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I've Got Something to Say
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| Ride Stats |
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Time: 06:07:37
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Distance:
82.90 miles
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Max Speed:
38.60 mph
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Avg Speed:
13.50 mph
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Altitude Gain:
0 ft
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Route:
WT - Viroqua to Mauston
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Weight:
0
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Category: training: general -
solo
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Terrain: Road: Hills
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Bike: Fuji Newest Road
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Club: None |
| Weather Conditions: |
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I’d summarize today’s ride as having three segments.
The first segment, 33 miles, took us out of Viroqua on Hwy 61 which was a little busier with traffic than we’ve been used to the last couple days. But after a quick 3 miles we turned onto some farm roads and had to go over some rollers – just a few and nothing with the intensity of yesterday’s rollers. Then after rolling through Westby, we rolled out Route 27 which was a gentle rolling road along the top of the mountains. The first rest stop, at mile 18, was situated at a church just outside of Portland. Then a few miles later there was a righteous drop into the valley. I reached a max speed of only 38.6 since I feathered the brakes going down this one due to the road being bumpy and a few blind sweeping curves – otherwise I would have easily gone over 40 mph. The ride through the valley was another gorgeous site.
The second segment started at the second rest stop, in Sparta, where we then jumped on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. This trail is like the KATY Trail in Missouri, having previously been a railroad track bed, and now used for bicycling. The trail runs 32 miles and took us to our lunch stop in Elroy. The neat thing about this trail is along the way there are three tunnels to go through. We were advised by the tour organizers to bring lights to use in these tunnels – it is dark in the middle of them. The first tunnel (named Norwalk tunnel) is 0.75 long, the other two (the Kendall and Wilton tunnels) are 0.25 miles long. It is advised to walk through the tunnels, not ride, even with lights. In the first tunnel I literally almost ran into people walking the other way because I could not see them until they were within the shine of my lights, about 12-15 feet in front of me – they did not have any lights on them… I had met up with Peggy when leaving the second rest stop, so we rolled down the trail together.
While at rest stop number 3 (situated along the trail half way between #2 & the lunch stop), there was a family there – I’m guessing the older lady was the mother of the younger one, who was the mother of the two young children who were zooming around the parking lot on their bikes. The older lady came over asking if any knew of a bike shop in the adjacent town. Roger, there crew member, thought there probably was, but could say for certain. The ladies then asked about where we were from, etc. I pointed to Peggy explained that she is from Alaska, pointed to Mike & Nancy saying they are from Kansas, pointed to a couple other people saying where they are from, and explained that I am from Missouri. The younger lady then state that she was from MO and asked where I lived. I told her Hazelwood. Turns out she used to live in Hazelwood, but has moved out to Chesterfield. If you look closely at the picture of the Meyers on their recumbent tandem, the mini van in the background as MO plates…
Upon reaching the lunch stop (mile 68), Susan had grilled burgers waiting for us, along with some pasta, mixed fruit, and several people mentioned how good the carmel apple pie. The third, and final, segment of the day was just a 15 mile jaunt, on regular paved roads into Mauston. There was some climbing as we first left Elroy, but after that it was gently rolling roads.
So today’s stats are 82 miles, and only 2,200 feet of climbing (that’s almost half as much climbing as each of the first 2 days). That is how things went on day three of the Wisconsin Tour.
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