Day 34 Mauston WI to Fond du Lac WI

Day 34
Mauston WI to Fond du Lac WI
Miles Ridden 94.7
Climbing 2675 Ft.
Total Miles 2543.7
Miles To Go 1109.3


Today's ride was on the long side. When I woke up I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it. My hip was very stiff and I couldn't raise my left arm more than a few inches. The back roads of central Wisconsin are some of my favorites so I decided to give it a try. When I got on the bike I realized there was no pain in my shoulder when I rested on the handlebars or in my hip when I pedaled.

We rode mostly on quiet back roads in mainly wooded country. No evidence of Wisconsin dairy farms in this area, We rode through  the grim vacation town of Packwaukee, full of random mobile homes and broken down weekend shacks. Caged and chained pit bull variants barked and snarled at us. About halfway through town, I saw one get away from it's owner down a long driveway. I had a good head start as the owner screamed at Diesel and I managed to at least get ahead of Evin before it got close.  The dog stopped about a block down the road.

Lots of red barns in the area

We stopped for excellent brats at the self-proclaimed "best brats in Wisconsin" American Legion Post in Princeton. I think we out ate the three hundred pound motorcycle riders who were the other major customer group. We,pushed on  over excellent roads as got into farming country and passed many beautifully kept and landscaped farmhouses.

Park in Montello

We went through Ripon, about 25 miles from the finish when heavy rain started. We were all quickly soaked and pretty miserable but for the first time in seemingly weeks we had a pretty good tailwind and and made good time.

Satish and Hugh from Florida after braving the rain

I got in, showered, ate a quick dinner and was in a great deal of pain from my shoulder. I was pretty sure there was some real damage and decided I most likely wasn't going to ride the following day. I was in bed by 7 and out for the night.