PORT WASHINGTON, WI

May 18-20, 2012

Beth & Pat Peterson will be our hosts for the COWs 2012 Spring Rally in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

The COWS Spring Rally will be held in beautiful Port Washington, WI on Friday, May 18 – Sunday, May 20. Enjoy a weekend of scenic cycling with other tandem enthusiasts. Host hotel will be Country Inn and Suites in Port Washington, with a banquet to be held at Nisleits Country Inn about ½ mile from the hotel.

MAIN HOTEL & Other Accommodations:

Country Inn & Suites, Port Washington, WI

The COWs have a block of rooms reserved at the rate of $85/night for a standard room and $105/night for suites. Rooms still not booked as of 4/18 will be released from hold. Attendees may book online using the promotion code COWS12 when booking to receive the special rate. Country Inn and Suites in Port Washington, WI.

Or call the hotel directly to make your reservation at 262-284-2100 and mention the "Couples on Wheels" or COWs.

Hotel Information:
Country Inn & Suites By Carlson
350 E. Seven Hills Road
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-2100

There are other accommodations and campgrounds close to this location. For additional information about the area, visit the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce website: Visit Port Washington. As for campgrounds, there are several in the area and you can see them on this link: Port Washington Area campgrounds.

ROUTES

All rides will use portions of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail which consists of 30 miles of paved trail spanning the length of Ozaukee County. Visit the Interurban Trail web site to learn more about the trail. All rides will also offer views of beautiful Lake Michigan.

Friday Wine and Ice Cream Ride: On Friday you will travel south near the lakefront before turning inland to Cedarburg for a sampling of wine and ice cream. There are two wineries on the route. Cedar Creek Winery offers tours and wine sampling. If enough people are interested we can arrange for a private tour. For those ice cream lovers, Ashley's Confectionary is highly recommend by our hosts. It offers not only a wide assortment of ice cream flavors, but also Purple Cows, Orange Cows, Rainbow Cows, in addition to chocolate cow cookies and home-made fudge! Riders will return via the Interurban Trail. Running late? No problem, skip the lakeshore route and bike 1-1/2 miles into Port Washington on the Interurban Trail where there are several choices for ice cream.

Saturday Rides: Saturday's routes will head north along the lakefront where riders will once again experience views of Lake Michigan before circling back to the hotel via the Interurban Trail. We will have 4 routes mapped out with approximate 27, 35, 45 and 60 mile options. Short and short-medium routes will circle back at Cedar Grove and Oostburg respectively. The medium-long and long routes will visit Kohler-Andrae State Park , where the long-medium route will circle back to Port, while the long route will tour more of the countryside, including Gibbsville, where you can enjoy Gibbsville Cheese and other COW-friendly candies such as Cow Pies, Udder Fingers and Holmer Holstein chews.

Saturday Evening Banquet and Sunday Breakfast Ride: Details are still being finalized.

REGISTRATION:

PLEASE NOTE: We have gone to a paid membership system as of January 1st, 2006. If you would like to become a member of the COWs go to the JOIN THE HERD page for details. You need to be a member to ride with the COWs but there are no registration fees.

It is essential (for logistical reasons) that you notify the COWs secretaries if you wish to attend this rally so that an appropriate number of cue-sheets and registration packets are available. Additionally, if you plan to attend the Spring Rally banquet, you will need to fill out the appropriate field on the membership form and include the additional payment. There is only room for 100 people at the banquet. First come first serve!

RIDES AND EVENTS

The Schedule at a Glance

Registration at the Country Inn and Suites in Port Washington, WI
Friday May 18 - 3:00 to 8 p.m.
Saturday May 19 - 7:00 to 8:30 a.m.

Saturday Evening Banquet at Nisleits Country Inn
5:30 p.m. Social Hour with a Cash Bar
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Annual Meeting

The Rides (approximate mileages)
Friday Ice Cream Ride: 15-20 miles on your own
Saturday Ride: Mass Start at 9:00 a.m. at Host Hotel, 30, 45, and 60 mile routes
Sunday Breakfast Ride: 15-20 miles on your own

Your hosts:
Beth & Pat Peterson

For more information, please call or email your COWs officers:

Presidents: Joan & John Laabs
- jlonll@wildblue.net or 715-258-0733
Treasurers: Mark & Ginny Dobberstein:
- mdtandem@sbcglobal.net
Secretaries: RF & Kelly Jordan:
- cows_secretary@sbcglobal.net or 262-251-1677