Went for a ride with Team Sluggo yesterday around Lake Poygan. It was an unbelievable day; the weather couldn't have been any better until it got too hot, just before noon. By then it was near 90 degrees, and we were all ready for some shade. Nonetheless, the ride was fantastic.
We left Neenah at seven a.m., headed east to Borth, then pedaled southeast towards Red Granite. I'm not sure of the roads we took, be we certainly took our time winding our way through the country. It was beautiful. We stopped in Red Granite for snacks and fluids, then hit the road again, this time working our way straight north toward Poy Sippi, and another fluids stop. From there it was a beautiful jaunt northeast, to Fremont, along narrow, winding and rolling roads through gorgeous pine forests. As we neared Fremont, the forest gave way to farmland and frontage roads along the Wolf River.
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| On the way to Fremont. Photo by Pauly |
We stopped one more time in Fremont to top off the water bottles at the Wolf River Drive In - a place where I frequented as a kid. My parents used to rent a cottage across the river from "downtown" Fremont. Almost daily, when we'd stay there, I would ride my bike over the bridge and to the Drive In for a milkshake and french fries. I guess I wasn't the healthiest of eaters, but it's a fond memory. I went there last summer with my dad after a fishing session on Partridge Lake, and everything tasted as good as I remember.
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| Stretching our legs in Fremont. Photo by Pauly. |
From from there it was about another hour-and-a-half east by southeast back to Neenah for some beers at Captain Sluggo's place.
Other than the early afternoon heat, the day was almost unbeatable. By the time we dismounted, we'd ridden 106 miles. I ended up with a pretty wicked tan line by the end of it all, but luckily not too much of a burn. There's no pain today from the skin, but I am a little tired.
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| Beers at Pauly's After the Ride. Photo by Pauly. |
With Oscar and Petar in the mix now, it means that after 106 miles in searing heat and a couple beers, there's no rest once I get home. The boys were sleeping when I got home, so I was able to take a shower and get cleaned up, but it wasn't long before they were hungry and it was time to go to work. Good thing is, I really like feeding and interacting with the boys. I do get frustrated sometimes, because obviously, it's hard to know exactly what they need, but I feel a great sense of accomplishment if I can get them fed and sleeping soundly.
So far, in my quest to find some balance among family, work, and cycing, I've achieving a decent level of success.
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| All smile. Photo by Pauly. |
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| The Road Ahead. Photo by Pauly. |
