Day 2: Rhinelander to Wausau The event mechanic, Jorge, tightened up the suspension on Bouncing Bettie so it was much easier to ride. I was able to use the granny gear which made all of the hills much easier to climb. I only walked up one hill but more on that later.
They day started out chilly and windy but soon warmed up. I was the last person to leave the camp because it took me a while to pack up my wet gear and because I chatted with Jorge for a bit.
The route was excellent to just like on day 1. There were a few more busy streets but all very manageable. There was significantly more climbing today and more descending. The data shows that the climbs were steeper too. There was at least one 7% grade. I knew before I got to the top that it was at least 7% based on past experience. Given the distance it was not any worse than some of my past trips.
The distance was 131 km (83) miles. Far shorter than the previous day of 165 km (100) miles. Even so, It took me about the same amount of time in the saddle as day 1. I attribute this to a couple of factors. One, there was more climbing. Nearly 850 meters. And the second, related to the first, my average speed on day 1 was 19.5 kph where on day 2 it was only the 15.7 kph. Additionally, my right hamstring, below the knee, was starting to hurt. I believe that it is because I really overdid it on day 1. On day 1 I was trying to match the pace of the couple I was riding with. Given the condition of the bicycle that was very impractical. All the strain and occasional bouncing was too much for my previously injured leg.
Today I set out to ride my own ride. I stopped frequently to take pictures and video and to enjoy nature. And enjoy it I did. More so than Say 1 I was caught up in all the beauty of my surroundings, man made and natural. There was a place about 6 miles out of the village of Harris that just captivated me. The road cut through a wetland that begged me to take pictures. I started by wanted to get video of my descending a long hill as I came into the wetland. The clouds above the water were very dramatic so I killed about 15 minutes trying to get a stop action shot of the clouds scudding across the horizon. Finally, I spotted a turtle on the side of the road that needed investigating. Even with all of the photography breaks I still made it to each rest stop before closing time.
When I was less than 10 miles away I spotted a rain storm blowing in. The weather app confirmed that I was in for a drenching. I tried to outrun the storm but failed. I was not expecting rain before I reached the campsite so I didn’t pack my rain gear. I did have my light yellow riding jacket which I put on. I pulled into someone’s yard to take cover in there tall shrubs while I got the jacket out of the box and stowed by electronics. I pedaled for what seemed like 10 miles but I was still in the outskirts of Wausau. As soon as I pulled off the road to shelter under a carport the rain stopped. I got my phone out to check the map and learned that I STILL had 3 miles to go. By this time my leg was really starting to bother me. In Wausau, I stopped at a Walgreen’s and bought some shippu. Hopefully, that will help.
It is hard to say what the highlight of the day was. There were so many. All day, here and there, premature maple leaves were fluttering down. It is kind of special to ride through a flock (?) of maple seeds. Even during the worst of the rain I experienced it. Many times I wondered how I could capture the amazing technical design of a maple leaf I in a picture or video.
Photo Gallery
NICA Winners
It seems like Rhinelander High participates in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), a national organization for mountain bike racing at the high school level.
Phishing for Mail
This mailbox gives a new meaning to term phishing mail. I saw a number of this kind of mailboxes during the trip.
Route marker near Harrison, WI
Road kill snake in Harrison, WI.
The saddest part of this tour was seeing all the road kill along the way. When you whiz by it in your car if you notice it all it is a mere blip on your awareness. But when you pass it slowly and you can see the flies on the carcass and smell the stench of rotting flesh the impact is much greater. On the positive side, there can’t be road kill if there isn’t a population living creatures in the area.
Big Skies, Big Country
The nickname of Big Sky Country belongs to another state but it is an apt description of this image.
Modern Church
This modern looking church was across the street from the Harrison Bell Monument and a block away from the Harrison Park where the tour operators set up a rest area.
Ringing It In
I stopped to take picture of myself by the old church bell not realizing that the rest stop was just another minute up the road.
Paul and Bouncing Betty
Paul and Bouncing Betty in front of the Harrison rest stop.
Tractor Warning
I feel like this sign is the epitome of rural Wisconsin.
Farm Scene
A typical Wisconsin farm in Bradley WI
Islands in the Stream
We road in around the lakes of northern Wisconsin.
Same Scene, Only in Black and WHite
The same scene can look completely different affect when you lock at in black and white.
Wisconsin Wetlands
We road a stone’s throw from lakes and rivers without seeing them but in Bradley the road split a swampy area in two.
Patriotic Mailbox
Some people go to great effort to dress up their mailbox.
Decorative Birdhouses
These birdhouse may not have avian squatters but they are pretty nonetheless.
A Holey Tree
This tree stump has hosted a number of woodpeckers or other tree dwelling critters.
Pickle Juice
At every rest stop there was a bottle of pickle juice. It is said that it helps keep you cool and replaces lost nutrients in your system. Whatever, it still tastes like vinegar. Simply awful.
Snack Time
Every rest stop was fully stocked with bananas, grapes, oranges and snacks. I binged the fig newtons. That’s a treat I can’t get at home.
Shave and Haircut, Two Bits
This classic barbershop awaits for customers in Tomahawk, WI.
Shave and Haircut, Two Bits
This classic barbershop awaits for customers in Tomahawk, WI.
Hast la Vista”
With Terminator protects the town of Tomahawk.
The Stars Are Out
Big Moose
Eh? What’s that you say? I have a big moose? You are absolutely right. And don’t you forget it! This little guy towered over Paul by at least 2 meters.
Moose on the Loose
Oversized statues are iconic symbols of Americana. This moose stood outside a tavern in Bradley, WI.
Bradley Moose
Paul loves this kind of roadside attraction. He will stop every time to admire it.
Big Moose
Everyone should have someone they can look up to.
Wetlands
Wisconsin north woods wet lands are home to birds, snakes, turtles and other wildlife.
Wetlands
My video has a great time lapse shot of this scene.
Turtle Time
Because of the abundance of wetlands in some areas there were many places where turtles could be seen (many cases of road kill). This fellow was on the shoulder of the road.headed towards the other side. I turned him around and put him in the grass.
Packers in the Post
Either this homeowner is a Packers fan or he is a Vikings fan who killed a Packer fan and is displaying his kill outside the gates of his castle like rulers did in ancient times.
Retired Tandem
This tandem will roll no more. As I went by this house in the rural community of Rock Falls the owner came out to the road because he was it seems he was getting a delivery of some heavy construction equipment. He told me that he had three more tandem bicycles in his garage but this one was no longer ridable.
Camp New Wood County Park Bridge
This picturesque bridge was at the park where one of the rest stops was.
The Bridge We Crossed
We often say we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Eventually, you must come to the bridge and you have stand at a crossroads. Do you cross the bridge or go back the way you came.
Bouncing Betty Curbside
Mailbox
Licensed to Thrill
I bungeed this license plate to Bouncing Betty just for the fun of it. I found this old motorcycle license plate while geocaching along the Karabori River in Higashi Murayama.
Mailboxes to Remember
Mailboxes are not just utilitarian for some people. They are part of the decor.
Blue Skies and Empty Roads
Many of the roads the tour followed were sparsely traveled especially in northern Wisconsin.
Classic Church Shape
This was near the outskirts Wausau. There are many old churches scattered throughout Wisconsin whose architecture evoke the archetype of what a church should look like.
Washed Clean
I caught in the rain just before I got into Wausau and it cleared up just a quickly leaving before a sparkly newddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bike Route
In many towns I saw bike route signs but we rarely followed the official bike routes. I remember these signs from when I was a kid. I think they are a remnant of a more bicycle friendly 70’s. I hope they make a comeback.
Peace on Earth
A peace statue near the camping area in Wausau.
Best Root Beer Ever!
In Wausau, I drank the best root beer I ever had and ate macaroni and cheese pizza for the first time in my life.
Umbrellas Above the Square
These umbrellas decorated part of downtown Wausau where there are many nice shops and restaurants.
Power to the People
Recharging station for electronics was available every night at each lodging site. The owner told me he acquired the recharging station when he bought the Wisconsin Bicycle Tours.
Leave a Reply