Another great day of riding.  The temperatures were just about perfect as we rode most of the day in an overcast with sometimes periods of sprinkles.   We were forecast to be in an area with possible thunderstorms, but we escaped the deluge we had yesterday.  Although it was comfortable most of the day, by the time 2:00 rolled around, the clouds broke and the sun came out...with a dew point in the 70s that made for some toasty riding late in the afternoon.  But all in all, it was a pleasant day of riding albeit a bit strenuous.  This was our first really hilly day with over 4500 feet of climbing over the 69 miles...but what a beautiful ride in the rolling Wisconsin countryside. 

Wisconsin is one of the most beautiful areas we ride in away from the river.  Three winters ago Barb and I changed most of today's route to get off a busy highway and I think everyone liked the fact they were riding on very rural roads...even with the hills.  As I said, the terrain was pretty hilly with small farms that dotted the countryside, but I kid the riders about hills are only half bad...the other half is down.  Well, funny or not, the hills made for some beautiful scenes as every time we came over a top the scenery would take your breath (if you had any left after the climb)...rolling hills of corn or soybeans with farmhouses, barns, and silos neatly arranged along the landscape.  Every so often we would ride through a cute little town along the railroad.  One of those towns was Bagley.  As we rode into town, we felt like the James Brothers checking out a town to rob the bank.  We kept looking for the sheriff to come out of a building and keep an evil eye on our activities.  But of course it didn't happen.  I don't think Bagley was big enough to have a sheriff. 

I was in the van today and was wishing I was riding.  I love the big rollers, but tomorrow we'll get more of the same so I should get plenty to satisfy my climbing urges.  I spent most of the day bouncing back and forth from the front of the group to the rear encouraging the riders and taking plenty of photos.  I took over 250 photos today of all the scenic terrain we passed through.  Several riders took a side trip to Wyalusing State Park to view the valley area around Prairie du Chien...and it was a beautiful sight I must say even with the misty conditions.  It was the second year that I've gone up to the viewing area and I was really impressed with the view of the river and town below.

Our first big climb came about 6 miles into the route where we made our ascent to the ridge.  Luckily, every hard effort today was rewarded with a great descent and a spectacular view of rural rolling vistas.  I especially remember enjoying the bottoms area where we rode through a small town along the railroad and then skirted the base of the ridge to our left.  The quiet roads and beautiful scenery through this area really made it worth the effort of the up and down stretches.  Norman Rockwell would have a field day just about anywhere around here.