Today was my first day for this year’s installment of Ride Across Wisconsin. This is the 8th such trip since starting this kind of adventure almost 10 years ago.  The goal of riding across the state from one end to the other morphed into the goal of riding in or through all 72 counties in Wisconsin. Before starting this morning I had 12 counties left.  

Completion of this trip will check off 7 more along with riding 3 new rails to trails segments (which is a secondary goal – to eventually ride all of those), but I digress… this trip begins in the north centralish part of Wisconsin and ends in the Wisconsin Rapids area.  

Regarding hospitality…. on the drive up we met some great friends, had dinner and got caught up on life. They treated us to some great Mexican food, but more importantly – some fun conversations and laughs.  From there, we drove to Three Lakes, WI where some friends had property.  The original plan was to camp, but instead they gave us access to their home, even though they were out of town. I say “us” because my wife, Melanie, drove me to the starting point and dropped me off. I’m doing the first few days of this ride solo.

At lunch, I stopped at Kathy’s Bar & Grill in Argonne, WI for lunch. It was full of bikers but there was room at the bar. (Note – bikers technically are those who ride motorcycles and cyclists are those who ride bikes… makes no sense but some people are fussy about using these terms correctly). There were two or three different groups of bikers and they had all stopped in for lunch. It was a beautiful day for bikers and cyclists!  Sadly, a fair number of bikers don’t like cyclists and vice versa. It’s too bad, because although the method of transport is a little different, we both enjoy the open road. I have no problem with them and that’s why I was ok being the only one wearing spandex at the bar instead of leather. One of the older bikers wished me well riding, to keep safe, and enjoy the day. I told him the same and it was cool to see we both had respect and care for the other. 

The bartender at Kathy’s was awesome. She recommended a great burger and gave me about 5 huge glasses of ice water. She was smiling, chatty, and very welcoming.  She asked where I was staying and I told her Ham Lake and she said “my cousin just bought that place”. Gotta love small community connections

And for the most amazing gift of hospitality today, after another 24 “post lunch miles” I arrived at Ham Lake Campground and found the owners. I had called the day before and said I was coming in on a bike so I wanted to reserve a spot so they knew I was coming. I was planning on a tent site and hoping for shade as it was very very hot. I just wanted to get the tent up and grab a nap after the 56 miles in the heat. But no, Kayla, the owner, said that instead she and her husband talked and they gave me a tiny cabin, right next to the water. Furnished with a fan, full bed and a table/chairs. They brought me firewood and three gatorades on ice… and refused to take any money. They are the brand new owners of the campground and were amazed I rode that far in the heat and wanted to give this to me. I tried to pay several times and they would have nothing to do with accepting the money.

The thing about true hospitality – it does cost the giver something. It’s above and beyond the “you get what you pay for” kind of transaction. A kind word costs time and caring.  A meal and the use of a house is evidence that stuff is best used blessing others instead of holding too tightly. The firewood, cabin, Gatorade and care from the campground owners cost them some real dollars but it shows they care for people and building relationships. We had several nice visits all afternoon.

I went into today’s ride looking for opportunities to share or give and care for others.  But instead, I was the recipient the whole day. God is good.

A few small things I did receive… riding right under a bald eagle who was about 50’ above me for a long stretch of road. Tailwinds when I was getting tired and awesome scenery all day.  

The numbers:

56 miles

1,969’ climbing

A nice start on two tan legs and arms.