aviation section of the museum which fea- tures dozens of model planes, including a model of the Wright brothers’ first plane and a full-size 1932 Pietenpol. Continue south on Hwy 27 to Cashton,
pick up Hwy 33, and you’re in for some of the most memorable rides of your life. Tak- ing Hwy 33 east for a few miles will lead you to Wisconsin’s answer to The Tail of the Dragon, up and over Wildcat Mountain. Just for the fun of it, I like to turn around and head right back over the mountain and back to Ontario, then turn south on Hwy 131, a favorite of many riders for its pleasant sweepers and gorgeous scenery. Hwy 131 cuts through the
Kickapoo Valley Reserve, 8,569 acres of sandstone cliffs and forested bluffs towering over the sweeping valleys cra- dling the Kickapoo River. Rec- ognized as a National Natural Landmark, a State Natural Area, and prime wetland habi- tat for birds and other wildlife, the Reserve also has a fascinat- ing history. Back in the ‘60s, in response to periodic flooding problems (probably due in some part to logging and farming activities), a congress-initiated program called for the river to be dammed with the idea of creating a recreational resource and sparing downstream commu- nities from flooding. Over 140 families sold or were forced to sell their homes and
businesses. Construction began, but soon budget and environmental concerns halted the project, and though some huge concrete structures eerily still rise from the valley, most of the Reserve has returned to its nat- ural state. A visitor’s center for the Kicka- poo Valley Reserve is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Just before leaving the reserve heading
working shops, and quaint cabins speckle this area, but keep an eye out for buggies and of course the occasional horse manure deposit! If you skip Cty P, leaving the Reserve on
south 131 you’ll pass Wildthings Fur Com- pany, where you can pick up locally-caught smoked trout and watch hats, caps, mittens, and motorcycle seat covers being made from everything from wolver- ine to wolf fur. A block down the highway is the “ALMOST world famous” Rockton Bar, where its renowned chicken barbecue packs its parking lot each Sunday with both two- wheeled and four-footed trans- portation (There are many equestrians in this area). Another Rustic Road in the
The “ALMOST World Famous” Rockton Bar on State Highway 131 packs in riders, both motorcyclist and equestrian, on Sunday for its Sunday chicken barbecues.
south, on the advice of a local rider I took a left on Cty P. This little stretch from 131 over to Hwy 82 will give you all the twisties you could ever want. As you round one of the countless bends bordered by rocky out- croppings, you may feel as you’ve ridden suddenly into the 1800s. Working Amish farms, small bakeries, produce and wood
area I’d recommend meets Hwy 131 just as you leave the Reserve to the south. The Rustic Roads sign there clearly marks its beginning at Dutch Hollow Road, but watch the signs care- fully, as Dutch Hollow magi- cally turns into Sand Hill Road. Turn right at Lower Ridge Road, which will lead you back
to Highways 131 and 33 and into Ontario, which is proclaimed by its welcome sign to be “The Canoeing Capital of the World.” This side tour has some great elevations providing scenic overlooks and threads its way past Amish farms and horse stables. Located to the west on Hwy 82 is Hills- boro, a common rallying point for groups
State Highway 33 takes riders up and over Wildcat Mountain and is typical of the rollercoaster roads found in southwestern Wisconsin, offering dramatic overlooks, twisted switchbacks and sprawling sweepers.
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