Five days of cycling from Chicago have brought me to Lansing, capitol of Michigan. Overall, more trees than I expected and a good variety of farms and rural homes. On past rides, e.g. 1988 and 1992, I remember more gravel county roads but I avoided them this time.

Some fog starting out, but this burned off. As I left Battle Creek, I came along some large stately homes. Some like these two, had seen better times. However, the one in the rear had construction signs.

Soon enough, I was out of town along the county road. Some small hills and a chance to listen to the first podcast as I cycled to Bellevue at mile 11.

There was an old lime kiln in Bellevue.

Here is the sign describing the kiln.

Next town was Charlotte where I stopped for a break. After Charlotte, I took the frontage road to Interstate 69. In contrast to Illinois, these frontage roads had a shoulder. Michigan roads seemed to have a lot of variety. Some were very smooth but also a larger set of cracked and bumpy roads, particularly in towns.

Gizzard Land, population 1.

Three sections of “road closed” signs, but I passed through all three. Helped to be a Sunday and no workers.

Hooray, Lansing city limits signs.

State Capitol! It turned out, this was the side of the capitol, but I was fortunate to find someone walking by for the photo.

Sign describing the capitol.

Sign indicating this was the third capitol.

The front of the capitol is wider.

Attempt at a selfie. Overall, splitting the ~250 miles from Chicago to Lansing was not difficult and I was fortunate that the air quality remained fine. After going to the capitol, I found a hotel close to the Amtrak station and also close to Michigan State University. My plan is to take a train to Chicago tomorrow and resume from there towards Wisconsin.