09-03-2026, 05:28 AM
As I plan for today's fun ride, I'll post an addendum to Ferret's recap of yesterday's ride.
After a relaxing stop at the Pike's Peak overlook (and with consultation and advice from MTC), I decided to "go rouge" and opt for a longer route back to the hotel. Myself and fellow adventurers Mtneers, Inhouse Bob, and Jeff from WV headed south thru the Iowa countryside along the west side of the Mississippi on a Scenic Highway (52) with a goal of experiencing the Cassville Ferry to get back across the Mississippi. We rode thru some picturesque small towns like Guttenberg and saw Dam & Locks #10 before turning into the entrance to the ferry. The ferry road was actually about 3 miles of hard packed sand/dirt which we all successfully navigated, albeit very slowly. We arrived at the ferry location just as the operator was closing the gates. He graciously held up, opened the gates for us, and welcomed us to join the other 3 or 4 cars plus one ATV on the barge-like structure. After paying a modest $10 per bike, we were off to enjoy a scenic ride across the river and a mile or so downstream to disembark at the quaint town of Cassville, WI. Then we were off on a very scenic, very smooth highway 81, enjoying rolling hills, sweeping curves and beautiful corn and dairy farms. Our next destination was the town of Mineral Point, where locals had encouraged us to have lunch and try a local delicacy called a "pasty". Note: it's pronounced with a short "a", and not a long "A", like you would pronounce "pastry". A pasty is basically a baked meat pie surrounded by flaky dough and filled with chopped meat, potatoes, rutabaga, and onions. It is said to have been a staple fed to local miners who would enjoy it during a working lunch.
After a filling lunch, we made the leisurely ride back to Spring Green (and to the hotel pool), for a total of about 189 miles.
Great rides, great day, and lovely countryside, both out and back, with a few memorable experiences thrown it as well!
After a relaxing stop at the Pike's Peak overlook (and with consultation and advice from MTC), I decided to "go rouge" and opt for a longer route back to the hotel. Myself and fellow adventurers Mtneers, Inhouse Bob, and Jeff from WV headed south thru the Iowa countryside along the west side of the Mississippi on a Scenic Highway (52) with a goal of experiencing the Cassville Ferry to get back across the Mississippi. We rode thru some picturesque small towns like Guttenberg and saw Dam & Locks #10 before turning into the entrance to the ferry. The ferry road was actually about 3 miles of hard packed sand/dirt which we all successfully navigated, albeit very slowly. We arrived at the ferry location just as the operator was closing the gates. He graciously held up, opened the gates for us, and welcomed us to join the other 3 or 4 cars plus one ATV on the barge-like structure. After paying a modest $10 per bike, we were off to enjoy a scenic ride across the river and a mile or so downstream to disembark at the quaint town of Cassville, WI. Then we were off on a very scenic, very smooth highway 81, enjoying rolling hills, sweeping curves and beautiful corn and dairy farms. Our next destination was the town of Mineral Point, where locals had encouraged us to have lunch and try a local delicacy called a "pasty". Note: it's pronounced with a short "a", and not a long "A", like you would pronounce "pastry". A pasty is basically a baked meat pie surrounded by flaky dough and filled with chopped meat, potatoes, rutabaga, and onions. It is said to have been a staple fed to local miners who would enjoy it during a working lunch.
After a filling lunch, we made the leisurely ride back to Spring Green (and to the hotel pool), for a total of about 189 miles.
Great rides, great day, and lovely countryside, both out and back, with a few memorable experiences thrown it as well!