Love Creek

Yesterday, I got my bike out for the first time since July. I started my ride with some random ramblings through residential neighborhoods of Niles, primarily west of the river. After about two miles, I left town along the newly re-signed M-139. I stopped at a historic marker I'd not see before. It marked a cemetery that was established 10 years before Michigan gained statehood. The most interesting headstone I found belonged to a 16 year old killed in the battle of Petersburg.

I continued riding north passed some houses of a couple high school friends and eventually turned north on to Jones Road, a natural beauty road. I remember the unusual sign from at 20 years ago & wanted to see if it was still there. It is at the beginning of a very pleasant dirt road that weaves around a couple small lakes through thick woods.

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At the end of Jones Road, I was about ready to head back, but went just a little further north to Love Creek County Park. It doesn't claim quite the same quantity of memories as Madeline Bertrand, but I have some vague recollections of visiting as a child, at least once with my mom and another on a class trip. At first, I rode passed the entrance, but reconsidered and came back around to investigate the park. I'm glad I did. They recently blazed a 4.5 mile mountain bike trail. They admit it's not a technically challenging route, but it was a good path for me on my hybrid. I don't seek out off-road routes, but it was a great way to get in to the park and experience a different type of ride. It also gave me a good destination for the larger ride.

It was late by the time I completed the Love Creek Trail. Still, I rode a spur in to Berrien Springs and stopped for dinner at a small pizza restaurant. By the time I finished eating, I was really running out of daylight. I pressed pretty hard the last leg of the trip. Luckily, I had the assistance of a strong wind out of the north. I got back home about a half-hour after sunset.

Trip Statistics
Length: 42.4 miles
Ride Time: 4 hours 16 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours 13 minutes
Avg. Speed: 9.9 MPH
Max. Speed: 28.6 MPH
Total Ascent: 1,900 ft.
Max Elev.: 817 ft.



No Pictures because I forgot to charge my camera battery.