Bike Trip 2002




31 August 2002 (Part 2 = 7:30pm)


Well I have found a place to stay the night. When it gets near 7pm, I begin to look for likely campsites. There are 4 types of sites that I search for that provide the isolation and security for a camp. A cemetery or church property frequently has sections that provide privacy where I can spend the night with being disturbed. Some sort of industrial or commercial property that is closed on weekends can also be a good location for a over night camp. I am not looking for a place to settle down and sink roots into - I just want a site that will give me a place to throw down my bedroll and sleep in peace without the concern of hassle from authorities or hoodlums or bugs. If I have my hammock with me, I keep my eyes open for an isolated area with trees that would be a likely safe location. Finally, the last type of site would be a rocky or gravelly area. I have found them to be warmer due to the rocks acting as a heat sink during the day. They also tend to have fewer insect pests than a location with lots of foliage.

An example of a potential campsite

So as I was riding this evening, I noticed a gravel drive on the other side of the road. This stretch of road runs alongside the Mississippi River. The river is on the right (with train tracks that parallel the river) and a series of hills and bluffs are on the left. There are a lot of houses tucked into the bluffs - probably vacation or summer homes. (Earlier I had taken a road that went off into the countryside in the hopes that I could find my way up to the top of one of the bluffs which would make a nice place to camp. But after a while the road no longer looked like it was heading where I wanted to go so I turned around.) So I was passing a lot of gravel drives. Since I look for gravel as an indication of a potential camp, I was very aware of these driveways. You could say that gravel jumps out at me. But this particular drive was unlike the others that I had been seeing. It was wide and fresh - it looked like an access to a construction site or something. Secondly, I noticed that there was no address sign anywhere. There had been lots of driveways heading off the road so far. Some have them had been overgrown and showed no indication of recent use. But they all had address signs except this one.

I looked behind me. No one was coming to see me enter so I rushed up the drive as fast as I could to scope it out. It seemed nearly ideal. It looked like some sort of construction in progress. Lots of sand and gravel. No grass. There were some piles of gravel that would work to obstruct the view of passersby. The only drawback was that it was so close to the river and the likelihood of bugs. But it looked like the best option. I wasnt likely to find anything good further away from the river and mental and physical fatigue was wearing me down. I needed to take a break from riding. So I locked the bike up and set camp. Ate a couple of bananas. Applied my bug repellant and started writing all of this.

The last time I wrote, I was in Centerville. The area south of there was nice and pleasant riding. One of the highlights was seeing a Llama farm just north of Trempeleau. I stopped to take some pictures and admire the animals. I actually arrived at Trempeleau at noon. Rode through town. It is a scenic river town and quite attractive. On the far side, I encountered the Great River Trail. I looked at the trailhead map and saw that Hwy 35 (which was my planned route) actually went inland somewhat out of my way as the crow flies but this bike trail seemed to go straight. Theoretically it would be a short cut. Besides, if I took it, I could get out of traffic and wind and, for a bit, even the sun. Supposedly I needed a trail pass but I decided to risk it. I am glad I did because in hindsight, it ended up being my favourite part of the trip. Apparently an old railroad pathway, the trail is beautifully scenic surrounded by trees and marshy ground with the occasional stream or river meander (overflow from the Mississippi). I even saw an air boat like they use in the Everglades. I have always thought those were cool...

So as I was riding, I eventually gained on and came up to a ranger who waved me over to tell me that I needed a pass. So I was forced to buy one from her. I had two options. $10 for a year or $3 for a day. I went with the daypass since I didnt figure that I would be using any more state trails this year and every dollar I had was important. We talked for a bit. She told me about several other riders she had encountered that weekend. One woman in her 80s was riding around the US going to as many small towns that she could in each state. She preferred to ride at night for some odd reason.

After more riding, the trail came out at Onalaska where I stopped at a Dairy Queen for a strawberry shake and a fish sandwich. As I finished my meal and was wrapping up to go, some daytrippers decked out in their biking gear rode up. I wonder what they thought of me - if anything... Finding Hwy 35 again was tricky. It was not labeled well from where I was but after nosing around a bit, I managed to get back on the road.

I rode through Lacrosse which forms one continuous metropolis with Onalaska and several other towns. It was not a very enjoyable particularly. The ride through town got old quickly. Neighborhoods that surround highways seem to always be a bit rundown and unattractive it seems.

The rest of the ride made up for it in scenery, however! This area of the country that borders the Mississippi River is very lovely and has to be counted as one of my favourites. I couldn't help taking a picture of the sign when I entered Vernon County...

Very extreme downhill grade that doesnt translate well in this picture!

At one point I was able to ride up to the top of one of the bluffs and take some overhead shots of the River. Very steep climb. I dont think I have ever seen such a steep grade before! There were warnings about not attempting the road if you couldnt handle the grade because it was a narrow road that did not allow for changing your mind! Looking at the map, I am just north of Cty Hwy B. It is 8pm now and too dark to continue writing so I will finish this tomorrow.

Cool, a train is going by. One of many that I have seen today. Probably the 5th or 6th. I so love that sound! George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" claimed that a train whistle was one of the 3 most beautiful sounds in the world.

Email update from my Mum:
31 Aug 2002

J called from Onalaska about noon today (Sat.) He was about to go through LaCrosse and figured he'd have about another six hours to ride yet today. Part of the way, he road on a bike trail for a little while, which was scenic, got him out of the wind, and ended up being a bit of a shortcut, too. He's had a head wind much of the day. Then he got back onto 35. He had a fish sandwich at Dairy Queen.


He called again a little after 6 and was just north of DeSoto. He'd bought and eaten some nutrageous bars, was drinking lots of gatorade. He also bought big bunch of bananas and eating those along the way as well.


At about 8 he called again to have me check the weather. He was almost to Ferryville and had settled for the night. He'll probably eat breakfast in Prairie du Chien, which will be about an hour's ride from where he is now. He figures now that he will make it to Erie by tomorrow evening. He plans to pick up a bike trail from Galena and ride that to Albany or so.


I asked him why he slept on a 'rock pile' last night and he said it was actually a great place -- dry, warm and few insects since it wasn't grassy. Tonight he said there were more insects, which is to be expected since he is nearer the river.


Thanks for praying! Love, S

Back to Top
























Copyrighted© 2002. All Rights Reserved



Page 1
Page 2
Page 4