TIM BRUCE: A smoky ride

Today started strangely with a ghostly atmosphere as the smoke from the wildfires in northern Minnesota and Ontario in Canada provided a grey, misty cloud which totally blocked out the sun and enveloped most of the ride

The final rest stop on today’s ride brought home the ferocity and impact of wildfires. We stopped at Metz where, in 1908, this little village community was utterly destroyed by a fire which started in the morning hours to the west of the village in
Millersburg, but, pushed by gale force winds, the fire travelled some 35 miles all the way to the shores of Lake Huron.

In its wake, Metz has some 37 people dead and some 400 people made homeless. Part of this tragedy was that a ‘relief train’ that had been provided to evacuate the residents, mainly women and children, to another community 5 miles away.

However, shortly after leaving the village, the intense heat from the fire had warped the train tracks and the train was derailed amidst the raging inferno. Whilst some escaped with severe burns, some 9 children and 3 mothers lost their lives in the fire.

Reading the history of this event rather put our efforts of bike riding into perspective as we count ourselves lucky and thankful for not having to face what is happening elsewhere on an increasing basis. Today wildfires are taking place here in the
States, Canada and across Europe as forests and grasslands are dried out by record high temperatures.

That said, it was not too hot today but the gravel trail ride certainly generated some heat for the riders as we rode the North Eastern State Trail from Cheboygan towards Alpena. Of the 75.7 miles, most were on this gravel trail which was very demanding, created quite a bit of dust and sweat and made us say “Oh, Deer….!”

Oh, Deer!! As we saw quite a few deer on or just off the trail today.

Oh, Deer Flies!! As we were nibbled and pursued by these biting insects for most of the route. We probably need to find some antihistamine cream to stop those bites becoming sore and nasty.

Oh, Deer tracks!! There was consistent evidence that the trail was well used by the local deer population with hundreds cloven hoof marks in the gravel.

A day to be grateful for God’s creation, perhaps with the exception of the deer flies, whilst thinking of those who are less fortunate and having to deal with the serious consequences of wildfires.