DAY FIVE - 2285 miles Hanging Out In Madison

Thrivette Gets a New Perspective

This morning Thrivette decided to make a special request of the trekking trio. As much as she has enjoyed being strapped on the back of Biffys bike, Thrivette thought it might be fun to ride facing forward on Super Sheri's bike!! And ooooo what a special experience it was being able to see the world as she entered it vs as she exited it!!

Today, the trekking trio decided to go for a tour of Wisconsin's great capital Madison WI. They started out the journey with a late breakfast and a visit to the OnAlaska HD store. As they arrived they were greeted with a couple hundred other motorcycles - all of whom were on the same pilgrimage to 105 HD event in Milwaukee. The bulk of those bike took off en mass roaring through the streets of OnAlaska/LaCrosse Wisconsin. The trio did a little shopping before they left the dealership.

Biffy was very thankful that this morning the weather was a bit warmer so she didn't have to be electrified by putting on her extra layers of heated gear. Although that gear is "sweet" and most defiantly is a welcome addition on chilly rides. As the trio left, it was warm but overcast. they filled up with gas one last time and knew that today's' ride would be a short 150mile trek to Biffy's college town- Madison Wisconsin. The trio and the chicken breathed in the clean Wisconsin air and were headed for Madison.

It was a beautiful ride through Wisconsin. This was the Mississippi valley area and the Wisconsin Dells. For those of you not familiar with Wisconsin - the reason it is so lovely is in part due to the work of the glaciers millions of years ago. And those glaciers did an indescribably beautiful job of craving out the land in this part of the state. The beautiful cliffs, the Wisconsin river, gently rolling hills and the incredibly lush land were..beautiful.

Bif was enjoying such beauty as she glided down the road, and as usual, listening to npr recapped the most exciting moments of the democratic convention and sipping yummy coffee. Biffy began to notice that even the names of the stores were different here in the Midwest. As many Targets as they saw they also saw Shopkos! Instead of Pete's Coffee in the Midwest they have Sapp Brothers coffee.....yes....Sapp Brothers. Biffy hasn't dared try the Sapp brothers concoctions ..yet. And many of the 7-11 like gas/food shops were named Kum & Go. Oh..now....Biff wasn't kidding...that really is the name of a chain of stores......hmmmm Midwesterners certainly do have curious names for things....

The trio stopped in for a little break in Mauston Wisconsin. At the stop they met two couples who were traveling together whom hailed from New York state. The men were riding and the women were passengers. As they all chatted two other bikes rolled in one of whom, FINALLY....was another woman rider!! The duo was traveling from Oregon state. At the Mauston HD dealership they had the most creative use of high heeled shoes ..ever....The planted catus plants in them!!! Now that is the only useful thing to do with high heels.

And once again the trio experienced the niceness of Wisconsinites. Sheri had go into a store to look some things up on her blackberry and look at the road map. Sheri accidental left the map in the store and a gentleman saw it and saw Biffy and asked if that guide may be hers....he made sure the trekking trio had their maps....that was very nice.....

Then onward to Madison the trio went. Biffy showed off her former home. The first thing they did was stop at the HD dealership where they were greeted by a couple thousands bikes!!! The heard that had left LaCrosse early in the morning had arrived in Madison and were now greeted by thousands more bikes. Bikers are taking over Wisconsin.......The trio took extra special care of Thrivette and covered her ears - as the thousands of bikes roared out of the dealership on their journey to Milwaukee. That many bikes made just a wee bit of noise...and the earth seemed to be shaking a bit too....Wisconsin is not earthquake land.......What a powerful site to see, hear and feel that many bikes......Wow...now, what will it be like when the trio and the chicken are joined by hundreds of thousand bikes in Milwaukee.....The excitement is building!!!

After that experience, Biffy showed off her college town. They went down to the famous State Street that runs between capitol and the University of Wisconsin. They gabbed some famous Bascom ice cream (it is too...much better than that hippy dippy stuff from Berkely that Ok kyun ravs so much about), and headed to the Memorial Union Terrace. This in one of Bif's favorite spots in the world. They relaxed eating their ice cream and watched the sail boats. They also witnessed a very crafty little squirrel. he was up in one of the huge oaks trees and was throwing things down at the students sitting on the Terrace. He had pretty darn good aim, and made contact with a few students and with their computers. Funny how Mr. Squirrel left the trekking trio alone.......

Madison has been quite an adventure......especially for Thrivette.... once again she met many interesting friends......including singing feet, clowns and a robot...Wisconsin is a colorful state now isn't it.

CAN YOU NAME THIS FAMOUS WISCONSINITE?

Off to bed before the big day....our arrival in Milwaukee...OH BOY!!! And llok for the trekking trio and the chicken in the big HD parade on Saturday. Out of the hundred of thousands bikes that will be in Milwaukee only 7,500 were choosen to be in the parade..and all three of our bikes got passes...Yippeeee....