A dark and dreary start for the Chase did nothing to dampen spirits as 68 riders set off for their 267-mile day. By the time the first antique bikes started crossing southbound on the wet and foggy Mackinac Bridge, a group of 1,500 antique tractors had already begun their trek north. It’s an annual parade that just happened to coincide with the Cross Country Chase ride and seemed quite appropriate as the antiques met midway.
Drizzle kept riders occupied through out the day, but the rain stopped long enough for the group to enjoy a nice lunch hosted by Hagerty Insurance in Traverse City, Michigan, which was followed closely by a short stop to take the daily quiz. Brainy bikers stood with clipboards and quickly answered 10 multiple-choice questions before hopping on their bikes and booking on to the final stop in Ludington. From there they will board the Badger Ferry for Stage 2 tomorrow morning.
The top three positions are still held by the same Class I riders from yesterday’s Prologue, and last place is still Shane Masters, who we hope will rejoin the group for Stage 2. As it is, the sweep trailer was loaded to the max with broken bikes for Stage 1. Let’s wish them all an overnight recovery.
