Tri-State Ride Day #2

Day 2—Potosi, WI to Galena, IL: 39.56 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 3 hours 36 minutes, average speed: 10.9

Oh, the hills! We started the day off great with a breakfast cooked by the Potosi Elementary School cooks. They served us a very delicious egg bake, oatmeal, fruit, French toast, bagels, cookies, juice… all for the low price of $8 per rider. That meal really got our motors running—they must have known what kind of riding day we were in for. We left Potosi around 7:00 a.m. under cloudy skies and with a temperature in the low 70’s.

Our first rest stop along the route was at Dickyville, WI at the Holy Ghost Grotto. We spent some time here with other riders enjoying the beauty of the Grotto and taking many pictures.

This was a shorter mile day but the hills kept the route challenging. We pedaled into Galena around Noon and surprised the tour crew with our early arrival. We found our tent at the City of Galena Water Park and helped ourselves to towels and the showers. We were now ready to check out the historic town of Galena. We stopped at Benjamin’s for lunch where I had an excellent fish sandwich. We then went on a 6-mile walk around the town and back to camp where we ordered pizza from Cannova’s to be delivered to our tent on the hill. Tom from La Crosse has been spending the week with our group as his wife, Jenny bikes the routes. I noticed he had a guitar and asked if he would play for us. After our pizza, a group gathered for an old fashioned sing-a-long. The evening was perfect and to end it all, we were blessed with the viewing of a brilliant rainbow across the sky.

T.I.R.E. Bike Event Day #3

T.I.R.E. Ride Day #3: 32.04 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 2 hours 19 minutes, average speed: 13.8

The last day of T.I.R.E. was planned to be a ride with Ron McKernan. All riders set out through town at 9:30 a.m. towards North River Road with Ron in the lead. The route was great, probably one of my best in the County—rolling hills, some climbs but great descents. The weather again today was outstanding! The group stayed together to witness the awesome descent of Witt Hill. The gathering outside Oak Park Inn following the ride was very uplifting as riders thanked Dennis and I for the wonderful routes. It was tough to say good-bye knowing our week of riding was ending—this biking vacation (MTR, Post MTR and T.I.R.E.) topped our list of best trips taken (including London)! Greeting us in the mail when we arrived home was a beautiful card from Joan and John Laabs thanking us for our part in planning the Post MTR ride in Lanesboro. We have met so many wonderful people along our biking travels and they have all played a part in making our lives more enjoyable.

T.I.R.E. Bike Event Day #2

Ride Day #2: 57.41 miles

Comments: Ride Time was 4 hours 26 minutes, average speed: 12.8

Today Dennis and I were back on the tandem. It was to be another beautiful riding day in Trempealeau County. The medium route took us up to Hansen’s Hold-Up for lunch and down Alligator Slide and then into Arcadia where we biked past the Memorial Park. Our next big hill was approaching so we began to pick up speed and gear for the climb over Church Hill. As we began to gear down, Dennis got stung on the lip by a bee but, being the great captain he is, he kept it all under control and we continued the climb. LeAnn teased that he had Angelina Jolee lips. We were back in Whitehall in time to wash up for the evening banquet. The ride went well today except for one wrong turn on the medium cue sheet. I had a bit of apologizing to do to a few riders that put on some extra miles because of the error but all were very good sports about the mistake.

T.I.R.E. Bike Event Day #1

Ride Day #1: 23.75 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 1 hour 51 minutes, average speed: 12.7

Wow, another major accomplishment for Deb—Biking Trempealeau County on the Bacchetta! As we were packing the tandem for its trip to Whitehall to participate in the Trempealeau Invitational Ride Event, we noticed a crack in the rear rim. We called Kevin immediately at the Blue Herron in Onalaska to see what he could do and he came through for us again. It did mean I would have to ride my single for day #1 of the T.I.R.E. ride but I was ready for the challenge. Barb Garthus rode the short route with me providing much encouragement. I had a great time and was glad I had this chance to increase my biking confidence. Dennis stayed at the Inn waiting for Kevin to call with news of the tandem rim so that we could ride the rest of the weekend together.