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SWISS CHEESE AND SPOTTED COWS
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Please join us on a four day point-to-point TCBC ride from July 11-14 (Fri-Mon) featuring the best of south central Wisconsin’s Driftless area---an area missed by the glaciers of many years ago resulting in rolling hills, hidden valleys and unspoiled natural beauty. Cycle on quiet, pastoral country lanes dotted with small farms and enjoy the Scandinavian, Swiss and Cornish heritages of the quaint communities we travel to.
The tour starts and ends in Spring Green, WI---Frank Lloyd Wright country---with overnight motel stays in Spring Green, New Glarus, Monroe and Mineral Point, most of which are listed in Midwest Living’s Best Small-Town Getaways. Come early or stay late to enjoy the many attractions Spring Green has to offer such as Taliesin, the world-renowned American Players Theatre and the Wright-inspired House on the Rock.
The rides are A/B level and average 50-60 miles/day on rolling terrain, with several rest stops at local bakeries, chocolate and cheese shops! The trip aims to capture the scenery and points of interest of the area while avoiding the tough climbs prevalent therein. The focus is on FUN and TOURING!
Itinerary:
Friday, Jul 11: Spring Green to New Glarus. Explore Blue Mounds and the ‘trollway’ of Mount Horeb, with optional stops at Little Norway, the Grumpy Troll Brewery and the National Mustard Musuem (you gotta see it to believe it!). Once in New Glarus (America’s ‘Little Switzerland’), see how beer is made by touring the New Glarus Brewery, home of Spotted Cow ale, visit the Swiss Historical Village or stop at the bakery, chocolate shop, winery, meat market, etc. Enjoy authentic Swiss cuisine at the New Glarus Hotel & Restaurant, where we’ll have our own private authentic Swiss entertainment prior to dinner, followed by live polka music and dancing during/following dinner. Overnight at the Chalet Landhaus Inn in New Glarus.
Saturday, Jul 12: New Glarus – Monroe. Choose a long or short option today as we ride from New Glarus to Monroe, the Swiss Cheese Capitol of America. En route, stop at a local cheese factory or stroll the beautiful Montesian Gardens in Monticello, then head to Brodhead to check out Earth Rider Cycling. Once in Monroe, visit the Green County Welcome and Historic Cheesemaking Center or the Alp & Dell Cheese Store at the Roth Kase Cheese Factory, winner of over 100 regional, national and international awards in the 140 years they’ve been hand-crafting European-style and American original cheese. After all, this IS the Cheese Capitol of the U.S. and you know the saying…”When in Rome….” Afterwards, enjoy a sweet treat at Chocolate Temptation, tour the second oldest brewery in the nation--- Minhas Brewery, or walk around the historic downtown square with its many shops and eateries, including Baumgartner’s Cheese Store & Tavern, home to a huge selection of award winning cheeses and local beers. Overnight at the Super 8 or AmericInn in Monroe.
Sunday, Jul 13: Monroe – Mineral Point. Today’s ride takes us through Yellowstone Lake State Park, with an optional lunch stop in the park overlooking the lake. Our destination is Mineral Point, one of America’s Distinctive Dozen Destinations, a charming small community settled by Cornish miners from England known for its historic sites and artisans. Watch a potter at work at Brewery Creek Pottery or explore Shake Rag Alley, the Railroad Museum, historic Pendarvis, the Brewery Creek brewery or some of the many artisan galleries and gift shops. After dinner, relax for the evening or take in a play at the Alley Stage outdoor theatre. Overnight at the Comfort Inn in Mineral Point.
Monday, Jul 14: Mineral Point – Spring Green. Ride through rolling green countryside as we make our way to Spurgeon Vineyards for a picnic lunch and tour before heading back to Spring Green, the tour’s end.
Highlights and optional stops:
- Swiss hospitality and charm of New Glarus, America’s “Little Switzerland”.
- New Glarus Bakery and Maple Leaf Cheese and Chocolate Haus, featuring some of the finest local & imported cheeses, chocolates, sausages and European coffees anywhere!
- The Swiss Historical Village, a museum consisting of 14 buildings filled with exhibits and artifacts.
- Local micro brewpubs, including the Grumpy Troll Brewery in Mount Horeb, the New Glarus Brewery in New Glarus (recently named Best Brewery in America), the Minhas Brewery in Monroe and Brewery Creek Brewery in Mineral Point.
- Mount Horeb, the Troll Capital of the World, with its troll-lined main street.
- World Famous Mustard Museum in Mount Horeb, featuring over 4,800 jars, bottles and tubes of mustard from all 50 states and 60+ countries!
- Little Norway--authentic buildings set in a lovely valley near Blue Mounds and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Lush green rolling countryside, dotted with small farms, perfect for cycling!
Luggage Transport and Support:
A vehicle will transport your luggage each day to the next overnight town. Each person is allowed one soft-sided or duffel bag. No sag support will be offered per se; each participant will need to plan on completing each day’s ride without the use of a support vehicle.
Cost:
Cost is $245 per person based on double occupancy and includes four nights lodging (Thurs-Sun), breakfast and dinner in New Glarus, lunch en route the last day, Swiss entertainment in New Glarus, a tour of Spurgeon Vineyards, baggage transport to each night’s destination, maps and all the scenery and fun you can pack in! All meals (excluding one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner) are on your own, as are fees for theatres, brewery tours, museums, etc. For those who wish to stay by themselves, the single supplement is $165.
Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations received on or before Thursday, July 3rd, will be refunded the full trip fee less $50. Cancellations received after July 3rd will forfeit the entire trip fee.
Registration:
To register, please complete the steps under the appropriate payment type below. Registrations will be accepted through June 9. The ride is limited to 40 participants based on accommodations and logistics. You need to be a TCBC member to participate in this trip.
Payment by check: Please complete the attached form and send it, along with a check payable to Mary Derks for full payment, to:
Mary Derks
748 Iowa Ave W.
St. Paul, MN 55117
Payment by credit card: Please click here. Note that processing fees of 6.5% + $1 ($16.93 for double occupancy) apply.
Questions?
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 651-335-6505 or maryderks@yahoo.com.
Thanks, and I hope to see you in Wisconsin this summer!
Mary Derks
