Cycle Across America – Day 70

Manistique to Naubinway

44 miles / 591ft climb

Anticipating a straightforward ride today, we wanted to arrive at our destination a little earlier than of late and use the extra time to make phone calls home, do some laundry, catch up on messages and of course relax. The relaxation bit came easily and even after a ‘short’ day’s cycling, I managed an hour’s sleep.

On reflection, the cycling day was indeed short at only 4.5 hours. However, the cumulative days take their toll as does the heat and the continual assault on the senses that came with cycling along the hard shoulder of the extremely busy highway – our only option for the day.

It is hard to believe the frequent signs claiming this hard shoulder was one of the recognised cycle routes in Michigan.

Once again, John managed to cycle the entire route in one gear. With no hint of a bike shop solution within the next few days, he has managed a temporary fix that will hopefully see him with a few gear options for tomorrow. Without wanting to sound miserable, there was no pleasure at all in the cycling today and no sight of the lake but I did experience a rather immature fit of the giggles when seeing the sign below.

Arriving at Naubinway, our destination for the day, despite the ghost town feel to the place, we managed to find an open bar for a late lunch. Late supper doesn’t happen apparently in the area on a Sunday and a so a tin of Campbells condensed soup and a stale sandwich purchased from the garage shop and served in a polystyrene cup had to suffice. Fortunately we were able to reserve a table and eat in the tranquility and opulence of the motel car park.