Monday, July 30, 2012

Dilemmas

Today I took advantage of both having the day off, and also the sub 70 degree morning to get in a three hour ride on the Trucker. Since the summer has been so hot, this was my longest ride in 6 weeks and it went very well except for a couple of minor dilemmas.

Cosed, Not Impassable
This was dilemma #1.
Actually, this one took place about 1/2 mile back when I came across a sign that read "Road Closed to Through Traffic." Do I take my chances and ride past the sign or do I find a way around? Of course I went past it. These signs almost never apply to bikes. Fortunately, today this proved to be true.

Dilemma #2 occurred after I got home and downloaded the pictures I took of the washout. Which one do I use?

Washout
Just the Hole
I would say that this is the best one to go with, but this blog is primarily about biking, so I had better get at least part of a bike into the shot.

Washout 2
Over the Saddle
This is good, except I tend to take this type of shot a lot. I should change things up a bit.

Washout 3
Through the Bars
This is a new one for me. Too bad the brake cable in the foreground gets in the way.

As you can see, I ultimately took the easy way out and used all three. Often, when I shoot a lot of pictures on a ride, I take the really easy way out and end up using zero pictures, and that's just boring. My aim is to entertain (at least a little).

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Wisconsin Traverse: Final(ly)

Sorry for the delay on the final trip post. I'm hoping to win the Nobel Prize for laziness. The competition may be fierce, but I think I've got a pretty good shot at it.

Since I ended the trip over a month ago, and since my memory isn't what it used to be, I'm just going to put up some pictures from my favorite part of the trip: The Bearskin State Trail.

Bearskin Trailhead
After paying $4.00 for the daily trail pass, I was off.

Straight and Narrow
The trail runs 18 miles through forests and wetlands along an old railroad grade.

Rest Stop
There are several picnic areas along the way.

Snapper
There's interesting wildlife. (I managed to escape with all my fingers intact)

Curvaceous
There's water.

Beaver Pond Overlook
And more water.

Feeling Like a Train
And to get over all that water, there are many, many bridges.

Monsters
I just couldn't leave Rhinelander without getting a picture with the Hodag.
Does anyone else see a family resemblance?

All in all, the trip went off without a hitch. The only change I think I'll try to make next time will be to lower the mileage between campsites. At 60 miles a day, I felt like I had to rush straight to the next campsite without slowing down to enjoy the trip. Maybe 40-45 miles would be better. That way I could stop more often, and I would probably have enough energy to ride off of my route to see the things I otherwise would have missed.