BALLS III...In the books

For the history and official information:
BALLS III, the link

Little over 100 miles the first day, little over 60 the 2nd. 26 riders the first day, 10-12 the 2nd.
This ride was started 3 years ago because the single track is normally too wet to get on yet in late April. Typically not the best of weather, this year was not an exception, but still better than the last 2.

Weather forecast was close...but not as much rain or wind as predicted, but still crazy enough for a 165 mile 2-day ride.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. East wind between 10 and 15 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Periods of showers. Low around 46. East northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Periods of rain. High near 55. Breezy, with a north northeast wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.


Gathering at Bear's house. 6:45.

Nate guuing up. Or is that Butt-Butter???
Nelson, no risk getting dehydrated.

Chuck, he's such a blurr....7:20 ready or not, we head out.
First wrong turn, 3 blocks from Bear's house!!!
Next stop, Dodgeville. Tim avoiding a $168 fine for riding on the wrong side of the road.
Bear's old work place....first snickers bar?


Critical Mass, WI style?



Into the Mystic.
Buying trail passes in Mineral Point....Chuck!! wake up!
Just thinking of beer makes a guy smile.


Warm only?....another WI custom? Not hardly, but we didn't need to buy ice when we got to the campground. The beer didn't warm up very fast.
Bear, showing off again.

a few flats

Mile 50 update by the Mayor to Bean....good the wind muffled his initial comments.

Trailside treasure.
Helmet head.

30 miles to go, hot coffee and McGrease burger, ahhhh!

10 miles to go and some stretching was in order.
At the Crazy Horse Campground (we had cabins, with hot showers available) Brodhead, WI.

Bri, the road crew we couldn't have done without. Poor pic, sorry about that!
Day 2, the tunnel.
One of the few times I was out in front.


35 miles or so of headwind.
Ready to head home.