Rapha Continental Calling: The M-22 Anti-Ride

The Rapha Continental Calling M-22 ride has never happened, not really.  The ride I submitted, envisioned and very much looked forward to fell victim to a number tiny tortures and, primarily, a weather front that took the route from stunning display of great lakes coast line to just a foggy ride in the woods.  

Route "bastardization" team huddled to call an audible

Due to my role as a remote host, Tom Wittman joined us as a co-host for the ride.  Tom had access to a small house in Empire that was a great place to hang out and reminded me very much of places I have stayed in Onekama.  He also proved to be a genuinely nice guy and strong rider as well.  

The Rapha Team included Piers North, Jeremy Dunn, Tony Pereira and Slate Olson (who is the head of Rapha USA), as well as Daniel Wakefield Pasley, Dave Christenson, Adam Klokman and Dylan and Dave R (whose last names I am embarrassed to say escape me). 

That's a lot of people to meet for a guy who keeps things pretty quiet most of the time, but everyone was easy to talk to and, while I wasn't incredibly "chatty," I did hold my own.  We ended the evening at a small Michigan bar and spent much of our time being entertained by drunk young locals who'd taken a distinct liking to Mr. Wakefield Pasley while explaining to us how they loved Portland and the East coast.

The starting point

The drive to Portage Point in was uneventful, save my introduction to Mickey Avalon.  I sat hoping the sun would begin to peek out and that the roadside attraction of lake side views would somehow slide into place before we started out.  Of course, that wouldn't prove to be the case.  The rain had subsided but it remained overcast and wet.

Piers conducting a final check through

We prepped for the ride as any group would, got changed and before I knew it or had really warmed up, we were off.  It wasn't long before we hit the days first climb and my biggest concern for the day came rushing forward to meet me, I got ejected straight out the back of the group.  "Fuck me."  

This as open as the sky ever became

The group slowed and I clawed back rolling down the back side.  We fell into a nice riding pace and, as we hit a short steep pitch that was the days second climb, I knew that the lake sat just to our left, hidden by a curtain of fog.  It was at that point that Tony looked over at me and asked, "Hey Skip, when will we see the lake?"  Ah yes, nothing like a good kick in the nuts.  

Snacks in Empire

Regroup after Tony forgot a bottle and Jeremy and Slate went down after Jeremy battled it out with a stick

"Let's not do the Cherry Republic..."

From there, the ride was like most other rides you can think of.  The only difference was the occassional drive-by photography efforts of Daniel, Dave's 1&2 and Adam.  It was often a scene of watching them scramble as we came rolling along.  They'd set up post, wait, relax, then here we'd come and whether napping or taking a natural break, they would hustle to get a shot or two.

Pulling off after a microscopic stay at the front

We hit Leeland at mile 70, stopped to regroup and I died a small death.  After the call was made to cut across the peninsula and finish in Travese City, we took off and my body decided to stay in second gear, so again I promptly got shelled off of the back.  With the help of nearly everyone at one time or another, I hung around long enough to watch everyone sprint for the Traverse City town sign and then lead the cruise onto Front Street where we stopped in front of a pub and dismounted from a wet and cold day on the bike.

Tan Line Battle

Daniel and Dave C Doin' Work

Tan Legs, Wet Asses

As we all climbed out of our wet gear and the Rapha team answered questions from passers-by, I was struck by a sort of melancholy based on the fact that the ride wasn't really anything like I knew it could have been.  Which, of course, meant it was time for a beer.

Enjoying the Post Ride

The topics of conversation were many but one that stuck with me was when Daniel and I started talking about fixed gear mountain bikes.  He lit up when I mentioned a had one and he explained he had a bike perfect for the application.  His enthusiasm was contagious and I thought of MW and the ride coming up in Lincoln.  Little did I know at that point that I would be going along as well (though, I don't think we ever talked fixies).

Oh sure, now you show yourself

The family and I are scheduled to hit Michigan in early July.  Maybe I will have to do a solo run of my original route.  I'm not giving up on this ride.