Some welcome sunshine today, but the wind is still blowing about. Great kite flying weather, but not without mitts to keep the hands warm. It was 44 degrees today, N/NE winds of 30 MPH. Hoping to get some shelter, we decided to ride to the trail, into Tustin, double back to 18 mile Rd. and home. No danger of rain today, but we did wear our balaclava's, and gloves. I couldn't find my toasty ones, so had to settle for a thinner pair. By the time we got to town, my fingers felt colder than a snowflake on a January day. Tony offered to switch gloves with me, even though his are too big for my hands, they were better than what I had been wearing. Finding the gloves I usually wear when cycling, just got moved up my priority list.
We stopped at the bank, where we encountered a "looky-loo" Our trike attracts them like magnets, and they are usually full of questions. We don't mind, it's a nice way to start a conversation and get to know people a bit. The thing we hear most of often is, " Is that thing hard to pedal?" It makes us smile, pedaling is what we like to do. Today's looky-lou, was no exception. How did our trike do on hills? Was it hard to pedal? Did we think people could see us OK when we are riding? How long is that thing? How far do we ride? How fast do we go? Looky-loo, was happy to have a chance to sit on Rosie and see how it felt to have his "feet way up, like that." He decided he might have to look into those trikes, but a single one, instead of a double.
From the bank, we went to the bike trail. Once we started riding straight north, we could really feel it blowing. Oh how we were longing for warm breezes, and to be rid of the blasts of March . Normally the sun will warm us while we ride, but today, the wind, determined our levels of discomfort. So much for our hopes of being sheltered by the trees.
We had a bit of a scare when we rode by a place where 2 good sized dogs live. They are always tied up, and always bark at us. We often comment on how glad we are, that they aren't loose. Well, today, one was. He came charging at us, big and black, barking like crazy. We weren't sure what he was going to do. Fortunately, he was a barker who wanted us away from his property and not a biter. After a few loud, firm, "GO HOME!" commands, he left us alone. However, it took our hearts awhile to return to normal, partly from the burst of speed we put on and the rest from the scare of the situation. Encountering dogs is a completely different experience when on a trike. For one thing, we are down at their level. If they want to bite, it won't likely be our ankles they go after. We carry pepper spray and a loud horn called an Air Zound. We were riding into the wind, so pepper spray would have been pretty useless today. Fortunately, this dog just wanted us to go away. I have been considering getting a rubber tipped, spring loaded baton. They extend out to 23 inches, are rubber tipped, and I think, would effectively repel a dog. My desired weapon of choice, comes with a holster, so it would be easy to get out. Who knows, I could become , "The fastest baton in the north." I would, however, have to be careful to not whap Tony with it. I can picture that scene.
Whap! ""Ouch, what was that??"
To which I would reply, "Sorry Honey, I'm just learning to use this thing. Are you alright?"
"Not sure yet, but I think you should practice when I'm not on the trike."
"Did that dog get you?"
"No, but you did."
Leaving the dog behind, we rode on down the trail. I have mentioned Tustin in my blog often, but never told you much about it. Tustin MI, is known as the headwaters of the Pine River, which is located in the NW portion of MI lower peninsula. The Pine is formed in Tustin, where the North branch and East branch of the river come together. The watershed goes through 4 counties, Wexford, Osceola, Lake and Mainistee, with a drainage area of 265 square miles, and ultimately discharges into the Tippy Dam water basin. The Pine is well known for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. In places it is fast flowing, and in others, it meanders along slowly. It is a gem in the crown of northern lower Michigan.
The “Fred Meijer White Pine Trail” passes through the business district of Tustin.
Immediately adjoining the trail is the “Pine River Museum” there visitors can view a great collection of items from the past along with many very old photos. Locals, many with ancestors, that were original settlers to the area, staff the museum and expound upon the history of the area
Tustin is located in the North West corner of Osceola County in Burdell Township. William J. Townsend was the first settler in 1872. Dr. J.P. Tustin, a medical missionary, recruited 300 Swedish laborers for the Grand Rapids & Indiana (later the Pennsylvania) Railroad. The town's name was changed from New Bleking to Tustin in his honor. Mr. Townsend was the first Postmaster. Incorporated as a village in 1893, Tustin retains its small village atmosphere with a number of small business', churches. The population of Tustin, according to a 2000 census was 297 people.
This little slice of small town America, really makes an effort to make cyclist welcome in their community. A well maintained and pretty landscaped, area welcomes, all who live and pass through this little berg. It boasts of many beautiful flowers in the summer, but today we had to settle for some chilled daffodils.
Soon the port-a potty, will be set up, by the trail. Not as pretty as the flowers, but a sight that riders, will be glad to see
We stopped , and angled Rosie, out of the wind a bit, ready for a break.
Our noses took in the smell of the hot chocolate as I opened our little thermos, and the cup brought welcome warmth to our hands. The stiff breeze was still biting, but the sun brought some warmth to our faces. Our break was soon over an changing direction, we headed towards home.
Riding south helped some, but there was no denying the cold as it made it's way through our gloves and slashed at our faces. When we got to 18 MIle Rd, we turned East, and the air felt colder still. It seemed like it was surely working against us as we battled through the many hills. Neither of us did much talking.
We were glad when we finally reached 140th and turned south again. At least the next 2 miles, were mostly downhill, then we would go through rolling terrain, and inch our way up the 2 big ones. When we hit those, we are within a mile of our driveway, and usually tired out. After turning south, it took us another 45 minutes to reach home. Ending the ride today was more a feeling of relief, than satisfaction, relief that the ride was finally done and we had a warm house to go to.
We rode 20 miles.
No comments:
Post a Comment