River Valley
riders are invited to participate in the
Wisconsin Amish Farms and Lakes weekend tour without the registration
fee, paying only for choice of motel or H.S. camping and the Saturday
Lions dinner.
Friday July 13th:
Ride begins between 1:00 and 3:00 PM. 25 miles with marked roads, take
along snacks, and emergency support call in.
Saturday July 14th
Ride begins between 7:30 & 9:00 AM and Noon and 1:00 PM.
Choice of miles-----25 / 45 / 60.
Marked route with maps, Q sheets, and emergency support. All day food
stop at the Mast Farm.
All rides begin and end at Pardeeville H.S.,
12 miles East of Portage.
The usual pre ride dinner, route brief, and ice cream 101 will be at the
Lions dinner in Pardeeville. In case you haven't heard, that's the dinner
hosted for PAW riders by the Pardeeville Lions club where there will be
beer, pepsi, (ok-coke for some of you) and pontoon boat rides before they
serve the tasty chicken dinner that made them famous.
Lodging at both Portage Best Western & Pardeeville H.S. Available
for River Valley riders Friday and Saturday. We suggest you come early
and ride both days. There is no registration fee, only a donation to the
Lions Club for dinner Saturday+ your lodging. Complete instructions are
on the registration form.
Saturday,
July 14th...Portage
Pre ride. Rooms at Portage Best Western or stay at the school.
Meet old friends and make some new ones. Check in at 8 AM or in the afternoon.
Ride 25, 35, or 55 miles over traffic free back roads through the Amish
countryside. PAW food stop until 3:30 PM at the Mast farm. Gala Lions
dinner in the park after the ride will begin at 5PM with beer and boats.
Enjoy the indoor pool and whirlpool at Portage Best Western or the hospitality
at Pardeeville H.S.. There will be an evening route brief along with a
crash course in ice cream 101 and a workshop on introduction to fruit
and cream pies at the school. Check in will also be held Sunday AM for
late arrivals.
Sunday, July
15th...Portage to Mauston..........52 miles.
Throw your bag on the truck and
get on your bike. No bus-no box-no wait. Easy riding over rustic, traffic
free roads starts us on our journey. If you are worried that the rest
of the week won't be this good, then you haven't been on PAW before.
There will be food stops set up for you and PAW Happy Hour before dinner
at Best Western Oasis Inn in Mauston, where we stay overnight.
Monday, July
16th...Mauston
to Tomah.........55 miles.
We set off in search of wildlife refuges, cranberry bogs, and good times,
all of which we expect to find. All roads lead to Tomah and Best Western
where we will spend the night. In Tomah, you can visit a cheese plant
that also prides itself on its ice cream, fudge, jams, and mustard. You
can also find shops selling Amish-made wares and some great baked goods
and gifts at Burnstad's European Village, voted Wisconsin's most outstanding
specialty shop. Sounds like one night might not be enough.......
Tuesday, July
17th.....Tomah to Sparta.......48 miles via road/
40 road + Elroy-Sparta Trail.
Finish the road route with a great mile long downhill into Norwalk, then
choose either the famous Elroy-Sparta trail, or stay on the road to Sparta.
Roadies will be rewarded with a few more miles + downhills and lots of
car-free roads.
If you choose the trail, be sure to bring a flashlight for the walk through
the tunnels, an experience you will long remember. In Sparta you will
want to visit the Deke Slayton Space & Bike Museum and the Historical
Museum downstairs. You will also want to check out the Amish shops and
antique spots in historic downtown, where you can also take a guided walking
tour. Overnight Tuesday and Wednesday at Country Inn and Super Eight.
Happy Hour at end of ride.
Wednesday,
July 18th.......Morning Bike Ride......Afternoon
Canoe trip. Overnight in Sparta
While the day is yours, we have planned a morning ride followed by an
optional sign up afternoon canoe trip on the Black River. A bus will take
us to the launch area and our destination is the canoe base where we will
have dinner at the Riverside Inn. The Black River is calm and shallow,
but scenic, with areas of steep cliffs and many sandbars on which to stop
and snack and visit. Changing area provided so as to have dinner in dry
clothes. Bus after dinner to Country Inn & Super Eight.
Thursday, July
19th....Sparta
to Reedsburg.......59 miles trails/ 65 miles all road.
Riders can choose the trails, road, or combination, as switch
points will be designated. Whichever your choice may be, you are assured
of a most scenic ride to remember. Trail riders will miss all the hills.
Roadriders should expect several hills and should have the ability to
keep their bikes under control during rapid descent. Switching points
will be designated for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the trail
while limiting the challenges of the road route to areas with more moderate
hills. Ride all road-all trail-or some of each.
When you arrive at Voyageur Inn, our home for the next two nights, be
sure to see the Norman Rockwell exhibit now housed there. You also might
want to stand on the 90th meridian and set your watch to exactly noon
when the sun reaches a 90 degree angle over Reedsburg. It's not far from
the site where David C. Reed built a grist mill on the river, hence the
name "Reedsburg." In the late 1800's, most of the downtown was
destroyed by fire and most of the buildings that replaced them are still
there. Dinner tonight at Voyageur Inn.
Friday, July, 20th....Mirror
Lake State Park & Mid Continent Railway Museum At North Freedom and
return to Reedsburg. Loops of 30 & 50 miles.
Swim, shop, rest, eat, sleep, or cycle your choice of scenic routes to
points of interest. Even if you are not a railroad fan the round trip
bike ride is worth your while. You can take a ride on a train from the
old days or browse the museum. Experience how the combination of bikes
and trains can add to your fun. Dinner at Voyageur Inn.
Saturday,
July, 21st.....Reedsburg
to Portage.......38 miles.
We know you won't be ready for this trip to end, but if it must, then
this is the perfect route to take. You will have a chance to visit the
International Crane Society and get a close up look at these rare birds.
And also to stop at the Aldo Leopold Foundation to visit America's latest
green building and learn about how their ideas for the future will make
our world better. As our route continues east along the Wisconsin River,
you will be treated to some memorable views from the top of the levee,
just a very short walk above road level. The route finishes where it began
a week ago at the Best Western, just around the corner from where you
parked.
Please Note: Exact miles and routes depend
on road conditions and are subject to change. Dinners
and other activities are also subject to be held on other days.
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