• Miles today 117.3
• Miles total 2250.0
• Elevation today 2785 ft
• Elevation total 94205 ft
• Weather – sunny, started in 60’s and ended in mid80’s; wind from the south at about 10, but protected (aka no wind) on trail

Officially in the east, as crossed the mighty Mississippi! The ride was long and having a huge climb at the end – not ideal. The climb was more than huge, it was 12% for about 1/2 mile, then another kicker at 10% and then another kicker at 15%…you don’t get that from elevation chart. Also, I was sweating so much, felt like water bottle poured on my sunglasses. So my eyes said swim and my legs said spin.. it was a mess.

But I digress… this was a day of firsts! First time on a bike trail that was beautifully maintained, smooth as glass. Crazy squirrels (suicide squirrels) darting across trail on at least 5 occasions…no incidents but crazy! First time stopping for coffee during a bike ride on the trip – that iced vanilla latte, what doctor ordered!!!

Entered into Wisconsin right after Mississippi, but it didn’t smell like cheese. Kinda disappointed! Also no one wearing cheesehead hats!

Went out to dinner at a place called the Freighthouse. The portions provided are for morbidly obese people.. we are taking massive. I had a 12 oz prime rib that was the size of a VW Beetle – I could only eat 1/2 and took away for breakfast on morning.Plus veg and salad bar, oh also had potato skin appetizer that could have fed 8. Sample size of 1, but people in Wisconsin like their food! We stayed in fab hotel called the Charmant that was previously a chocolate factory-super nice, if going to Lacrosse!