"humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature." - tom robbins
Michigan does have a reputation for having the worst roads in the country. However, I've found that the middle part of the west side can have miles and miles of smooth heavenly silky feeling roads. While that may sound like a stretch , I just got back from a 25 mile ride in Jackson county, which is in the middle of the southern part of the state. I think the lake effect snow closer to Lake Michigan causes a reduction in the freezing and thawing that causes our roads to buckle. The cider tour is in the southwest, near the Indiana line. I'm sure they might be better that where I live, but maybe not as nice as Holland or Grand Haven. It might also have something to do with county budgets.
i'm in lansing, and some of our roads are awful. if you like riding around jackson, there's a ride tomorrow put on by one of the local bike shops (friend of mine) raising money for relay for life.
http://www.pandtfitness.com/micksmemorialride.htm
"humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature." - tom robbins
I might consider doing that, I'll see how I feel in the morning. For some reason I didn't know about that one. My riding partner won't be with me, and that's my only hangup really. I've never changed a bike tire, even though I always carry most of the parts. It's not like I would get lost or anything!
I wasn't able to go, and I feel bad, but the two 20 milers I did this week let me know I should back off a little. And I was a little intimidated by the same kind of start as the last one I did,where everyone starts at the same time, with police escort, and that crowd was very fast paced. I ended up trying to keep up with the crowd and it was too fast for me. I've also never ridden that far without my husband, so that was a little off-putting. If they have that one again next year I'll plan for it.
that's cool. i wouldn't do a ride without my husband either, honestly. this was the first year for this ride. the bike shop owner put it together very recently, but i believe he has plans to make it a yearly thing. he's going to plan next year's in advance and get it in the league of michigan bicyclist's ride list so more people will hear about it.
"humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature." - tom robbins