Michigan Duo Bicycles The Pine Creek Rail Trail

JERSEY SHORE -- Driving from their homes in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, touring bicycle rider friends Daniel Merchant and Robert Sherman acquainted themselves with the joys of the Pine Creek Rail Trail recently. Leaving their families at home, they arrived at Jersey Shore on Friday, August 6th, parking at the southern terminus on Railroad Street.

For five glorious, sunshine-filled days, they rode their “fully-outfitted” multiple-pannier-laden bikes approximately 200 miles, camping along the way each night, including at the Pettecote Junction Campground in Cedar Run and at Hills Creek State Park in Tioga County.

They actually bicycled beyond the northern terminus of the rail trail, up Route 287 to the New York border, before turning around. They were caught by this writer on Wednesday, around noon, taking a rest and refreshment break at McConnell’s Country Store in Waterville, just 11 miles from completion of their odyssey.

Check out Dan’s blog site to learn more about this duo’s bicycle touring adventures (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/paddleboy17).

CAPTION -- From the left, Bob Sherman and Daniel Merchant, with their "fully
loaded" bicycles, in front of McConnell's Country Store in Waterville,
August 11, 2010.