Progress

Total miles: 1,198


View 2009 Prima Virtual Triathlon Progress in a larger map

Travel Report 5

August 25

It’s been rough going over some pretty rough terrain. This overland trekking is tiring and we’ve had some scrapes and sprains from clambering over rocky obstacles. Ken doesn’t want to deviate from our compass heading (deviations require too much paperwork, and reporting). Yesterday, we reached the Albany river and turned to follow it downstream to James Bay. This morning, we reached the seawater near Akimiski Island.

Travel Report 4

Monday August 17

We’ve rounded Batchawana Bay at the east end of Lake Superior, and traveled through the beautiful Lake Superior Provincial Park. We’ve traveled 491 miles, and we are definitely in the north country. The town of Wawa is well known for its big goose statue, and we stop for groceries and a photo opportunity.

Wednesday August 19

Continuing northwest on national highway 17, we cut off the road and shortcut to highway 631. The pavement is smooth and we’re making good time with Ed Krumm and Rachel Roth spinning some fast bike miles. Suddenly Mike Byrne spots two young bear cubs in a tree just off the road. There are plenty of moose and bear in the area, but we’ll have to travel a lot farther north to find polar bears.

Thursday August 20

It’s evening as we reach the end of the road. This is the end of paved roads for us, but we’re a long way from the end of our trip.From here on, we’re going bushwhacking.

Travel Report 3

We have now reached Sault Ste. Marie, the site of the famous Soo Locks and the end of our travel through U.S. territory.

Crossing the St. Mary’s River, we enter Canada and proceed north on highway 17, a well-traveled major road.

Travel Report 2

Ed Krumm and Kathleen Pearson Kares have rolled up almost 100 bike miles between them. With good help from Rachel Roth, Jason Young, Mary Kozloski, and Ken, we’re moving along pretty well. We’ve been seeing sings for Sea Shell City and after a quick poll of team members, we decide to stop in for a look at the “man killing clam.” It’s pretty cheesy and dusty at the same time.

Our excitement builds as we near the mighty Mackinac Bridge. As many times as some of us have crossed, it never fails to amaze us and inspire awe.

Travel Report 1

We have five team members reporting mileage so far. Rachel Roth got a lot of exercise on the opening weekend of the Virtual Triathlon by hoofing it all over Michigan’s Adventure amusement park. With her eager family, there was even a bit of running between rides.

No, she’s not claiming swim mileage for those trips down the water slide, but climbing the steps to the top makes for quality mileage. Ken’s family went to the same place the following day. Ken walked a little slower, but he scored some walking miles to go with his swimming and cycling all in the first two days.

Jason Young, Larry Elwell, and Ed Krumm round out the early reports, and with these contributions, we’re north of Grand Rapids in the town of Rockford, where Ken started his bicycle shop in 1984. Ken and his partner sold it in ’95, but the shop is still here.

We refreshed with a few chili dogs at the famous Corner Bar but wisely refrained from attempts to get our names on the wall (the Hot Dog Hall of Fame).

Now, we’re headed north to the U.P. Send us your mileage reports right away, and keep stretching.

Let’s see how fast this team can cover ground.

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