Doug is getting on a train today and will arrive in Cleveland early tomorrow. He sounds like a kid who got out of a very disappointing camp early and can't wait to get home.

Trip from Manitowoc, WI to Red Wing, MN

Trip from Manitowoc, WI to Red Wing, MN

Saturday, June 12

Doug rode 65 miles to Red Wing MN where he talked to some people about options to get home. They thought his best bet would be to get the train from Winona so he rode 65 miles back to Winona. He rode over 130 miles today! He's resting and then will go to Amtrack this evening to see about getting a train to Cleveland tomorrow. He is tired of being cold, wet and lonely and the forecast is for more rain. It's just not fun. He thinks the trip might be fun if he had some company but he misses us and is coming home. He rode at least 836 miles on this trip.

Friday June 11

Doug is still in Winona resting, doing laundry, drying out his gear, eating the rest of yesterday's pizza and drinking the rest of the beer. They are having thunder storms.

Trip from Manitowoc, WI to State Route 43, Winona, MN 55987

Trip from Manitowoc, WI to State Route 43, Winona, MN 55987

Doug took a break at McDonald's in Onalaska (free wifi) had coffee and watched the clouds roll in. He wrote "Good ride so far. Chance of thunderstorms today." He is in an AmericInn again. "I'm finally in Minnesota -Winona. There was a 'Welcome to Minnesota' sign on the bridge across the Mississippi but it was raining to hard to stop and take a photo. 80 miles to get here, 40 in the rain." He is feeling good and enjoyed the whirlpool. I guess life is better in a hotel room with pizza, beer and TV than in a cold, wet, dark, cramped tent with Ramen noodles and water. Who knew? Photos: 3 mile downhill heading into Sparta Wi and a Park in Sparta

Wed, June 9

Good news! It is NOT raining for Doug today, according to the weather report. It is, however, windy. He's planning to get to Tomah WI today.
Doug's email:
Today was tough, I left at 6:30 to try and beat some of the wind. By 10:00 I had gone about 30 miles, then the wind started. It increased to about 20 mph before the end of the ride.
At 6 miles from my projected route there was a detour that added about 10 miles. Total mileage for the day, 75 average speed 11.1. I got here about 2:30 but I was whipped. I going to try to reach Winona Mn tomorrow. Looks like I might have a slight tailwind.
Having beer in my room to help recover.
I talked to him on the phone. He is in a good mood. Might be the beer. Might be all those supportive emails.

Tuesday, June 8

Doug is now in Wautoma, WI, after another cold, wet ride. He is staying in a nice, warm motel, an AmericInn, where he got a great deal on the room because the owner is a bike rider. There is a Culver's nearby but it's too cold for ice cream and he doesn't want to have to deal with the rain to get there again. He was already there for dinner. He hasn't been doing much sight seeing because it never stops raining. At least he's staying in hotels now instead of trying to camp in the rain.
Photos: Rest area on Rt 21 west of Wautoma. Wisconsin River (rest area on Rt 21)

Monday, June 7

Doug is staying in a hotel in Oshkosh WI tonight, having beer and pizza, and watching TV while planning his route. He's not on the official Adventure Cyclist maps yet.
Photo: Lake Winnebago from Oshkosh

Sunday morning , June 6

Doug decided to leave Manitowoc yesterday after all. He had his bike checked in Manitowoc, and it's fine. He planned to ride 30 miles to a state camp ground but made a wrong turn and wound up riding 50 miles (in the rain). The last bit, to the campground, was up a long, steep hill. He is not a happy camper.
Photos: Rage West Art Museum in Manitowoc

June 5, Saturday

Doug's crossing of Lake MI was cloudy, with a high of about 72. He will stay in Manitowoc WI today. It will be raining tomorrow again, with a high of about 60 so, looks like another cold, wet one. On Monday, it's supposed to clear up.

Friday June 4

Today, Doug rode to Ludington MI, where he will catch a ferry across the lake to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He enjoyed breakfast at McDonald's this morning.
His email:

Got to Ludington around 1:30; rode in rain last 25 miles. 50 miles today, 14.8 mph avg. - had a slight tailwind, pretty good roads, and desire to get to Wisconsin. Had cheese and asparagus soup for lunch; mmm. Michigan is the asparagus capitol, according to Carol. The place I was going to stay doesn't allow bikes in the room. The clerk helped me find another room that does. Small, clean and only $43. No wifi here but can receive it from the B&B across the street. The owner gave me rags to clean bike; nice lady. Used the opportunity to clean and lube.
(He is now warm and dry and having roast beef, asparagus, salad and a beer in a decent restaurant.)

Got my boat ticket, $80, am ready to go. Goodbye Michigan and hopefully rain.

Photos: Rt.10 to Ludington through the state forest and the Courthouse in Ludington Mich

Trip from [1300-1568] Kent St, Kent, OH 44240 to Ludington, MI

Trip from [1300-1568] Kent St, Kent, OH 44240 to Ludington, MI

June 3

About the bike problem yesterday, he heard a noise and rode to the nearest bike shop, which was not far. His rear bearings needed attention. His bike still needs a little work and he plans to have it checked at the next bike shop. Today, he rode 55 miles to Reed City. It was a gradual uphill most of the day and it was gray and cold but cleared up after mile 40 or so. He had a nice afternoon and found a free and pleasant campground.
Photo: bridge over the Muskegon River on the White Pine Trail near Big
Rapid Mich on the way to Reed City

Trip from [1300-1568] Kent St, Kent, OH 44240 to Cedar Springs, MI

Trip from [1300-1568] Kent St, Kent, OH 44240 to Cedar Springs, MI

June 2

Not such a hot day. Doug rode in rain for about 50 miles before it cleared up. He had a mechanical problem that cost him an hour and $27 to resolve. He found a campground in Cedar Springs, expensive but nice - wifi at site, nice bathroom/shower, and Big Boy restaurant nearby. On to Reed City tomorrow - weather should be improving.

June 1

Doug spent the holiday with Carol and Lee. He left Carol's this morning, and is now in Ionia (If you are wondering "where ever that is" click on the above link). He rode 86 miles today because he wants to get to the ferry by Friday (he wants to make the ferry trip across the lake before it rains again). He said, "Was attacked by a bird as I rode along today. I guess I got too close to her nest. I had a great visit with Carol and Lee. They are terrific hosts." He is "still having fun; butt is improving, legs are good. Dinner tonight - ramen with lemon garlic chicken breast and fresh spinach. Carol went online to find cooking tips for me." Photo is of Williamsburg MI- on the way to Ionia.

Sunday morning May 30

Doug is sitting at Starbucks in Ann Arbor, enjoying coffee. He will be spending the night in Highland, Michigan, with his sister, Carol, and her husband, Lee.

Saturday May 2010

Email from Doug: No cell service here in Milan Michigan so I can't call. Rode 60 miles today, legs good - butt sore. Food has been a delight, hormel chili last night, tonight ramen noodles. Livin' large. Thank god for the taco bell $2 meal and small town breakfast places.

Campgrounds don't sell much and I came upon this one before I found a grocery store. Still having fun.

Friday May 28- evening

Doug rode about 72 miles today and is past Freemont. It has occurred to him that he needs to get food BEFORE he gets to the campsite! He visited the Freemont HS thinking this was where we had a first chat after meeting in the laundromat but I looked it up and it must have been Fostoria because the GOBA route in 1990 was: Oberlin, Bellevue, Port Clinton, Fostoria, Bucyrus, Mansfield, Ashland. We just passed through Freemont.

Friday May 28- morning

On Day One, Doug rode 60 miles from Kent to Medina, Ohio. He sent this email on day 2.

I'm having breakfast in Norwalk, spent last night in Wellington. Hope to make it to Fremont today. I am going to try to find the place where Vera and I had our first conversation. Having fun, but someone must have taken my legs, because these feel like they belong to some old guy.

Fremont is where Doug and I met on GOBA (Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure). We met in the laundromat. Freemont High School is pictured above.