La Crosse to Madison, cut short

La Crosse ended as an amazing experience. Charish and Joel were extremely accomodating in every way possible. Couch Surfing is definately a resources i will utilize in the future--A whole world of new culture and friends are just waiting!

I left LaCrosse sometime after Noon. My planned route was to take the LaCrosse River Trail, Sparta-Elroy trail, and the 400 trail. This is about 70 miles to Reedsburg, where i was going to be finding somewhere to camp. I figured this would be an easy and steady day: 70 miles the first day, 90 the next, and about 20-30 the third morning to Shari's place.

After the LaCrosse River trail in Sparta, it had stated on the entrance sign that the trail had been closed by the DNR. No reason why was listed, so i figured it was okay to just keep on going. At this time, i did not think of what the rains the days before would be doing to hilly terrain, and must i not forget, the local attractions. The spark about the Sparta-Elroy trail are the underground tunnels; The trail was converted from old an old railway line, including the tunnels through some of the hills. If i remember correctly, there are three of them, although i only saw the first. The first tunnel is about 9/10ths of a mile long. There are no lights once inside, and with normal weather outside, it is still very cool and wet the entire way through. I was told that water will drip off of the ceiling and down the cide of the tunnel into small canals, designed to keep water primarily off the walking path.

It was not just wet outside. This was in no way 'normal' weather. Even in LaCrosse, with the Mighty Mississippi, there was flooding off of the trail EVERYWHERE. Too bad i didn't think that this is why the DNR closed the trail. Onward i went through the tunnel, once i got into it. A small portion of the path was washed away, and a small stream needed to be waded through (it was puny, really. i took pictures. i will have them up in a week or so, unless i get another opportunity here in madison, which i doubt.)

The tunnel was not just wet, it seemed almost as if it was raining inside. Apparently, as stated before, the rains from the days before had taken their toll on the landscape. After 9/10ths of a mile, the most scary and exhilirating bike ride of my life--walking part of the way, and bicycling while clipped in the rest of the way--I found out why the DNR closed the trail: mud slides.

As i passed through a bundle of wet muck, and seemingly a misplaced stream, a couple on bikes asked where i was heading to. They advised that i get off the trail before the next tunnel. While i was soaked from walking through the water, tired from lifting my bicycle to avoid too-much mud contact, and enough mud on my entire bicycle up to the hubs to last weeks, i was told the next mudslide was FAR worse, mid-calf through mud at the easiest way through. This couple had to lift their bikes above their waist to avoid mud contact--something i am not capable of with a fully loaded bicycle.

Now, i was riding down the trail thinking of what the couple was telling me, soaked and full of mud. Shortly after the next town, but before the tunnel, I left the trail and climbed the hill on the highway that goes over the tunnel. I checked my map and was immediately irrate. I was on the road for over four hours and was not NEARLY as far along as i should have been. That is fucking it, i thought, only the road from here on out.

I covered almost as much distance in one third of the time on the road, regardless of much more hill there is to deal with. I didn't really mind. WHile climbing hills is not alwasy very much fun, they ALWAYS go back down. All hard work is paid off all the time.

I reached a small town called Union Center. I stopped to urinate and fill my water. I had two hours of touch biking left, atleast, to reach my mark. It was dark all to quickly. As i was preparing to leave, i noticed in the fork in the road i was needing to travel on, visible from the gast station, that the highway i needed to take was detoured...in the opposite direction. I checked my map, estimating which way it could go. The easiest way it could go, taking county roads (which, for the record, it didn't.) was atleast two hours out of the way. FUCK.

I asked the gas station clerk, who also works with the ocunty, how far out of the way the detour went. Exact response, "It doesn't really matter, that road is closed all the way down to Reedsburg. Most of it is under water, especially LaValle"(the town inbetween where i was and Reedsburg, where if you remember, i needed to sleep). So even if i did go around, i would have to sleep somewhere very wet, go atleast 45 miles out of the way, battle 35 mph winds the next day from the direction i was going, and travel even further then planned all while trying to beat the next storm, moving in the next evening. Essentially, i would have to travel much further in perilous conditions, and have no way to avoid the storm(which, if you HAVEN'T heard on the news, is fucking up everything. haha).

Fuck that. I called Shari and she picked me up, having to go 40 some miles out of the way to get where i was, based on the flooding and such. I filled her gas tank, and am still forver in her debt. I have arrived in Madison early.

HAPPY 21 TODAY SHARI!

Minneapolis to La Crosse

Saturday I was done biking by about 5pm. I had that aching sensation that comes before rain, so i found a suitable elevated yard, and then asked the man that lived there if i cou8ld camp on the edge of his property. He said that was fine, and also offered me directions to a park in the next town and the option of setting up my tent in his new-age barn--or a shed, as he called it. I was happy with his yard, so i unloaded and set up as promptly as i could. He had come to talk to me a little bit, and had said he didn't think it was going to rain. it was "too light out" still, and it seemed like the clouds were shifting. But i knew, i just knew. As soon as i was in my tent with all of my gear, it began to rain. It was very light at first, but before long, it was really thunder storming. It hardly stopped until 930AM on sunday.

The pattering of the rain was a subtle comfort, something i have missed, but on occasion the thunder, lightening, or strong gusts of wind would be very unsettling. The dog that lives with this family at just hung out next to my tent all night. It was very interesting, hearing it stir and rub up against the tent every now and again. I knew i was safe with that creature there.

I slept from about 545pm saturday to 830 or 9pm. then, i slept from about 10ish PM until 9AM the next morning, on and off, waking often as usual. Regardless, I slept for a very long time. I saw no point in getting up if it were raining, so i decided there would be no moving until it stopped.

Earlier that day, I said goodbye to Jenna, and was on the road by about 930AM. My temporary farewells to Minneapolis were then, and then passing through St. Paul was a different experience. Interesting, the Twin Cities, how the atmosphere is completely different from one to the other.

The weather was not quite as i expected on Saturday, and it was very bright. I had my sleeves rolled up and what was left of my pasty white arms became very red, irritated, and burned. I was able to get sunblock on before the burns became too severe. That, with a healthy dose of Aloe, have kept my skin from peeling. This is a big deal to me, seriously...

The ride was either extraordinarily pretty or immensely depressing, based on either forest or crop fields. I was not riding along the Mississippi river like i had wanted to, so there was not as much scenery to view as i had hoped. But, i shouldn't complain, because there was plenty to view. It is good to see more than just the beautiful to fully understand the grand scheme of things.

There were no unpleasant dog excursions throughout the day, but i did panic a little bit when a car was riding too close on the shoulder line. I jerked and shouldn't have, but did, weave off of the road a little bit. Typically, it is easy to come back on to the shoulder from the gravel, but there was a decline into a steep ditch and the gravel was very soft. my weight could not be supported, and i fell into the ditch, catching my self in the muck and grimy water with my right forearm. I had gone through the motions in my mind before, expecting to eventually fall like this, so i unclipped my right foot (which is very instinctual for me at this point. sometimes i go through the motion when i stop even when i am not wearing my cleats) and held the bike from toppling aver me with my left foot and leg, catching the backside of my bicycle with my left arm. I came out of that ditch unscathed, but i am sure that if i did not stop my bike it would have rolled over me at least once, leaving me in a very uncomfortable position.

It was nice to be able to stop and take long rests on this ride, and even with the long breaks i would have made it to la crosse a day early! On sunday, after the rain had stopped, i packed up and set off for as far as i could get. I would stop often to water up and rest, and even took two long lunch breaks. after the second lunch break, i knew i was going to get rained on, because the clouds moving in were scary....and i was not far enough to set up camp. i double-checked to assure myself everything was adequately prepared for some serious rainfall. Although this day was the scenic ride, i was saturated to the max. It rained, and i biked, and it rained harder, and i biked. it was great, in a dreadful kind of way. okay, so it was just great, except i worried about my guitar(which is fine).

It became very hilly as i approached the river, and i had reached a destination of mine very early. it was only 5pm, and i had already reached winona....not even three hours from lacrosse. as i went through winona, all i could think of was how beautiful it was (even in the rain). I could see some serious potential, and immediately wanted to move there.

i had called the lady i was going to be staying with in la crosse, asking if it was okay for me to come a night early and stay for two nights, but she had not answered, so i just left her a voice mail. i was going to just hang around or get as far as i could until i heard back from her.

Going through downtown Winona to the bridge i needed to cross was exciting, especially when i got the bridge. "BRIDGE CLOSED". great. the only alternate would be to cross over by la crosse, on the INTERSTATE, which i was avoiding. terrific.

i was randomly biking around downtown, trying to think of what to do, when i finally decided to stop at a cafe to ask for directions. just as i was getting off of my bike, a young man with dreadlocks came out. he immediately was interested, and asked me where i was coming from. The normal routine of question/answer came out, but the whole time i was thinking that i already knew this kid.

"i think i've met you before."
"where are you from?"
"Appleton, WI."
"I've never been there before, but i have been to oshkosh for..."
"Derrick Jensen! You were there, i met you at so-and-so's house!"

And a beautiful relationship commenced. he showed me the bicycle co-op in winona, and we just chatted about all sorts of things. he said he could totally help me out with food and a good place to stay for the night. Out of the deal, he cooked, i showered, and then we just hung out and talked about everything before his friend came home. It was his friends place, so she stayed up with us and talked a bit. She made rhubarb crisp, and we ate it. It was delicious.

Eventually we slept, and the next morning we dispersed after eating. Later on, i was hanging out at the bike co-op with some random punk rock kids, and then the other friends i made came and hung around for awhile. as fun and as stimulating as that was, i felt like it was time to go to la crosse. apparently, there was a ferry crossing the river by the bridge, helping people out for free(or a small fee?) who needed to commute across the river and such. Well the coast-guard decided to say that what this person was doing was illegal, and for every vehicle that was carried across the river, they'd charge 3500(0?) dollars. either way, that is a crock of SHIT.

My other option? take Minnesota highway 61, which turns into I-90, which crosses the river. Talk about intense. The highway itself was fine, you get used to that, but crossing the river on a two-lane (each way) interstate, while trying to take pictures, is fucking scary. there is NO SHOULDER on the bridge. I thought it was funny, after my life was less in jeopardy from putting the camera down.

eventually i made it into lacrosse, and my couch surfing host is basically awesome. I learned some basic gardening skills, and then we washed vegetables and cooked yummy vegan food, and all was right in the world. She is super awesome to talk to/hang out with, and her and the husband(who i haven't met yet) are totally just telling me to make myself at home. i even get my own room! it's pretty exciting. This is definitely another strike to both my "lucky stops" and "great meals".

(i lacked on picture taking on the first two days, but today i made up for it by taking a shit-ton of pictures of the river and bluffs. i will posted them at a later date)

Eau Claire to Minneapolis

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MMIKE!!!!!!!!!!!



The ride yesterday was long. I finally hit the road and was moving out of Eau Claire at a steady pace just before 8AM. Again, as always, it was all too bearably windy with the added joy of hills. This is a good way to burn more calories and carboydrates then i thought i could possibly have available. The math of it is scary, so i won't even get into it.

Luckily i learned a lesson from the trip to Eau Claire and did not make the same mistake again. I stopped to stretch a total of three times and drank more water in one day than i ever have before. I was hydrated, and i was eating as much as i possibly could.





I was meeting my marks later than i was hoping to, and i arrived in Minneapolis an hour or so later than planned. 105 miles. 13 hours.

Besides for the usual weather conditions, the ride remained fairly uneventful, with a few exceptions. First is the scenery. I took most of the pictures in the late AM and early PM. These pictures do not even scratch the surface of beauty. Passing through old neglected county roads, with a vertical incline of stone, dirt, and trees on the right and then a declining slope into pasture land on the left is quite a sight. There was so much to look at, i won't even begin to describe it here. Go for yourself. If anybody ever really wants to see what Wisconsin is made of, skip the interstate and take all of the county highways.

Other interesting interactions with my new favorite species of animals: canines! Many of these creatures, even when chained, persist on chasing anything that moves. Small dogs are much easier to outrun, and are not much to worry about as previously mentioned. On the other hand, young yellow labs have the stamina and ambition to chase, catch up to, pass, and then to cut you off. Fortunately, this one particular yellow lab was trained to some extent. When i pointed and sternly shouted (while pedaling maliciously, might i add) "NO! BACK!" as it began to cut me off, it immediately backed off.

Thus far, it has been an interesting trip.

Arriving at my destination to see Jenna again, i stretched, unpacked, and washed up. As an excellent hostess always does, Jenna made food; the best tacos ever. To add to the awesomeness, there was vegan-rootbeer (and rum) floats! Delicious...

Sleep was nourishing, but only to a point. I still feel ragged. I suppose i will probably be fine in about three hours....

At The Grand Ave. Cafe

As expected, i made the ride very quickly, and although the wind was rough, my body was revitalized from sleep. The wind was gusting awfully, but the height of hills decreased drastically. Being relatively flat, the hills that did reside on the traveled land were light and rolling - there was always more than one.

The highlight of the ride was when i was going west on County Highway CC into Altoona. On the opposite side of the road stood a shitzu. I cautiously watched it, because everybody knows what dogs think when vehicles ride past. Even little dogs can be capable of a lot, so when i started pedalling for my life, i was worried about being hurt or hurting the dog. The chase commenced. The dog began running towards me at the crest of a hill, going down, so naturally i gained a head start. There wouldn't have been anything to worry about, except what i was descending upon was a hill even higher then the first. I was unsure how long i could maintain the momentum and the head start. As ambitious as this pursuing creature was, it was all bark and no bite. It chased after me for much longer then the pair of dogs yesterday, but had quite without ever tasting rubber, steel, or flesh.

Scooter, i think i am going to get some pepper spray before i leave Eau Claire.

***

Ambition Screams,
The tast of stale coffee looms,
Welcome.
Rest here after one-hundred and twenty miles of hard work.
Atleast enjoy the company-
Companions of old,
And seek refuge in the arms of Eau Claire,
City of the Chippewa Valley

Doves

The morning dove has always been a familiar creature to me, and their call stands far above the rest at all times of the day. The birds have been singing for hours now, and the depth and layers of their call suggest they go on for atleast as far as i can hear.

It is chilly this morning, and i have yet to convince myself to rise, although the sooner i leave, the less wind i have to deal with. I have plenty of time to reach my mark today, so i am not worried, but i do need to conserve energy for this evening. There will be no rushing today. This will not be a day of racing the sun from horizon to horizon. I will simply be trying to reach Eau Claire before the next storm does, supposedly by early afternoon.

Farewell Stevens Point

Starting with minor air issues, i made a phone call to Kathy at Appleton Bicycle to help me figure out the issue i was having with my pump valve. Apparently it is a universal (presta/shreider) valve pump, but with the head needs to be adjusted for presta. Veola! I was on the road by 945AM.

Stevens Point was a lot of fun, especially because Kayla and Stacey had decided they were not going to procrastinate just for me! They did their homework before my arrival, which saved them a substantial amount of grief for finals week. Without the grief, there was plenty of time for the rediculous that always ensues in Stevens Point.

Dorm life was great as usual; fun kids, plenty of food, and a good place to sleep. The library, Upper/Lower Debot, studying, popcorn from the stove every night, Schmeakly, wines, being in pain from laughter (and that being the source of a vicious cycle leading to more laughter), and so many other things i could go on and on about.

Having internet access made available the near completion of my solo album, conveniently because Jake was online! I have thanked Jake for making this opportunity possible, but i figured it should be public also. Thank you so much for everything Jacob! I will be posting distro information as it becomes available.

Friendships were strengthened on this stop, but i also made a new friend! Her and i had an interesting connection, which some of my critics may call typical. Despite of what they think, i believe this meeting was special in its own regard. Lesson learned; when somebody is seen every day for several days, and their existance shines with a certain something, talk to them the first chance you get! With that, it was great being able to get to know somebody new. That really fortifies one of the many points of this trip; meeting new people, learning, teaching, to and to become inspired.

Goodbyes are always hard, and the atmosphere at SP was blooming with farewells, sorrow, and relief. The only goodbye i really want to point out is mine to Rachel. Although it is not a goodbye forever, i hope she knows how special she is to me and how significant having those last moments with her are. And Kayla, don't forget, you're like a sister to me! Don't ever forget! Stacey, i will see you in Madtown! Emily, we will rock Minneapolis for a day. The rest of you SP kids will be seen next spring, so good luck with whatever you do and wherever you go.

***

The sun has faded, and the lined paper capturing thought becomes nearly impossible to see. Only vague representations of words can be seen, and it is a struggle to keep them from overlapping. My lids become ever more heavy, and the rest from blinking will soon no longer be adequate for life.

There is an orchestra playing here, and i have a balcony seat above the pit of the musical marsh. The tempo is as steady as the ran can fall, with percussion from gusts of wind and an occasional set of curious footsteps. There is such depth here in this moment, movement in the woodwind and brass, that i would not even fathom trying to describe who plays which instrument. The croaking echoes from section to section, as the chirping backs the bass jumping from one stanza to the next. The trees sway cautiously, very dim shadows licking the ceiling of this shelter, conducting in the most pristine of pieces.

***

When i left Stevens Point this AM, the sky was slightly fuzzy with clouds only on occasion masking the warm sun. Sunblock was not going to be enough today, with relentless rays and my pasty white limbs joining forces to mark the inevitable down.

Heading west, straight into the never ending wind, i wove through small towns with county highways as my thread. The memories and impressions stamped down and left behind will be eternal, despite how small they seem.

The hills began even before i reached US Highway 10. They were steep and appeared often. The wind was now also gusting, preventing the needed building of momentum to go up a hill from the previous downhill. The only relief from the wind was traveling North, but that all ended once i took a detour around a broken bridge. Reaching US-10, it was straight traveling west until reaching my destination of the junctions of US-10 and WI-27/US-12 in Fairchild.

At one point, i was so tired and beaten down from the frivolous climbing of hills and pushing against the wind, doubt set it. I was in a very bleak area, a state forest, with few cars and less roads. It all just looks the same when you start the motions of giving up.

I don't want to do this anymore...
Who can i call to get me...
After Minneapolis, i am going back to Appleton. I cannot deal with this every single day...

But, rationally thinking about it, is there really anything in Appleton for me? With the exception of friends, beaners, the bike store, brewed awakenings, and other places i like to visit, there is an entire world out here! I can't stop here, i can't stop now. What better time than now? What better place to feel better than here?

I was stopping too often to rest. One last time i contemplated stopping early, setting up camp for the night, but i convinced myself to push onwards. I was reaching complete exhaustion when i received another jolt of energy. Pushing on, i was starting to see signs that i was going to be emerging from the premature forest. It actually happened very suddenly. Then there was the junction i was dreaming of all afternoon! And at this junction was a gas station, which i was planning on resting at, even without knowing it resided exactly where i wanted to be. This was the final portion of my attitude adjustment, which needed a serious pivot.

At this gas station, i stopped; refilled my water, stretched, and checked the map. Thirty miles to Eau Claire? I was pumped! It was only 7PM, and despite the conditions and fatigue, i met my goal and exceeded it with 90 miles covered. I called Shari because i was so excited about the good news. The plan was to bike the remainder in the AM and meet Shari at her work before 2PM. But first, my next plan was to find a place to sleep, and fast! The early evening showers were moving in from the west, and i wanted to be pitched before it began.

With my new confidence boost, I traveled for another half an hour or so before deciding on an appropriate spot. I found a sheltered high ground, behind a power station dingus on the opposite side from the road. And, on the low ground, plenty of cover from a light marsh area - residence of the orchestra. The marsh area was just enough to block sight from the house across the street that lay perpendicular to WI-12. Shortly after setting up camp and jumping in the tent, I began to hear the pattering sound that accompanies rain.

Now, the rain falls in sheets following strong gusts of wind. If i do not blow away, i have thirty miles and 15mph winds with 35mph gusts to welcome tomorrow. This is why i pushed so hard in 10 mph winds today; it will make my journey much shorter tomorrow and i will maintain more energy for the festivities tomorrow evening. My trip tomorrow is straight North-West, directly into the wind once again. At least it seems mildly flat in this area.

Day One

today was the start of my adventure and this new life i am envisioning. i left at about 830 AM, much later than i anticipated, but I also arrived much earlier than expected, at around 130 PM. Five hours and fifty miles, the time i was hoping to make but wasn't expecting.

The ride itself was nice, although the sky was gloomy and it started as sprinkling, to mist, to rain, to everything else in between . After traveling through Fremont, I took this Railroad something or other road, and i found it interesting that such a small road would cross such a highway as State Highway 10. It made me even more curious when the road turned to gravel. Being a couple of miles out of my way, and with my faith in the accuracy of google maps, i decided to keep going. Then i could see Highway 10! I came around a corner, the road being very wooded along the left side, and the road came to a dead-end. Great. The Highway was about 150 feet away, so in hopes of the road continuing on the other side, i continued biking on the grass until i could no longer pedal efficiently. From then on, i walked my fully loaded bicycle along the highway, and then up the small incline to the shoulder of the highway.

So now, i am standing on the shoulder of the highway, where, by the way; pedestrians, bicycles, and other small vehicles are prohibited. And cars are rushing past at overwhelming speeds. My suspicion of the road continuing on the other side was confirmed, so naturally, in between the lanes was a paved connection for vehicles to turn to the opposite side of the highway.
So here i am, riding on the shoulder of a major highway, feeling like a complete idiot, and then pushing myself as hard as i possibly can to avoid being struck.

The rest of the ride went smoothly, and before i knew it, i was with Rachel in Rural, a small town located just south of Waupaca.

Last night i felt very sick before bed. i felt like i wanted to just be done with this trip and go home. In the time of writing this, i thought feeling sick and going to what i can call home is not an option. This is something i need to learn to deal with and move on.

Now i am in Stevens Point, and the gloom that pervaded my mind this morning has subsided. The ride was good today, although i was worried i would get caught in the rain. I pedaled as quickly as i could, but once i could no longer see the sun i began to seriously worry. I made the ride in two and a half hours, more quickly then expected. This expectation was also based on my assumption that the land became more elevated from Waupaca to Stevens Point, which was wrong. I do know that the land will have many more inclines and declines in the next leg of the journey.

The time i spend here is always enjoyable, and i am very happy to be here, and well fed.

On Friday, i leave for Eau Claire, and will arrive there Saturday evening; just in time for Shari's going away party! It is interesting how things always seem to work out for me, at least in some ways.