Leaving Michigan and entering Wisconsin – for the second time on this trip.
These are the long days of the trip. My longest driving day is at the end, just before I get back to Durango, but these legs are right on the edge of my personal limit for stopping and taking a break for one night. After all, I want to be fresh when I get to the trailhead, not all fried from a day of driving.
The countryside in this part of the nation is amazing. As I made my way past the lakes and small towns of eastern Wisconsin, and as I waited for my laundry to dry, I thought about what it was going to be like to hang out with a guy whom I hope to soon count as a new friend.
This is JT. As a lifelong resident of Racine, Wisconsin, he knows the area and he knows the trails. But what he may be best known for – at least in these circles – is his channel. Better known as the Dusty Dutchman, his Dutchman’s Den shop builds have taken the internet by storm. If you haven’t seen his work, you really need to go check it out. His work is incredible and his attention to detail is only equaled by his great attitude and humble disposition.
He was a fantastic host.
JT and I had been collaborating for a while on how to ride together, and he recommended the John Muir Trails, a system located about an hour west of Racine.
We paid for our trail access and headed into the park. This place is pretty flat compared to what I typically ride, but I was in for a big surprise!
We pushed into the park pretty fast and the guys kept a solid cross-country pace. Needless to say, this old rider was not up to the task. They dropped me pretty quick and were nice enough to stop and let me catch up a few times.
