Bike Northwoods: Day Six and Final

At 5:30 AM my bike tires were turning. 41 miles. Average speed 11.7 mph. Maximum speed 204.7 mph (maybe another glitch.) Time riding: 4 hours 11 minutes.

The official route had us re-tracing the most of the same roads we did on Wednesday. Being the egoist that I sometimes am, I thought I could create a different route to see more of the Wisconsin countryside.

So with the help of a regional bike map, I found back roads that took me almost back to Iron River and my car. Almost.

The final 12 miles were on a busy state highway with a narrow shoulder. Believe me, it's a thrill to have a logging truck blast past at 60mph about two feet away. I can see why this last 12 miles kept the planners from sending all 370 this direction.

At just a little after 10, the finish line was in sight. And while there had been a slight drizzle of rain on and off all early morning, at about 10:30 the skies opened up and poured.

And it rained continually during the eight hour drive home.

I couldn't help but admire the contours of the land as I zipped down past Spooner, Eau Clair and through Ellsworth (the Cheese Curd Capitol of the World), crossing the Redwing bridge into Minnesota. What we never notice in a car - hills, rough roads, long distances - one appreciates while on a bicycle. We should all slow down more often and notice what is always there but we just go by too fast to see.

Great trip and when my butt and legs recover, I'll probably sign up to go again.