June 5 Sub-Century and More about USBR 35

I rode 90 miles today. Why not 100? It just worked out to 90. Sue me. Empire to Traverse City (30 miles, to pick up new glasses which had been prepared with the wrong prescription so I didn't actually pick them up). Then, because I was peeved about a phone call I received while I was waiting for my incorrect glasses, I decided I needed to take the long way home just to purify my mind.

At the Suttons Bay Marina

So I rode up the Leelanau Trail to Suttons Bay (always a nice ride), then followed USBR 35 across the peninsula to M-22 down the west side.

Time to vent some more about USBR 35 in Leelanau County:

First, I think M-22 south of Leland will soon be very rideable. (I got caught at a flagman, waiting for the pavers.) No longer an officially designated death trap. HOWEVER, my good will does not extend to M-204 from Leland to the town of Lake Leelanau. Horrible, high traffic, lots of trucks, pathetic shoulder, dangerous road. There are so many MUCH nicer roads in the county. It is criminally irresponsible putting people on that one. I don't care about the local politics involved in setting up an official bicycle route. There is never an excuse for putting people on a dangerous road. We count on "official bicycle routes" being suitable for biking. Duh.

Here's a great alternative: When you're coming up from Traverse City on the Leelanau Trail (which is part of USBR 35), get off on County 641, going north, and ride over to the east shore of Lake Leelanau. (Or go a little farther on the trail and go west on Bingham Rd, County 618, to 641.) Follow 641 up the lake to the town of Lake Leelanau, where you can rejoin USBR 35 (M-204), which has a lovely shoulder the rest of the way to M-22. THAT's where USBR 35 should have gone!

You miss Suttons Bay, but who cares? You were just in Traverse City. Why do you need another town so soon? Glen Arbor and Empire (on the west side of the Penninsula) are nice. You can get coffee in a nice coffee shop in Lake Leelanau. Take a little spur up to cute Leland if you can't wait for Glen Arbor.  Shops, restaurants, grocery. Get smoked fish at the dock.