Lake Michigan Ride—Day 5

Looking back through yesterday's photos,
Let me tell you story of one showing three of us,
Ken, John, Lin rest area top of 11% climb.

MI couple interested in what we were doing also at top.
I asked man to take our photo.
Sun was at angle so that he couldn't see anything.
"Go ahead and just click, it will be fine."
He clicked, looked , couldn't see.
"Never mind,” says I.

"Oh no, this is only chance we'll have.
Let's get where we can see."

MI man whips open his plaid flannel shirt over T-shirt,
Holds up his arm,
Puts camera in his pit out of the sun.

There we were,
Me with my head in his armpit,
Checking for photo.

Now, THAT would have been the picture!
Funny.

Our group has twelve people,
Nancy and Ken Wright, organizers,
Margaret, SAG and lunch lady,
Nine riders ... four women, five men.

I am oldest by two weeks,
Eric is 79 also.
One 50 yr person.
Rest from 62 on up.

Four of riders: John G, Gene, Susan, Eric,
Plus Margaret, lunch lady / SAG,
Have ridden multiple, multiple trips,
With Nancy and Ken.

It would have been fun organization to have found earlier.
I'm glad to be along now.

Two women newbies are Bike Club friends of Susan,
When they all are wintering in CA.
Stan is new.
Jerry is new.
Lin is new.

These people are RIDERS,
With lots of trip miles.
Nobody is flaunting.
Sometimes sharing interesting stories.

Stan is incredibly strong rider.
Started when he was 23 yrs, now 62.
On that 11% grade, he went down again
To pedal up hill twice!
Plans on adding in mileage so that
This trip will be 1000 miles for him.

Three years ago, Stan rode solo San Diego -> FL (Southern Tier)
Camping, doing trip "cheap as possible",
Eating vegetarian, not sure of calorie needs,
Lost 10% of his body weight.
Even though in WI, bikes distance & fast
Ten months of year. Impressive.

Said his mother was sure he was anorexic.

I have sore knees tonight.
Stairs to third floor hotel room HURT!
Have asked roommate to carry in sandwich for my dinner.
With Sixteen hours no stairs, no biking,
I will be ready for tomorrow.

Hugs to each, Lin