On the Psychogical Benefits of Aspercreme

First of all, I stand corrected. Alex pointed out to me that having faced down 23 spiders at once (spiders with five o'clock shadow, cigarettes dangling from their fuzzy little lips, all of their names ending in a vowel...) would make it easier to deal with one spider in the future. Alex is tougher.

We made it to Petoskey by lunch time on Wednesday in a quick 24 mile ride. This gave us plenty of time to wash the laundry before going out to see a movie. The goal was to get a good night's rest before the long ride to Traverse City on Wednesday. The tough part about riding to and around Petoskey is that it has gigantic, steep hills. Also, we suspect there is a perpetual mid-latitude hurricane swirling around the area with its eye centered on the city, since we always have bad weather trying to get there. Throw in some bears, and you've got the place your mother always warned you never to go. The nice part about riding around Petoskey is that there are a lot of nice trails for cyclists, keeping you safely out of the rush of traffic.

As planned, we got up early Thursday morning and headed out in the cold to Traverse City. The Canadians felt the need to send us some 40 degree weather overnight. (Thanks a lot, Canada!) It did warm up and turn out to be perfect riding weather. For future reference, though, 31 is not a desirable  road to take. Occasionally there is a nice, wide shoulder to ride on, and there are some great farm markets along the way at which to stop for a healthy (or not - your choice) bite to eat. But much of the road has a narrow shoulder and a ton of traffic, and many of these people are in a tremendous hurry to get somewhere. It's kind of like when a snowstorm is headed for southern lower Michigan, and everyone races to the convenience stores to stock up on Camels and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Narrow shoulders + high traffic= stressful riding.

The ride to TC was 64 miles. Longer rides require a different mental strategy.  It's helpful to be aware  so that when you're spending too much time focusing on the burning sensation in your muscles, you can readjust so you don't miss out on the landscape you're passing. I think I missed a lot yesterday. With long distance, high traffic, and hills came more neck and shoulder and hand and everything pain, which I found very distracting. Once we had camp set up in the evening, I pulled out the container of Aspercreme I'd been carrying the entire trip. Alex didn't think it would help, but I decided to try it if only for the psychological benefits of having treated my aches somehow. Alex was right. Aspercreme just made me itchy and delivered no psychological benefits.

The main lessons we've learned on this tour are to get your bike checked out with a mechanic before a trip,  even if you've been riding and it seems fine, and don't go riding in cold and rain unless you
have the proper gear to wear in such weather. And also, Aspercreme has no benefits.

The first long distance bike ride in our family was taken by David and Alex just after Alex had finished 7th grade, so it is only appropriate that this last family ride before Alex goes to college would end with David and Alex riding to Cadillac to get the truck while I wait at the state park (which is packed and currently smells like bacon). They took off early this morning for the 44 mile trip, and finally unhindered by a heavy trailer and packs, they expect to make good time.

There is no laundry facility here at the park. We learned last year that the  closest coin laundry is four miles away. It's only four miles, right? You could ride a bike there. But I think I'll wait for the guys to get back with the truck. I'm ready to go back to my pampered lifestyle.