RECCE TEST RIDE #2; CAMPING OFF THE BIKE IN THE UP:
I still hadn't camped off of my bike or run it with the full load of gear that I'd need for the MCCCT. I planned a trip to the UP in September to test my gear and try camping off the bike.
I made the drive up to the Upper Peninsula to meet some friends in Manistique. The UP is so much different than the LP and it's always really nice to be up there.
We rode J-Route (aka Haywire) from Lake Michigan north to Lake Superior. The trail is decommissioned rail line so it's pretty fast and rolling with some great views. The next day we rode down to the tip of the Manistique Peninsula and met the owner of a fishery. He was a fascinating guy and spent a lot of time with us. The people of the UP are almost universally friendly and accommodating and he was no exception.
Here's a few pictures from our J Route ride:
I said my farewells and split off so I could try hauling my full load of gear and camping from my bike. I wound up at a small motel in Epoufette.
During the day I rode A-Route out to the Manistique Lakes. On the way back I was scouting out spots to camp. I ran across the Garnet Lake Campground; I'd stayed there the previous year and it was familiar and nice. The only problem was that it was pretty far from the motel and I wouldn't be able to make it back before dark. I dropped a way point and made my way back to A-Route. I found a small offshoot trail and explored back in there. It was marked on the map as a DNR Forest Road that was open. It was very overgrown and didn't look like anyone had been back there in quite a while. I followed it back to a small clearing and it seemed like a great spot. I dropped a way point and rode back to the motel.
I packed up all my gear and I let the woman at the motel that I wouldn't be back until the morning. I hit the general store across the street for some food and drinks and rode back out to the way point in the forest.
Here's my spot:
It was getting dark quick and the coyotes were howling. An owl landed on a nearby tree, standing watch as I finished setting up my tent.
I had a feeling the owl was trying to determine if I was brave or stupid. The darker it got the more nervous I was getting. It'd soon be too dark to ride through the forest to get back to the trail. Was I brave enough? Nope! I tore down camp in record time and packed it up... Garnet Lake Campground here I come!
It was a pretty long ride down the dark, sandy trails. I had a few big moments but kept it upright:
I finally made it to the campground and set up camp:
It'd been a long day and I slept like a baby! I know it's kind of stupid in this crowd, but I really felt a sense of pride in the morning as I admired my camp. I did it! I camped off my bike for the first time.
I packed everything up and headed back to the motel.
Test #2 CAMP OFF THE BIKE: PASSED!
I really felt like I was ready for an attempt at the MCCCT. I was about as prepared as I was going to get. If things went as planned I'd start the MCCCT in 11 days.