You know those adventures that you dream up when you're feeling trapped at work or school? The ones that take far too long to pull off on the measly two weeks of vacation most American jobs offer? Well, I just finished one. For the past four weeks, I've been travelling and riding, in both familiar places, and new. First up, Houghton.
After becoming unemployed, I spent a week getting my world in order, sorting through paper from COBRA, the unemployment office, and the like. This was practically a full time job in itself. Then I set off in my trusty (rusty) 1990 Subaru Legacy (bet you're jealous!?). I took my leisurely time, stopping within the first couple hours to ride in Boulder with my friend Karl and catch up over a burrito with my friend Lindsey. That night I drove through a snowstorm in Wyoming and came very close to bogging my wagon down in the muddy road leading to my planned camp spot. Luckily, judicious use of the handbrake and a new set of tires prevented me from living my own version of Deliverance in BFE Wyoming.
Then, I was off to see the sights! I'd never been to Rushmore, so I planned my drive to go the the Black Hills of South Dakota. While the monument itself was a sight to behold (see below), I found myself more impressed with the general landscape. The area is full of steep rolling roads that made me want to come back just for a long weekend of road riding....plus another week of mountain biking. Certainly I would plan such a weekend for no later than Memorial day; Although it was almost deserted when I pulled through in late April, the town of Keystone looked like it becomes an insane hive of tourists in full summer. Not so cool.
George's nose is twenty feet tall! When he blows his nose, does he have rock boogers? If so, they must be the size of boulders!
After 17 hours of driving, I made it to the Twin Cities, where I enjoyed the good company and hospitality of my mentor Nick Chope, and got to hear about qualifying for wave 1 of the Birkie from Tim Martin. Way to go, Tim! As nice as the Cities are, I was anxious to get to open water and sweet trail, so I hauled through the last leg of the journey to Houghton in time to drive directly to the trailhead at the Tech Trails and get a couple hot laps in.
Now, I have to brag a little. Houghton is the center of one of the best trail networks and biking communities I've ever seen, and I've ridden quite a few places now. There is, literally, a group ride every night of the week, and weekend adventures regularly being planned at the group rides. I rode in Copper Harbor (pop. 70), home of an incredibly active non-profit dedicated to making and maintaining trails in the Harbor, the Copper Harbor Trails Club. They even have a full time trail builder, Aaron, whose work includes running a jackhammer to benchcut trail into the basalt, and making SICK bridges on site with an Alaskan mill (I want on of these; Think of a chainsaw with about a 4' cutting surface, then put a guide around it so that you can produce fresh planking on the side of the trail. Now imagine all the bridges you could build with that...)
Well, actually, when I say I rode in the Harbor, it's more like I got my butt kicked in the Harbor. Every time I go back thinking that I get to make a withdrawal from my I've-been-training-in-Colorado Bank, I get schooled by the local guys. Ah, humility. I wish you weren't so prevalent in my riding.
Seeing as this entry is getting long, I'll save more for later. Next up, more Houghton, and on to beautiful Petoskey, MI.
Gitchigumee, otherwise known as Lake Superior
2 comments:
hello from a japanese ipad!
It's none of my business but you didn't finish you Houghton Michigan story. I need closeure.
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