SPRINGTIME IN WISCONSIN
by Laurie "Ironbutt" Allshouse

After enjoying a beautiful spring with the prettiest and most prolific lilacs we've enjoyed in the nine years since moving to Oklahoma, imagine our surprise in catching spring again in Wisconsin. Lilacs, iris, dame's rocket, peonies and lady slippers dotted the landscape as waves beat the shores of Lake Michigan in Door County.

The OBS Grand Tour 2000 enjoyed a week of wonderfully cool temperatures and warm hospitality with all the cherry pie anyone could possibly ever want to eat. My favorite was served the last night at the survivor's party held at the Hotel du Nord. Jim thought it was "too sour," but mama bear thought it was "just right."

Getting to Wisconsin was half the fun. John Wente rode with Jim and I while Tod Langford and Susan Higgins followed our lead northward in Tod's toy pickup. Tod kept the humor high and at every gas stop proclaimed that he was not going to pay less than $2.10 per gallon for gas. That deadpan delivery of pearls of skewed wisdom threw me into giggling fits throughout the week.

Other OBS members seemed to have a myriad of tire problems. Joe DiMonico had a tire blowout. Bill and Sue Wylie flew to Wisconsin, rented a car and promptly had a tire blow out before they reached Sturgeon Bay. Their tire karma just wasn't with them in Wisconsin. The Wylie tandem insisted on presenting Bill with numerous flat tires to change. Personally, I think they were just riding too fast and overheated the poor tires. Since we didn't experience any flats, maybe they were riding sweep for us. It was right friendly to get all the problems out of the way before we came along.

Jim and I achieved a personal milestone of riding our first century. Our 100 mile day started in crisp morning air with a seaside breeze rolling in from the shore as we headed south to Alaska. The breeze turned into a wind as we turned to go back north. The thought of fighting a headwind for 48 miles was overwhelming. Could we possibly make it? Should we call for SAG support? Maybe we could complete 80 miles and ride further than we ever had before. We peddled our hearts out with heads bent to ward off the wind. Drafting was out of the question. The cross wind made it impossible to find relief anywhere as the wind slapped our faces like an angry step-parent. Suddenly two black labs appeared out of the tall grass beside the road. No barking. No warning. One bit Jim on the leg and as I screamed for them to go home, they went back to the farmhouse. Jim was wearing his winter biking pants. Upon closer inspection the skin was broken but not bleeding. We slugged onward. At 80 miles, I thought I might could make it five miles further. At 85, I decided I could go a little further. That way the SAG wouldn't have to drive so far to come get us. All of a sudden, County Road S appeared before us with a straight shot into Sturgeon Bay. My adrenaline kicked in and I KNEW I could make it all the way. Headwind look out! I did battle with you but you couldn't beat me down. I won! I survived! I CAN do ANYTHING!

Back at the ranch, after having a shower and warm dinner to fill our bellies, Jim followed through with his promise to Dave Edmonds. He had told Dave that if I could ride 100 miles, he would dance with me in the bar. Don't get me wrong. Jim loves to dance but he never has the energy after a day of riding. Men may be stronger but women have more stamina. (Yes, I'm sexist.) The wonderful people at Leathem-Smith Lodge opened up the bar and fired up the jukebox. John Wente snapped our picture for posterity while we two-stepped to a Randy Travis tune, "Forever and Ever, Amen". Tod sang us a little ditty he made up and our celebration will remain one of those special memories commemorating our first century ride.

The rest of the week we rode to Washington Island, Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, Egg Harbor and a host of light houses and look out points. The air was perfect for riding with cool crisp air off Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Rain in the evenings would dissipate by morning.

Thank you, Gary and Suzanne Cannon for bringing us to a cyclist's Nirvana. The daily Q sheets and color-coded maps were priceless. A BIG thank you to Joe DiMonico for bringing those little 1 oz. green tins of relief. Bag balm really works wonders!

-- Ironbutt Allhouse

Oklahoma Bicycle Society: Springtime in Wisonsin
created by John Wente
last modified: February 17, 2007
URL: http://www.OklahomaBicycleSociety.com