THE BEST WEEK OF THE YEAR- GRABAAWR

EVERY GREAT JOURNEY STARTS WITH ONE SMALL SCOOP AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST CULVER’S IN EDGERTON WISCONSIN. NANADVENTURES WAS ON THE MOVE TO THE GRABAAWR WEEK. BEFORE THE TOUR I STOPPED IN VERONA OUTSIDE OF MADISON AND RODE THE OLYMPIC TRI COURSE JUST OFF THE IRONMAN ROUTE, IT WAS GORGEOUS. THE  GRABAAWR RIDE IS THE GREAT ANNUAL BIKE ADVENTURE ALONG THE WISCONSIN RIVER.  THE TRIP GOAL WAS TO EAT ONE’S WAY  BIKE THE LENGTH OF THE WISCONSIN RIVER FROM THIS PERFECT LITTLE SPOT ALL THE WAY TO PRAIRIE DU CHIEN WHERE THE RIVER ENDS AT THE MISSISSIPPI.

 THE  DAILY ROUTE WAS EAGLE RIVER – RHINELANDER-MERRILL-STEVENS POINT-FRIENDSHIP ADAMS- BARABOO-RICHLAND CENTER- PRAIRIE DU CHIEN. THE OVERNIGHTS WERE AT SCHOOLS WITH TENT CAMPING OR INDOOR GYM CAMPING.
  THERE WAS SOME NIGHT TIME RAIN, ONE MORNING BAD  STORM, A BEDTIME STORM, A 3 AM  AUTO SPRINKLER ATTACK, SOME HEAT AND HIGH WINDS AND PLENTY OF GOOD WEATHER TOO.  THE SMART PHONE CAN SEND ONE  INTO A FULL FLEDGED FEAR FRENZY WITH THOSE GREEN, YELLOW AND RED MAP  BLOBS.  
WHAT CHOICE DO YOU HAVE ? GOTTA GET ON THE BIKE AND GET TO THE NEXT FOOD STOP  TOWN. 

THIS IS FATHER MENARD’S HILL AND THERE IS A GREAT BRAT  STOP AT THE END OF IT. THIS IS A SHOUT OUT FROM 2011  TO BILL R WHO WAS A CHAMPION ON THIS HILL ON HIS RECUMBENT BIKE. IT WAS JUST NOT THE SAME TOUR WITH HIM AT HOME.

SAND HILL CRANES DOING THEIR THING

SOME REGIONS THE BARNS ARE ALL WHITE

WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE ?

RIDING THE MERRIMAC FERRY WITH OUR BIKES

WHOOPING CRANE AT CRANE FOUNDATION NEAR THE DELLS

THE BAT CAVE BIKER BAR IN GOTHAM TAKEN 1 YEAR AGO

CAN YOU FEEL THE BLOOD PRESSURE DROP ?

THE BAT CAVE TODAY- SADLY CLOSED

THE FAMOUS STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE IN MERRILL ($2.50!!)

GENE LEFAVE ENJOYING ROUND 1 STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE IN MERRILL

BEST LUNCH IN THE HISTORY OF FOOD

1 MILLION  YR OLD ROUND BARN

CRAZY MATT’S TOUR BIKE- HE AVG’S 15 MPH PLUS   ON IT FOR THE WEEK !!

NEAR THREE LAKES WISC WAY UP NORTH

SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE DEE’S IN THE WORLD

MERRILL CITY PARK WHERE WE CAMPED AND HAD A BAD STORM AND GOOD PIZZA

TOP OF RIB MOUNTAIN NEAR WAUSAU

RUNNER’S BAR IN STEVEN’S POINT

WHAT’S UNDER THE SPANDEX STAYS UNDER THE SPANDEX ON THE TOUR

THERE USED TO BE 21 BARS IN THE TOWN SQUARE IN STEVEN’S POINT. NOW ONLY 9 BUT THEY STILL CELEBRATE ALCOHOL.

LOOK FOR STANLEY AND A BLOODY MARY WITH  BEEF JERKY IN IT

TRIFECTA FOR THE BEVERAGES,  AND NEVER TOO EARLY FOR A STEAK SNADWICH

GREAT VIEW FROM THE SCHOOL IN BARABOO

THE AWARD WINNING HELMET DECORATION BY GENE LF FROM A STAR WARS THEME

GENE, LINDA AND RICHARD

HOMEMADE COFFEE CAKE IN MUSCODA

SOME ONE RUN A SPELL CHECK

ALL SPECIES PRESENT AND LOOKING GREAT

TOUR OWNER ERIC AND GENE SAYING GOOD BY AND  DONATING HIS HELMET PRIZE

AFTER BUSSING FROM OUR CARS IN PRAIRIE DU CHIEN TO EAGLE RIVER, THE RIDE FOR DAY 1 WAS TO RHINELANDER VIA LAND O LAKES. THIS WAS A 100 MILE RIDE. TRUE TO FORM I DIVERTED MY ATTENTION AND EYES FOR A NANOSECOND AND MISS AN ARROW OUT OF A TOWN CALLED PHELPS. (THAT ALWAYS REMINDS ME OF MICHEAL PHELPS).   MYSELF AND A LOVELY MAN FROM NEBRASKA GOT AN UNPLANNED 15 MILE TOUR OF THE UPPER PENINSULA. IT WAS LOVELY BUT IT WAS LOOKING LIKE THIS WAS GOING TO BE A BIG MILEAGE DAY.  MY GOAL WAS TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THE ARROWS AS I WAS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE CLOSING TIMES FOR THE WATER STOPS AND THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY TOWNS UP THERE AND THEY ALL SEEMED TO BE IN SHUTDOWN  MODE FOR FATHER’S DAY OBSERVANCE.  I GOT TO A WATER STOP AFTER MISSING AN ARROW THAT WAS REALLY MISSING WITH ANOTHER LOST RIDER AND HE WENT FLYING PAST ANOTHER ARROW THAT I THANK FULLY SAW AND RUMOR HAS IT HIS DAY WAS 152 MILES !! IT IS  A SPECTACULAR PLACE TO RIDE ALL DAY LOST OR NOT. 

THAT EVENING WAS RHINELANDER AND ANOTHER GREAT DINNER  WITH SOME FRIENDLY RIDERS FROM CHICAGO INCLUDING A JUST RETIRED 2 DAYS AGO CPS TEACHER.  THE NEXT DAY WE BIKED  TO MERRILL AND THE  ONLY GOAL WAS TO NOT DIE FROM ANOTHER STORM AND  ENJOY THE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE AT THE KOZY KORNER.  THE HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM IS  BEYOND DIVINE.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.  RICHARD B EXPERIENCED HIS FIRST (STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE). GENE ENDED THE STAY IN MERRILL WITH 3.  KIND OF A LUNCH -DINNER BREAKFAST MEAL PLAN IDEA.

TUESDAY IT WAS ON TO STEVENS POINT. BEFORE WE LEFT MERRILL THERE WAS A HUGE STORM THAT TOOK DOWN LOTS OF TREES, MY HELMET GOT BLOWN AWAY BUT WAS LOCATED KIND OF IMPALED ON A TANDEM BIKE. THE IMPORTANT LESSON LEARNED BY SOME  CAMPERS WAS HOW TO HOLD THE TENT POLES UP WHILE RIDING OUT THE STORM INSIDE THE TENT. THIS WAS HANDY INFO FOR THE NEXT NIGHT IN FRIENDSHIP-ADAMS. 

IN STEVENS POINT THERE WAS A RUNNER THEMED RESTAURANT AND BAR AND THE BEST BLOODY MARY IN TOWN. THAT NIGHT I WATCHED THE NBA GAME UNTIL WAY TOO LATE AND THE SPRINKLERS CAME ON DIRECTLY INTO THE TENT ROOF VENTS AT 3 AM. WAKE UP LITTLE SUZY WAKE UP.

THE TRIP TO FRIENDSHIP WAS MEMORABLE AS IT WAS HOT AND DIRECTLY INTO THE WIND.  I FOUND REFUGE IN FRIENDSHIP THE OVERNITE TOWN    AT DIAMOND JIM’S AND HAD A GREAT LUNCH. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A LITTLE AIR CONDITIONING AND A COLD ONE IS ESSENTIAL TO A GREAT ATTITUDE PUTTING UP THE  TENT IN A BIG WIND ON A VERY HOT DAY. 

OFF A GROUP OF US WENT TO CARLSON’S ON CASTLE ROCK LAKE – WHAT A VIEW AND A GREAT MENU. THE BUS REMEMBERED US AS THE EVENING WAS GETTING LATE  AND ANOTHER BIG STORM WAS CLOSING IN.

EVERY GOOD WELCOME INCLUDES ANOTHER SNACK WHEN YOU RIDE WITH GENE THE MILES FLY BY

ANY QUESTIONS?

FRANK LLYOD WRIGHT BUILDING IN SPRING GREEN

AUNTIE EM I WANNA GO HOME IN FRIENDSHIP

THE STORM IN FRIENDSHIP TURNED OUT TO BE JUST RAIN WITH ONLY A FEW TENT POLE BENDING GUSTS.  I DID HAVE A LITTLE GYM CAMPING ENVY THAT I DECIDED TO STAY OUTSIDE FOR THIS EVENT.

THE NEXT DAY WE WENT TO BARABOO VIA THE DELLS AND THE CRANE FEDERATION. IT WAS A HOT DAY AND I MISSED AN ARROW (SHOCKING) BUT DID LOCATE RICHARD B  ALSO OFF ROUTE AS WELL.  SO WE REGROUPED AT DENNY’S WITH A COLD DRINK AND A NOSH. NO ONE REALLY RIDES WITH RICHARD BECAUSE HE TAKES 3 PEDAL STROKES AND VANISHES OVER THE HORIZON.  HE HAS VERY CLASSY STAINLESS FENDERS ON HIS BIKE, 2 STATE OF THE ART 10 LB  STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLES AND A LOADED  VINTAGE LEATHER MINI SUITCASE MOUNTED ON THE FRONT OF THE BIKE. TOTAL ROLLING WEIGHT MUST BE 3 TONS.  RICHARD RUNS A 3 HR MARATHON AND COMES OUT TO GRABAAWR TO REMIND THE BIKERS THAT RUNNERS MAY PERHAPS RULE THE FITNESS PLANET. RICHARD IS HANDY IN A HEADWIND IF YOU CAN HANDLE SOME SERIOUS MPH. I THINK THE SUITCASE MAKES A GREAT  DRAFT SET UP AND YOU COULD GET LOST FOR A WEEK AND HAVE EVERYTHING NEEDED. . WE ENJOYED THE CRANES AND GOT TO SEE A GREAT DISPLAY AND VOCALS BY THE RARE CRANE  PAIR GENE LF  HAS BEEN TRYING TO VIDEO FOR 6 YRS. THEY REALLY LIKED RICHARD’S ORANGE JERSEY I THINK.

BARABOO WAS RELAXING AND HAD A GREAT TERRACE WITH A VIEW AND WE HAD A GREAT DINNER IN BARABOO.  GENE WON AN AWARD FOR BEST HELMET DECORATION. IT WAS A WORK OF ART AND TOOK 2 WEEKS TO BUILD, IT IS NOW A PERMANENT FIXTURE IN THE BIKE WISCONSIN MOTHERSHIP BUS. 

  I CHOSE A SHADE CAMPING SPOT AND PAID FOR IT BY
 1. THE SLOPE
 2. THE BIRD POOP ON MY DRYING LAUNDRY.
 DEBBIE WOULD CALL IT “A NEW LOW-EVEN FOR YOU” . THE SOCIAL NORMS ARE TOTALLY GONE BY THE END OF THE WEEK FOR SURE. I WORE THE CLOTHES WITHOUT BLINKING.

THERE WAS LOTS OF EXCITING THINGS ENROUTE TO RICHLAND CENTER.
1. DEVIL’S LAKE
2. MERRIMAC FERRY
3. WOLLERSHEIM WINERY
4. CUTE TOWN OF PRAIRIE DU SAC AND THE BLUE SPOON CAFE ON THE RIVER.
5. SPRING GREEN
6. MAJOR HEAT AND HEADWINDS FOR 1,00,00,000 MILES
7. THE TOWN OF GOTHAM AND THE BAT CAVE BIKER BAR.
8. FANTASTIC BLUFFS INTO RICHLAND
9. CHOCOLATE MALTS AND STEAK SANDWICH  WAITING FOR US AT THE SCHOOL AND FINALLY
10. DINNER AT THE FIESTA FE IN RICHLAND

THIS WAS ALMOST TOO MUCH EXCITMENT FOR A GIRL TO HANDLE.

 I HAD BEEN GETTING  MY NERVE UP FOR THREE YRS TO ENTER THE BAT CAVE BAR IN GOTHAM. THE DAY WAS PERFECT FOR IT. VERY HOT, VERY WINDY AND LOTS OF MILES FOR THE DAY. THE PREVIOUS YEARS  IT LOOKED  VERY  SCARY  AND THREATENING   WITH  LOTS AND LOTS OF  BAD BOY MOTORCYCLES, PEOPLE IN LEATHER,  AND THE WHOLE DARK BAT CAVE IDEA ON A HOT SUNNY DAY- WOULD ONE  EVER COME OUT AND RIDE ON TO RICHLAND  TO  SET UP THE TENT, SHOWER AND  STILL BE A NAIVE GIRL FROM THE SUBURBS?

WELL THIS COWGIRL HAD HER NERVE AND THIRST WAY UP AND I WAS GOING TO PARK MY LITTLE TRI BIKE, MARCH IN WITH MY HELMET SUNGLASSES  AND BICYCLE  GLOVES AND ORDER THE TRIFECTA. MY KNEES KNOCKED AND I SHOUTED OUT TO LINDA  AT THE WATER STOP A MILE AWAY THAT “I WAS GOING IN”, AND IF I DID NOT COME OUT BY BREAKFAST THE NEXT DAY TO CALL SPIDERMAN OR ANOTHER SUPERHERO  FOR HELP.

 BOO HOO HOO THE BAT CAVE HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS!!!. 3 YRS OF COURAGE DOWN THE DRAIN.

CRANES HEART ORANGE JERSEYS- RICHARD THE BIKER BEAST

IT’S ALWAYS BRAT TIME IN BOSCOBEL

HOMEMADE RELISH ON STEROIDS

FLASHING THREE TOURS COMPLETE-

EARLY TO BED TO GET ON THE ROAD TO FINISH THE TOUR AND ENJOY ONE MORE MORNING OF EATING   RIDING.   THE STOP IN MUSCODA HAD VENISON AND COFFEE CAKES AND PASTRIES ON STEROIDS.  AFTER A PROPER DIGESTION SESSION WHICH WAS ABOUT 10 MILES THEN IT WAS  TIME TO ROLL INTO THE BRAT STOP IN BOSCOBEL- WITH HOMEMADE RELISH AND SAUERKRAUT .  IT WAS A LITTLE PAST 8:30 AM.    AFTER A FEW MORE MILES ALONG THE BEAUTIFUL WISCONSIN RIVER WE CALLED IT ANOTHE GREAT TOUR IN PRAIRIE DU CHIEN. NO WORRIES THE FOOTBALL TEAM HAD A FULL MEAL WAITING FOR US, AS ALWAYS- DELISH.

TOOK GENE LF TO HIS VERY COOL PLANE AT THE LITTLE AIRPORT AND HEADED  TO ELK GROVE AND BACK TO THE REAL WORLD FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

WHAT A GREAT WEEK-  THE ROUTE IS ALWAYS GREAT , THE FRIENDS GET BETTER, THERE ARE MEMORABLE STORIES AND NEXT YEAR CAN’T COME FAST ENOUGH.

I DID NOT DO BIKE TOURS UNTIL 3 YRS AGO BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF THE CAMPING PART- IT IS TOTALLY THE BEST  AND EASIEST PART AND MOST OF THE TIME IT  IS JUST  COMFORTABLE AS  HOME. AIR MATTRESSES HAVE COME SO SO FAR, NOTHING STAYS WET AND TENTS DO NOT LEAK. ONE CERTAINLY CANNOT STARVE AND IT IS A GREAT WAY TO REALLY CONNECT WITH WHAT MAKES YOUR HEART SING FOR A WEEK.