One Last Spin around Berrien County

I'm packing up and shipping out tomorrow to continue my slow migration west. Before leaving, I was able to complete one last bike ride around my hometown. At 70 miles it was the longest of the four rides since I got here back in June. It also came on the nicest of days, with perfect riding weather. I rode to Saint Joe, a town I've visited a couple times in the last couple months. The route was similar to a ride I recall from my high school years. Then, this was a full-day ride & I'm pretty sure my mom had to pick me up in Berrien Springs on the way back. Yesterday, I left around 1:00 and returned about a half-hour after sunset, about an 8:00 hour ride in all. Along the way up, I scoped out Eaton Park. About once a summer, we would go to this park to watch little league playoffs. I remember always being more interested in the fitness trail (now gone) than the game.

Full Screen Version
In Saint Joe, I picked up lunch at Wendy's and rode to Bluff park to eat. I found a bench overlooking the river. Lots of boat traffic. I rode around town for a little bit and stopped to see my brother before heading south again. I left his house a little too late, but made good time. I went a little bit out of my way to ride through the villages of Stevensville & Baroda. This route also allowed my to ride a good portion along Hills Road, in my estimation one of the prettier drives in the county. It passes a lot of vineyards, which are just starting to permeate the air with the aroma of ripening grapes, on of my favorite smells.

Trip Statistics
Length: 71.3 miles
Ride Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Avg. Speed: 11.6 MPH
Max. Speed: 25.9 MPH
Total Ascent: 2,300 ft.
Max Elev.: 817 ft.

Elevation Profile

Grapevines

Linco Road

Saint Joe River

Downtown Stevensville