"It's Gonna Happen"

"It's gonna happen..."

Ready to ride... except for helmet

That's what I said months ago when the subject of riding my bike to work came up, It's gonna happen! Before this year is over, I'm going to ride my bike to work! I had to pick the right day with the right temperature, the right wind direction, and the right moon! Monday, August 6, 2012 wasn't a 'perfect' day but it was a good one.

Small pond in LaValle, a village along the way to work.

One of the many problem with me biking to work is that it is a heck of a long ride! I work in another county, 28 miles away from where I live. Biking to work and back involved a 57 mile ride because I jaunted across town to pick up a sub sandwich before I went to my job. Another problem is that I work second shift. Riding to work mid-morning was not all that out-of-the-ordinary but when I finished my shift, I began my ride home at 10:00pm at night! Dark. The waining moon wouldn't crest the horizon for ten-minutes after my return ride began and it was in fact hidden under clouds for the first hour of my ride home on Monday night.

Crossing into Juneau County. The road had
safe shoulders but dangerous curves.

I rode the back streets and highways out of Mauston, Wisconsin as I began my treck home, but even there, I had more than a few cars and trucks pass me in the night. I use a flashing red light on the back of my helmet and a powerful LED light on the front of my bike and another LED strapped to my forehead to flip on or off as needed. 

I picked a good day as far as the wind was concerned. I enjoyed a slight tail wind while riding both to and from work. The temperature was great during the day, probably in the 70's and 80's, but it was slightly cool and damp on the way home.

Somewhere near the halfway point between home and Mauston is a county park along the highway. This was a great place to stop and stretch my legs for a bit and also use the restroom. 

Summit Park shelter... clean bathroom with running water!

As outdoor facilities go, the restrooms at Summit Park were awesome! Very clean and they had running water, hand soap, and paper towels. A very well maintained park. 

On my trip home, I stopped at a little bar near the park called the Little Summit instead of at the park. That too was a special place. I enjoyed a beverage and a free piece of cake from the friendly proprietor of the Little Summit. I was so impressed with the hospitality that I'll be returning this Friday, by car, for the Friday night Fish dinner. There is supposed to be an awesome view from the Little Summit's dinning room. I'm looking forward to that.

A stone fire place in the park

So, I can say... "it happened"!  I rode my bike to work and back, all 57 miles of it in a day!

The following days, after the Monday ride, I was naturally a little sore. But still, I was able to ride 10 miles on Tuesday, and 12 miles both Wednesday and Thursday.  My total distance for the summer is 894 miles.