The next day took us to Copper Harbour and was a spectacular day. Not only was the shoreline of the lake breathtaking, but we also were blessed with an awesome tailwind. The wind was so strong that at the white sand of Eagle Harbor Beach, the waves were big enough to body surf. I loved it and reluctantly got out of the warm water (and warm air), to get back on to my bike to my patiently awaiting fellow riders. I couldn’t get enough of the body surfing. I kept saying, “OK, one more… OK, one more… just one more.” Remember, we’re talking Lake Superior, the lake that usually gives you a bone chilling shiver when you dip your toe in it, or when it’s wind sucks the warmth from your body. Not this day however. It was like being in Mexico.
Some of the new riders who have never been here said that it was their best day ever. Another bonus was the construction on M26 made the lake shore road (paralleling the Brockway Mtn Drive) was virtually empty of vehicles. Less than 50 metres of road work kept the road empty and extra safe for the riders.
That was a bit of a technical challenge for the Pollari brothers (that’s Ang and I). Ang got a broken spoke, and my new brake pads were still making a loud squelching sound whenever they rubbed against the rims. Ang’s wheel was way out of true, so he became the SAG driver, got his spoke replaced at the local shop, then met the rest of the group in Calumet. I, on the other hand rode to Calumet and asked the bike shop to checkout my problem. I later found out that the new brake pads that were mounted were only meant for ceramic rims. They were on so stiff that they had to be chipped off. Thank you Peter Z for instructing them to fix my brakes and for the generous gesture of paying for the repair.
A big reunion in Calumet was abuzz with a big family reunion from all over the states. We ran into many of them in other parts of the peninsula as well as Calumet. There were so many that it was tricky getting lodging in Calumnet
At the very beginning of the ride, a number of us took Peter Z’s challenge to ride up one block which has an incline of approximately 20 percent. It was tough! I know that if Peter says something is tough, then it really will be tough cause he’s one of the toughest guys that I know. Gene was the first up the hill and handled it very well, while I struggled. Michelle put in a great effort as well. Jeff, Peter, and Doug P. also took the challenge. So we were extra warmed up before the ride. I believe that a number of riders did it the night before too.
We took the refreshing tree lined M203 along the canal to Mclain State Park and did our first swim. It was still kinda early in the ride, but you cannot pass up a swim in the great lake when the water temperature is tolerable. Then we were up the 4 km climb up the Calumet Waterworks road, and ended at the Michigan House restaurant for a great lunch. Margaritas were a must for some of the riders, so they went to Carmelita’s.
The local bike shop (run by Chris), was very helpful and took on our bike repair requests with virtually no notice. I’m glad that some riders purchased items there.
I decided to ride Cliff Drive towards Eagle River and a number of other riders came along. It parallels out intended route. It was low in traffic as well, but we did not ride along the lake. It had it’s own intrigue however. Near the end of the road, there were some impress cliffs to the left, a bar in Pheonix, and a swimming hole in a small river/creek called the Devil’s washtub. Apparently there are a number of Devil’s wastub’s in this area. Some are in private properties. This one (on M26 just before Eagle River) was patronized by a number of those reunion folks.
Jacob’s Falls were beautiful as always. right and a very quaint bakery, run by a filial monestary, with jams and jellies just past the falls. A number of the riders visited the bakery beside the fall, runn by a filial monestary - they have awesome jams too. This section of the ride is so lush and yet shaded.
Awesome icecream- had cherry and cookie/cream. Peter was trying to teach me how to eat it without getting it all over myself. How could I stay ahead of the melting ice cream, it was hot outside and the store attendant gave me so much that it was bursting like a mushroom muffin over the cone.
I was honoured to be part of Peter’s personal record in getting in 4 different swims in one day. The last place we swimmed was kinda rocky. I slipped and fell onto a big rock and the lake's waves kept pushing me against the rock. I think it was a sight to behold.
I took the challenge to ride Brockway Mtn drive. It is a climb of more than 700 feet and offers some magnificent views of the surrounding hills (Rocky Ridge), smaller lakes and the great Lake Superior. At some spots we also saw Copper Harbor, Lake Fanny Hoe, and the Keweenaw Mtn Lodge and golf course. It was well worth the sweat. The ride down towards Copper Harbor is very very steep so I rode very conservatively to stay safe.
Met some of the others at the picnic tables outside our resort and shared some of our day’s events as we munched and had some light beer and refreshments.
The group is quite big and we did not all start and finish together so we ate a different spots and hit the sack at different time.
We had a great dinner at ???, then shared a beer with Doug F at the Pines Resort Bar where I was given some great tips (by a local) for the next day to find food before the falls, and how to find a great spot to pick thimbleberries.
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