Day 34: Today we rode from the Dells to Fon du Lac, Wisconsin. We made it to Fon du Lac in time to catch the afternoon broadcast of the Tour de France. We are staying downtown at the historic Ramada Plaza Hotel. The hotel is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and has been restored to its original 1920's style and elegance. It is a very nice hotel, and it feels strange to pack our bikes into the elevator, roll them along the nice carpet and put them in our beautiful rooms. There is a wedding party here as well, so we are mixing with some very nicely dressed people. Our bicycle jerseys don't quite fit in.
The 85-mile ride today went quickly and easily. The scenery and roads were great and our team continues to ride very well together. Rich, who wants to experience as much as possible during the ride, rode with the sweep rider today. Since we try not to be last riders in we didn't see him today. Wilson's rear tire blew out. It made a loud noise and ripped a foot long tear in the tube. Just as we had finished replacing the tube, Todd came by in the mechanics van with a big pump. He agreed that the tube was irreparable with patches, but that maybe duct tape would do the trick.
During our rides we are always on the look out for non-chain restaurants. Today we found Kristina's in downtown Ripon. A Swiss family, formerly from Bosnia, runs the restaurant. Friday's special was ten different fish choices. I ordered cod, clam chowder and dessert. My meal was good and costs only $6.
A local newspaper reporter interviewed us and took pictures at the restaurant. I hope we can get a copy of the article later. Fon du Lac has a population of 37,800. In 1835 Wisconsin's first judge and later territorial governor James D. Doty laid out the town in hopes of it becoming the state capitol. It lost its bid for capital to Madison in 1848. After dinner many of us went across the street for some music and dancing. It was a fun and different social exchange from our riding.
Day 35: The first thing I did this morning was call down to the reception desk to see if the elevators that had gone out last night had been repaired. I was happy to hear that the answer was "yes" since the hotel was eight stories high. I wasn't looking forward to dragging my bike and luggage down so many flights of stairs.
It was already hot and humid by 8:00 a.m. when we started out for Manitowoc. It felt like a sauna, but I kept reminding myself that heat was better than strong headwinds and to just keep drinking liquids. The riding was nice and easy, and we had lovely views of Lake Winnebago as we left Fon du Lac.
The route had many turns and we had to pay close attention so as not to make a wrong turn. We arrived in Manitowoc by noon, way too early for our rooms to be ready. Luckily, there was a Wal-Mart, restaurant and Cyber Cafe across the street. Due to the heat I didn't feel very hungry today. I was satisfied with just an average size portion.
Due to the heat I didn't feel very hungry today. I was satisfied with just an average size portion. Manitowoc is known as Wisconsin's maritime capitol with 32,500 people. Tomorrow, we will take the ferry across Lake Michigan to Lundington and enjoy our second to last rest day.
Day 36: I enjoyed sleeping in and watching some Sunday morning television programs. I even caught an interview with Sofia Loren, a woman I admire a lot. Luggage had to be on the truck by 9:30 today so that it could be hauled to the ferry station. We were responsible for our bikes. We biked downtown and watched some bike races that were going on. One of the mechanics Todd entered one of the races. He finished in the middle. We had to be at the SS Badger by noon for the 1:00 p.m. departure. The trip to Ludington took four hours. The ship was old and didn't go very fast. Lake Michigan was very calm so nobody had to worry about becoming seasick. After the ferry ride, we ate dinner at a brewery pub on our way to the hotel. It was almost dark by the time we finished. Afterwards we quickly rode to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow's ride.
Day 37: We've completed our last official century ride of the trip. Thanks to a few detours and wrong turns I rode 111-miles today. We had been told that Michigan was flat as a pancake, but we encountered many rollers. I think the state is more like a Belgian waffle. The roads were not in great shape. There were many cracks and the shoulder was narrow. I was happy when we arrived at the hotel at 3:30 p.m.
Julie had flat #8 today. I have had 7 flats and had new tires put on my bike a couple of days ago. With less than 1,000 miles to go, it would be great not to have another flat. Van, one of our team members, hasn't had a flat yet.
I haven't been on a scale since leaving home, but my clothes are getting looser and looser around my hips and waist. Many guys on the trip are now using different holes in their belts, and some have even had to add new holes. We are all slimming down.
/Gunnel