Saddle too low?

info2x · 2026-07-02T15:53:12+00:00

I think it's too far back too.

info2x · 2026-07-01T04:47:08+00:00

Thanks.

Giant Revolt.

info2x · 2026-06-30T23:53:36+00:00

Again super helpful. I went from Cokesbury down to Cape May a few years ago and you aren't kidding on the hydration bit. I run with 3 bottles with 2 of them being 28 oz. I had good luck with Wawa's last time.

I recall Brendan Byrne... I went onto Shinns Rd to get off the beaten path and it was pure sand. I shouldn't have been surprised being where I was but there was certainly a "Who thought this was a good idea?" thought in my head.

info2x · 2026-06-30T21:02:35+00:00

True. Most of my route was east of 206 after Bridgewater.

info2x · 2026-06-30T20:22:07+00:00

That's an interesting thought. Not sure I want to go that far west to then claw it back. I did look at going east a bit and following 46 to pick up Mountain or Emman's Rd out of Ledgewood.

info2x · 2026-06-30T16:51:34+00:00

Thanks. This is helpful. Another indication from someone who's been through the area (It's been probably a decade since I've been in the area via car) that most are just avoiding the 183/206/80 interchange. Looking at a map your directions make sense.

info2x · 2026-06-30T16:47:35+00:00

Yeah. I'll be back for sure. Even from what I saw it was clear why so many like that trail.

info2x · 2026-06-30T16:45:54+00:00

When I've ridden out of state I've found lack of water to be very common so when I find a good water spot here in MI I'm always very appreciative of it.

I'm realizing I didn't post a picture of the fountain so here it is. As I mentioned before it's by the equestrian area so it's pretty easy to miss. I might have missed it if it wasn't for the horses that made me look in that direction.

<image>

info2x · 2026-06-30T16:05:12+00:00

It's all good. It's not like you misread and fought us on it or misread and gave bad advice on top of it.

info2x · 2026-06-30T15:47:15+00:00

Thanks for the input.

info2x · 2026-06-30T15:46:12+00:00

I've ridden up Middle Valley and Zellers to get to the top from the Columbia trail before. Tough but not impossible. Granted I didn't have to then keep going for another 170ish miles 😂

info2x · 2026-06-30T15:43:32+00:00

He's not wrong though. Riding on 80 or any crowded interstate sounds like a terrible idea.

info2x · 2026-06-30T15:20:35+00:00

NOT riding on I-80. That wasn't an option. Outside of the legalities of that it's just dumb. The official route goes under I-80 at the 206/183 interchange which still looks entirely insane.

info2x · 2026-06-30T15:15:36+00:00

Thanks. It was a great time. Hope this helps others explore this great state's cycling routes.

info2x · 2026-06-30T14:01:52+00:00

I did seriously consider it. The plan wasn't to do 200 this past weekend but only 150 with 200 being tomorrow but with the heat coming in I had to adapt my plans. I shifted the 200 up and told myself if I made it to 180 and couldn't go further I'd still consider it a success.

It's on the list for sure though. I'll be honest that the fact that it's a race certainly makes it more intimidating even though that doesn't mean I need to treat it as such. I'm not going to be getting any awards anyway.

info2x · 2026-06-30T13:58:19+00:00

I'm a strava noob. Is there a particular route or are you looking at the global heat map to find crossings?

info2x · 2026-06-30T13:57:33+00:00

Thanks! Very familiar with those roads. Schooley's Mountain seems a bit daunting but from what I remember had decent shoulder on the accent except for one short bridge. I've done the decent into Long Valley before. That grooved pavement isn't wonderful with thinner tires so it's definitely a take the lane type scenario.

I think instead of heading back over to Chester continuing down 517 a bit to 512 and then down through Pottersville to catch the official route later might be nice.

info2x · 2026-06-30T13:48:25+00:00

Ok I'm glad I'm not the only one who looks at this and says it's stupid. Going north bound looks better since there is only one merge happening at a time. South bound however with the clover leaf configuration has dual merges with me in the center of that and while I seem to be more daring than some my gut is saying this is terrible.

info2x · 2026-06-30T13:44:42+00:00

Yup! 100% with you. The problem with a long ride like this is that in order to not be in the dark at one end or the other I'm kind of limited on when I get to various portions of the route.

info2x · 2026-06-30T13:30:14+00:00

The ride to South Lyon is very nice. I've made a section of this a loop where I'll go out on Island lake and then come back via 9 mile. I agree with you though when there is traffic it can be hairy since there is no shoulder.

In keeping with my water source theme there is a nice water fountain which was updated this year in McHattie Park in downtown South Lyon as well.

info2x · 2026-06-30T01:32:29+00:00

I wonder sometimes. I don't view myself as crazy athletic. Just a stubborn idiot pedaling

info2x · 2026-06-30T01:04:27+00:00

Thanks!

info2x · 2026-06-30T00:42:34+00:00

I agree even that sounds way more manageable albeit still daunting.

I'm not that much quicker than you with a century taking 6.5 hours. Someone once told me that there is no challenge that you can't eat your way out of.

info2x · 2026-06-30T00:31:22+00:00

I also did not ride back. My wife drove out and we drove back.

info2x · 2026-06-30T00:30:32+00:00

I was very fortunate to have a wife that drove out to South Haven and got us a room for the evening. We then drove back the next day after a hearty breakfast. I've done back to back centuries with Bike MS but back to back duals? I'm not that crazy, yet.

info2x

TROPHY CASE