Not sure if this is any more useful to anyone, but since I did it, I figured I'd share it.

I tried to go through and apply the useful points of interest to the GPS tracks provided above. So far, I've just worked on the section through Manistee, referencing points of interest from the maps from MMBA's Trail Guide. For now, points of interest include access points, campgrounds, and water sources. Disclaimer: the water sources are simply transferred from the MMBA map; I have not verified any of them.

North of Manistee, the MMBA maps don't show anything, so it will take a little longer to go through and identify points of interest.

Google's map making program is a little quirky, but it works well for making, sharing, and collaborating on things.

North Country Trail - Lower Michigan

I have arch rims laced to 350 hubs front and back. Built by MikeC actually. Couldn't be happier with them!

Had one little incident riding a built feature. Tire slipped on the wet wood. Wheel dropped into a space between two planks with my weight behind it. I was sure I had just nuked my new, "forever" wheel set, but it didn't bother the wheel one bit.

Love these wheels! Another advantage is the front will still work if/when I upgrade to a through axle fork.

But my challenge right now is coming up with some sort of noise making device so bears can hear me coming...

As far as a noise maker goes, what about this??

Turbospoke Bicycle Exhaust System (Ages 6+)

Has anyone every considered using this stuff to waterproof, skid-proof, or otherwise ruggedize packs or other equipment? Looks like they have products designed to be applied to fabric. Seems like it could be a good material to apply to packs where they contact the frame to keep the pack from rubbing.

Any other thoughts or ideas?

Edit: Hmm, looks like it's been done before.

Not sure if you got it figured out or not, but I found this pic online and thought it would be relevant to this thread. Seems to be a pretty good shot of that PB cage mounted in the manner described.

Note the innertube material wrapped around the fork, beneath the cage mounts, then the hose clamps going around the fork and cage mount tabs.

Don't forget to use something to hold the bottle in the cage. Being mounted on the lower, it's going to get bounced out at the first bump.