I finally was able to get the gals together for a ride today and redeem myself from last Sunday’s ride to Port which I cancelled due to how hot and high the dew temps were. Since all of us were coming from different locations: Chilton, Howards Grove, Princeton, Rosendale and Fondy; we agreed to meet up at the former Baker Cheese near Armstrong at 11 a.m.
As usual, I was early, but it didn’t take long for the rest of the gang to trickle in, as Kari and Erica met up with Denise on their way through Fondy and then Jody on her own.
We left there taking G south into Dundee where we stopped for Erica to fuel up, and the place was busy with folks waiting in line when some jerk cut in front of everyone, pulling up to a pump that opened and then didn’t even get gas. I told the girls to park him in. I think Erica was at least able to slide in-between him and the pump to gas up.
After that we continued on our way south on G to S east, and GGG south and then following all of the Scenic Route signs to West Bend where we connected onto 144 and then Wallace Lake Road east to Hwy 33 for the remainder of the way.
We parked near the American Legion and the park along the lake and then walked a few blocks to Inventor’s for our planned lunch stop. Very minimal wait and the food, including waitress were excellent! However, while at the restaurant we noticed the lighthouse was closed due to renovations. Poo poo!
Jody wanted to check out Duluth’s since it was so close, so her, Denise and I walked around the harbor to it while the other two gals waited for us on a bench outside of Inventors. Turns out Denise was the only one who bought something.
When we got back to the bikes, we already determined we needed to head directly towards Hwy 45 so that Erica could get home since she had quite the haul after Fondy. While we were getting ready to go some guy stopped to ask about Jody’s bike and then some couple in a car were blocking us in waiting for our spot, and we told him we couldn’t get out without him moving. The place was packed due to some festival and band playing at the park and apparently he did not want to lose our spot. While attempting to shimmy my bike back and forth, and asking for help as I did not back it in as I should have, I ended up tipping my bike over on the left side because I did not realize the kickstand had gone up. That thing needs to be shortened some more on the off season. Well, when it laid down it popped into gear so we couldn’t move it unless I had the clutch in. Turns out the shifter was bent over the linkage bar. Thankfully the guy who was a jerk had a tire iron so we were able to bend it back out. By this point I was so stinking hot and sweaty, but off we finally went.
Since we were in a bit of a hurry by that time, I told them no stop for ice cream and I would attempt to take a more direct route than what I originally had planned. I had a secondary route in mind which would be more direct, and luckily I almost nailed it down without any cheats and got us to Hwy 45 just north of Kewauskum.
I was going to do a final stop for all of us together at the Eden Meat gas station when I noticed all the other gals pulled into the smaller gas station by 45 and B. So, I continued as it was congested due to their fireman’s picnic and apparent parade about to start, and ended up turning around at Eden Meat.
When I met back up with them, Kari and Erica were going to continue onto B west, and Jody was going to join Denise back to Fondy for some water, and I continued on my own east on 45/B and ended up taking T back to 23, and then one of my favorite twisties, S into Glen. I was going to take C but there was a tractor so I proceeded on J, but the traffic at J and C was being redirected due to the IMSA race that just let out of Road America. So, I could only go south on C, but then I took Woodland east to 67 with thoughts it would be really hard to get onto 67 with all of the traffic heading south from the track, but luckily I didn’t have to wait too long. However, when I got to J, the Sheriff and State Trooper were not allowing anyone north and were directing traffic. The Trooper waved me up to the front of the right turn lane as he seen my directional. I had to turn my tunes down and lift my lid as he wanted to speak to me, just to tell me I could try to squeeze in turning right but that the oncoming traffic turning left had the right-of-way. I of course said sure.
Well, even though I had a folly leaving Port, it was a much needed day of riding with my favorite ladies! Two maps below, which equals 145 miles for me today, and I sure hope to connect with them again this season. 🤞🏼
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