Trash Talk

I see quite a bit of trash during my rides I'm sorry to say.

Discarded lottery tickets, furniture, cigarette butts, plastic water bottles, refundable beer and pop cans - you name it.

So much junk in fact, it makes me wonder what people are thinking.

But yesterday, while heading to the store to turn in a few cans and pick up some groceries, I spot an empty beer can in the ditch. What the hey, another ten cents in my pocket, so I set the bike down and add the can to my collection. As I hop back on my ride a motorist slows to a stop. Usually when this happens it's someone asking for directions.

A smiling woman asks if I'm picking up trash. And she wants to give me a candy bar for being a good citizen.

Somewhat embarrassed, I thank her and decline the candy bar explaining I'm just heading to the store. She smiles and waves while pulling away.

Sometimes you meet the nicest people out on the road.

Indian Summer Gravel Ride

Got out for one more gravel ride in the Thumb as temps hit the low 60's. The snow will fly soon and we probably won't see weather like this for another five months, so this post is a lil' something to help get me through the cold winter...

Pere Marquette State Trail - West from Clare

I picked the perfect autumn day for a color tour on the Pere Marquette State Trail west from Clare. While the course is not yet complete and the pavement ends at Baldwin, the portion I rode was awesome.

Corn Ride

Three counties, five hours, much gravel, and only three cars.

A Shortcut?

The other day I found a potential shortcut.

With the help of an online satellite I spot a road that doesn't exist, despite knowing where the road supposedly ends. Or does it? Zooming in displays a path I'm not familiar with, so I just have to go see for myself.



After finding an open gate and no "NO TRESPASSING" signs, the first thing I notice is a lot of spent shotgun shells. The last thing I want to do is surprise some gun-totin' dude who's tending to his patch. I also know this is a popular hunting site, and I didn't hear any banjos playing so I relax. The only things I manage to spook are a deer, a fox, and a few turkeys along the two-mile route. It's hard to believe that this is considered a road since it's barely a path in a few areas.

As it turns out this is a legit route, so to speak. There are a few deer blinds along the way but mostly this is simply an access to farmers' fields. Not sure if it's legal, but hey, it beats riding beside a state highway.

More Gravel

Up and off before dawn to ride further into Michigan's Thumb taking advantage of the early morning light and avoiding the mid-day 90-degree temps.

One of the great things about these gravel rides, aside from the awesome vistas, is the lack of traffic as only a handful of cars passed me in four hours.

There's definitely something to be said for taking the road less traveled.

Thumb Gravel Grinder

It's good to break away from the usual (asphalt) route and take a gravel crunching ride into Michigan's Thumb.

The thought of escaping the urban environment and into the solitude of the country draws me like a moth to the back door light, yet I wonder why I so rarely venture here. Is it because of time constraints? Nah. Fear of the unknown? Maybe.

So far, the fear of the unknown has proven to be unfounded.

The farmer on his tractor, a woman checking her mailbox, and the man walking his dog, all take time out of their day to offer a friendly greeting.

When folks I don't know wave at me, I must be in a good place.

(A test shot reveals a need for a wider lens.)