November 7, 2020
Morton to Hopedale
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I had one more day trip route planned - to Hopedale - if the weather was good on a day I had available. The weather on this Saturday certainly qualified, with a predicted high of 71F and reasonable wind from the south. What I hadn't thought of until it was pointed out to me, was the sunset would be even earlier - 4:47pm this day, thanks to the time change a week ago. Considering that, I didn't get a very early start (10:22am), but the route was shorter than the others I'd planned. Travel direction this day was clockwise, which had me going east on Jackson Street, then south on Tennessee Avenue at the start.
No fall trip near Morton would be complete without seeing a pumpkin patch.
My first stop for coffee was halfway down Ritthaler Road at 11:23am. One happy surprise this morning while loading the bike was the discovery that I wasn't out of Leman's Mints after all - there were a few in my front bag, so I had one of those as I started back up.
There were several going east and going west sections on my route, so I wasn't always heading into the wind.
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The main reason my route was clockwise is remembering the work it took last time I went up the hill on Sauder Road. This way I'd be going down. But first, another coffee break.
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I initially hesitated making a planned turn off of Kentuckiana Road, since this road looked more like a private farm lane than a road. But it did go through, and turned into a "real road" after the farm.
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Shortly after, I was at an old bridge in a very pretty area.
My first sight of Hopedale's water tower was from Valley Road beyond the bridge.
A left turn off Valley Road put me on Shiloh Road and brought me to Shiloh Cemetery and another coffee break at 1:53pm. I did finally enter Hopedale from the east on County Highway 9 at 2:23pm. Rode through Railroad Park and checked out the caboose there. Then on to downtown.
With no carryout restaurants open (that I knew of), I picked up a cheeseburger, cherry pie, and chocolate milk from Casey's for eating at the park at the southwest side of town.
Two minutes after I started riding again I came upon a farmer happy to stop a moment for a picture.
I continued going south to Olympia Road (CR-500N) so that on my way back home I could ride through Townhall Road Overpass and Orendorff Cemetery, both of which I'd seen before, but not this late in the day.
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My routing home was mostly straight north. Now the wind would help me, but I wondered if I'd be at a good location for a sunset picture. I eventually realized I wouldn't make it out of the Mackinaw River Valley in time to get to an open area. But that worked out - there was an acceptable view from the bridge! I made time for my last coffee break here.
A lot of frontage road riding as it got dark. It was pleasant.
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When it was really dark, I got cold. I pulled on my coveralls, and put my jacket and gloves on as soon I got to South Fourth Avenue. Later I was getting too warm; removing the gloves fixed that.
I arrived home at 6:48pm, which felt like the middle of the night. Today's ride was 45 miles, and will probably be the last trip for this year.
Jeff
Today's ride: 45 miles (72 km)
Total: 450 miles (724 km)
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