Last year a local outfitter that took us out for a day’s kayaking journey along the coastal cliffs and arches of Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands said, “if it’s mountain biking that you love, you need to check out the CAMBA trails.”
I didn’t forget. A year later, I did.
After watching the sun set for over two hours from behind the wheel (latitudes and westward movement), we finally pulled into Hayward. Six point five hours later, I was out of bed and gathering my things, including the full sus rig, and stepping out of the hotel room. Sure, I ask myself, “why not stay in bed?” And, ” if you stay in bed, will you be pleased with yourself three hours from now?”
I loaded the bike onto the top of the car and went back inside. I tossed a hard-boiled egg into my mouth, and wrapped a cheese danish and a cherry danish with a napkin. I filled my travel mug with terrible coffee.
Thirty minutes later I had sustenance of some sort in my stomach, and was excrementing by the side of the gravel parking lot of the recently defunct ski resort in Cable. (I have a stash of tp in the trunk, always.)
I quickly changed clothes and was on my way.
The kayak outfitters were 100% correct. It had been a while since a new trail had wowed me. Ojibwe did. After almost thirteen miles of fun, winding and rolling trail with the sometimes technicality of some rocks and roots, all to myself, I wanted to go for a second turn. I was happier than when I woke at 5:30.
—-I like riding alone. Solo rider. Well, solo if you’re talking about humans. Trees, squirrels, bugs, birds.—-
This region of the world is also home to The Birkie. Winter is embraced. If you’re cold while out xc skiing or snowshoeing, you go here:
Ojibwe gets my highest highest recommendation.
I finished up and had a stomach grooooowwwwwwwl going on. I went back to the hotel and ate a big belgian waffle, a helping of biscuits and gravy, a yogurt cup, some apple juice, more bad coffee, and some spiced black tea on the way out. Some forty minutes later, I was ready for the next trail.
I was dropped off at the Makwa Trailhead. Another near 13 miles sat in the forest before me. Note: The Birkie runs through Seeley, WI too.
If you want to smile for an hour or more, ride Makwa Trail. I’ll leave it at that.
CAMBAtrails dot org, if you’ve not been already.
It sounds like a lot of fun