I planned a trip by myself with the bike to visit Candy for a couple of days and visit Dad’s resting place on Memorial Day. I didn’t head out until Sunday since my employer was closed for both Monday and Tuesday in observation of the holiday.
I set out around 10:30 and took Hwy 23 to Cty M north, then Hwy 91 west into Berlin. Shortly before getting close to Berlin some truck came up on me even though I was going around 70, somewhat riding me. Just before entering Berlin a good size doe came up from the left shoulder of the road next to me, but thankfully she decided to turn back when she saw me. It always amazes me how people will ride your butt until something like this happens to get them to realize they should probably back off, which the truck did right after that.
I took Cty F & E west out of Berlin to Hwy 73 north, then Czech Road and Dakota Road west to Cty B north to avoid going through Wautoma. Cty B connects with Hwy 21 west of Wautoma. I made a stop at Ship Rock along Hwy 21 to check in with Canders and to stretch, and took 21 the rest of the way to Sparta.
All the while I was heading to MN I could see that I would eventually hit some rain and sure glad I packed my gear. When I arrived at Tomah I made a stop to put on my rain gear at the infamous scene where I ended up spending the night at the Best Western while trying to make it to Winona for Dad’s 80th birthday in a huge downpour.
Due to the pending weather and already putting on my rain gear, I didn’t bother to stop for any lunch. Just after I crossed the Ole Miss it started to rain, and all the way to Winona. Nothing heavy thankfully, nor any storms.
I was hungry and beat by the time I arrived at the house. We ordered in dinner that evening and I went to bed early.
The next morning after a 5 mile walk around one of the lakes at Winona Lake Park, I checked the oil, air pressure, gassed up and washed Candy’s car for our trip to Preston Veteran’s Cemetery. It was a gorgeous day and there were so many people visiting the cemetery. We met two couples, one who planned to eventually be interred there and another who had relatives from Mayville. We also learned the meaning of pennies on the gravestones. It was so heartwarming to see so many people and it seemed most of them were paying respects without even knowing anyone buried there.
When we arrived back to Winona Candy wanted me to take her by the Veteran’s Memorial at Lake Winona Park. From there we ventured downtown for some ice-cream and ate it down by the Levy, then a ride to Prairie Island.
The next day, Tuesday, I had plans to venture over to Mindoro Cut on my way back. Which I haven’t been through in so many years, and this time from the opposite direction (north to south). When I was hanging out there two bikers showed up. Quite older bikers. Probably in their late 60s or early 70s. I asked where they came from and they said “Winona”. Haha!
From there I headed to Hwy 16 to Hwy 71 southeast out of Sparta and found an awesome county road (Cty P) around Kendall that goes all along the tops of bluffs with spectacular vista views, and ends up right at Hwy 80 & 82. I had planned on taking 82 into Mauston, so that worked out great. From Marston I continued on Hwy 82 until Hwy 13 south and then I took River Road off of Hwy 13 north of the Dells and made a pit stop along there for a stretch. Then to Hwy 23, Cty D & C along Buffalo Lake into Montello where I finally grabbed something to eat at the Kwik Trip and ate it at the park there by the falls. Then back onto Hwy 23 into Ripon, then Olden Road to Cty M south, and Rose-Eld Road east reconnecting onto Hwy 23 the rest of the way home.
I had thought I turned on my route tracker when I left on Sunday, but I apparently turned it off immediately. I did not make the same mistake when I left MN today. My ride home was 213 miles and I suspect my ride there was pretty much the same.
It was such a beautiful day today and it felt so therapeutic being on the bike. However, I do feel pretty wiped-out now.
