My last day of this year’s route had some diverse experiences. The previous night I stayed in a motel in New London as I wasn’t able to find any camping nearby when planning the trip. This turned out ok as it was good to have a breakfast available and not have to tear down the tent. I left about 6:15 after some eggs & corned beef hash for breakfast, hit the road and started through the countryside on some very scenic and low use roads.

It was a great way to get the legs warmed up for the day as this was going to be my longest mileage day and included almost 30 miles on a gravel trail (Tomorrow River Trail). The trails are fun to ride and filled with wildlife and scenery – but it takes more energy to pedal these as there isn’t any coasting unless you’re going downhill.  With pavement – you can take little breaks if needed without slowing too much. The wind was minimal but it was going to be worm. So – off I went through the countryside and then connected with the trail in the town of Manawa. I arrived at the town of Scandinavia and decided to take a few minutes off the bike and get some water. As I entered town, I saw a welcome site – the Trout Bum Bakery.

It is a small bakery filled with homemade goodness and the owner, Tom, was very welcoming. It took me a few minutes to figure out what to get. I had to restrain myself from buying / eating too much as I still had lots of miles to go. After downing a couple of danish (apple and raspberry), I was ready to ride again. The trail had some very pretty sections with lots of flowers and deep forests/streams/ponds.   

On the trail I “met” a nice older “girl” named Lexi. She is a friendly golden retriever who was taking her humans (a boy about 12 and his mom) for a walk. It was one of those dog encounters that are very welcomed on a bike. She saw me before her people did and came over looking for some petting and with a vigorously wagging tail. The mom apologized for Lexi and I told her it was no problem for me. I love meeting this kind of pup on a bike (as opposed to the I’m going to chase you and bite you kind). They asked about all the gear and I told them about the adventure. During our chat, the mom said bike touring wasn’t anything she thought she could ever do, and her son agreed. Then I explained how an average rider, with decent gear and some time can 100% make trips like this possible. I know it’s true – because that is me. It was a fun chat and I got a few more pets and a couple licks from Lexi and then headed out. The last few miles (as you approach Plover, WI) are downhill and run through farmland ending up next to an industrial area where Del Monte has a canning facility. 

When I hit the end of the trail, I had 45 miles done and was ready for lunch. I found a coffee shop that served food, took a break, checked the maps/route, ate, and left again at noon. I had 24 road miles remaining and it was a relatively easy ride all the way to Wisconsin Rapids where I had a car parked. On the way, I went past some large farming operations and a massive solar project that was under construction. In Wisconsin Rapids, it was a few miles of urban paths and sidewalks which isn’t my favorite riding as the trees, flowers, animals were replaced with buildings, cars, trucks, strip malls. I ended up finishing at Demitz Park at the Wisconsin River.  

So, I started in the country and ended in an urban area. I had a snack at a small hometown bakery and lunch at a modern urban coffee shop. I met a couple people on the trail and at the bakery – but then I was pretty invisible as I got into the urban areas. It’s just a contrast – not right or wrong, just different lifestyles and scenery.  

Overall, I had great weather. The trip ended at 310 miles and 7 more counties completed. I saw some great trails / roads I hope to ride again. Also saw some areas that I will bypass in the future. However – the people I met were pretty classically rural Wisconsin folks, friendly, inquisitive, kind, warm, and genuine. When you combine the blessing of the people along with the blessing of being in God’s creation for so many hours, it was a wonderful 8th trip. My wife had hoped to join me for the last few days – but it didn’t work out this trip. She was sad that she “missed” the ride. I told her it wasn’t missed, just rescheduled. We would be back in that area in the future and would ride there again.

The Numbers:

310 miles total

5 days of riding

6,031’ of elevation gain (FYI this was a very flat trip)

7 new counties ridden

8 rivers / major streams crossed