Red Cedar Trail
Finally, a sunny day! I woke up this morning refreshed and pain-free and ready to hit the trail. I stopped at Wal*Mart on my way to the trailhead to get a new camera battery and some pretzels; then I was on my way.
The Red Cedar State Trail is crushed limestone, but it follows the river downstream, so it's easy going. There are very few intersections with roads, so it's extremely quiet.
I was excited yesterday to learn that the trail has just this year been extended all the way to Durand, but the new portion isn't yet packed hard -- just loose gravel. It was such difficult riding that I abandoned the trail and took a shortcut to Mondovi. There I checked my e-mail and asked about campsites. Come to find out Mondovi has a "Tourist camp" just outside of town, but it sounded too much like the place I stayed last night, so instead I headed on south toward Alma and the Mississippi. This was around 5:30 PM.
I was full of energy all day and really didn't feel like stopping, so I kept right on biking until sunset. I may get to see the Perseids after all! Wow.
Total distance: 57.21 mi
Rest stop on the Red Cedar State Trail
On the third day of the trip, I rode from Menomonie, Wisconsin, south on the Red Cedar State Trail. It's really a beautiful place, and the trail is very well maintained and pleasant to ride. Here's a rest stop along the Red Cedar River.
Location
Entrance to Rock Ridge campground
At mile 11 of the trail, a walk-in campground called Rock Ridge is under construction. The area was once intensively quarried for its sandstone, so large, leftover sandstone blocks are being used to build the campground. Here's the stone arch entryway from the trail to the camp.
Location
Stone campfire circle at Rock Ridge campground
Here's the fire pit, big enough to feed a troop of scouts, surrounded by a circle of standing stones and a variety of lawn furniture.
Location
The end of the (Red Cedar) Trail... or is it the beginning?
