No Manager on Duty

Day 111, July 21, 2011, No Manager on Duty

Route from Traverse City to Motorcoach Resort at Bay Harbor, Petoskey, MI

84.7 miles, averaging 13.9 mph

Worst Moment –When I started writing this blog this afternoon, my most annoying moment was going to be the flat front tire I suffered late in the day.  That was until we tried to go out to dinner at Odawa Casino’s Sage Restaurant.  (All things considered, it’s been over a month since I’ve had a flat and that was in Maryland.)

The casino advertises on the resort’s property map that they have a shuttle that will pick you up.  Neita called to make certain that this was the case and to find out how far in advance we needed to engage the shuttle.  Neita made reservations for dinner at 6:30 and called the shuttle at 6.  We were waiting for the shuttle outside the main entrance to the resort and no one came.  At 6:30, Neita called the restaurant to let them know we’d be late.  The guy who answered said that he would call transportation for us and get someone out there within 15 minutes. 

Still no one showed.  At 6:45 we were told that the ETA was about 15 -20 minutes.  That the shuttle driver had been to get us, but no one was waiting.  Neita made sure they knew where we were.  Anyway at 7:15 no one had shown, so I called and again verified that they knew where we were and find out when they would be here.  I was told that someone would be to get us within 10 minutes.  At 7:30 – still no shuttle, so I called to cancel.  When I finally got through, (they have an atrocious phone system with no way of queuing the calls.) I told the receptionist that this wasn’t working and we decided not to go to the casino or dinner. 

I thought that the manager should know what was going on.  After all, they are paying for an advertisement at a high-end RV Resort claiming they have a shuttle service.  There was no manager on duty!  The receptionist transferred me to the transportation manager because she wanted to make certain I didn’t get voicemail.  I got voicemail.  As Casey would say, “that certainly wasn’t 5 diamond service.”

Best Moment – The 20-mile ride along Torch Lake was spectacular.  It was wooded and somehow didn’t seem as hot as it really was around 90 with high humidity.  There were gorgeous homes with amazing views of the lake.  Other than a few approaching cyclists, I had the road to myself.  Wonderful.

The route is progressing northward to Mackinaw City.  Today there were lots of hills, and lots of steep hills.  When I saw a sign saying “Steep Hill,” I thought I might have a great descent, but no such luck – it was a mile of 10 – 13% uphill grades.  Why?

I ate my lunch at the beach in Boyne City, MI.  This is the town where I think I nearly went to middle school and high school.  If I remember correctly, it seems that dad was offered a job here, or maybe just an interview, but mom didn’t want to move out of Wyoming.  It looks like it would have been fun.  There’s a beach.

Some pictures from the ride today.

And this is Michigan?

One of the route markers today

The front wheel is a lawn mower - a riding cycle mower?

View of the countryside

When I was headed for the shower this afternoon, a guy from the swimming pool was pretty animated about seeing my Arizona flag jersey.  It turns out he was born and raised in Tucson.  He and his wife have spent three years touring the US in their RV.  Now they are spending another three years going back to their favorite locations and spending more time in each.  They’ve been here since May.  This area really has lots to explore. Lots of small towns and lots of water to check out.  

If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197.  I really appreciate your support.