Biking and Drinking - April 2022

"In wine there is Wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is Bacteria."

- Benjamin Franklin

Welcome to the April 2022 "ING," edition of MP. As many of the loyal subscribers to MP know, Management at MP loves all things ending in "ING." These include biking, hiking, kayaking and drinking; as well as a few "INGs" that cannot be mentioned in this family publication. Management came up with the idea to combine two of the "INGs" for the pleasure of its loyal subscribers. Hence, this Month's edition will combine biking and drinking. Specifically, bike trails that you can ride (R), that will take you to an attractive destination where you can relax (R) and as you imbibe you will be able to rejoice (R).

Before we get to the subject matter at hand, however, Management has a postscript to the spectacular March 2022 edition of MP entitled SPRING BREAK BIKING VACATIONS. In particular, the very loyal subscriber FIRST LADY (FL) was kind enough to send to MP an article regarding the City of Amsterdam which has over 300 miles of bike trails. Amsterdam is one of the few cities in the World that has prioritized cyclists over automobile drivers. Thus, cycling is one of he quickest and easiest ways to get around in Amsterdam. By some estimates, there are more bikes in Amsterdam than residents.

It is through the generous contributions of loyal subscribers like FL, that MP is able to bring to you valuable information like this each month. Playlist suggestion: GIVE A LITTLE BIT by Supertramp.

Before we get to the subject matter at hand, Management has some very exciting announcements. Over the past month SANDERELLA has been very busy. In a clear attempt to spend more time away from the MAD VIKING (MV), and because she is a MASTER GARDENER, SANDERELLA has started her own business known as SOW Pretty Gardens. The "SOW" stands for: SANDY'S OBSESSED WITH." If you are interested in retaining the services of SANDERELLA, she can be reached at sjconrath810@gmail.com; or visit her on Instagram @SOWPrettyGardens.

Management at MP has seen SANDERELLA's wonderful gardens, and they are beautiful. Picture the Midwest version of Monet's Garden at Giverny, France. Playlist suggestion: ROSE GARDEN, by Lynn Anderson.

In addition, SANDERELLA has picked up her ebike in anticipation of the trip around Lake Michigan. More to follow on the bike and the trip in the much anticipated soon to be famous first anniversary edition of MP which will be issued in May of 2022.

One final delay before we get to the subject matter at hand. Management is saddened to announce that GI JOE will be leaving Chicago and moving to Denver. Management is pleased to announce that GI JOE has volunteered (this may be the first time that he is hearing about it) to be the Rocky Mountain correspondent for MP. With his input, MP may start a regular section on mountain biking. As stated by HORACE GREELY: "Go West, Young Man, Go West and Grow Up With the Country. It is Your Manifest Destiny."

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Finally, to the subject matter of this Month's edition which is the combination of biking and drinking. Management will describe 4 trails on which you can accomplish both. When considering each trail please keep in mind the following:

· "Always do Sober What You Said You'd do Drunk. That Will Teach You to Keep Your Mouth Shut." - Ernest Hemingway

· Remember the third rule of biking - SAFETY FIRST.

Now to the trails. As usual, Management will rely upon its very intelligent and loyal subscribers to use Google Maps or the more enhanced DMAPS to help plan their trip.

1. CHICAGO:

· Playlist Suggestion:

ON THE SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO by Freddy Cole featuring Eric Alexander.

· Biking:

This trip is going to start at Buckingham Fountain in downtown Chicago. You then proceed south down the Lakefront Trail until it ends at the Cultural Center. You will then continue due south down South Lakeshore Drive. Then you will use a few side streets (remember to use DMAPS) until you get to Wolf Lake. This is going to be the most interesting part of the trip. At Wolf Lake you will literally ride through the Lake on the Wolf Lake Trail. Once you exit Wolf Lake you will go south on some side roads until you end up at 3 Floyds Brewing located at 9750 Indiana Parkway, Munster, Indiana. The trek is approximately 29 miles one way.

· Drinking:

3 Floyds was founded in 1996 by 2 brothers with their father Mike Floyd hence the name. 3 Floyds is consistently ranked as one of the best craft brewers in the United States. Their most famous beer is ZOMBIE DUST.

Word of caution: Please confirm that the brew pub adjacent to the brewery is open. It closed for a period of time during COVID.

2. NORTH UTICA:

· Playlist Suggestion:

TINY BUBBLES by Don Ho.

· Biking:

The recommended ride is the Illinois-Michigan Canal Trail (IM) which starts on the east at Joliet and continues west for the next 65+ miles to LaSalle-Peru. This is one of Management's favorite trails and is described in detail in the June 2021 edition of MP with a beautiful follow up in the August 2021 edition. North Utica is located on the very west end of the trail approximately 15 miles from the end of the trail. While in North Utica there are several establishments at which to relax and rejoice.

· Drinking:

One of Management's favorite establishments in North Utica is August Hill Winery. Sit down at a table on Main Street near the IM canal trail and the Illinois River and enjoy a glass of spectacular wine made solely with grapes grown in Illinois.

For a very special treat, go to one of the Wine on the Hill events held in the summer and book a cave tasting experience. You will not be disappointed.

3. SHAWNEE FOREST:

· Playlist:

WINE, BEER, WHISKEY by Little Big Town.

· Biking:

This trip will take you on the TUNNEL HILL STATE TRAIL which stretches for 45 miles from Harrisburg, Illinois to Karnak, Illinois. This is a former train track and has now been converted through the Rails to Trails Conservancy to a bike trail. You go by numerous bluffs and over creeks and also pass through a 500 foot train tunnel.

Management will always support the Rails to Trails Conservancy. The loyal subscribers to MP should do likewise. https://www.railstotrails.org

· Drinking:

Surprising to many, but well known to Management at MP, southern Illinois, at one time, was one of the largest producers of wine in the United States. More to follow in the Trivia/Quiz section of this Month's edition.

Over the past few decades, there has been a resurgence of wine making in southern Illinois. In fact, there is a wine trail in southern Illinois known as Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. There are numerous wineries on the trail and rather than limit yourself to just one try them all. The trail includes POMONA WINERY, VON JAKOB VINEYARD, ALTO VINEYARDS, HEDMAN VINEYARDS, STARVE YOU VINEYARDS, OWL CREEK VINEYARD and BLUE SKY VINEYARD.

4. TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN:

· Playlist:

RED, RED WINE by UB40.

· Biking:

This wonderful journey will take you on the LEELANAU TRAIL. The south end of the trail starts in Traverse City and you proceed north, and as you ride, on the east side of the trail will be the west arm of the Grand Traverse Bay and on the west side of the trail is Lake Leelanau. The trail ends in Suttons Bay which is a vibrant active little town. The entire trip is 18 miles one way all paved.

You will ride through an abundance of cherry orchards and vineyards. This, like many of the other trails recommended by MP is a former rail corridor.

· Drinking:

There are numerous wonderful vineyards along the trail. Toward the south end is SHADY LANE CELLARS. As you go north if you want to travel a little bit off the trail you can go to the CICCONE VINEYARD AND WINERY which sits at the top of a hill and overlooks the west arm of the Grand Traverse Bay.

Once you have completed your second tasting, you will then continue north and stop at the MAWBY VINEYARDS AND WINERY. Management suggests that you end your journey at HOP LOT BREWING COMPANY AND BEER GARDEN which sits on the south end of Suttons Bay, and it has an exciting outdoor beer garden.

Now to the Trivia/Quiz section of this Month's edition. As usual, MP is using DMANOPEDIA, the World's Number 1 plagiarizing source.

Some history is in order before the quiz. According to MV, the first Europeans to explore North America were a Viking expedition from Greenland. The Vikings, not being that smart, called the area where they landed Vinland because of the profusion of grapevines they found.

The earliest wine made in what is now the United States was produced in 1562 by French settlers from the Scuppernong grape near Jacksonville, Florida. The first winery was established near San Diego by Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra. The oldest winery in the United States is the Brotherhood Winery which has been in continuous operation since 1839 in upstate New York.

Now the quiz section. The answers will be in the postscript. When contemplating your answers, the playlist suggestion is: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES by Dinah Washington.

The quiz questions are as follows:

· Between 1880 and 1900 what were the top 5 wine producing states in the United States?

· Between 2015 and 2020 what were the top 5 wine producing states in the United states?

TEASE TIME: "Trust has to be earned, and should come only after the passage of time." - Arthur Ashe.

Next Month's edition of MP will represent the 1 year anniversary of this humble, but at the same time magnificent publication. Management is sure, or at least we like to think so, that we have earned the trust of our loyal subscribers. In the First Anniversary edition of MP, Management will re-visit the issue of ebikes and Why they are the Wave of The future. Playlist suggestion: HIGH VOLTAGE, by ACDC.

Until we meet again, remember: "The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again." - Charles Dickenson

Until we meet again remember to R, R & R!

POSTSCRIPT: Answers to Quiz:

· 1880 - 1900

1. California

2. Missouri

3. Ohio

4. Illinois

5. New Mexico

· 2015 - 2020

1. California

2. New York

3. Washington

4. Oregon

5. Texas