July 3 - July 5

     Comments: The late start from the previous day spilled over into this day.  It was also hot with the first 70 miles flat. Today I used three bicycle trails: (1) the Long Prairie Trail from Poplar Grove Illinois to Roscoe, Illinois (home of the 1981 jump roping champions); (2) the Hononegah Recreation Path near Rockton, Illinois; and (3) all 25 miles of the Sugar River State Trail that runs from Brodhead, Wisconsin to New Glarus, Wisconsin. This last trail would make a great vacation spot for any bicycling family. From New Glarus to Blue Mounds, I experienced very beautiful farm and country scenery among some tough rolling hills that any avid hard core bicyclist would have loved.   We loaded the van, feeling relief to escape the denseness of the city and it’s problems.  I met up with Brian in Belevedere at the hotel for an abbreviated visit and then poof, he was on his way Blue Mounds State Park. We met along the Sugar River State Trail bike path where we encountered an interesting fifth generation farmer, his wife, a vivacious science-teacher and their two kids from the Quad Cities, who generously invited us to visit their farm anytime.  When they said they always have a room ready for visitors, I thought they were just displaying their Midwestern hospitality, but it turns out their farm is on an elite tourism list and almost monthly host foreign dignitaries and celebrities who want to see a real American farm.

     Onward across the Wisconsin River, I picked up the 15-mile flat, crushed gravel Pine River Trail that runs from Lone Rock, Wisconsin to Richland Center, Wisconsin. After Richland Center, the rolling hills began again.  It was hot (95oF), but the scenery made up for it even though I had to stop several times to cool down. Cooling down was an interesting phenomenon.  I would find a shady spot and take off my helmet and sunglasses and drink more water. From the steady breeze, I would actually feel cold and had to seek the sun to keep comfortable. Only after a few minutes in the sun could I venture back into the shade and feel OK. Scenery So Beautiful You Just Want to Take Some Home!  A delicious breeze flowed through the van making for a delightful slumber.   Brian headed off by 7 am, fearing the projected heat index of 105 degrees.  I remained horizontal for many hours, soaking in the coolness as the wind-waves splashed over me.

Sunday, July 4th

     Comments: I finally cracked the late starts and began riding today at 7:00 am. The incentive for waking up early was the predicted very hot weather with the heat index close to 115 degrees F. With this heat, I started using 4 water bottles. Three of the bottles fit in the three water bottle cages on my bike and the 4th bottle fit in my rear rack bag.  The first 22 miles of today’s ride were even more beautiful then the daybefore. The smooth, rolling, county roads snaked it’s way through a narrow valley populated with many trees, a running river, some corn fields and grazing cows, and a few farm homesteads. This valley ended near the Wisconsin River. Just before crossing the Wisconsin River, I ran into the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center that is a gateway to touring several Wright designed structures close by. The visitor center is a former restaurant designed by Wright and close by are the Wright’s Taliesin home and the Wright Hillside Studio. A four-hour tour that includes all these structures will have to wait for a return visit.

     The heat and humidity so overwhelmed us that Brian arose at 5:15 am to get a jump-start on the day. Knowing it would be crucial to have water and food at the designated times, I set out early, too.  After a steep climb, I was rolling right along when to my horror, I saw beside the road a bicycle laying on the shoulder and a sprawled out cyclist lying horizontal in the weeds. Upon closer examination, he was perched in the shade, hands behind this head, trying to expunge some coolness from the earth. I thundered on wondering, what I would have done in an emergency situation if food and water had not revived him.

     The rain was brief but hearty and brought the desired drop in temperature and humidity.