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Yes, clipped in on the mountain bike. But I’ve had a bit of practice. I bought my first pair of Look pedals back in 1985.

I spend several weeks each summer in Wisconsin either riding or working bike tours. Two very good groups conduct rides: www.bikewisconsin.com www.pedalacrosswisconsin.com Bike Wisconsin tours are camping based while PAW rides are hotel based. Great routes and a lot cooler weather than...

I raced for many years. After a while you get tired of looking at the black Spandex butt in front of you.

I watch the scenery. I gave up using a bike computer several years ago. I do turn on the activity tracker on my Apple Watch. I record ride distance, speed, etc. But while I ride, I don’t look at the watch, just try and enjoy the ride.

I built a conversion e-bike for my wife. She has a Specialized flat bar road bike. I bought the conversion kit from a UK company called Swytch. About $700 for the kit. Motor is in the front wheel, pickup on the crank to detect pedaling and battery/controls on the handlebars. Unless you drop a...

What I’ve found is that the further back in the woods you get, the less likely people control their animals. These are the same people who put up “No Trespassing” signs in front of their dilapidated double-wides and broken down vehicles. They think we might mistake their property for a state park.

I can assure you that the dogs in Southern Illinois are no problem compared to the dogs in the Ozarks. People there have no notion of the concept of keeping your dog in your yard. The only dogs that worry me are the pit bulls. In 40 years of cycling, only 3 dogs have earnestly tried to bite me...

I have used them for years. Camelback seem to work a bit better than Polar. On my gravel bike, I have added an adjustable cage that holds a 1-liter stainless Yeti bottle. That holds ice for several hours.

No saddle sores. Using a leather Brooks B17 saddle. Weight weenies don’t like it, but for long distance rides, it can’t be beat. This model has been in the Brooks catalog virtually unchanged since the 1890’s.

I did two weeks back to back of one of the Pedal Across Wisconsin rides this summer. 14 days, averaging about 50 per day.

If you want to ride this route with support, Bicycle Illinois runs a 6-day tour from Cairo to Chicago every August. There’s a century option each day if you’re a glutton for punishment.

36 miles to the Dixie Crème Donut Shop. Because a crème horn was calling.

Using the Bike Peddler mirror and the Cygolite Hypershot 350 rear flasher. An extremely bright rear flashing light will hopefully get the attention of a distracted driver. This light is visible for approximately 2 miles in bright daylight. Another key is to avoid roads with traffic. Here in...

Here’s an app that might interest some of you. https://wandrer.earth/ This app syncs with Strava and tracks all of the different roads that you have ridden. The app is free (although there is a premium version). I’ve ridden 17% of the roads in Franklin County so far this year. One great...

I feel sorry for you guys with jobs. Beautiful morning today. 37.1 miles (about 14 gravel) 2:31 1105 ft of climbing Northeast Franklin County

A few miles this week in northern Wisconsin.

Friday July 12. 39.4 miles, 2:44. 1041 ft elevation. Southeastern Franklin County.

Putting a path completely around the lake is not likely. The northern areas are remote and don’t have campgrounds or other amenities other than hunting and fishing access. However, there are some great county roads around the north side. 21 Mine Road from Illinois 154 north to Spruce Road will...

It’s between $600-$700 for the week, depending on how early you register.

Guys, I am retired but work part time for Bicycle Illinois. They run a ride in August each year from Cairo to Chicago. Most people are surprised by the amount of climbing the first couple of days. It may be a bit late for most of you to plan for this year’s ride, but it’s a pretty challenging...