Black Forest Hillbilly Retreat

Tipis On the Col Des Mosses?

Little Switzerland?

High in the Swiss Alps, on the Col Des Mosses, is a dude ranch complete with western log cabins and Tipis.  Apparently the Swiss that run the place discovered that they can market the Cowboys and Indians theme to Euros who are tired of seeing spandex and silk, Porches and grand old Victorian era hotels.  Meanwhile, in the Ozarks, the hillbillies discovered that there is a market for a little taste of Switzerland.  Build a few Victorian looking hotels with a little bit of French architecture thrown in here and there, call yourself “Little Switzerland” and you can fool yourself into thinking you’re up in Leysin in the Vaud.  It seems that people always want something more exotic than what is in there own back yard.  I think I might just be able to capitalize on this.  Perhaps I’ll move back to the Black Forest, import a few 1950′s mobile homes, some rusty old tractors and pickup trucks, a few stills, a few tons of scrap metal and fencing, get me a few dozen hounds and some shotguns, some Rebel flags and some hogs, and create my own little Ozark paradise.  B&B in the mobile comes with a 45 gallon drum jaccuzi,  grits and gravy breakfast washed down by Merle’s Own White Lightnen (to improve one’s perspective on the nights accommodation) for the low price of 200 Euros/night. Sowee!!

Eddy Merckx in the Ozarks

After several days of cycling in Arkansas my riding legs are slowly coming back. Today we (Yvonne, Andre and Madeleine inc.) did an 80 km ride through the Ozarks.  The scenery and roads are fantastic.  The entire week has been in the low 80′s.  It feels like mid summer with the temperatures. Most of the trees are in full leaf.  On any of the smaller roads most drivers are courteous.  We did have to take a short cut involving a larger road today which felt like a death run.  In Arkansas, as in many other states, they have cat tracks on the shoulders to wake up sleeping drivers.  The result is that cyclists can’t ride on the shoulder.  In a ten mile stretch we had three near misses with semis.  Either these guys are crazed or they are just stupid.  They drive so close and don’t seem to be aware of their trailers swinging onto the shoulder.  We all decided we would rather die of exhaustion taking the long way home than die under the wheels of a semi to cut off a few km and save a few hills.  Otherwise the good ol boys here seem to be friendly.

We  were in Fayatteville yesterday and the shirt of choice is a red Razorback T-shirt.  Average weight of wearer is probably somewhere in the 275-300 lb range.  Favourite vehicles – of course the 4×4 jacked up pickup and a “hog”.  See you all for the ride next week Saturday.

Merle

In light of the dangers of riding on the road in Manitoba there may be a solution available to help educate the motoring public to our presence on the road http://bikebutterfly.com/. I can see it now – MIT riders deploying in unison!

You might also read the following: http://www.roadbikerider.com/current-newsletter Article on “SMIDSY”

A record warm day, a record early start for the Club and….

a record turnout of 21 riders!  Unfortunately, also an accident with two riders going down (Rob and Cameron).  Abrasions, torn spandex, and wobbly wheels resulted but everyone finished the ride.