Day 38 journal Mt. Pleasant, MI to Birch Run, MI

I biked 75 miles today. We sure got lucky today and did NOT get wet. Looking at the weather radar it looked green everywhere all around us, but lo and behold we must have gotten into some sort of pocket and escaped the wet. It had rained in the wee hours of dawn but was not raining when taking off at 7:30 this morning. I gave praises for the Michigan roads yesterday, but today’s route had absolutely crappy roads!!! Makes you want to write the governor of the state and find out why these roads around here are never repaired. I ate one of those motel waffles this morning. Big mistake. You know, those popular make your own in the waffle maker waffles that the motels are offering these days. I should know better because every time I’ve had one and gotten out on the bike afterwards it sits in the gut like a lump and makes me feel so sluggish. It was 40 miles into the route before I felt better. Stopped at the SAG (only had one snack SAG stop on this short day) that was at mile 40 and had Fig Newton’s and banana and soon felt much better and picked up speed for the last 35 miles. If it hadn’t been for the terrible roads I would have made even better time. A few times we had to turn south and boy did we have a headwind going that way. The longest stretch going that direction was 6 miles, but it was a ‘get-down-in-the-drops’ on the handlebars when fighting the wind. Coming into Birch Run we had to go right past the huge Birch Run Prime Outlet Mall complex of stores. It was noon when I rolled in so lots of us went by there and found many restaurants to choose from for a lunch before getting into the Comfort Inn Motel right at the interchange at I-75. I have enjoyed relaxing all afternoon, reading, napping, washing some clothes and resting up for the 90 miles to Port Huron tomorrow. I wonder if we will get rained on tomorrow? Good chance we will as it looks like a rain front is coming over all of Lower Michigan from the west. Route Rap is in a few minutes and then we are to walk to Tony’s Restaurant for the evening meal. It will be about a ½ mile walk. Hope it is Italian food! Those pasta dinners are good carbo loading meals. Makes a huge difference in our energy when we eat the right stuff! Last night about 15 of us went next door to the Lone Star Steakhouse for dinner instead of ABB’s free dinner at Shoney’s. Just couldn’t hack the thought of another buffet, and especially Shoney’s! Looking forward to seeing Lake Huron tomorrow. Time to go to route rap. Thank you all for your e-mail’s!! It means so much to hear from so many.