Here’s the story of my 1155 mile round trip solo ride from Peru IL to Eagle River Wi. Feb 17-21, 2021
Below you will find: Article from Feb 20th Bureau County Republican & my daily thoughts on the ride and some photos during that day’s ride.
Sled Route
(Note there are few extra loops South of Madison WI those are from previous trips. West path North was the way up, East was way back)
Day #4 Saturday Feb 20th, 2021 “Mission completed”
BIG day, rode from Antigo WI to Peru IL
Wow, what a day. Departed Antigo at 6:13am, was excited to get going, had no idea if I could make it back in one day that time. Did make a HUGE error, I got suited up in hotel room but got too warm before I got outside (it was -9 below). I knew this was going to affect me and I was right. Trails from Antigo south were really choppy & thin just need to be smart most corners were icey. Ugh, was frustrating for me because I don’t have any studs on this track.
I was really cold and I was fighting it, my hands and upper body was chilled and I just could break it. Had a solution for my hands, just push the button (heated gloves) but no way those batteries would last all day on “high”. Goggles frosting up also issue with moisture in the air. Did have plenty of traffic to navigate, more than any of the other pervious 3 days combined. My route was to stay EAST of I-39 and focused on NO mistakes, that cost me running down the guys on the way up, I know two errors that totaled at least 40-50 miles.
Other than fuel and DNR/County Sherriff stop in IL (story coming), I stopped once at Polaris dealership in Hancock WI right on I-39 to address being chilled. Bought some gauntlets for my handlebars and Klim windbreak shell jacket. Might have taken 30 mins but after that it was game ON for being warm. From there South big fields, and I was really rolling. My pace was aggressive, but I assumed I was meeting myself on every corner.
I knew when I got to Cross Plains, WI it was 200 miles, confirmed to Peru. Which I figured would be 5 hours. Told myself, if I feel good and it’s 4:00 or so I’m going to go for it. It was SO nice being on trails I had been on, continued to make good time but plenty of traffic. Plan was to stay at New Glarus, we have ridden up there x2 this year, so I know the area well. Decided to go for it, I fueled in Monroe at 4:43pm and continued South.
After Badger State Trail and Jane Adams… it was time for what I was worried about the most, the weakly marked trails to Rock Falls. Thank goodness I still had some sunlight for ½ the way but had to slow down also to see where I was going. Once I got over the Rock River, I cut South which saved some miles and onto Hennepin Canal, I had made it!
Two interesting happenings on the Canal though.
While riding on frozen ice (which is perfectly normal LOTS of tracks) at a road cross I jumped up on land and saw LOTS of lights from Police cars and flashlights. Oh no, I really didn’t want to stop, seriously hadn’t removed my helmet since Polaris dealership at 11:30am and was afraid I would be done. Haha. DNR officer was nice, did safety check on machine and asked “please turn your machine off”. He asked where I came from, insurance & registration. “say what, 90 miles south of Eagle River WI” pretty sure he thought I was messing with him. Definitely did NOT like the light in my eyes, lol. The local Sherriff came over to assist & he had read the article on cover of Bureau County Republican paper about the ride, they both laughed and said “ride safe you have a ways to go” Lol.
Second issue I did NOT care for any. During the ride up Wednesday I rode tow path until the feeder canal North. On the return there was 100’s of tracks and a great trail down the frozen ice, great it's smooth and fast. I've rode on the Canal countless times (since age 16) and knew there’s always soft places. On the pool of water that goes under I-80, kept seeing soft ice and I felt it many times and was NOT in the mood for that let me tell you. I knew at the I-80 under pass was an easy off the canal but, it had been a really long day I was not going to make a mistake here. Been there before (NOT ME) when someone got wet and it’s really not fun. Back on the tow path, until East of Tiskilwa then North.
Last challenge was fuel, since I did shortcut after the Rock River I missed fuel station (on purpose). I knew I would just have to run into Princeton (Northside) for quick fuel up. Unless my good friend Scott Grimmer had fuel at his house, which he did. THANK YOU SCOTT. I stopped at his house for quick splash of fuel, resisted dinner and my next stop was Leone’s Polaris in Peru IL. That last ride across fields/road ditches was awesome, so much snow. Just about got stuck x2, I just dialed it back. Could see lights of Peru, mission complete. Yesterday was 440 miles, ended at 9:43pm. I just sat in my truck for at least 30 mins, drinking water, then got out of my gear. I had two “that’s it” bars I broke into pieces at the fuel stops all day. Honestly was not hungry at but knew I was dehydrated some, thank goodness I stopped for 2/3 off the day in Eagle River and drank a LOT of water in preparation.
Can thank the countless people who offered help, the Knapps who were heading back from WI with a truck if I needed it (driving home) and received SO many messages from people on Twitter who said “if you get in trouble call me, we’ll come get you”.
(yes, you read that ride I could have gotten a ride home, lol)
BIG thanks to Jim & Linda Leone, their son Brian (they own the Leone's Polaris) they have been longtime friends of mine since I bought my first sled there in 1991. And as crazy as I am have always supported my racing over the years. Brian would have been there in a heartbeat but has knee injury, not sure he would have liked yesterday though. We have been on countless trips all over US & Canada, so many stories. Honestly was amazing to ride in with Jim (he’s 70) to Eagle River, he was tired but did an amazing job. It was nice to spend Thursday evening and part of Friday with them. I was sending updates on the way back at every stop to Linda. Really wanted to stay an extra day to enjoy a steak from Blink Bonnies but wanted to stay on task.
We did record a video of Jim & I talking about the ride up from IL, that will be coming soon.
Did manage to shave off 100 miles off on the return trip, navigation was biggest challenge looking forward to Polaris Snowmobiles new GPS display on my sled for next yr. It’s 5:54am, been up since 5am and feel very good, legs little sore and hand are little stiff is all. Let’s hope we can do this again but take 3 days and have a steak or two along the way. Never had one drink on this trip, guessing we'll have a few telling the stories,
Told Jim & Linda before I left “Let’s ride from Eagle River to Roseau MN (Polaris snowmobile factory) next winter”
Total miles 1155
Day #1 270 Peru IL to Baraboo WI
Day #2 353 Baraboo WI to Eagle River
Day #3 92 Eagle River WI to Antigo WI
Day #4 440 Antigo WI to Peru IL
Oh & by the way, the new Polaris Indy XC 129 650 Matryx is a monster, definitely in my list of top 5 sleds I have ever owned.
Day #3 Friday Feb 19th, 2021
(wrote at the end of the day)
Snowmobile trip update, southbound & down .
Mileage total 715
Ride up 623 (270 + 353)
Today 92
After a nice relaxing morning with friends, it allowed time to unthaw the snowmobile to inspect everything for return trip. Just like an I500 repair session (500 miles snowmobile race) well except the part we weren’t on the time clock and were in a heated shop
They wanted me to stay for dinner, but I wanted to start the mission and get some miles behind me. Route back looks much shorter (50 miles at least), provided I don’t make an navigation errors.
Tomorrow is going to be a big mileage day, best part is last 80miles is all “home” riding in from Rock Falls. We’ll see how the day goes, been watching weather closely more snow in the forecast for Sunday
Thx
Day #2 Thursday Feb 18th, 2021
(wrote at the end of the ride on 18th)
Wow. I made it from Peru IL to Eagle River WI via snowmobile, two days over 620 miles!
Here’s the short version:
Left at 7am, some 70 miles behind the big group, they rode very well yesterday I knew it would be extremely hard to overcome. But I was banking on breakfast and lunch stops to close the deal. (Which I learned later they didn’t stop either) After getting through Wisconsin Dells w/ the sun shining it was time to build pace and boy did I. I knew I was closing on them and little after 4pm I caught them! Mind you since 7am I hadn’t stopped other than fuel or to review my Polaris RideCommand app. Finally got to remove my helmet and drink some water.
Much more to the story, really appreciated text messages waiting for me, thx everyone!
Now what’s more crazy than that, turning around and riding back. Snow is VERY thin North of Steven’s Point, so thinking leaving Eagle River, then head southeast toward Antigo then Plover and south to New Glarus. I know those routes well!
Day #1 Wednesday Feb 17th, 2021
(wrote at the end of the ride on 17th)
Got little later start than I had planned, was shooting for 8am departure but ending up going at 10 from Leone’s Polaris. Can’t thank Brian Leone enough for quick once over of my sled, learned a LONG time ago second set of eyes is a good thing on mission like this.
You might not know, I was (still am) in pursuit of Jim Leone’s group of sleds that left x3 hrs early and 50 miles down the trail from Prophetstown. 
After road ditches to Princeton and quick circle my friend Scott’s yard I got onto the Hennepin Canal, which was like going “home” well because it is. I grew up in Tiskilwa which is right on the canal. Did manage to stop for a photo (more on the later). Canal conditions are PERFECT, I stayed 95% on the tow path. If you’re looking for a place to ride locally GO THERE. For me I have SO many memories riding here, was. really nice ride. About 78 miles
North out of Rock Falls was little tricky to fine the course markers. But how cool is this, two guys (Leone customers) were waiting for me and actually ran me down to say “hi” tell me I was going the right way thx fellas!!
Once I was rolling north the next leg was awesome which included fuel stop in Milledgeville, I fueled at 100 miles. And from there conditions to the Badger State Trail were my favorite. As former cross country snowmobile racer... this was rough enough I was in my zone, blue sky, actually reminds me of those I-500 xc races. Just hand to keep reminding myself this is NOT a race, nor is your sled setup for that. Only thing I needed was a killer shock setup and get rid of those bags on the back Had to constantly remind myself... this is NOT an XCR Chad.
Once to Badger State trail time to lay down some serious miles, and I did. Did totally blow by exit and had to run back about 5 miles
No bad trails at all, other than nasty water hole which normally I was blast across but decided, it’s about dark and not worth it. Night fall came and really enjoyed the ride. When I ride at night I always back it down a notch, “give up 10 mph for Pat”.
So that’s the quick recap, left at 10am, 270miles x2 fuel stops, and many other stops to grab some photos to share. Other group stopped at 8pm also and rode 270. By sled are 50-60 miles ahead or 35 miles by truck. I’m just south of Wisconsin Dells.
Not sure what time I’m going to leave yet but feel great and sled is amazing.
