Anyone up for a color ride in SW Wisconsin in October?
 

I'm not up for a whole lot of pain. :D

Let's say Saturday, October 24. Meet at the Hollandale Village Hall at 8:30, ride at 9:00. Ride could be anywhere from 40-80 miles, depending on who shows up and the vibe of the day. Yes, there will be plenty of hills, but the weather will be cool. I had an especially hard time this year bonking in the heat. Unprecedented. So I'm not up for that.

Could go to New Glarus for some pizza. Could go to Mineral Point for Tony's deep fried goodness. Could go to Darlington for something, I'm not sure what. At any rate, a fine day to ride, eat and be covid-social.

But for the border being closed (and our second wave gathering steam, as predicted), I’d be there in a New York minute.

I'm trying to figure out how to get out of Hollandale without pain.
I distinctly remember saying something about "I'm glad we're not going to climb out of Jonesdale…." and someone turning their head and coughing.
I'll ask my riding partner. We just finished back-back centuries and were roundly humiliated.
We should be ego-friendly by Oct 24, and it's a nice bridge to Brazen Dropouts in January, when I'm selling it all...

I hear there are places you can cross, just don't wear a hockey sweater.

In addition to the Canuckian border closure, there is the small matter of Wisconsin being added back to Chicago's naughty list for the second time. I'm also theoretically going to be an election judge so might be training (not sure yet when that will be).

I'm tempted, to be sure:ride:. I live about 100 miles to the North (+/-) so it's not undoable. Weather can be questionable that late in October. Could be in the 60s but maybe in the 30s! I've ridden in the Dodgeville area before (not too far from Holandale) and there's no doubt that there are some hills in the region!!! I can bonk in cool weather about as easy as in warm weather. There's a reasonably nice State Trail (Military Ridge) that runs from Dodgeville to near Madison. I believe it's mostly flat (no more than 3% grade). It's not paved but I've ridden it with 28mm tires and it was fine. I have not ridden the entire trail so there may be different surface conditions closer to Madison. The down side would be not stopping in New Glarus for pizza (and just maybe beer!) or Tony's in Mineral Point for whatever "deep fried goodness" is there!
Let's keep this thread active and see where the interest goes. I'd be completely happy to be "bonk free" i.e. minimal hills. My current rides are 30-40 miles but I suppose I'm capable of going farther especially if beer and pizza are factored into the picture:thumb:

I don’t want to go to jail, or even 2-wk q’tine when I cross back. I’ve got a 5-day-old grandson.

Given the current Wisco stats, I will, sadly, not be joining your merry crew.

Besides, will be at at the beach (yes, again) that weekend.

I will agree, weather in October can cancel the ride for me, but I'd rather stay optimistic, it will be a lovely sunny day, high, low 60s (knocks wood :)).

For the covids, yes WI is on the ban list, at this time. But I'm riding a bike in the middle of nowhere and Wisconsin doesn't give me covids, just the filthy people of Wisconsin. I've never been a hugger and I'm not going to start.

I'm putting it on my calendar, but I'm not promising anything. I haven't done a group ride since last autumn, and as others have noted, Wisconsin's covid-19 stats are already pretty dismal.

...the ironies.

EVERYONE knows that isn't true ;)

I hope there is a Brazen Dropouts. I need every excuse to get out of the house. The building is pretty much the same as being outside. Slap a mask on me to contain my cooties? I'm not complaining. I don't want your either.

Yes! The Wisconsin stats are truly dismal AND getting worse!! I wouldn't fault anyone for making the sane decision to not participate. Doing the ride itself would be reasonably safe but doing any of the ancillary activities like getting pizza or having a beer in a bar or restaurant would provide way too much exposure to the selfish A-holes that can't bring themselves to do the "right thing"!
I do ride frequently (~3 time a week) but almost always solo. I don't wear a mask while riding but have one in my pocket in the event I need to pop into a KwikTrip for a snack :thumb:.
I'm going to keep that day open tho and if it's really nice i.e. not raining, snowing and is relatively warm, I just may show up. If no one else shows, no big deal, just another solo ride :).

fwiw, Sugar River Pizza has outside seating. And I have never it crowded either.

End of October might be kind of chilly for outdoor dining, but you never know.

FWIW, I was up in Marinette County yesterday, and the colors were spectacular.

We rode there in June. Kept distances and wore masks. Was fine.
We’ve been riding likewise in So.Illinois and SE Missouri for months with same precautions.
Masks
Distancing
Hand washing and sanitizer
Bottled Everything.
Packaged Everything.

Not ironic at all. There are some things I'm willing to take the risk for.

I would love to do this but I am still having a hard time on the Barrington Hills climbs near me, 1200 ft of climbing. I am working on it though.

So many people living in fear of this virus, not me. You only live once.

Been doing the same in N. IL, S. WI, and N. WI since July. No trouble breathing, or with the natives.

For me, it is a day trip, easy in, easy out. Easy for me to keep distant. While the risk isn't zero, I consider it manageable. Like I wrote before, never been a hugger, this is even more reason not to start.

Is there such a thing as a Toronto minute?

Sixty seconds, eh?

News in. My sister and brother in law, Wisconsinites, just tested positive. Saw the sister a week ago (outdoors, never closer than 15 feet) and spent the weekend repairing the cabin 3 weeks ago with the bil.

Many of you have ridden with Paul. Was at BAMF, Bartali, Coppi and the occasional spring ride.

Be safe out there.

It may be in cheese.