End of Week 2 of the Great Lakes Bike Tour 2026

Hi there everyone - time for another update from Escanaba, having left Duluth in Minnesota, ridden through Wisconsin to reach here in the ‘Upper Peninsula’ (UP) in Michigan yesterday and now a day off to catch breath and relax (or write a blog!!).

This week has been a bit of a rollercoaster both on the bike and in my emotions with my expectations of the ride being disappointed and some frustration surfacing, along with some tears and wishing to be back home with my wife, Elaine, and our bouncy dog, Robson.

I even reached the point of looking at early flights home or, as an alternative, taking up the offer from some good friends to come and stay with them and then fly home. Honestly, I am surprised how different this ride has been from other Fuller Center rides I have done. One of the main changes is that I joined a ride part-way through, whilst others been cycling together for a few weeks and already formed close friendships. Arriving into the ride I found it difficult to establish meaningful relationships, especially when most people already have these in place. As a result, it has been easier to relate to the other late joiners rather than those who started together.

Another thought in my mind is that many people seem to be here to tick the bucket list of a cross-country ride and less about the Fuller Center mission as an expression of faith. Neil, our ride leader, is not receiving many volunteers for the morning devotions and frequently he is having to fill that gap, when he already is carrying and organising so much. Since joining the ride 2 weeks ago, I have done a few devotions but this may be adding to my feeling of isolation in that some people may consider I’m too ‘religious’ for them. I have not experienced this on previous rides where the majority of riders are vocal about their life stories and faith testimonies - a chance to build trust and encourage one another.

My final insecurity is that the majority of the riders are extremely strong cyclists and I’m sitting towards the back of the rides. Again not an experience from my previous Fuller Center rides when I have been towards the front end of the rides. I’m averaging around 13-14mph whereas, on a recent century ride, others were averaging around 16.5mph - something that is completely beyond my fitness and skill level!! I will be 70 years old next year so I need to accept that I cannot keep up with everyone but when I try to do so, I end up with a strained back - see the Tuesday ride. So frustrating!!

So here is a summary of the last week:

1. Monday started with 73 mile ride out of Duluth, Minnesota to Ashland, Wiscconsin. The first thing we did was to cross the State boundary by cycling across a spectacular bridge in single file.

I also had a rather strange experience of being the front rider after crossing the bridge and I had no chalk to write directions on the road - (something I was reminded about the following day). I spent most the day riding with LeeAnn again as we share a similar pace.

2. Tuesday was an opportunity to do a century ride with a ride from Ashland to Minocqua but I was guilty of starting out too fast and trying to be strong and keep up with the majority of riders. On a final climb, just short of the first rest stop, I slowed to a stop as my back was hurting so much. I struggled into the rest stop and then sat out the next two sections of the ride and rested my back. At the third rest stop I stepped back on my bike and went at my usual pace and eventually clocked up a total of 51 miles. Finally, I had to pay $30 to replace my rear light as the switch on my existing light stopped working.

3. Wednesday started out wet and all of us became pretty wet however, the longer the ride went on, the warmer the temperature rose. Only my shoes and socks were still wet on arrival. I was going along at my usual pace when, all of a sudden, I hit a pothole and made two holes in my rear tyre. Having decided to go tubeless and filled my tyre with latex, this white liquid was leaking everywhere so I plugged the holes and pumped up the tyre again and cycled on despite my tyre continuing to lose pressure. I made it to the first rest stop and re-inflated my tyre which got me the second rest stop. Here again I re-inflated my tyre again but shortly after the second rest stop, one of the plugs came out and my rear tyre was flat as a pancake again. I decide there and then to take the tyre off and use a tube to re-inflate the tyre. However, with two holes in my tyre there was the constant prospect of another flat at any moment.

4. On Thursday I rode still with the same tyre under the shadow of a potential immediate flat which was an aweful experience and the creation of a great deal of tension for me. Happily this did not happen but instead I lost my brand new new rear light when it fell off during the ride! Doh!!!

5. Friday was a build day and I had the opportunity to work with a small group including, Joanna, Brenda (who I met on the West Coast last year), Scott and Jim (who I met in 2019 only my cross-country). Our job was to remove a metal access ramp, put it in a trailer and take it back to a nearby Fuller Center Re-use store. We worked well as a team and by lunchtime we had completed the job which gave us the chance to relax in the afternoon. I then had a chance to replace my damaged rear tyre and purchase a second rear light. Here’s hoping it lasts more than 2 days!!

6. On Saturday we rode from Wausaukee in Wisconsin to Escanaba in Michigan and the prospect of another Sunday off. For the ride I swept at the back of the ride with Susan and we pressed out the 72 miles and arrived at the same time as the last of the riders having seen everyone arrive safely. Job done!!

7. On our day off I walked with Ellen to New Life Church to attend their early morning service (9.00am) and I really enjoyed the worship and knew all of the songs except the first. The pastor spoke about pride being the enemy of faith and that the cure for pride is humility. Funny that I turned up to hear this!!!

James 4 v10

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. (Ouch!!)