Well, I’ve slept on it, and the option I’m most comfortable with is to put this trip on hold, and do it next year.

The uncertainty of whether the brake is going to hold up like it is, is something that I’d rather not have to worry about. For the next 1200 miles. And this has me thinking again about some other things about the trip that I might do differently, and I think that’s for the best.

I will do it in 2014.

I slept alright last night: warm but tolerable. It’s a pleasant breezy 79F this morning; it’s going to be another hot one. There’s some rain coming from the west, but I might make it home before it comes through.

OK, enough playing Hamlet for now.

It’s cooler here than at home, but not by a lot. It’s 10pm and still 85F. The forecast for tonight is for a bone-chilling 77F. Im expecting to sleep on the sleeping bag tonight, not in it.

Fortunately there’s a bit of a breeze, so it isn’t too oppressive. Of course the breeze means I have to take extra precautions tonight to make sure nothing blows away. The ground at my campsite is pretty hard, making it difficult to get stakes in to keep the tent taut in the wind.

There was a bit of a line to register for camping at Ludington State Park. While I was waiting my turn, the soft tar that passes for pavement in the parking lot melted in the heat and my bike tipped over. The word got passed along fron someone who saw it, and I heard it as I was finishing registration.

I ran back to my bike and picked it up. No major damage. Probably a quarter tank of gas leaked out, but fortunately not into the storage area with most of my clothes. The biggest problem is that the right brake handle is bent. Still usable, and the brake appears to be working fine, but the bend is noticeable. Unlike when I broke a brake handle four years ago, this is the important brake: the one that does most of the work.

I haven’t decided what to do.

I could continue as it is, with some additional risk. Or I could try to get it fixed. Or I could go home and call it off (for this year).

I have until 9am tomorrow (when the ferry leaves) to decide.

In other news, I thought I’d seen on a map that there was a road out to the Au Sable lighthouse, so I tried riding there after making camp. Turns out it’s a dirt/sand road that’s closed to traffic. I hiked part of the way (it’s two miles), but it was hot and I was sweaty, and I didn’t feel like going the whole way, so I turned back.

Analyzing the metaphor is left as an exercise for the reader.

The first time I rode to Ludington (in 2009), I followed the Lakeshore and stopped in every town along the way; that was kinda the point of the trip. This time I took a more direct route, without so many stops. So I’m here already at 3pm.

Since leaving Fremont, the scenery became less farmy and more woodsy. Some of it was familiar from previous rides north; I paused to check my map in the parking lot of the place I had lunch in June. I didn’t stop there for lunch (even though it was past noon) because I’d already decided to do a late lunch when I got to Ludington, before proceeding on to the state park north of town. I’d intended to pack my usual lunch of carrot sticks and apple wedges, but forgot. I’m also carrying a small stash of granola bars, so I subsisted on those until now.

Even though I’m not hugging the shoreline this time, I did end up doing the last 30 miles along the Lake, and found a beautiful residential ride I’d taken before, called Lakeshore Drive. A twisty route through the woods and cottages with glimpses of the Lake and and an inland lake on the other side. So much nicer than the highway a couple miles to the east.

Once in downtown Ludington, I picked a restaurant from the UrbanSpoon app on my phone: Jamesport Brewing Co. Don’t worry, I’m only having one 12oz. ESB with my sandwich. 🙂

I made it to Fremont in about 2.5 hours, which is pretty good time. I’m about halfway to Ludington.

A mostly uneventful ride so far. A closed road sent me backtracking on a 3-mile detour. Otherwise lots of riding along huge flocks of corn and giant herds of apple trees.

There’s a baby food festival on the Main Street, which is closed and taken over by portable amusement park rides, traditional arcade games, and food vendors, right out of the mid 20th century. Some of the surrounding farms are owned by Amish families, for a touch of the mid 19th century. And somewhere around this town is the headquarters of the Michigan American Family Association, which is right out of the mid 12th century. It’s like a time warp.

Definitely not keeping the rainy-start tradition going this time.  Though it’s hot and humid enough that I may end up wetter than if it were storming.  It’s already in the mid-80F’s without a cloud in the sky.  I’ve already changed my t-shirt once: no pointing in starting out wearing one that’s already soaking wet.

On my last ride, I complained on the first day that it was too cold once I got out on the road.  I don’t think that’ll be a problem today.

I didn’t sleep well last night, between the excitement of leaving in the morning and the limited capabilities of my noisy little bedroom air conditioner.  I’ve been taking my time getting ready, checking and double-checking that everything is packed.  I’ve got my departure time marked on my calendar at 10am, and I’ll be on the road a little before that.  This should get me to Ludington late afternoon, with enough time to get dinner and explore a little.