The standard bearer

Who says this ride isn't magical?

About 1,300 riders took part in the 28th annual Menominee River Century Bike Ride on June 30. The original event, held in 1982, brought together 150 riders - too many to accommodate at one rest stop. Paul Lata, mastermind of the early events, solved the problem by buying up all the cookies on the shelves at the nearest grocery store.

Today a similar number, 150, serve as volunteers at the rest stops, registration tables, in the SAG wagons, entertainment stages, naturalist stops and traffic control points. There are even volunteers to take photographs of bikers at one of the early water stops.

But so much more goes into an event of this magnitude. Street sweepers clear loose gravel off the more than 75 miles of roadway in the days prior to the event. Others paint directional arrows onto the pavement and circle chuck holes with spray paint. And the registration center outside Marinette High School is manned from early in the morning until the last bikers come ithrough late in the afternoon.

What brings many people back to the Menominee River Century is the smorgasbord at the rest stops: fresh oatmeal bars, homemade banana and strawberry bread, chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, rice cakes and brownies compliments of Bay Area Medical Center's dietary department. In the latter stages of the event riders are offered fresh peaches, oranges, bananas and sandwiches.

Dory's Rest Stop, 16 miles into the ride, is an event in itself. There's a live band, dancing, a bicycle doctor and hamburgers popping off the grill in great numbers. This is where old friends meet, banter runs free and bike congestion is part of the ambience; a free-for-all of fun.

The Menominee River Century is actually four events in one. The first, a 10-mile ride is for families and beginners. It skirts the shores of Green Bay and the local university. It even has a food and social stop at the 6-mile point.

A 25-mile venture takes riders along the bay, past an old school house, a wildlife refuge, Dory's Rest stop and back to the start at the high school. Those who bring cameras stop several times on this run, even taking photos of the Shore Crest Tavern which can be seen from miles away regaled with Green Bay Packer green and gold.

A 50-mile route includes Dory's, Peshtigo Harbor settings, the Peshtigo River and the Harmony Cemetery. It also includes a second shot at the hamburgers, home baked goodies, live music and socializing at Dory's. This past year, Dory's Supper Club burned down, but the owners still offered their parking lot for the bike riders. In thanks, a large banner was placed on a table where bike riders signed and thanked the Dory's for their patronage.

The longest option, 70 miles, includes most of the above plus several views of the Menominee River. Many riders stop on the G-08 Bridge that crosses from Wisconsin into Michigan just to take in the beauty of the Menominee River. Others do the same eight miles further downstream at the River Park picnic area where several spectacular views of the river are found just beyond the reaches of the homemade goodies and sandwiches.

When bikers coast onto First Street and into historic downtown Menominee, they are greeted by the towering masts of sailboats in one of the classiest marinas on the Great Lakes. Several sails salute riders from their perch on the water. Views of kayakers might tease them as well. The annual art fest, which fills a city block of grass next to the marina band shell, offers crafts, paintings and photos by artists to entice many riders off their bikes.

Finally, there is the bridge that takes the bikers from Michigan back to Wisconsin and offers them a last look at Menominee's lighthouse. Green Island and Chambers Island are lonely sentinels in the background. Fish tugs, a train trestle and ore boats enhance the foreground.

This ride might just be the standard bearer for excellent long rides, both because of its beauty and organization. The ride has changed some over the years but it is still offers unparalleled atmosphere and artistry. The Menominee River Century has earned its right to the phrase, "What a Ride!"