After leaving my campsite, I made my way up the Van Buren Trail to South Beach in South Haven. I walked the 100 yards of super sandy beach to dip my back wheel in Lake Michigan. I should have thrown the whole bike in for a quick wash. The Kal-Haven trail is super dusty. I didn’t clean the bike last night knowing I’d be right back on it today.
And so the journey East begins!!
I was really impressed with South Beach (Michigan version.) What a beautiful beach area and the pier next to it goes out to the historical lighthouse at the end. Don’t laugh too hard at my hair — that’s the helmet effect!
Not too far from South Haven is the Black River Bridge shown above. It was built in 1870 along with 6 other bridges along the Kal-Haven trail but is the only one covered. A sign next to the bridge says that these bridges carried trains for 100 years and then were converted for trail users by adding modern safety rails and decking.
I rode two trails today; the Kal-Haven and the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. The Cal-Haven trail is about 34 miles of super dusty crushed limestone and ends 4.3 miles from downtown K-zoo. I rode the KRVT back through K-zoo to Augusta where I’m camping at the Fort Custer Recreation Area. Just to give an idea on speed — I averaged a bit over 11 mph while on the crushed limestone and closer to 14 when on asphalt.
Shortly after arriving at Fort Custer RA, I got a call from Becky. It didn’t take her long to tell me that I better get something to eat. I was famished and wasn’t my usual chatty self. The only food options were back out of the park in Augusta. So I hopped back on the bike and made my way to Nina’s Taqueria in town. I didn’t need another 5.5 miles on my bike, but I’m too cheap to spend the $20 for a round trip Uber. I ordered the Burrito Especial (wet) and got some chips and salsa too. It was just what I needed and I may have just enough fuel for another long day of riding tomorrow. I am planning on spending the night at Pleasant Lake Campground — a bit North of Jackson.
Stay tuned!!
Looks like fun, Dennis!! Thanks for the update
So far so good! West Michigan is pretty cool!
You look good Dennis! 🏄♂️
Wet burritos rule!!!
Thanks Dan-O!! Any food at this point works!!!!
Nice Helmet Head! Leave that home on the Nebraska trip!
Ha! No biking on the Nebraska trip – I don’t think 😊
Off to a great start. Interested to know the gear and essentials your pulling.
Keep up on those calories
I took a picture today of what I’m pulling. Not sure I’m going to be able to upload it until tomorrow. Essentially 5 categories: 1) camping, 2) clothes/toiletries, 3) food, 4) electronics and 5) bike stuff. 1) Tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, pillow, mini pump to inflate the pad 2) 3 days of biking and 3 days of non-biking clothing plus a slimed down toiletry bag. 3) 4 days of instant oatmeal, raisins, peanut butter and my JetBoil to get the morning concoction going. 4) Laptop, phone, watch, headphones, Garmin, Varia, extension cord, power strip, and an assortment of chargers. 5) Chain lube, cleaning rag, cleaning brush, pressure gauge, 2 air canisters and inflator, tubes just in case, lock, and bike tools.
Wow that’s a lot of stuff 😁
Love the helmet hair effect! You picked great weather to ride in for the trip!
I wasn’t planning on going until the forecast made it a no-brainer 👍
I like the new hair style, earned not purchased. Oh and I feel very lazy after reading your journal enter.
Not the intent Ian! I enjoy this kind of thing and it’s a bit extreme 😂. And I like to share the stories so I get a chance to write.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website.
I am hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well.
In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own website now 😉
Also visit my web blog; John E. Snyder
Thanks John. I haven’t put any new content out there for a while. I’ll get back to it.