The map above shows the race course for the Tour de Leelanau. But Leelanau Harvest Tour takes place in the same area, and uses some of the same roads.
Watching a pro bike race and riding a century the next day in beautiful Northern Michigan, who could ask for more.
Saturday 9.15.07 I left the Crystal Lake area around 11am, heading north on M-22. My destination was Inspiration Point, were the Tour de Leelanau was scheduled to come through at about 1:57pm. It would be their first KOH climb, up the steeper side of Inspiration Point. The ride up took me through Empire, following some of the same roads the racers would soon be on. When I arrived at Glen Lake (about 27 miles from where I began), I bought some Gatorade and ate a Cliff bar. Before I finished eating, the race volunteers showed up, and began sweeping the roads, and putting signs.
I finished my snack and headed up to Inspiration Point. It's 4-6% grade serpentine climb for about a mile and three quarters. Large trees line both sides of the road, and it's a well maintained road with nice paved shoulders - smooth asphalt. When I got to the top, the KOH was already marked with traffic cones, and a line across both lanes of traffic. There was also an official there, too keep track of who came over the line first. I also saw some folks setting up a picnic, along the road side, enjoying their wine and food in the sun, waiting for the racers to fly by. As I was early, I rode down towards the bottom of the hill, thinking it might be a better view. It was okay, but since this hill has curves, and is huge, I couldn't see the KOH line, so I rode back up. It's about 1:40pm, and people are showing in droves to watch the KOH climb, on bikes, and in cars. I met a guy on the side of the road, who is a member of the Cherry Capital Cycling Club, his name was Dan. He was telling me, last year, a lot of the racers dropped out of the race, because they were not prepared for hills, and the very tough climbs. Meanwhile, some other cyclists, a gal and two guys came over, to were I was standing, and handed me one of those big foam rubber hands. The ones you waive as the racers go by. We started to talk, and the next thing I know, this gal is laughing at her husband, at least I think it was her husband. He was taking a drink, and put the big hand between his legs (not on purpose), with the index finger pointing out and up. She said something like, "oh, you wish", and the other guy said put it between your legs again, so I can take a picture of it. Since he was embarrassed, he declined and no photo.
Just then, the police escort appeared at the bottom of the hill, well not quite the bottom, about a third of the way up from the bottom - since you can't see the actual bottom, due to the curves. About two minutes later, a break-away group of racers came flying up the hill at about 18 mph. It may sounds slow, but it's a very fast pace for this long climb, and it's very steep. Once the main pack of riders went through, I hammered down the hill I came up. I was great to fly down this hill, along side the cars, that were also on there way to Glen Arbor to see the sprint there. Once at the bottom, I rode over the bridge on Glen Lake, and into Glen Arbor. I had plenty of time to get there, as the racers were on their way to Empire, and then back around Glen Lake via the Sleeping Bear dune side, then a straight run into Glen Arbor.
When I arrived, the crowds were starting to gather. I saw bikers that also rode over from Inspiration Point. The scene was a little like the Downers Grove Crit in Illinois. The Toyota gals were there, in their short-shorts, people had cow bells, and you could see Lake Michigan in the background. Okay that part is not like the Crit. While waiting for the racers to appear, I saw an old friend there, with his son. They were there for the same reason - to watch the sprint. He said he was up in Maple City earlier, watching the race go by. The Tour de Leelanau also has a women's race about the same time. In other words, as soon as all the men cross the sprint in Glen Arbor, the women come by, in the other direction. And out in front was the Team Cheerwine, who just in August raced at the Downers Grove Crit. I mention Cheerwine, because some members of my club - the Naperville Bike Club had the honor of riding with some of the Cheerwine gals. So, it was great to see them go by.
Once the gals went by, I headed back to Crystal Lake. I met biker along the way, he was from Texas, and a racer down there. He rode back with me for about 15 miles before turning off. He was also doing the Leelanau Harvest Tour on Sunday, but I never saw him.
If you're ever in the area, I would recommend to anyone, check out the Tour de Leelanau. Learn more about it at: http://tourdeleelanau.com/default.php
Sunday came early. I got up at 5am, ate breakfast and drove to up to ride the Leelanau Harvest Tour (LHT). In Northern Michigan, there's really no light pollution, so it's really dark at 6am, when I left the house. This is my third year now, riding the LHT - I always get a good parking space, as I get there around 6:40am.
It's still dark when I arrive (at the Glen Lake High School, where LHT starts from, and finishes), and this year, it was freezing. Quite a few people camp out on the school grounds the night before - too cold for me. I don't pre-register for this invitational, so it's $35 for the century. That's fine, since the money goes to the local bike trails (TART). So, after registering, I got my bike ready, and waited for Dan to arrive. Dan was the guy I met at Inspiration Point. He thought he would have others to ride with, but I guess the cold kept them away. We took off about 7:45am, and the temperature was 41°, but the sun was coming up, and the skies were blue. The only problem was, for the two miles or so, it was downhill, making the 41° seem like 32°. After the first 6 miles, the first real climb starts, back up to Inspiration Point, again for the third time in three days. But, at least the climb got the blood flowing, and we soon felt warmer.
The first rest stop is at mile 28. They always have good food at the LHT, and the rest stops all have water views of Lake Michigan or of small lakes. The temperature is improving, though I'm still wearing my leg warmers. I'm so glad I packed my Assos 851 jacket for this trip, I'm not sure I could handle just a jersey. Dan and I head for the halfway point, with a strong wind at our backs. We hooked up with some other guys for awhile, and unintentionally dropped them on a long climb. Just before the second rest stop, you climb up to a plateau, and you see this spectacular view of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands with orchards, and vineyards just off to your left.
Now for the fun part - after we left the second rest stop. We still have quite a bit of climbing to do, but we have a 20 - 30 mph headwind to content with for 40 of the 50 miles we had left to travel. So, we took turns pulling, always better to ride with someone, when you have wind to deal with. This year they changed the course a bit, which made it more interesting, then doing the same thing over and over. Anyway, were on M-22 going south, just after passing through Northport, and the wind is always a killer at this point. Going up this one hill, which wasn't all that steep, about 6%, all I could manage out in front was 8 mph. And your legs are burning, you can't wait for the wind to stop, and it doesn't. We finally make it to the third rest stop, also right by water, Lake Leelanau. This stop always has chilly, but it's not something I can eat while riding. Dan meets a friend of his, Bryce and the three of us ride together the rest of the way.
The wind is still an issue, but it's warm now, about 67°, and sunny. Soon were on one of the harder stretches. The grade is about 3%, but it carries on for about six miles. No it's not like riding out West, but it wears on you. We make it to the last rest stop. Bryce wanted to know where I got my climbing legs, living in Illinois. I told him, from riding up here a lot, and from riding in Southern Wisconsin. We leave the last stop, only to find they changed the course again, and made it a bit harder. Just when we thought the climbs were done, up pops this 10-11% grade hill, that's long. The people at the top looked like ants, and whenever I see people walking up a hill, I say, excellent - not because they're walking - I just like to climb, and if some are walking or traversing, rather then going straight up, I know it will be a challenge. After this climb we only had a few miles to go. Despite the cold start, it was a good day on the bike and no flats.
The Leelanau Harvest Tour is a great invitational. The routes are well marked, very scenic, like riding in Europe. The food is good, the people are nice. And I always forget how hard it can be. If you like hills, but aren't crazy about climbing a lot, just enough to feel like you did something. Then the LHT is your ride. If you do the century, and push it, you will be tired.
Dan and I had the following stats:
Miles: 107
Riding Time: 6:06 - due to the wind and climbing
Average Speed: 17.7 mph
Max. Speed: 40.5 mph
Average Grade: 2%
Max. Grade: 11%
Altitude Gain: 4,231 - the LHT, could easily make this more.
Learn about the LHT at: http://www.cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org/
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