Dowagiac

Today, I embarked on my first ride since last Wednesday's scorcher. Conditions were a million times better and I didn't ride quite as far. I rode northeast to the next major town, Dowagiac, where I bought some refreshments, which I ate on the nearby campus of Southwestern Michigan College. I attended a few classes at this community college while high school and almost matriculated there post-secondary before my last minute admission to Michigan.

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From SMC, I started riding back to Niles. Along the way, I saw a crop duster working on a field off Pokagon Highway. This wasn't a rickety old plane like the one from North by Northwest, but a modern machine designed for the purpose. I was quite a sight to watch it make pass after passing, banking high in the air between each, and swooping down to just above tassel-height each time.

Trip Statistics
Length: 46.9 miles
Ride Time: 3 hours 52 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 33 minutes
Avg. Speed: 12.1 MPH
Max. Speed: 25.9 MPH
Avg. Cadence: 58 RPM
Total Ascent: 1,300 ft.
Max Elev.: 864 ft.

Elevation Profile

Downtown Dowagiac

Southwestern Michigan College

Wildflower Field

Crop Duster