After a fantastic family reunion (check out Rebecca's blog for wonderful photos besides just the one above), we have motored over to Wisconsin and spent the last week enjoying the quiet, cool evenings listening to the Canadian geese and wild cranes on Blue Lake, where we are camping. Most of our time we have biked, explored little towns, and relaxed after our busy week with the family. I'd like to share one especially fun bike outing. On my "bucket list" of to-dos before I "kick the buchet" is to tandem bike Ireland carrying all our gear with us. As a dry run Hunter suggested we try this on the Elroy-Sparta bike trail in this area. It is a 34 mile old railroad bed that has been converted to a crushed limestone trail suited well for biking. Since it was a train bed it only has 3 percent grades of up and down so without tough hills the riding is very enjoyable. This particular trail has three long, DARK, tunnels, which add a bit of mystery and excitement to the ride.
On Monday morning we packed our gear (change of clothes for the evening and toiletries) into a set of paniers (bags made to fit on a bike rack), loaded Hunter's backpack with snacks and our lunch for the first day, filled the water bottles and drove to the trail head. Could we have any better weather with temps hovering around the mid 80s, a gentle but not head breeze, and wispy clouds occationally blocking the sunsrays? We leasurely peddled along until we came to the first tunnel. Oh dear-we forgot a flashlight! Oh well, by squinting we could just make out the other end so we ventured into the dark and damp tunnel arriving quite happily at the entrance. This procedure we duplicated at the second tunnel but when we reached the third tunnel, finding it over 3/4 mile in length there was NO way we could see ANYTHING through the thick black interior. What to do? Wait for someone else and "piggy back" through with them was Hunter's suggestion-a good one if there were others actually riding the trail. In season this would have worked but out of season-a no go. Therefore Hunter had to admit my suggestion was our only option-backtrack 3 miles to Norwalk where we bought a flashlight then retrace the miles to the tunnel's entrance. That flashlight was worth its weight in gold for sure as we slowly walked through the inky interior. Emerging on the other side we climbed onto the bike once again and finished our day's ride by arriving in Sparta, Illinois, a quaint little town with friendly people.
We found our way to Strawberry Lace.It is a Bed and Breakfast treasure nestled in a small Wisconsin town. With Victorian grace and elegance the home is a feast for the eyes, the beautifully decorated bedrooms and comfy beds a welcome rest for the weary muscles, and the breakfast-oh the breakfast-was a four course gourmet meal fit for royalty-even royalty in biking shorts savored each morsel. The proprietors were extremely hospitable and we vowed to return with friends next year.
On the day of our return ride the skies opened like a well-oiled zipper and showered us with a steady downpour for the entire ride, complete with a background serenade of thunder and lightning. The tunnels became a welcome respite, although a bit cold. It is amazing how little time you spend snacking and resting when you are soaked to the skin. You just keep peddling. The car was a welcome sight and the showers in the trailhead restroom were a special treat. Who cares if you have any towels-just washing off the first layer of mud lifts your spirits.
Hope I haven't discouraged anyone from an overnight bike trip. We will do it again in a heartbeat!
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