Coast to Coast - The Northern Tier

 Our last day of riding in Wisconsin did not disappoint!  Again beautiful weather, tailwinds and views of Lake Michigan!  It was a short ride today only 40 miles to Manitowoc so just took an easy recovery ride. Terri was with her family today so I am definitely missing my riding buddy.   We stopped for picnic at Cycle America alumni Cathy’s house. She really treated us like royalty with the spread of food she put out!  After picnic we rode to the beach, waded in Lake Michigan, then toured the Manitowoc Maritime Museum and the submarine.  For dinner we ate at the Courthouse Pub restaurant which was delicious! Tomorrow we ferry to Ludington MI on the S.S. Badger.  Stats: 40 miles and 879 feet of elevation. Nice recovery ride! First look at the Lake Mladin wading in Lake Michigan Cathy knows how to entertain All gathered at Cathy’s Just had to get in! The Badger S.S. Badger coming into dock Touring the Maritime Museum  Before dinner with Eric an...

 Another beautiful day in Wisconsin for a ride!  Again we were blessed with rolling hills (5 of them reached 12% grades) and tailwinds for part of the day. We rode through the Kettle Moraine State Forest and Lake.  Terri and I made it to Plymouth by noon so stopped in town for a bite to eat and glass of wine to kill some time. Of course I order Cheese Curds being that we are in the Cheese Capital!   Terri’s husband Evan met us in town today and Terri is going home for some fun family time until Sunday evening. Not many pictures on the ride but took a few once we were in Plymouth. Roberto JR did take a video of Terri and I riding in Kettle Moraine State Forest.  Stats:  69 miles, 2,474 feet of elevation Some cool Murals in Plymouth  Plymouth is the “Cheese Capital of the World”

 You really couldn't have asked for a better day!  Perfect temperatures - in the 70’s,  beautiful Wisconsin roads: rolling, lots if curves, low traffic, and with the exception of about 10 miles post lunch, fairly smooth. The fields were a vibrant green and we had a tailwind for a good part of the day!  We rode through Devils Lake State Park, took a ferry ride over Lake Wisconsin, and saw some cool car art along the way.  We arrived at our campus Wayland Academy by 12:15.   After we got in we received a surprise from Gary!  Yesterday, Gary rode in with Terri and I and I treated us all to some ice cream. I was really wanting a root beer float but they had a freezer issue so no vanilla ice cream!  We still of course indulged in ice cream but no float  So today, Gary stopped at Chippy’s and pre paid for our root beer floats.  The funny thing was that every female biker that walked in until we arrived was asked if they were Terri and Yvo...

 Today’s route was mostly on Bike Trails. First up the Elroy to Sparta trail which is 32 miles long, then in Elroy we hopped on the 400 trail which is 22 miles long and connects Elroy to Reedsburg. It was so much fun riding on both trails and getting off the road with vehicles for a change.   Another nostalgic day for me as I have ridden the Elroy to Sparta trail before about 30 years ago.  I was told that it was the first rails to trails conversion! It has three old train tunnels  that you go through which is definitely a highlight.   After, we got off the 400 trail in Reedsburg we decided we needed a little ice cream break before we rode the last 20 miles to Baraboo. I was sure glad we took that break because we were surprised with a very steep climb at mile 67 and it registered 16% on my Garmin! We need to have a chat with our route guy as he said there was not any note worthy climbs today!  I don't know about you but I sure think a 16% grade is notewort...

The route today started on route 35 which is the Wisconsin Great River road.  It was very nostalgic for me to cycle along the Mississippi enjoying the very high bluffs, the many locks and dams and small river towns. I spent a great deal of my youth in Davenport, Iowa which is a town on the Mississippi so I really enjoy seeing the river in different locations. One of the main differences I noticed was that the Bluffs were much taller along this section.  I didn't get many pictures today because I knew they just wouldn’t surpass the image I captured in my mind.   After lunch, we got on highway 54 for a short time.  Boy were we glad to get off that road.  Narrow shoulders and lots of semi traffic.  We had a few rude truckers blast their horns at us and we were as far to the right as we could be!  I don't know why they have to be so rude!  Anyway, we got off that road and on to some back roads that were fun to ride because of all the “rollers”.  ...

 Such a fun day!  We stopped to smell the roses the entire day!  Rolling hills in Minnesota, bike path from Cannon Falls to Red Wing MN, visited the Cycle America Headquarters in Cannon falls, lunch in Redwing, crossed the Mississippi River , entered Wisconsin our 7th state, stopped at just about every historical marker, and to top it off ended the ride at a winery!  I took so many pictures today!   Stats: 67 miles, 1,722 feet of elevation gain.  Headquarters  Rode this trail about 25 miles.  View of the trail Cool mural along the trail Lunch stop in Redwing MN Charles Lindburgh Redwing Train Station View of the Mississippi at Redwing. I heard it has the largest bend at this point View of the Mississippi from the bridge Entering Wisconsin with Mark Terri and I at the Wisconsin boarder Leaving Minnesota  Historical Sign Lake Pepin beautiful road along this lake Fun at the winery with Mladin, Eric, Terri and I Terri, Lynn and Kathleen at camp