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This past weekend I went on my yearly bike trip to Mackinac Island in Michigan with work! It’s such a fun way to get to know new employees, as well as catching up and having fun with other work friends and colleagues! (You can read about my Bike trip year one and year two here!)
While it’s been beautiful the past two years, this year there was a high chance to rain on our bike day, along with our day on the island- Boo! We were told we would be riding either way, and I definitely felt a bit anxious about that because I hate biking in the rain- it freaks me out!
I woke up early the day of the bike ride, after sleeping only a few hours (we have a long drive to the starting point in Michigan). They delivered Starbucks to us, and then we were off! My legs have been so tired the first 15-20 miles on a lot of bike rides this summer, which has been annoying. This ride was no different.
After about 5 miles we pull through the cutest little “beach town” (is it lake town?) with gorgeous, huge houses, and the views are just stellar! Right around mile 11 or 12 there’s a long, steady hill that is ROUGH! My heavy legs, along with my lack of hills I’ve biked this summer, made the hill feel particularly difficult. I MADE IT WITHOUT WALKING THOUGH, and felt like that was a solid accomplishment 🙂
We have a pit stop at the top of that hill which is so lovely, and I enjoyed a banana there. While it’s a 55 mile ride, and that’s not an entirely uncommon distance for me to ride (although I’ve only biked up to 42 this summer– bummer!), the pace is a lot slower since not many people who go are bikers (and I’m SO impressed that people who don’t bike go that distance- woah!), and that makes it a bit more tough for me.
It looked like it was going to rain after that, but it didn’t- the humidity was INTENSE though! We stopped around mile 26 for lunch, and enjoyed a picnic in an open field overlooking one of the great lakes. It’s gorgeous!
The rest of the ride went smoothly, and I enjoyed lots of good conversation and time on the beach.
We arrived in Mackinaw City and enjoyed a night walking around the town before crashing.
The next day we headed to Mackinac Island. Normally I bike about 12 miles that day, but I went an extra time around the island. So, after biking 55 miles the day before, I biked 20 miles on the island and did a bit of hiking! It was beautiful. 
Arch Rock. I’d never noticed this before!
In the afternoon it poured for a little over an hour, so we ran into a cute coffee shop and enjoyed hot coffee, time to read, and the roses out in the rain.
Then it was fudge time, where we sampled all sorts of fudge on the island! Joann’s is my favorite every year 🙂 The fudge is SO creamy and delicious- I get my fudge there each year. 
It was a LONG drive home that night, and I slept about two hours. I’m not too tired or sore from the experience, but biking that far and then sitting in a cramped bus is certainly not the best.
I’m thankful to work at a place that not only values physical activity, but also gives us time to connect each year.
Now it’s your turn to share! Have you ever visited Mackinac Island? What’s your favorite flavor of fudge (mine is maple!)?
I had to check this out since Mackinac Island is one of my most favorite places ever! We started going up every year in 1998 because my mom started running the 8 mile race there in September (but we had visited several times before that). We have since joined in on the race, but just love spending time together up there. Such a fun place!! My sister got married there last year too! It feels like home there. Glad you had a good bike ride and got to explore the island a bit! ?
Oh wow- that sounds like so much fun! I would love to run a race up there sometime- and celebrate with all the fudge!