecting, to find a touring grade rack. The store's staff were very helpful showing me their best racks and calling stores in locations within about 100 miles to locate other alternatives. They did have some heavy duty commuting stuff but nothing that in my opinion would carry the load reliably and worry free. The racks I wanted were an Axiom tour du monde like the one that broke, a high end tubus or a Surly Nice Rack (that's the name i kid you not).
Right as I was about to continue onwards in search of a rack in another store in walks the good samaritan of the day and likely the entire tour. John Campo is also a lover of Surly bikes having at least a Pugsley and a Karate Monkey (I own the Cross Check and the Long Haul Trucker). Seeing my problem he, without being asked, offered me his brand new Surly Nice Rack. When I accepted his kind offer he drove home, picked it up and refused payment. He simply asked me to mail the original or an identical replacement back to him when the tour was over. WOW!
A few touring nuggets for Jackie Arlen (thanks for signing my guestbook by the way) and anyone else that might be reading along.
An advantage of a steel rack like the Surly over an aluminum one like my old Tour du Monde is that it's alot easier to find someone who can weld steel should an event like today happen. I believe that my old rack has a great warranty but paper is worthless in the middle of the woods with a bunch of gear to leave behind due to a broken rack.
There were some great hills today that helped me to remember something else. If the road says six passing lanes in the next 35 miles it usually means that there are at least six hills coming up that are considered hilly enough to need a lane for slow climbing cars and another one for faster climbing ones.
As the day ended I discovered a series of hills that took me down 80 metres. During these hills I verified the disappearance of the speed wobble and the ability of my bike to go downhill at 46 km/ hour.
Today is dedicated to John Campo for his act of incredible trust, generosity and kindness. Derick Tichenor and Zak Bunce from McLain Cycle and Fitness (www.mclaincycle.com) for their attempts to find a new rack and then their help installing it. While working on the bike we were listening to bluegrass music by Zak's band called Detour. Zak said some people would call this hillbilly music but he preferred to call it appalachian american (spoken with a very big grin).
Nancy you are of course welcome to ride along with me on that segment. Replace the hotmail with pocketmail to reach me directly.
Guestbook entries are always welcome. Whenever possible I will reply within my daily entries.
Oh yes, today is the fourth day. Based on how my body feels so far I did indeed train for the tour!
Another awesome day of hill climbing awaits! I'm having a blast in sunny ==> cloudy ===> soon to rain Michigan.
~Jamie N
Interested in bicycle touring? www.bicycletouring101.com
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Tour Statistics
(Based on riding days only)
Number of Riding Days: 34
Overall total so far: 3840.10 km
Daily Average: 112.94 km
Shortest: 53.00 km
Longest: 163.00 km
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