The Tour of Wisconsin is coming...soon!

Less than a month away from the big week long Tour of Wisconsin.  From Freeport up to Monroe west thru Darlington and Mineral Point, North to Dodgeville to Blue Mound State Park, thru Madison to New Glarus and back to Freeport.  The route looks like a big lollipop but its not for suckers.  Its going to be hilly and a epic adventure. 
Final bits of gear to be purchased and training to amp up.
Can't wait!!

Aurora-Batavia Prairie Path Triangle

coyotes at dusk in fermilab

Quick ride at sunset in Fermilab. I was heading home when I heard what sounded like a puppy mill going crazy, pulled over and heard LOTS of coyotes playing around or maybe just eating something, because on the way out of Fermilab a police man pulled me over to ask if I had seen any small dogs running around. Some were missing in the neighborhood and the owners were upset.

"Maybe a dingo ate your poodle"

Hot Weekend tour

Heading back to the Hennepin Canal Trail this weekend for about a 100 mile ride with one night of camping. The Moots is coming along and its uncharted territory for him so is should be very good. Its going to be super hot though, heat index into the 100F+ range and a chance of thunderstorms. Its the same route from our 4 day tour and it was my favorite stretch of trail. Chances of seeing anyone on the trail have to be low in this kind of weather stiuation, a relaxing ride to the Geneseco Campground, which I think is just awesome. The cleanest showers at any campground I have ever been to, it should be a great end to a very hot, long ride. Cant wait!
I will update everyone on this ride and I know, still owe everyone the Tour Across Illinois ride posting. Soon-scouts honor!
Ride On!
UHC

LHT loaded for touring

LHT loaded for touring
Originally uploaded by cklineuhc

I & M Canal Trail - Morris to Marseilles

Chances are this was the last good weekend of Fall and it was not wasted. My first trip to the I&M Canal was fantastic! Started my adventure in the small town of Morris at the Gebhard Woods access.


At the park, I did notice more then a few pick-ups with a deer in the back, it was the start to shotgun season and all the bikers were dressed in bright yellow or orange, but not me, good lesson learned. Note to self - no fur riding coats...ever! This or more to the point, the shotguns were the only negative to the whole trip, the sound of wind and leaves crunching was suddenly jarred by the explosion of a few shotgun rounds at a poor, tasty deer.
I started my adventure heading West to Marseilles, about 15 miles, give or take a few. It being fall and me being me, I was starting out a little later in the day then planned and the sun was going down early so 30+ miles was perfect for the given time allotted. Viva Marseilles, it must be just like in France.

I can not say enough about the upkeep of the trail. Its Perfect! I did not see a single pop can or piece of trash ANYWHERE! It was lovely. And since it was sightly on the cooler side, I only came arcoss 3 bikers all day. With 2 of them being at the very beginning of the trail. so the trail was empty, with the leaves all down and shot guns in the background, it can't get much better then that.
The trail from Morris to Marseilles is almost 95% trail, there were small section of roads and a few street crossing, but nothing major. You do have to ride a few back country roads near towns, so some farm traffic is around, so heads up.

Seneca is a cute little town on the trail, claiming one of the best burger around I will have to stop another time to check this out. What I do remember of Seneca is that there are places to eat, bank and a few gas stations.
Marseilles has a nice little downtown strip with plenty of food and drink options, also a BK and a few gas stations.



The LHT on the trial. This was the truckers first major event and it passed with flying colors. The bike handles like a dream. Although, the ass end of it was heavy especially over the crushed limestone trail. The Surly Nice Rack is totally bomb-proof and is killer but also weighs a ton, well actually over 1000grams. That the bag, tools, pump and spare tubes backs the Trucker almost too heavy. Even though I was at a nice pace and wasnt carrying full packs I might be making some adjustment to help the overall feel of the ride.

First impressions of upgrades; new tires - the stock ties on the LHT are 37mm conties, and while they are solid and good tires I am thinking about going to a thinner tire with very little tread. Packs - need to lose the rear rack and get either a pack for up front or a rack and bag combo.

Fermi and the Trucker