Naubinway to St Ignace
43 miles / 614 ft climb
Despite convincing ourselves that the highway would be quieter today, the traffic wasn’t much lighter than yesterday. It was still an assault on the senses and when the we had the option of doing a slight detour for a few miles, we took it simply to escape the noise and speed of the traffic for a few minutes. It is still hard to believe this highway is a designated bike route but the signs reinforce that it is indeed.
If it’s hard to imagine what it’s like cycling along this highway, think cycling during Monday morning rush hour on the hard shoulder of the M6 when every car is now the size of a truck, every truck is the size of a tanker and the articulated lorries are the size of a planet! The speed limit is 65 miles an hour but there doesn’t appear to be any monitoring of this.
However, despite all this, the one difference today was that we could see the lake from various points along the highway and this really did make everything seem so much better. We stopped regularly to enjoy the view and the brief reprieve from having to concentrate so hard.
Cycling the hard shoulder is fast though and we arrived in St Ignace by lunchtime. A short bike ride into town where John and I went to stroll around and have some lunch and the more energetic Broekman’s went for lunch and a swim.
We are staying in a lovely motel, with the most beautiful gardens where I’m sitting with a glass of wine in hand as I write this blog.
The only distraction is that it sits alongside the hard shoulder of the same highway we cycled along and if the traffic doesn’t abate overnight, I suspect I will dream that I’m still cycling along it.
In other news today, we found a small supermarket selling some fresh fruit and vegetables and have bought enough of them to feed a small army.
John’s homemade repair to his gear shifter held today and so he was thrilled at having a choice of gears once more when tackling the hills.
Challenging Times 
Fruit! Finally.
I remember we chatted briefly about how few non-cycling clothes you could take but it hasn’t mattered has it, you look great Alison xx
It sounds tough cycling alongside the busy highway, you must have felt grateful for the brief respite. Loving your blog. I’m so impressed by your determination to keep pedalling every day xx.
Let’s hope there’s more views of the lake and less of the busy highways in the coming days xx
I have been thinking of you and am following your progress. Enjoy the Mackinac Bridge and the views of both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Be safe!!
Riding the hard shoulder sounds horrendous. Stay safe!
I find the fresh fruit news mind boggling.
Finally, the luxury of three gears for John. It’s turning into a coffee ride.
Oh my word – finding fresh 🍓 fruit, heaven! As you commented in an earlier post how different our lifestyles are. Well done all of you xx