I’ve been saying the riding is good, meaning smooth pavement, low traffic, pleasant scenery. Today was great, and I will illustrate.
Bob has the route leaving Green Bay on Velp Ave, a four lane divided road. Local cyclists said to detour a piece due to high traffic, and Bob gives you the detour route. This picture shows traffic at the light at the end of the busy section this morning, a Thursday, at 9:20 am.
Traffic on Velp Ave, Green Bay
So I stayed on Velp. I had a similar experience on other four lane roads in Green Bay yesterday. Basically, in a smaller center like this, and on the rural side roads out here, traffic is light compared to what we get in Calgary.
Next we see the pretty home at Blossom Creek Nursery.
Blossom Creek nursery
Notice that there is no sun, and all is overcast. This is good. Temp was 22 C and there was a tailwind, which made for easy riding in perfect comfort. Notice my bike computer at 14.6 mph. Wonderful, for a loaded bike, and relatively effortless.
Rolling at 14.6 mph
Now notice Lakeview Drive.
Lakeview Drive
There are no hills. None. Try finding a road like that anywhere around Calgary. Also notice that there is only one black expansion crack across the road, in the foreground. These cracks are so smooth here as to be almost unfelt. And that is the only crack for hundreds of yards. The pavement is simply smooth, and lets you roll. I am so impressed that I took a close up.
Smooth pavement
And this has been so for a large part of the ride.
I was feeling pretty good and took my usual eat and pee breaks, so you have fresh spring ferns in a close-up.
Spring green colors
I’ve been noticing the leaves on the trees mature as spring progresses. Nice early spring colors.
And we have the Oconto Marsh to ride past.
Oconto Marshes
I stopped for groceries, intending to eat supper in camp. When I came out, it was raining. So I sat under the store canopy and ate my scheduled snack, donned rain gear, and rode on in a light drizzle. The rain smelled great and was warm. Now I’m not saying I was real enthused about the rain, but I adapt and smell the roses and the rain, as it were.
At great risk to my phone I took a picture of the rain for you on Hall Ave in Marinette, so you would be content to be snug at home instead of out here in the wet with me.
Rain on Hall Ave in Marinette
It soon let up, and I was able to get out of the stuffy rain gear and enjoy the fresh air. I crossed the Menominee River into Michigan and noticed I’d covered 60 miles so far, and had no yearning to ride another 18 miles or so to a wet campsite.
Crossing the Menominee River into Michigan
Like you, I am now snug inside, at the EconoLodge in Menominee. They have forgotten the meaning of Econo in their name, although they assure me the $89.45 charge is the lowest in town. And I get a bay view room.
Bay view from my motel
