Hoosier Daddy

Mood: Ready to ride
Song: Dirty Girl by The EELS
Wine: French Rabbit Pinot Noir - 2004
Sobriety: Stone cold sober
Book: Still "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" by D. Eggers

French Rabbit Pinot Noir
French Rabbit Pinot Noir is great for bringing along on biking tours... I enjoy the wine (although i enjoy most), but the container is extremely handy. The wine is packaged in a carton that resembles a half gallon milk jug. The cap is a plastic threaded cap that allows for re-sealing. This works great to grab a quick glass after a leasurely ride on a mountain biking trail. Don't get me wrong - I prefer corks (real cork, corks) to any other sealing means. BUT.... The caps sure do come in handy for situations like this.

JULY 24th 2006 WAPEHANI MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
Drove down from Michigan to Bloomfield, IN
To get to Wapehani when driving from North of Bloomfield.... Head South on I37 through Boomfield until you pass the 45S exit (Bloomfield Rd also called 2nd street).
At the next stoplight, turn left (Tapp Road).
Go immediately down hill, and turn left on Weimers Road.
Go a short distance (<1Mi), and turn left on Wapahani Road. You will see a Wapehani Mountain Bike park sign at the corner of Weimers and Wapahani Road.
Keep going down Wapahani Road and it will dead end in the parking lot.
Info on this park is located here => www.bloomington.in.gov/parks/wapehani.php

Wapehani mnt biking trail has lots of potential with one really fun and nice hill climb, and many neat stream crossings. The system itself needs some work. There are a maze of trails that would benefit greatly from a type of color coding or marking system..... Very easy to get lost or end up riding down dead ends.

Nicks English Hut located on Kirkwood Ave close to Indiana U. in Bloomfield
Great establishment to hang out and drink a beer.. The pizza looks fantastic. I got chicken fingers and they were WAY overcooked. Drank Newcastle Brown and learned how to "Sink the Bismark". Someone recommended to ride Brown County State Park...

Im heading to Kentucky in 30 minutes... I will be back to ride Indiana in two weeks.

From Woverines to Badgers to Gophers 2005 Trip

Mood: Feeling good Billie Ray
Song: Meds by Placebo
Wine: Franzia House Wine Favorites Chillable Red
Sobriety: Dudley Moore in ARTHUR
Book: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius - D. Eggers


Indian Lake Pathway Rode July 14th ,2005
Shingleton, MI
Located on M149 1 mile west of Palms Brook State Park
Conditions – horrible. Trial was extremely poorly marked and logging has made the trail miserable with logging truck ruts. Weeds were extremely high and bothersome from the trail getting a lack of use.

Food establishments
Herford and Hops in Escanaba, MI
Great Beer, Awesome establishement. I love Escanaba and the nostalgia

Hoop and Holler in Bergland
Cheap beer – and watched “The Great Escape” on the TV there with the locals. Very Friendly atmosphere.

Wolverine Ski Trail Rode July 15, 2005
Located west of Bessemer and east of Ironwood, MI
The trail itself is located on Bluffview road immediately behind a hospital (1 mile east of Powderhorn road). Talked to a cool kid at Trek and Trail and he mentioned that they had just done some work on the mtn biking trail at Wolverine. It was fun. I would highly recommend this trail to anyone in the area. Minor improvements in trail signage needs to be done on what appears to be an extension to the earlier established biking trail. Kudos!

Pomeroy/Henry Lake Mountain Bike Complex Rode July 15th, 2005
Marenisco, MI
Trailhead is located at the intersection of US2 and the Southbound I64. There is a softball complex currently there. I had a tremendous amount of difficulty finding the trail. I rode a lot of this trail – and would definitely NOT call this a MTN biking complex. Basically, it’s a rail trail that is not paved or asphalted. It was a nice long distance ride.. Not technical at all – but good exercise. I would not recommend unless someone is looking for a straight, painless, rail trail ride with bugs.

Food establishments
Romeos Bar and Grill in Ironwood
Good food – very nice establishment. Reminds me of a Ruby Tuesday
Gogebic Lodge off I64 on Gogebic Lake
Local establishment with all you can eat fish on Fridays. Cheap Beer.

Raven Trails in Woodruff WI July 16th, 2005
Trailhead is located off of Woodruff drive just south of J road.
This trail was a lot of fun. Highly recommend. Real picturesque, and fast and furious. I would love to ride this again. Twice I heard that Wisconsin was God’s country. I have to say it was very impressive. Although God tends to charge for his country. WI is horrible for charging everything. $3 to park to MTN bike. Extra charges tacked on for state park stickers or camping if you are out of state. God has become an entrepreneur.

Anvil Trails just west of Eagle River in WI July 16th, 2005
Once again - $3 to visit Gods country. Put your money in the hat please….
Kick ass FUN! Devil’s run kicked my ass. I would highly recommend this trail. Be prepared to have a thrill.

Watersmeet/Land “O” Lakes Trail WI/MI July 16, 2005
Trailhead I started at is actually just a smidge north of Watersmeet, MI
The trail begins about ¼ mi north of Northern Outfitters right next to a Gas Station immediately to the south of a Casino. The trail runs from Watersmeet to Land “O” Lakes in WI. The trail itself is just a railroad grade that is now a 2 track. The trail itself is rather boring and not much fun. I would recommend finding a different place to ride.

Food establishments:
Fishermans Lodge on Gogebic Lake, MI
Smidge more expensive meals than the other locals – But you get more food for the price. Gift shop in the basement – the movie “Seven” on the tv’s… scary….

Gooseberry State Park Trail Twin Harbors, MN
From the town of Two Harbors, follow State Highway 61 northeast approximately 13 miles to the park.
I would recommend this trail for the XXXX http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/gooseberry_falls/trails.html

Porcupine MTN Biking Trail MI July 19th, 2005
Really overgrown (over-groan)…choppy and rutty… do not recommend unless some changes are made.

Porcupine Mountain ST. Park MI July 19th 2005
Took my Mountain Bike up the roadway into Porcupine MTN State Park. Great ride to get some xtreme uphill. Even better ride on the way out of the park. Downhill sections that requires the use of the brakes a lot.

Food establishments:
Ambassador Houghton, MI
Tostada pizza. Yummy!

Soumi Houghton, MI
Ok – for a greasy spoon.


Hancock/Calumet Trail Hancock, MI July 20th, 2005
Portions of this trail were washed out. The remainder was a good path to ride from the town of Hancock to Calumet – but wouldn’t ride again.