The 400 and Sparta Elroy trails had sections closed for a few years due to flooding shortly after your trip. You really did luck out.

I know all about that evil stuff. Still have scars from it.

Steve,
Thanks for your interest in my journals, and for letting me know!
Wisconsin is a great state to bicycle in. I'm still receiving and enjoying email messages from Wisconsin Bike Fed, the website where I purchased my maps and trail pass. Your state does bicycling right!
Jeff

I live i WI and have done some self sustained trips from Reedsburg to the Root River trail in MN. Your journals are absolutely great, enjoy them a lot and have been trying to read them all. Thanks for the great work

Floyd,
What a fun comment notice to receive! Thanks for your kind words.
Yes, I have been on two other tours with this bike - in 2015 and 2016.
The frame/bike handled well for me. In fact, it's the most comfortable ride I have, at present.
Those orange tires are actually black tires wrapped with orange caution tape. I wrapped them at home to keep the spares clean and dry, and also figure the bright orange helps me be seen. The down side of this is that it takes about twenty minutes to wrap each tire, and close to half that to unwrap them. So, the replaced tires didn't get rewrapped after the tire swap.
From what I'm reading, the Schwinn Heavy-Duti is one tough bike. Best wishes for getting yours set up as a kickback.
Jeff

I read about your kickback trip while hunting for journals of tours made on one and two-speed, vintage style bikes. Your unfailing good humor, articulate narrative, and keen-eyed photography allowed me to enjoy the trip with you. Thanks. I have a '79 Schwinn "heavy Duti"which soon (I hope) will receive a red band kickback hub. I haven't and likely won't tour on it, but I'm curious as to how this strong, stiff Schwinn frame handled while heavily loaded. Secondly , how did those orange tires at the beginning of your tour happen to turn black? Didn't you make another tour on that bike? I'll look for it. I'm glad to have "met" you. Floyd

Bill,
Thanks! I thought you would know. You helped not just me, but also the homeowner. I gave him my journal address and told him to check for a comment on the picture, thinking you might come through for us.
Jeff

Tim,
It's beautiful country up there. Also, it’s full of friendly folks like you!
Jeff

Kathleen,
Thanks! This was the highlight of the day for me.
Jeff

Bill,
I so appreciate the information you've provided on the plants I took photos of. It's nice to know what I was looking at, since I generally don't know a flower from a weed.
Jeff

Bill,
Thanks for the information. I didn't know if it was a frog or a toad.
Jeff

Bill,
After checking out internet photos, I'd say it's a 1953 Packard.
Jeff

Kathleen,
I was thinking they might look better than they taste, but they were good.
Jeff

Mike,
I've seen only a handful of Simpsons episodes, and not the one you're referring to. I'm definitely checking date codes on those from now on!
Jeff

Kathleen,
Thanks for the good wishes! Glad to have a fellow slow-tourer along.
Jeff