I have been traveling to Farmington for the past three years to hit up the ride to Taum Sauk Mountain. For some reason or another, we have never made the ride...hangovers, sleet, and lack of will to make the 70 mile round trip. This past weekend, I finally captured my unicorn.
I was visiting Brian on terms which I had hoped would be much later in life; his father past away last Thursday morning. Al was an excellent individual, with wit and humor matched by no other. Al supported all of us, with racing and life, and will live on in our hearts. Please keep the Dziewa family in your prayers.
My visit with the family was a good one, we celebrated, and grieved, rode bikes, and ate a bunch of really really tasty treats. The Dziewa's were excellent hosts as usual, even considering the desperate situation.
The first ride we did was around the famous State RR course (the one that is better than the new one)...my first 50 miles in quite some time. The ride up Taum Sauk was a great one. It rained the entire time, making the already challenging ride much more difficult. Throw a bit of wind (actually, 30 mph gusts), and we had ourselves quite a day. So, it is 29 miles to the base of the park, then 6 miles up to the top of the climb. I would consider the climb, more like a rolling terrain that gains 2 steps of elevation, then kicks down 1 step...repeat that several times, and by the top, you are toast! At about 4 miles in, we climbed through the fog and suddenly the view was clear. Quite a pretty ride.
A Beginning and An End.
10 years ago
2 comments:
Is the climb to the top of Taum Sauk paved?
Yes, it is paved now...It will take you up to this really bitchin' tower that overlooks the lake near the top...A must do if you live in the area.
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