Unusually warm weather combined with my birthday to entice me to take a day off work and go for a bike ride. It was cloudy and about 42 degrees when I started out at ten. This is pretty good for March in Wisconsin, although the previous few days have been much warmer. By the time I would get back the sun would come out and the temperature would reach into the mid fifties.
The ride from Rennebohm Park, Madison to Black Earth is mostly flat and easy. The route I took is both open and wooded. Once out in the country it didn't take long for me to get the feel of open road. With each passing mile I could feel the bike becoming more and more a part of the road and myself becoming more and more a part of the bike. In other words, the scenery isn't that great.
After about twenty miles, I arrive in Black Earth. This is small town America. I suppose the two biggest attractions in Black Earth are the trout fishing and the shoe shopping, most notably at Black Earth Creek and The Shoe Box, respectively. But, as usual, I'm here for the pie.
The Lunch Bucket doesn't sound appealing and, well, perhaps it isn't. Still it is the place for pie in Black Earth. I've been here for breakfast, and have been happy with pancakes. The owner likes to use fried butter to make faces and flowers on the cakes. It's kinda unique.
Since my last visit, the place has grown. They've added on to the building-- adding a large nonsmoking dining area (much to my delight). The addition includes an new wheelchair accessible entrance. The sign on the old entrance directing customers to the new one seemed to be completely ignored by the regulars. I wonder if their regulars have even noticed the new addition. Most wonder in, help themselves to coffee, take a seat, all without a break in the conversation or a look around.
On my way to pie I decide to check out the lunch specials first. Being St. Pats Day, the specials include corn beef and cabbage and they were serving one plate full after another. It looked great, with a big chunk of cabbage, carrots, boiled onions and of course, corn beef. However, I don't eat cows so I opt for the other special of the day-- the fried fish platter.
My lunch was, unfortunately, totally uninteresting. The thick batter on the fish and fries from a freezer bag were a disappointment. The coleslaw lacked even a hint of a bite. The coffee tasted like brown water. Still twenty miles of biking helps make average country cooking go down easy.
Finally we get to the pie. For a $1.35 you get a nice slice of apple or cherry pie, with or without whipped cream. I tried the apple without the whipped cream. It comes with a gramcracker-like crust top and bottom. Plenty of syrup surrounds the insubstantial apples. What to expect for March-- fresh apples?
Still I had plenty of fun watching the comings and goings. The retired set was rapidly filling up the nonsmoking section, while the corn-feed-cap set was taking their regular positions near the counter. A group of the later actually noticed my bike before entering and stood out side for awhile going over it. But once they entered the door they went straight for the coffee and their regular chairs.
On the way out of town I stopped off at The Shoe Box (I didn't bring my fishing pole). The Shoe Box sells shoes at a discount, I'm told. It's a big place with lots to choose from. They even have the running shoe I want in my size (7 E) but they only take cash.
The route back to Madison is hilly and beautiful. Most of the trees are still without leaves or buds. This affords for some great vistas and views deep into the woods. Birch trees appear as gray hair on the head of distant hills. The fields are colored in deep and light browns with only a hint of green. Only the willow tree has noticeable buds that shine yellow green against a sea of brown.
Some of the hills are so steep I'm forced into a 1:1 gear ratio. Even then I tempted to stand up on the pedals. At one point the wrong gear made me do an Arnie Johnson (remember Laugh-in?). Still I like the route back. The uphills afford me a good look at the scenery and the birds. The downhills are just plain fun. This was perhaps the best birthday present I could have given myself.
Mileage, when given after a road name, indicates the approximate mileage reading when the road was reached.
Starting From Rennebohm Park on Madison's West Side. Direction Road --------- -------------------------- West Regent Street Straight Anchorage Ave Left Beach Street Right Cable Right South Hill Right Inner Drive Straight Everglade Left Old Sauk Right Timber Lane (becomes Old Sauk Pass) Straight North Birch Trail Left Stagecoach Rd. Right County P Left Bourbon Street Cross Plains - 14 miles Left County KP Right Hwy 78 Black Earth - 20 miles The Lunch Bucket is on the left about four blocks ahead The Shoe Box is on the left where hwy 78 meets hwy 14 From the Lunch Bucket North Hwy 78 Right Hwy 14 Left County F Right Turkey Rd. Right Blackberry Rd. Left Kahl Rd. Left Scherbel Rd. Right Table Bluff Rd. (steep hill) Right County KP Left Otto Kerl Rd. Right Enchanted Valley Rd. (30 Miles) Left Schneider Rd. Right Capital View Rd. (35 Miles) Left Airport Rd. Right Evergreen Rd. (becomes University Green) Straight Pleasant View Rd. Left Old Sauk (40 Miles) Right Westfield Left Colony Dr. Right Inner Drive Left South Hill Right Cable Left Beach Right Anchorage Straight Regent Rennebohn Park - 45 Miles