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Day 4 - 7/22/18

Day 3 was a recovery day. Spent some time watching the Open, had awesome Chinese in downtown Wawa and regained my legs. Dinner at the motel restaurant was Polish food served by Polish waiter - Paul who hails from Vancouver but comes to Wawa during summers. The whole staff is a polish reminiscent of Legs Inn in Cross Village north of Harbor Springs.

Rested and refreshed, I set off for White River which is a very reasonable 60 mile trip. A 10 mph headwind turns this 7 hour ride into a 9 hour ride and causes me to miss the end of the Open. I pull into a restaurant with TV’s just in time to see the sports press interviewing Tiger Woods who was tied for 5th. This as opposed to talking with the tournament winner.  On a high note, I’m grateful for much less abusive hills and also for cool temps.

Along the way, I met Monty, a Canadian, who is on his second circle tour. We are traveling in opposite directions so it is likely that we will meet in Michigan 2 or 3 weeks from now. Monty is an inventive character who prides himself on being able to make camp in places that don’t charge fees. Last night he pitched his tent in the White River town square which is known as the bikers informal campground. The prior night he camped on a large rock out in the lake after going around a fence marked “no trespassing.”  He claimed that the owner said it was ok. He also gave me some off-the-beaten path suggestions for great views of the lake.

Arriving in White River, a thriving metropolis pop. 1,000, I set out looking for the town square that Monte told me about. It is perfect - spotted by several birch trees and carpeted with grass. The gazebo is already occupied by three bikers chatting at the picnic table who introduce themselves:  James (a Londoner) going cross country from Vancouver to Montreal. Eric from Toronto riding the other way from Halifax to Vancouver and Another Canadian going from Newfoundland to Vancouver.  Serious bikers all, with serious equipment.  Me and my lightly packed Costco bike are an oddity here.

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