Trip 21 - Tour de Cheese

Heading downhill on Cty. C in Green Co. 8/3/24 dwm

 The Tour de Cheese had its ups and downs.

 As in hills - small hills, rolling hills, and steep ones.

After heading east from Monroe on Middle Juda Road I had a number of rolling hills to climb and descend.

 I've been interested in riding the Tour de Cheese for a long time. Not long after we moved back to Wisconsin I saw riders wearing t-shirts with name while riding the Sugar River trail in Albany.

 After receiving a postcard about the event, I signed up on their website. The ride raises money for Green County Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Ready to go. 8/3/24 dwm

It's a well-organized ride. I checked in, got my shirt, and was on my way after the volunteer clerk answered several questions. Signs on the route were helpful, with arrows marking turns and, crucially, a confirming arrow after the turn.

The confirmation arrow is something I've not seen on many other rides and it's reassuring when you make the turn and wonder if you went the right way. 

The ride started downtown, just off the city square by Monroe Middle School. After registering and picking up the shirt, I got the bike ready, pumping the tires and getting the accessories on that were removed for the drive down.

Riders leaving Decatur Dairy. 8/3/24 dwm

 Most of my rides in Green County were on one of two state trails (Sugar River and Badger State). This was my first time on county roads and highways. 

 Middle Juda Road alarmed me because it was recently treated with oil then covered with pea gravel. In the days after treatment the gravel is loose, which is a hazard to bikes and motorcycles. I didn't have trouble and was glad it was the only road like it.

 Three county dairies served as rest stops - each featuring samples of their own cheese plus other food for the riders. Volunteers were out in the heat like we were, keeping us fed and hydrated. Thank you!

A 50-mile rider on the road. 8/3/24 dwm

After the last rest stop at the 25-mile mark riders split company depending on whether they were going 42 or 50 miles.

After tackling a number of hills in the first 12 miles, we had a flat section that ended with the last food break. My next turn was right on Silver Road. It just kept going up. There was a portion in the shade but the climb was tough, yet not as hard as those to come.

Each succeeding hill was more difficult than what we climbed before. The toughest was less than ten miles from the finish, I had to shift into the 'granny gears.' For a while I climbed at 3 miles per hour. It was character-building and I did make it to the top without stopping.

Barn quilts are seen around Green Co. dwm

 So far in 2024, this is my toughest ride. The last several miles were especially difficult. If not for that flat stretch and the 'buffet' approach to eating throughout the day and the ride, I'm not sure I would have finished as strong.

 It was a good ride. I don't think it will be one I do every year but I plan to do it again, next time I might go 42 miles.

 Similar to last week, I sustained 15 miles per hour over 45 miles but by the time I finished 5 miles later, I slowed to 14.8, Yesterday makes my annual total 868.

Here are three more views along Green County roads - photos 8/3/2024 dwm