Only the Best Roads
It all started with a simple instant message on Instagram. I had posted some random image and my friend AGL messaged me about wanting to ride those roads. At the time of the message, AGL and I were to be in a wedding in Green Bay in the summer so I messaged him and said, “Come early and we will go ride before the wedding. You can stay with Jen and I!” That was all it took. Scheming and dreaming began. I enrolled my dear friend Ben Witt too.
Stagecoach - 2012 - Ben, Michael and Andrew (left to right)
I met AGL back in college and throughout our lives our paths have intersected around bikes, experiences, and people. Back in 2012 he joined a few of my friends and I on the Stagecoach route. I bring this up as it was also when I introduced Ben and AGL to each other. We shared some incredible times on that journey, some great while others not so great. But a friendship between all of us and appreciation for one another was cemented on that trip. So with AGL in town, Ben and I just had to show him our favorite roads in and around Northfield, MN. I mean that is what good friends do for one another, right?
Our route was a combination of the old Rawland route and the new Heywood 55 route, of which Ben is one of the founders/promoters. We had no defined route when we left Ben’s shop, Heath Creek Cycles. Just a plan to ride and hang out. The day would provide. We navigated by memory and linked together what we believed was the best of both of those routes. In the end, we got about 56 miles in with about 2600 feet of vertical. Weather was good too, albeit a little hot at times. Our day was filled with blue skies, dusty roads, road side snacks and beautiful views. We even met a few locals. What a day! There is nothing better than riding bikes with good friends on your favorite roads!
I have one last picture to share. This chance meeting made our day. We were sitting in the shade at the Lutheran Church where the church sells food and goods for the Heywood Ride each year. I am bummed I missed getting a pic with the two fellas that maintain the property. But this was a fun time and I sure love meeting the locals and learning about the land and surroundings.
Yeah, that was a day I will likely never forget. Thanks Andrew and Ben. I needed that.
For the camera geeks I shot my trusty, and very old, Fujifilm XM1 compact camera with the TT Artisan 18mm fixed f6.3 lens. This is a manual focus only lens. I love this combo for giving me fun, soft and sometimes moody results. It was the perfect companion for this bike ride.
