Hoping for a Tail Wind

The Unexpected Century

Posted on August 22, 2010 by anthonycaferro

No, I’m not talking about some crazy era in history. For those of you not familiar with bike tourist lingo a century refers to biking 100 miles in a day.

I didn’t plan to ride 102 miles today, especially with a fifteen mph headwind the entire way, but that’s what happened. Today’s century feels great, clear skies from sun up to sun down; this may very well be the best day of my entire tour thus far. I certainly had the greatest range of emotions of any day.

Today’s mileage also brought me back to two familiar territories: the eastern time zone and US highway 2. Gratefully, highway 2 has a wider shoulder here than it did out west, so I’m happy to be back on it.

Oddly, all I’ve eaten today is: 2 granola bars, 2 peanut butter/banana burritos, 2 cups of coffee and an orange juice. Not too hungry either.

Special shout out to the Hiawatha National Forest for allowing me to camp wherever I want. Finally something the Federal Government got right. Theodore Roosevelt for President in 2012!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bicycling 100 miles in a day, century, hiawatha national forest, theodore roosevelt, upper peninsula michigan | Leave a comment

The Stars At Night Are Big And Bright…

Posted on August 22, 2010 by anthonycaferro

So of course I’m not in Texas, but I have made it to Michigan, my seventh state along the route. And I chose that headline for a couple of reasons:

One, it’s a great scene in the classic film Pee Wee’s Big Adventure; where Pee Wee needs to prove he’s in Texas over the phone. So he shouts it out randomly and every passerby gives the proper response. Despite popular notions about Pee Wee, the film is great and it’s all about loving your bicycle, so go and watch it!

More applicably, Michigan seems like Texas. Everyone–80 year old ladies included–has a pickup truck. “No Trespassing” signs are EVERYWHERE. I constantly hear rifle fire in the distance. And yes, the stars were big and bright last night. (though Idaho and Montana had the biggest an brightest I’ve seen thus far).

Not too many friendly waves from motorists, but I did get a great camping suggestion from a local in Crystal Falls and just about had the entire place to myself last night. I’ll be hitting Escanaba later today, my biggest town in a while–a booming metropolis of 13,000 residents!