This trip is going to be HOT! We had a lot of heat day one and that was a short miles day. So we planned to be riding by 6am to hopefully get about 60 of our 75 planned miles done before lunch. We set out at 5:45 and went to the BP for some breakfast sandwiches and snacks for the morning. They had a few tables that the locals typically inhabit – BP clerk told us “you never know what you will hear sitting with those guys). Which was funny and true. So typical of other trips where you can see the local guys gathering for coffee and conversations. We also had another biker join us at the BP…. While we we walking the night before I saw the familiar shape of a bike with panniers and gear lashed all over coming towards us. He was moving quick and I called out “where are you staying”. He responded “I don’t understand” with a thick accent and kept riding. This was the same guy! I introduced myself (because this is the proper etiquette for fellow bike touring people) and discovered he was from the Bordeaux area of France. Sadly most of the French I learned when traveling there for business has been forgotten – but I was able to muddle my way through to learn he was traveling from New Brunswick Canada to Detroit through Illinois and Wisconsin. Then heading across Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Washington, and finishing up in Alaska…. All solo. That is a brave soul! We wished each other well as he was going “brave the locals”, get breakfast and charge his phone.

We started the morning with beautiful quiet roads, a couple big climbs and fast descents. Saw lots of deer, some snakes, two eagles, and a fair amount of cows. This IS Wisconsin after all! Our quiet roads transitioned to riding along Highway 35 which runs along the east side of the river. In fact, most of the rest of the trip is along this road except in the urban areas or where it becomes too busy and narrow. Then we jump onto county roads and deal with some big hills.

We took a break in Prairie du Chien for a second breakfast about 10am (34 miles done). This consisted of a turkey sandwich, beef/cheese sticks, water, cookies, crackers, V8 juice and more coffee. Yep you get to eat a lot on trips like this.  Here is where we met a “motorcycle gang”.  Riders kept rolling into the parking area.  We suspected we were might be trouble and on their “turf” as we were at the only shaded table in the little park and they kept looking at us weird….  We weren’t in an real danger though as the average age was probably 70.  It’s a group of mostly retired couples  and it turns out that is where they meet each Tuesday morning for chatting and coffee.  Nice group of folks who wished us well on our trip.  We offered them the shaded table and they said “at our age it’s hard enough to get up…. We will probably just stay here”. 

With no winds, decent roads and no hills we made good time to lunch for an extended break in Ferryville WI.   

After lunch, while riding along,  I saw an odd group of shadows on the road and realized I was watching a red-tailed hawk being harassed and chased by 2 small birds.  I spent some time pondering this and thought how the hawk is so much more powerful than the birds… why does he allow this to happen?  Later I saw the same thing with a bald eagle.  I was thinking.  Both of these birds could easily kill those little birds.  The big birds have talons, beaks, and strength much greater than the little ones.   If they only used their strength…So I spent time meditating on this and thinking of times when we as people will allow small things drive us away/distract us/forget our own strength in Christ.  When we have given our life to Jesus we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We also have the Scriptures and should have other Christians in our lives.  This gives us access to God, his Word, and wisdom from other believers.  This should be all the power we need to live, thrive, and survive in the midst of distractions.  Yet – I know it is possible for the little things to make too big of an impact on our lives.  My take away was – don’t forget who I am in Christ and always keep my focus on Him.  I am reminded of Proverbs 4:1-27 here.

After this fun time of God reminding me of His truth today… we rolled into Genoa Wi about 3pm to our motel. It was just going from hot to Very Hot so it was good to be done. We took showers, found food, made our final plans for the morning and headed to bed. Total for the day was 77 miles and 2,644’ of climbing. Looking forward to what is in store for Day 3.