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Liam’s Lake Loop

September - October 2023
A ride around Lake Michigan 🚲
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  • 13footprints
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  • 11days
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  • 6videos
  • 734miles
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  • TravelerLiam’s Lake Loop

    Trip Planning

    August 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Enjoying the Morton Arboretum as I do a little trip planning. After having talked through the plan with my fellow Chicago bikers at Working Bikes last night, the first question on my mind is... clockwise or counterclockwise?Read more

  • TravelerLiam’s Lake Loop
    1
    1
    Day 1

    Chicago to Milwaukee

    September 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Day 1! 92 miles so far, another 15 or so to go after I wrap up in Milwaukee. My adventure began with a lovely send off from mom and dad, complete with homemade chocolate/coffee granola bars and haphazard selfies. I listened to Juan Wauters as I rode through Chicago, doing my best to transform my disposition towards the hoards of lake shore runners from annoyance to delight. Once I made it past the city limits, I switched over to NPR which covered stories related to Venezuelan migrants and Hispanic Heritage month. The stories combined with an insatiable hunger and a waft of some truly delicious aromas inspired me to stop by Diana's Bakery, a Mexican bakery in Waukegan. The owners didn't speak English but really enjoyed my attempts at conversation in Spanish. They had a $5 minimum for a credit card purchase... which I only reached after I had tallied up 5 pastries. All of which I had for lunch 😋

    After that, I did my best to emulate a Mat Shiley style dance routine to "September", listened to the "Happiness Lab" thanks to a rec from Haley Kost and Nathan Gornick, then the first two chapters of "Siddhartha", thanks to a rec from Brice Ruiz. And I thought about my first Find Penguins post!

    Here's my song, snack, and shoutout of the day:

    🎶 September, Earth Wind and Fire
    🍎 Postre de Camote
    🙏 The Olsens for hosting me tonight!    Read more

  • TravelerLiam’s Lake Loop
    Day 1

    Mequon to Manitowoc

    September 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Day 2! Last night I enjoyed a meal with my dear friend Grant Mitchell as we talked about the idea of shared experiences. Apparently, as I have since learned thanks to the Happiness Lab, shared experiences feel more intense, for better or worse, than they would if pursued independently. For that reason, Grant and I looked each other in the eye as we had our sushi. We shared that sushi experience. And it was intense.

    I then made my way another 15 miles or so to Mequon where I spent the night with the Olsens. They showed me the studios they have curated for themselves to work on art projects. It was so inspirational. So much love went into the design of their spaces and it got me thinking about how important it is to cultivate a beautiful space for the areas we pursue our passions.

    This morning we went out for coffee and talked about the parallels between the artists and the musicians of the world. I then made my way down to Kohler Andrea State Park (thanks for the rec, Claudia!) and saw none other than... my REI coworker, Paul! How fitting.

    These evening I'm spending the night with Brian and Cath in Manitowoc. They're a couple steeped in the traditions and philosophies of native culture and have been incredibly gracious.

     🎶 Disfruta la Fruta - Juan Wauters
    🍎 Free pears!
    🙏 Shoutout to NPR. What would I do without you.    Read more

  • TravelerLiam’s Lake Loop
    Day 3

    Manitowoc to Wells State Park

    September 25, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    Day 3! Why am I doing this? Why would anyone ever decide to use all their accrued vacation days, even go into vacation days debt, to roll around on a bike for nearly two weeks straight? What could possibly drive someone to do such a thing?

    The answer just so happens to be the only commonality between walking tacos at a street fair, popcorn at a movie theater, and meals while biking packing. Yup, you guessed it. Eating out of a bag.

    The mental challenge of biking this much is real. But so is the delight of eating out of bag. Every time the weather isn't looking so good, my booty feels like I just sat on a radiator, or I realize I just biked 9 miles the wrong direction, I tell myself, well, at least I get to have my next meal out of a bag. And then everything feels right in the world 😊🌎🚲

    🎶 Thursday's Lullaby by Night Ark
    🍎 Celery that doubles as a spoon
    🙏 The park Ranger who didn't arrest me for trying to camp on the beach    Read more

  • TravelerLiam’s Lake Loop
    Day 4

    Wells State Park to Escanaba

    September 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Day 4!

    Escanaba State Park was stunning. Truly the perfect time of year for leaf peeping. On my way out of the park, I rode through a Potawatomi community which brought back memories of Braiding Sweetgrass, a favorite book of mine written by a member of the Hadenosaunee tribe. The pace of life and conversation was slower, which was refreshing after the maximalist approach took to yesterday.

    This morning was pretty tough - my body felt great when I woke up (despite a whopping 126 miles yesterday!) but because I wanted to have breakfast in the State Pake, against my better judgment I started biking before breakfast or electrolytes. And I'll never do it again! It got me thinking about how important it is to preserve your judgement and ability to make decisions. As I was riding, I felt weak and confused, and low and behold, once I had some breakfast and electrolytes, I started feeling like myself again.

    This evening I'm spending the night with Mary and Andy in Escanaba. She works in PT and retail once a week just for fun. On Thursday she'll go down to Grand Rapids to visit family. We had a fabulous meal of mashed potatoes and lentil loaf (can you believe it mom?!) with a vegan gravy. Mm.

    Tomorrow I'll make way from east to west, shooting for St Ignace on Thursday evening. In time for the Packer's game!    Read more

  • TravelerLiam’s Lake Loop
    Day 5

    Escanaba to Milakokia

    September 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 64 °F

    Day 5!

    Best day yet. My evening with Mary was remarkable and I began today feeling refreshed, inspired, with a well planned day ahead of me.

    First stop: Pear snack. Thanks Mary. I was riding in 15 mph wind pretty much all day. That pear snack was great encouragement. 🍐

    Second stop: Manistique! A lovely Cafe called Cedar Street. While I was there, I started chatting with the folks sitting beside me and someone must've overheard about my plan to bike around the lake. And they picked up my bill! I tell ya, folks. These Yoopers are of a different breed.

    Third stop: a gas station! To pee! Also I bought batteries for my headlamp and a butterfingers for later. I met a sugarbeet delivery man. Those beets were as big as my head! Friendly fella. He wished me happy trails.

    Oh yeah, yesterday I bought a new seat that has more cushion. That was an excellent choice.

    Fourth stop: Milakokia camp ground. Mmm. I love it. It took me longer than I would like to admit to get a fire going... but I did it! And it got me thinking about buying a campground. How cool would that be. I could work remote from an RV, have people pay on the honor system if I'm travelling... anyway. It's wonderful here. I'm listening to Alabama Shakes and feeling good.

    🍎 Yooper Bar
    🎶 Hold On, Alabama Shakes
    🙏 The lovely Yooper who picked up my lunch bill.    Read more

  • TravelerLiam’s Lake Loop
    Day 6

    Milakokia to St Ignas

    September 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Day 6!

    What a day. It began at a lovely rustic campground with a weird little breakfast of half a Backpacker's Pantry meal I didn't finish last night, half of a Butterfingers bar, and some buckwheat tea that Emma got me from Japan. Thanks, Em!

    My first stop was King Fish Market to pick up smoked salmon and crackers for lunch. It's been there since 1951! I opted for Cajun despite the shop owner's brown sugar recommendation. I ended up saving it for dinner and having a pastie instead (pass - tee. I was corrected multiple times).

    These Yoopers take pasties seriously! It's basically a hot pocket... but don't tell them I said so. I got my pasty from the world renound "Letho's", which has been around since even before King's. And guess what. While I was checking out, the man behind me offered to buy me lunch! But there's more! HE'S FROM THE LEHTO FAMILY! And also, the shop owner, Bobby, gave me an apple and three pears. These Yoopers, folks. Mm.

    I then biked down a road called Cheeseman as I studied football podcasts so I had something to talk about at a bar tonight during the Packer's/Lion's game. My studies were a little fruitless 🤷‍♂️

    A bike mechanic from Escanaba recommended camping at Straits State Park, so I got myself a campsite, set up my tent, and have been hanging out at a quaint little bar ever since. Listening to live music and charging my battery. No football conversations yet... I'm still working up the courage...

    Tomorrow - the LP!

    🍎 The Pasty!
    🎶 Great be the Lake, Ben Lamar Gay
    🙏 The Lahto's, of course!    Read more

  • TravelerLiam’s Lake Loop
    Day 7

    St Ignas to Traverse City

    September 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F

    Day 7!

    What a day. I found a companion! After breaking camp this morning around 6 I made my way to the Mackinac City Bridge Authority to get a ride across the bridge (no bikes allowed - but they're open 24/7 to give you a ride for $5!). And low and behold, upon my arrival, I met Ella!

    She too is on day 7 of a bike touring trip - from Chicago - averaging 100 miles a day. What?! We decided to correlate our travel plans and agreed on spending the night in Traverse City with a fellow bike tourist I have been in contact with via Warmshowers.

    Tomorrow we'll wake up early and hit the trails yet again.

    🍎 Tacos
    🎵 Hermanos Gutierrez
    🙏 Ella! It's been wonderful riding with her!    Read more

  • TravelerLiam’s Lake Loop
    Day 8

    St. Ignas to Ludington

    September 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    Day 8!
    Lovely day.
    Ella, Alpacas, Nutella... tea on the beach. What more do you need.

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