Bicyclists take a well-deserved break in Gregory on their Great Lake-to-Lake Trails bicycle trek

by Mary Jo David

Shade trees are in short supply on the route for the Gregory Fourth of July Parade. But seated in a prime, shady spot on M-36 near the corner of Main Street were two gentlemen who had traveled farther than most. Arriving from the Gregory trailhead of Michigan’s Mike Levine Lakelands Trail, the bicyclists happened upon the crowd assembling for the parade. The two then decided to take a break from their bicycle trek across the state to take in Gregory’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

“We expect to put in almost 300 miles this week,” explained Phil Zimmerman of Owosso, who, with his friend Lewis, was cycling Route 1 of The Great Lake-to-Lake Trails.

Weather permitting, the cyclists were averaging about 60 miles per day on their journey, which began in South Haven, Mich., and would end in Port Huron on the morning of Friday, July 7. Asked to estimate how much of Route 1 of the Lake-to-Lake Trail is completed, Lewis guessed it is at about 75%.

This is not their first long-distance bicycle trip; on previous years they’ve biked other routes around the state. Zimmerman explained that as he and Lewis have grown a little older, they’re more focused on the experience and less intent on breaking speed records.

“That’s what the BOSS on my shirt stands for,” Zimmerman explained, “Bicycling on Slow Speed!”

Although he had a prime spot for the bicycle trip, riding on Lewis’ handlebars, sock-monkey mascot Willie declined to comment!

According to Phil (right), the BOSS shirt stands for “Bicycling on Slow Speed,” now that he and Lewis are a little older and less intent on breaking speed records.

Lewis (left) and Phil, along with mascot Willie the sock monkey, stop at the Gregory trailhead of the Mike Levine Lakelands Trail to take in the Gregory Fourth of July Parade before continuing on their bicycle trek to complete Route 1 of The Great Lake-to-Lake Trails. Photo credits Mary Jo David