My Summer of Commuting in the Mitten

[sammyseaman]

 

Simmer down there, banana. A lot of things need to work out so it's more like a banana sitting in a chair tapping it's feet  

[Max Wedge]

  My weekend commute for Mother's Day started from work this week, the primo moto parking space at the Chrysler Tech Center in Auburn Hills.



  Hit the road at 3PM, jumped on 75, due north. Per some requests I will include some maps so everyone can get a bearing on what the areas I go through look like. I didn't get much exploring time this weekend, I spent all my time with my babies mama.  

  I did learn some things on this trip, and those of you who have read my previous RR's know, I have a hard time settling in and enjoying the ride, more so when I have a distinct destination and am not just traveling in a general direction. Not that I don't love the ride, I just feel like pushing on, and not stopping to snif the roses. I often think that maybe I am better suited for IBA stuff. I will try one in the future and see.

For now, a teaser pic from 65.



Stay tuned....

[Max Wedge]

This is the route of my usual commute (per request), but if I leave from my home I can cut the I-75 portion to around 25 miles or so.



This is the portion I enjoy more, and the area I will be mostly exploring when I have some free time.:



This is also the area that allows me to add to my entomolgy collection:

[Max Wedge]

Since there was a post about the Calcite mine, I will post a couple more pics.





The area where they load frieghters can be seen in the picture above.



This is the road that lets you observe them loading the freighters, but there were no freighters being loaded, but it is a neat little road.

[Max Wedge]

This is typical of the scenes you will see riding 65. Watch for deer, enjoy the ride.



Ride to horizon, repeat.



One thing you will notice, with this picture being taken on a Sunday afternoon going south, in Michigan means weekend traffic. South of the Zilwaukee Bridge can be completely stopped. I didn't see much.

[Max Wedge]

A traffic light on 65, in town.



What I learned:

1) Long Distance Comfort underwear make a difference. Same ride, up and back, one time with, one time without, survey says-they work. (no pictures to prove this, just take my word for it).

2) Hi-vis is a cloaking device when you need it. Not sure why, but being passed by a sheriff on I-75 at speed I won't divulge, I got a pass. I think the panniers help too. He barely even looked at me.   Thank you sir.

3) Pace is largely a state of mind. I told myself that it was a beautiful day to be out riding, and I didn't care what time I got home. When I started to feel myself push, I put on a mp3 and just tried to enjoy the whole moment. I stopped one extra time than I usually do, and I got home 10 minutes later than when I was trying to make time. I felt much more relaxed on arrival however. I have to learn to do this more.        

[CLAY]

So in the mine area, it's all unpaved?

[Max Wedge]

Yup. All unpaved, changes often, but built out of limestone.

[Max Wedge]

After a couple weeks off from the commute, (momma needs to be home for Mother's Day) I was back at it this week.

I'm going to start off with what I learned this time:

4) If a deer is laying on the shoulder of the road, it doesn't mean it won't try to get up and do that asphalt/ice dance to try to get in front of you as you approach. I was watching the road, and I was kind of surprised that he suddenly started to scramble to his feet.

My camera didn't get the shot but this was the road/conditions he was 'resting' on the shoulder in.

[Max Wedge]

5)  I don't mind 35mph wind gusts. I don't mind riding in the rain (I like the 'zen' thing of rain riding). I am not a fan of riding both of them at the same time, for hours.

[Max Wedge]

No harm, no foul. Made it to my destination, in pretty good time.



Hoping for some better weather for my trip back....

[Max Wedge]

  I know you were all sitting on the edge of your seats wondering how my ride home was,   so suffice to say the weather was much more cooperative. I have fallen a little behind on this, and I have been up and back one more time since I started this chapter.

 Anyway, I started out looking at this:



then this:



and the day just progressed.

[Max Wedge]

  Just a quick update for fathers day weekend... this was lunch:



this was the view:



Okay Michiganders, who will be the first to call it?

[sleazy rider]

Leggs Inn and Polish food.    

Call it and we will come.

[Max Wedge]

Leggs Inn and Polish food.    

Call it and we will come.

You got it! Will be going back in the next couple of weeks, stay tuned!  

[Max Wedge]

Okay, I am pretty excited about heading up north for the whole week next week. A return trip to Legs Inn is definetly on the docket, any one gonna be in the area during the week? May venture to the UP for a day or two, not sure yet, I am not making any plans, just seeing how the mood hits, and see if any of my kids are going to visit.

Gotta find the 'Snake of the UP"....what road is that again? Does anyone know if they caught the person dropping nails on it?

Clearing all my memory cards right now.  

[sleazy rider]

H58 from Munising to Grand Marais.    August for my adventure up that way.

[Cablebandit]

Gotta find the 'Snake of the UP"....what road is that again?

H58 from Munising to Grand Marais.    August for my adventure up that way.

Oh, there appears to be 2 or three curves in that one.  FIRE UP THE STICKER AND T-SHIRT PRESS!!!    

























 

[sammyseaman]

  Just a quick update for fathers day weekend... this was lunch:

 

[sammyseaman]

Oh, there appears to be 2 or three curves in that one.  FIRE UP THE STICKER AND T-SHIRT PRESS!!!    

























 

Hey! We takes what we can gets