Day 31 Madison to Milwaukee

PBR and Harleys

Today it was on to the gritty industrial town of Milwaukee, the birth pace of every ski bums favorite beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon. After a well deserved and wonderful interlude in the state capital, we once again met up with our steeds for the flat run east. Our bikes had been visiting the mechanics here at the mother ship and were clean and sporting new chains and brake pads. The riders also seemed well rested and ready to go.

Susan and Michael were there for the send off as were what must have been most of the Trek Travel office. Once again a group of friendly, fit people that seems to permeate the entire organization. The cowbells and posters made us feel like TdF pros.
The day was a flat one with lots of bike paths. It seems that this part of Wisconsin at is very bike friendly. Tania joined the early groups as we headed out and stayed at the lunch spot to greet us and seemed genuinely interested in our stories. From lunch she reluctantly turned west and back to an afternoon meeting. Joe Bauer, our in-house manager/director/problem solver also rode out. He was looking for input and I’m sure that almost all of it was positive. He did corner me just as I was ready to launch after lunch. He had really good questions and I was happy to converse with him about my Trek Travel experiences, now and in the past. Also several cyclists were drawn to the colorful trek van and I spoke with them for a bit about my experiences with the organization.

The extra conversations were welcome, but I did fall behind my little group so it was time for some after lunch work to catch up. I did eventually latch back on in about 10 miles as they are a strong bunch. About that time guide Megan went flying by so I latched on to her wheel for some more high speed cycling. I thought there might have been some sort of mechanical problem with one of the guests. Fortunately that was not the case. She said that she just felt the need for speed. The guides are so patient with all of us I really appreciate the times they just need to really push the pedals. In relative silence we reached the last rest stop. She had to stop as she was the trailing rider today and there were riders still to come. I skipped the last stop as we were only an hour out, I had a full water bottle, and my visitors would be at the hotel soon.

Entering Milwaukee is more like cycling into Commerce City rather than Madison. Very Industrial. The hotel however was contemporary warehouse-Harley Davidson. In other words very cool with some edgy elements such as the mural on our bedroom wall of a tattooed woman looking over us. It worked but a little creepy at sunset.

Michael and Elle picked out nearby dinner spot and afterwords we played a board game at the hotel bar. Late start tomorrow so up past 10 pm tonight seemed reasonable. An unusual occurrence for me on this trip! Tomorrow it’s off to Michigan with a ferry assist.