COWS Spring Rally-Day #2

Rally Day #2: 66.82 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 5 hours 19 minutes, average speed: 12.5

Breakfast began at 7:00 a.m. at the Marriott. We ate with Kathi & John. While eating, a neighboring table tapped Dennis on the shoulder to ask if they could take a picture of his jersey—we were dressed in our new COWS jerseys today. After chatting with this group, we found out that they were in town for a teacher’s convention but best of all, they were from Tennessee and Rich—the biker in the group—was happy to give us his e-mail with an invite to call on him when we go south for our STR/Natchez Trace trip in October. Rich ended up joining the COWS and purchasing 2 jerseys to take home. A mass ride start was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. leading out from the front of our hotel so we said goodbye to our TN friends and got ready to ride.

Skies were blue, winds minimal and no rain in sight—a biker’s heaven! Today’s route led us out of town towards Cross Plains again but then continued north along county roads. Oh, those hills! After completing our ride, Beth announced that we did 2400’ of vertical climb—that’s quite strenuous for early season but the route was beautiful. We lunched at the Roxbury Tavern, a local cyclist hot spot. They were flipping burgers as fast as they could to keep up with our crowd. The burgers really hit the spot—or was it just the cold drinks? Art & Deb, Steve & Michelle, Dennis & Ingrid joined Dennis & I at the Roxbury.

After lunch, Art and Dennis began talking about an annoying squeak coming from the rear of our bike. Art suggested we slide the fender stays away from the wheel. That suggestion gave us a much quieter ride—thanks Art! The route then took us through Sauk City/Prairie du Sac—2 quaint little towns along the Wisconsin River. The hill climbs then returned and continued until we exited onto the bike trail that took us back into Middleton. Dennis and I did get rained on for about 2 miles of this journey but it cooled us down and rejuvenated our waning spirits. We made it back to the hotel with a bit of time to rest up before the 5:30 social and 6:30 p.m. banquette/COWS annual meeting.

Banquette & Annual COWS Meeting
Many COWS gathered for the annual banquette and meeting held at 6:30 p.m. in the Marriott dining hall. We enjoyed the company of Kathi & John Johnson from Dorchester, WI, Steve and Michelle Brown, from Middleton, WI and Brian and Monica. Pasta, salad and dessert were served and a short meeting followed with an initiation of new members which included about 10 couples. I made an announcement inviting COWS members to join Dennis and I in Alabama for the Southern Tandem Rally. The announcement sparked much interest and it looks like there will be Wisconsin COWS grazing in Alabama in October. Following the meeting, the Petersons and Veerkamps got together to make plans for the Post-STR Natchez Trace tour. We will be calling upon our new COWS members from Tennessee to not only join us along the Trace but offer suggestions of getting the most out of biking the Trace.