Ride 17 - RAW Eau Claire

A bunch of the 1,000 riders at the start. 7/12/25 dwm

The fourth route of the Ride Across Wisconsin was unusual in that it didn't go across the state. It started in Eau Claire this time with a 180-mile route representing the distance across south Wisconsin.

A second option, which most cyclists took, was 100 miles along roads in Eau Claire, Buffalo, and Trempealeau counties. On the previous three routes, these cyclists likely took the two-day approach to riding across Wisconsin.

The ride for both routes started at 6 am with police escorting us out of town. Three miles later, we were on County Road F with bikes filling the lane ahead as far as I could see.

The 1st full rest stop at mile 27. 7/12/25 dwm

I rode the bike from our hotel to the start but made a wrong turn along the way. While I got there on time I didn't check my mileage before hitting the starting line.

An hour into the ride, it started sprinkling on my section of the bike pack. Back in Eau Claire I learned later, it was pouring, leading spouses and families to wonder and worry about those on the road.

Two hours in, the lead cyclists were probably 40 miles down the road, while those going15 miles an hour were ready to rest at the next stop.

Looking uphill from the farm stop. 7/12/25 dwm

On my first organized ride, I remember the leader cautioning participants that if they didn't need to stop every hour we weren't drinking enough. It wasn't surprised that the porta-potties were in demand with a dozen or more anxiously waiting.

After waiting my turn, I walked downhill to see what else was at the stop. There was fresh water and an electrolyte mixture on tap but most of the food was gone, there was one pan holding orange slices.

Thankfully, the next rest stop was only 21 miles away.

The rain had run its course by the time I left the rest stop. Before stopping my hand was so wet I couldn't grasp the gear to down-shift for the penultimate climb which made it harder to pedal. It was still too wet to grip at the bottom of the next hill, so I stopped so I could put the jersey over my hand to shift. The rain didn't bother me, and after that things dried up, with the next five hours drier, warmer, and windier.

A long descent toward Strum. 7/12/25 dwm

One thing I didn't expect along the route were spectators. Sure, spouses and families drove ahead to cheer for their rider and others passing by, but I was surprised by the number of people sitting on the porch, in a chair at the end of the driveway, or ringing a cow bell to help us on our way.

Thanks to one and all, your presence made me a smile.

The next town on our cue sheet was the village of Strum. We rode through downtown where two cars paused at the four-way stop to let us pass.

Seven miles down the line, our human-powered parade through Trempealeau County encountered an even unlikelier parade. As we went down County Road O, a fellow rider, who happened to be from the area, and I saw the first of what must have been 20 vintage farm tractors.

A bike and a Deere pass on Cty Rd O. 7/12/25 dwm

I never heard a plausible reason for so many tractors. Maybe they were going to a tractor pull; a work-day at a neighbor's farm; or lead a procession. In any case, they certainly were a welcome and friendly sight.

After the last tractor we were in Osseo, 48 miles into the trip and the next rest stop.

Northwoods Brewpub was our host, with a place to relax, re-fill bottles, and get a bite.

It was my longest break from the bike as I visited with a couple cyclists I passed or was passed by. There was more food available, I grabbed a pudding, part of a doughnut, and a banana over to the line of cyclists waiting for the portable toilets. It was a good use of time as I finished eating before reaching the front of the line.

Standing in line. 7/12/25 dwm

Since I wasn't riding with anyone, I rode with other cyclists here and there but it was fine to go faster or slower to suit your own pace. I was almost on the road out of Osseo when I saw my wife parked along the road and stopped to let her know everything was fine.

She was visiting familiar spots in the area where we lived from 1993 to 2005, shopping and doing her thing, while I did mine. A few minutes later I was on County Rd NN, bound for Augusta.

In Augusta, we lived on Lincoln Street, the main drive through town which was also U.S. Highway 12. Before Interstate highways, hundreds of cars and trucks traveled through the southeast corner of Eau Claire county. It's still the route north to Ladysmith and Hayward for hunters and anglers.

Augusta, home of the Beavers! 7/12/25

The area has been home for Amish families for decades. The route took us past beautiful farmsteads, many of with young children watching us ride. The kids were interested in the passing parade but didn't wave much.

The map didn't go past our old house, but I saw where Bush's Beans are canned and recognized homes of old friends at the west end of town before passing the Augusta elementary, middle, and high schools on the way to Dells Mill.

It was our third stop of the day and the place where we turned west to finish the ride. The Dells Mill is a popular spot as one of a few remaining mills open to the public.

The Grist Mill was built in 1864 and operated until 1968. Not long after that, it was made into a working museum. There were lots of cyclists, families, and travelers at the mill when I got there after 11. This was my shortest stop, I took pictures of the mill and water wheel before refilling my bottle. I decided not to wait for food, as I was looked forward to the finish.

Dells Mill, Augusta, WI. 7/12/25 dwm

The next and final rest stop was 20 miles west and this was the first time we were heading into the wind.

The map of the route indicated several short sections of road were unpaved, but with one short exception, I didn't see gravel or dirt on the road.

We passed close enough to Fall Creek to see Weaver's General Store. It's a general, bulk-food store owned and operated by a Mennonite family. It was in a house when we arrived in 1993, then moved to a larger building before we left to accommodate locals and tourists. My wife had a box of bulk foods in the car for the trip home.

No horse-power needed. 7/12/25 dwm

After my glimpse of the store, we drove north four miles, then headed west again. By this time the number of bikes I could see in front of me were just a couple. At this point I was keeping a good pace but missed interacting with fellow riders.

Eventually I caught up with five bikes, and among them a young man who I first met and rode with 30 miles earlier.

He was a strong rider, but like me, the distance, heat, and wind was taking a toll. At one point I thought he would pull away and I'd see him at the last rest stop. I did see him, but the aerodynamic advantage of the recumbent helped me move ahead.

Stop #4 - refueling and recharging. 7/12/25 dwm

An Eau Claire county park called the Tower Ridge Recreation area was our final rest stop, less than 15 miles from the finish. It was hosted by the Valley Girls Cycling Club and had everything I wanted at the final break.

There were fresh peanut better and jelly sandwiches, pretzels, and cookies. I filled one bottle with water and an electrolyte mix in the other. The map said the finish was 11.7 miles away. If you factor wind into the miles, it was closer to 20!

The route to the end followed North Shore Drive around Lake Altoona before going over the U.S. Highway 53 bypass. In addition to a hard-copy map, we had a GPS map available, and the road was marked with neon arrow stickers until the intersection with Hastings Way, a busy four-lane road. When I didn't see them, I thought I missed a turn, so I reversed course. A half-mile heading east convinced me I was wrong, or maybe it was the six cyclists looking at me funny, so I turned around again.

Power plant on the Chippewa river. 7/12/25 dwm

While it added some distance, riding with the wind for several minutes rejuvenated me, and I was able to pick up the pace and eventually catch up to a group of cyclists for the Hastings Way crossing.

It was a mile north before joining a bike path over the river and where the 180-mile riders left our route. At this point, I was happy to be almost done.

When we crossed an old railroad trestle converted into a bike and pedestrian path, I paused to take some final shots then completed the final 8-tenths of a mile to the end of the ride.

Phoenix Park near the confluence. 7/12/25 dwm

The Wisconsin Bike Fed had an announcer acknowledging the finishers, which is nice. But since I'm on a recumbent with my back against the seat, I pin the tag to my chest, where he couldn't see it, so he credited me as the rider on a recumbent.

I parked the bike, picked up the finishing prize, a new 20-ounce water bottle, then put together a lunch from the picnic buffet along with two chocolate milks and a cold can of beer.

It felt nice sitting on the grass overlooking where the Eau Claire empties into the Chippewa river. There were at least a hundred, maybe two hundred bikes scattered on the grass. After spending 20-minutes, I was ready to finish and get back to the hotel.

Heading home. 7/12/25 dwm

I didn't miss any turns on the way back, rolling to a stop at the front door with 111.8 miles on the bike. It's the longest ride of the season by 40 miles.

My average speed was 15.3 miles per hour over 7 hours, 15-minutes. My top speed was 40, achieved on a long down-hill of straight and perfect pavement.

I walked the bike down the hall of the Holiday Inn Express to our first-floor room. I took a self-survey and determined that other than some muscle tightness I felt good and tired. Before the ride I put on sun screen, and it apparently can take the rain because I didn't have any evidence of redness.

The rest of the day went as you might expect, with a long shower, a hamburger and large chocolate shake, and glass after glass of water until it was time for bed.

It was fun. It was a challenge. I look forward to another.