McFarland for Lunch

Country road on the east side of McFarland, WI
7/21/19 dwm photo

The first unusual thing to happen on my ride to McFarland was that five different riders passed me.

I did return the favor to one of the five.  The other four were looong gone.

It was a marvelous day.  It was still warm, but the humidity was down thanks to a much more reasonable dew point of 60 degrees.

The 15 degree difference meant the air was crisper and less oppressive.  It was easier to do everything.

Native plants in a field
along the Capital City
State Trail. 7/21/19
(dwm)

There were more bikers and walkers on the trails and paths around the city and most were wearing smiles.

My Sunday ride started later than most rides.  After church we stopped for breakfast at Prairie Cafe in Middleton - then it was time to change and hit the road.  For distance, I wanted to go at least 40 and needed a place to eat at the half-way point.

McFarland is a recent addition to my ride destinations thanks to the Lower Yahara Trail addition in 2017.  Prior to the boardwalk across the wetlands of Lake Waubesa, the only safe way to ride was taking a long trek around the south side of the lake or contending with major streets from Madison to McFarland.

Stream that winds along a portion of
the Capital City Trail. 7/21/19 (dwm)

While most of the ride was on trails, it wasn't flat as the path goes up and down the hilly landscape and crossing a creek at least half a dozen times.

18 miles in, I was in McFarland where I found a Subway for lunch, then rode to the other side of town for a few extra miles before reversing course and heading home.

It wasn't a lot of miles, but was fairly quick - 40 miles at an average of 15.5 mph.   A nice ride on a perfect day.