Lake Michigan Cycling Trip Day 7: Pass Me That Cigarette, You Sexy American Pig

I woke up to the nice surprise of a gorgeous lake view. I’d gotten in when it was dark so had no idea what would greet me upon awakening. Once again, the Shoreline did not disappoint.

I correspondingly got a late start and was on the road by 10. I rode 25 miles through gorgeous Door County with the sun shining on my shoulders. Lest you think I’m gushing, I’m actually complaining, because I’ve got the most ridiculous tan lines from this trip. One of the few things I liked about dopey cycling shorts is that they tend to be pretty long. Well, I thought that was great until I saw the tan lines they produce. And did you know that sunscreen apparently loses effectiveness past the use-by date? That was one of the things that I know that I was willing to assume you didn’t.

By noon I was sitting down at Shipwrecked Brewery in Egg Harbor. Cute place! I got a flight and a burger. My picks for the beer were the Bayside Blonde and the Peninsula Porter. The Door County Cherry Wheat failed on two counts. First, it tasted terrible — undrinkable. Second, it spilled in the wind (thank you for the plastic jello shooter cups, by the way), and onto my left leg and white Pearl Izumi.

Even though I’d made decent time to lunch (well, beer was at stake), there were a few hills on 42 that had just maxed me out. So I chose a milder route down to Sturgeon Bay and my quads thanked me for it.

I took my afternoon break at a gas station, where they were rocking out to Katy Perry. Is there anyone who doesn’t love her right now? I heard an old woman in St. Ignace singing along to the Friday song a few days ago.

I’ve been listening to a lot of Edith Piaf over the past few days. I can now speak French from this, by the way. I can only say things like, “I have little tolerance for men who leave me,” and “Pass me that cigarette, you sexy American pig,” but I can’t imagine anything else I’d ever need to say in French, so I think that’ll do.

The late afternoon ride from Sturgeon Bay to Algoma went really well. I felt strong and well again, having found some reserve energy somewhere in my weary muscles. I didn’t even mind the hills; I almost enjoyed them. Perfect little farms dotted the countryside. The road was unfrequented and well paved. I forewent the iPod and enjoyed the sound of the world. Well, the world and my hacking chain.

Algoma is a cute little town, and has enough bars for my satisfaction. In fact, my hotel is one of them. I’ve got no complaints, and at $43 the place earns it’s rap as the cheapest in town. But it’s clean enough and the proprietress is friendly.

She asked where I’d cycled from and I told her Gills Rock. She and the few bar flies were impressed. They asked what most people do, “By yourself??”

Other common questions include what the daily mileage or average speed is, how much farther I’ve to go, and the old men, without fail, ask whether I’m carrying a “spare tire.” I just tell them yes, since they tend to look concerned.

I closed out the night at the Steelhead Saloon, which was livelier than I would have expected in a population 3,000 town. The food was about what I would’ve expected, though.

Tomorrow: last day of Lake Michigan Cycling Trip! I’ve had a great time, but am ready to get back home to being a regular person again. You know, not some weirdo wearing dopey clothes and perched atop a mechanical contraption rolling down the highway. Forty five miles left to the SS Badger parking lot. Let’s see if I can get an early start for once.

Today’s mileage: 65.3
Avg speed: 12.1
Max speed: 30.7
Time in saddle today: 5:14
Total cycled so far: 435.6 miles

Gain: 1,204 feet

Expenditures:
$18.02 flight and burger
$2.88 diet coke and fig bars
$47.73 Barbie Anns motel room
$15.25 pint and turkey dinner plate
TOTAL: $83.88