Warm and Windy

To Owosso, Michigan -- 58.0, 11.9 mph, 1000 ft

Today was our warmest day to date. We all suddenly have biker tans, not to mention a good coating of salt. It was, however, another windy one. This time a southwest wind as opposed to the northwest one from two days ago. Nevertheless, the result was the same -- a lot of extra effort.

Excess Salt

We are continuing across Michigan in almost exactly a due west direction. Today, the route headed through Flint, which these days is mainly known for the municipal water fiasco and before that a record setting murder rate. Riding through we saw many closed businesses and boarded up homes and shops. Decades ago, however, it was home to Buick and Chevy assembly plants.

Leaving Flint

In Lennon, fifteen miles west of Flint, we met Bob and his wife, Sharon, at the Lennon Cafe. He had worked for forty years at the Chevy plant as a tool and die maker and later making quality control gauges for various body panels. It was an impromptu and enjoyable stop as the wait staff eventually gathered round to learn of our bike journey. It's not everyday, you meet a family riding across the country, so they took our picture out front for their web page.

Bob and Sharon, at Lennon's Cafe

The other notable fact about Flint is it’s the home of Kettering University (previously GMI -- General Motor Institute). This just happens to be where my twin brother, Dan, went to study mechanical engineering, while I stayed close to home in California.

Kettering University (General Motors Institute)

Besides making forward progress difficult, the other problem with the wind is getting dirt under my hard contacts. Just add sore eyes to the list of sore body parts. By the time we arrived at The Pines Inn, we were coated in salt and dust and ready for showers. Whew. Nothing like a good shower and soft bed at the end of the day.

Blowing the wrong way!