2009 Dalmac Day 3

My first Dalmac was in 2001, I was surprised I finished that one. I remember the morning we left Lake City, the temperature was just over freezing. This year it was much closer to 50 when we rolled out of Lake City. Aaron woke me up at 6:10. I know because he told me, and it didn't feel like 6:10. I had not heard one tent zipper yet! I crawled out of my tent to find Aaron ready to go with his tent down and gear packed up. I knew a early start would be good for our 91 mile day . It was very quiet as we walked into the school. I was surprised to see that a line had not formed yet. I found some coffee and started to drink it. After about 20 minutes, I realized that they were late getting breakfast ready. I went for my second cup. By now Tony and Kerry had sat down. Aaron was telling me he had been up since 4:30 A.M. packing up. Just then, I looked at the clock on the wall and noticed it was 6:05. I asked Aaron what time he had, "it's 6:50. he said" I said "thanks for waking me up at 5:20 Aaron, fix your watch."

Tony, Aaron and I left Lake City at around 7:20. It was cold, foggy and dark. I turned on my frog LED and let it blink all morning. It is very hilly in Missaukee county. I took it easy knowing that the "Wall" was in our Future. We caught up with Dick south of Kalkaska. I never got to thank Dick for getting a flat. It was the best flat I never had. Greg and Andy flew by us while we were having a Flat Luau on the side of the road.

My absolute favorite stop on Dalmac is Dockside on the Clam River. Torch Lake is known by people that have never seen it as the third most beautiful lake in the world. Once you have seen Torch Lake it becomes your number one. Greg, Andy, Aaron and Dick enjoyed our lunch. and headed out knowing we had 40 miles to go. Aaron and I were quickly dropped before we reached Bellaire. We caught up with Dick in Bellaire. The hills become much longer and higher as we approach Lake Charlevoix.

Aaron and I got addicted to Cliff Blocks during our summer training rides. Aaron liked to keep them in his back pocket. On one of our downhill runs I noticed they were about to fall out. When I mentioned this to Aaron he was not concerned. On the very next downhill Aaron informed me his blocks had been dispersed across the road, he sounded gitty when he told me that the blocks bounced. He said they were sucked from his pocket because of the incredible speed he had achieved just moments before.

As we rode into East Jordon, I knew what was ahead. I keep pointing and saying. "their it is, Aaron" Aaron had told me he was not going to ride into Mackinaw City. I said "I am riding to Mackinaw with or with out you." Then after the dramatic pause I said "your going to finish with me!" As we approached the "Wall" Aaron told me he planned on walking up the "Wall" I had been thinking the same thing. We stopped short of the steepest part of the wall. I wanted to make the wall. I have rode up twice and walked up twice. I decided I would rather ride up than walk this year. It felt good to make it. What no one knows is the fact that I had the Seven built for the Dalmac and the "Wall". The Seven was built with a drive line that could take a 190# dude mashing the pedals up hill. The Seven was as stiff as any Klein mountain bike I have owned.

I love Boyne City! I was looking forward to our stop. We took the Boyne Mountain Shuttle into town. Greg and I had a beer on the deck of the BRI and Aaron had something lighter. We enjoyed fish tacos at the Red Mesa. I knew that this was going to be my best Delmac with one day to go.