Start: Viroqua, WI
End: Madison, WI
Scheduled: 109.1
Actual: 114.1
The morning starts out like any typical day, my back is very stiff, but doesn't hurt. Mike and I head out, it is cool with some clouds, a good day for riding. The area is very hilly with some great looking valleys. The fog and mist is settling in those valleys and it is so very pretty!
Mike and I both carry chalk and just into the ride we decide we need to leave a message. We decide on something inspirational: "Ride Long Ride Strong" Kathy our crew gal, gets into it also and does a heart further down the road.
After 15 miles I stop to stretch and Mike continues on. Between Viroqua and Richland Center the scenery is just so beautiful. Once pass Richland center, the terrain flattens out and becomes more cultivated. Corn is planted in plots with large paths of alfalfa in between to prevent erosion and some interested patterns
are developed.
Just outside of Madison in Mezo, our route takes us right past the The Shoe Box, which is advertised as the largest shoe store in the midwest. Well, I needed a new pair of sandals, so I stop in to look around and they got some pretty good prices. So I picked out a pair, and as a salesperson for the correct size. When he brings them out, he looks me over and asks if I'm in the middle of a ride. Well, if you're going open the door that wide, I'm coming in. I tell him the whole story about the ride and ALAW, while I try them on and by the time I'm through, he looks up and says, the sandals are free! Such a deal. Just another example of how good people really can be.
Coming into the Madison area, traffic picks up and it becomes more urban. I miss a few turns and get some bonus miles in, not good on a day when my wife and kids are waiting for me! Finally I do roll into camp to the cheers of family. It is great to see them again after more than 4 weeks away.
Dan Scott's Family and mine put on a dinner for us riders, like you would not believe! Brats, hotdogs, vegie burgers and chicken, along with fresh vegetables, fruit and potato salad. Also plenty of good local beers, and soda! Just perfect after a long day in the saddle. My sisters Mary Lynn and Kathy, along with my brothers Jim and Tom were their along with my nephew Ben and his two kids Rachel and Vince.
Kathy brought along a new wheel that we had made up in Milwaukee, to replace the bad one. I feel better about this now.
I spend the night at a hotel with my wife. I really needed that!
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