Hi all.................... I leave for another vacation on Friday morning. It's the only non-Disney type of vacation I enjoy. I will be going on the Rails-to-Trails Michigander Bike Tour, sponsored by the Detroit Free Press. I will be going on this 6 Day trip beginning on Sunday July 13, and ending on Friday July 18. It is all done on "mountain" bikes and will cover roughly 270 - 290 miles this time (it depends on the actual route).
This trip (for those of you familiar with Michigan) will begin in Midland, and have overnight stops in Clare, Grayling, Gaylord, Indian River and Mackinaw City, before crossing the finish line at Petoskey Middle School in Petoskey, MI. Yes, we (about 400-600 of us) will be sleeping in tents. No, we will not have to carry our gear on the trip... we throw it in a "Ryder" type rental van, and volunteers take it to the next destination. Some of the roads and trails will be smooth .... others will be
(not so smooth).
Back to the "Michigander".... This ride helps raise money (from our fees to go on this ride) to convert abandoned rail beds into useful trails. Some are suitable for horse-back riding, some for wheelchairs, but all are suitable for any type of a bike except, maybe, a "10-speed". For those of you who live in Michigan.... buy a Detroit Free Press next week.... or go to www.freep.com (the Free Press web site). Each day (Monday through Saturday), there will be an article about the previous day's trip. Who knows, you may see a picture of one of your fellow Dis'ers. If no picture, at least know that I am having a great time and brag that you know someone going on this trip.
By the way, yes I will miss DW and DS5 and DS2.5. The DS's know I've done this ride before and know I like doing it. And yes, I do "behave"! I keep telling DW I have as much fun as I am legally and morally allowed to have - without her around - and be allowed back home!
Gotta go and finish packing!
Dave
This trip (for those of you familiar with Michigan) will begin in Midland, and have overnight stops in Clare, Grayling, Gaylord, Indian River and Mackinaw City, before crossing the finish line at Petoskey Middle School in Petoskey, MI. Yes, we (about 400-600 of us) will be sleeping in tents. No, we will not have to carry our gear on the trip... we throw it in a "Ryder" type rental van, and volunteers take it to the next destination. Some of the roads and trails will be smooth .... others will be
(not so smooth).Back to the "Michigander".... This ride helps raise money (from our fees to go on this ride) to convert abandoned rail beds into useful trails. Some are suitable for horse-back riding, some for wheelchairs, but all are suitable for any type of a bike except, maybe, a "10-speed". For those of you who live in Michigan.... buy a Detroit Free Press next week.... or go to www.freep.com (the Free Press web site). Each day (Monday through Saturday), there will be an article about the previous day's trip. Who knows, you may see a picture of one of your fellow Dis'ers. If no picture, at least know that I am having a great time and brag that you know someone going on this trip.
By the way, yes I will miss DW and DS5 and DS2.5. The DS's know I've done this ride before and know I like doing it. And yes, I do "behave"! I keep telling DW I have as much fun as I am legally and morally allowed to have - without her around - and be allowed back home!

Gotta go and finish packing!
Dave

