We are staying in Madison at least half a day more.
I got up early to work then decided to go for another bike ride by myself around the two lakes this time. I figured out the way with the map. I will take an 8-shaped loop around Mendota and Menona. Bike routes and signs abound. I estimated about 30 miles. So I start counter-clockwise around Mendota and the views are astounding, all is going well. I hook up with the second circle around Menona lake and I fly by another cyclist who gets into my wheel and stays there. He then passes me and I stay behind him for quite a long stretch. When I decide to stop to check my map I realize I don't know where I am. The lake has disappeared from sight and I am on something called State Capitol Trail far away from anything. OK, I figure it will eventually take me back to the capital so I keep pedaling on. Wrong. I get to Fitchburg, look at my watch and realize that by now I should be back at the campground. Petr must be worried. I call him, he doesn't pick up, I leave a message and then I continue. By the time I decide to ask for directions I am in Verona, and I am told that I need to go back exactly the way I came, up to the point I split with the cyclist. The State Capitol Trail does not loop around. Oh well, I turn back and pedal like a nut, Lance would have trouble keeping up with me. I call Petr again and we decide to meet up at a shopping mall where we were the day before.
At this point, he had to check-out from the campground in order not to pay for an extra night. He saves me 5 miles. When we meet up, I have ridden exactly 70 miles in 4 hours and 10 minutes. I take a shower in the parking lot and I notice with HORROR that I have a very visible tan line right above the knees from my bike shorts.
We are heading straight to South Dakota, crossing Minnesota without stopping anywhere. |