The ride has many rolling hills along shouldered state roads and quiet county highways. Riders vary between the ages of young teens to eighty years old! Daily miles are 66 on Friday, 64 on Saturday and 35 on Sunday. There is an enclosed trailer for clothes and sleeping gear that our SAG persons haul from Hayward to The Highground. Typical rest stops are scheduled between 10 and 15 miles with plenty of water and snack items.
The Northern Route begins in Hayward Friday morning around 8:30am from the Veterans Center, which is right downtown right off Hwy 27. Most riders come up on Thursday and sleep overnight at the center using sleeping bags, cots, or air mattresses. Some people choose to stay overnight at the motels in the Hayward community. The Hayward Legion serves breakfast Friday morning around 7am. Riders are checked in and SAG persons start on Thursday between 7-9pm and again Friday morning 7-8am. Friday’s ride takes the Northern Route through Exeland for lunch and then to Ladysmith. The group then stays overnight at “Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School”, where showers are available. Two different Lady auxiliaries feed us supper and breakfast.
Saturday: Saturday morning at 8am the group heads out for Thorp via Cornel (the legion in Cornel provides an amazing lunch). Riders are encouraged to bring their swimsuits as the Legion pays for all on the route to use the city pool, shower and swim. After that bring your appetite as the Legion provides a wonderful supper! At Thorp the group also holds a in-group raffle. The cost is a dollar a ticket and whoever would like to bring an item is encouraged to do so. The route then stays overnight at the Thorp Legion and tent spaces are also available on site, and is encouraged as the site can be a little crowded.
Sunday: Sunday morning we leave for The Highground at 8am, getting there around 11:30am. Because the ride travels through small towns with few meal opportunities, the ride typically collects donations for the groups that feed them. The suggested donation is $2 per meal. Riders are responsible for getting themselves to Hayward and home from The Highground, but if you need help finding a ride, our riders come from all and the route leaders can typically set up a ride for you.
If interested, there is also an additional mileage that can add to their weekend as a small group rides from Chili to Hayward before the ride. For details, contact Mike at 715-937-6786.
Things to Bring
- Bike, helmet, extra innertubes, etc.
- Sleeping bag, air mattress or cot
- Towels for showers
- Chairs if you like to join the group outside in the evening
- Meals and drinks are provided. Please feel free to bring snacks to share
- We have several SAG drivers to help haul gear to The Highground
- Please make your own arrangement for the ride home
Route Leaders
Mike and Kathy Gleisner:
715-937-6786 or email to mike.gleisner@hotmail.com
