COWs Spring Rally – May 17-19, 2024
Kevin and Diane Esser are hosting this year’s spring rally in Grafton, WI. For our border cattle in neighboring states, that is only about 30 minutes north of Milwaukee.
2024 COWS member registration and Spring Rally banquet tickets are now available here.
Host Hotel:
Hampton Inn and Suites
1385 Gateway Drive
Grafton, WI
Schedule
Routes are listed below with links to Ride with GPS. Please note, if you would like a paper cue sheet, please print your desired routes prior to coming. As discussed at last year’s spring rally, we will only have a limited number of paper copies available at the rally, since many people now rely solely on RWGPS. Thanks!
View schedule details below or download a printable copy of the schedule here.
Friday, May 17th
- Noon – 8:00 PM – Rally registration in the lobby of Hampton Inn and Suites, 1385 Gateway Drive, Grafton. Bike storage available in the Paramount Conference Room.
- Ice Cream Route – 14.3 miles (access route on Ride with GPS) — Ride from the hotel to Hefner’s Frozen Custard and Jumbo Burgers in Cedarburg. Enjoy the flavor of the day, shakes or burgers at this second-generation local favorite. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Along the way you will pass Cedar Creek, Lime Kiln Park and Cedar Creek Park. Restrooms available in both parks.
- Dinner on your own – Walk over to Water Street Brewery next door to the hotel or Juice’s Ghost Town (steak and seafood) across HWY 60. Drive to one of Grafton’s other eateries:
- Milwaukee Ale House – Brewpub offering tavern fare, including Friday fish fry, and house ale on 2 floors & promenade decks overlooking the Milwaukee River
- The Stillery – Full menu including Friday fish fry, specialty cocktails including Old Fashioneds, and beer choices, outdoor seating
- Martini Pete’s – No food (bring your own or delivery), innovative craft cocktails with fresh ingredients and house-infused liquors
- Many other options, ask google.
Saturday, May 18 – Wear your COWS jersey (jerseys available for sale)
- 7:00 AM – Complimentary breakfast for hotel guests
- 7:30-8:45 AM – Rally registration in lobby
- 8:50 AM – Pictures in the parking lot and announcements
- 9:00 AM – Mass start from the hotel 3 routes to choose from – 16.0, 35.7, and 53.3 Miles
Short Route – 16.0 miles- Port Washington (access route on Ride with GPS)
Explore Port Washington, park your bike and walk along Franklin Street shops and restaurants. Take the bike path back to the hotel. Brunch/Lunch stops: Dockside Deli (opens @ 7:00 AM, outdoor seating overlooks Lake Michigan), Daily Baking Company (opens @ 6:00 AM, outdoor seating, a must see and sample!), Schooner’s Pub (opens @ 11:00, semi-outdoor seating overlooks Lake Michigan), Inventor’s Brew Pub (opens @ 11:00)
Medium Route – 35.7 miles-Belgium (access route on Ride with GPS)
Brunch/Lunch stops: Option to eat in Belgium at the Luxembourg Café (full menu) or stop in Port Washington off the bike path on the way back
Long Route 53.3 miles-Oostburg (access route on Ride with GPS)
Brunch/Lunch stops: Option to eat in Belgium at Judi’s Place (outdoor seating), Culver’s, Subway, or KwikTrip or stop in Port Washington off the bike path on the way back
Banquet
5:00 PM Banquet at Flannery’s at Fire Ridge Golf Club, 4 miles North from hotel, 2241 County Hwy W, Grafton. Tickets are still available.
- 5:00-6:00 Cash bar
- 6:00-7:00 Dinner — Pasta buffet and dessert
- 7:00 Club meeting
Sunday, May 19
Breakfast Ride on your own to Downtown Cedarburg – 14.4 miles (access route on Ride with GPS). You will be riding West on Hwy 60 which has a bike lane for a portion of the route. Sunday morning this route is quiet but it’s suggested you begin riding prior to 9:00 AM. Downtown Cedarburg is a walkable area with shops and restaurants.
Colectivo Coffee – 2 miles from hotel in Grafton, offers coffee, bakery and breakfast sandwiches, large outdoor patio, local favorite.
Downtown Cedarburg has many breakfast options:
- Coffee Shops – Java House or Fiddleheads; bakery and breakfast sandwiches
- PJ Piper Pancake House – Family owned and operated; full breakfast menu
- Brunch it Up – Modern café offering classic and inventive food menu amid cheery, colorful décor, cashless (bring a credit card), outdoor seating
- 11:00 Hotel checkout, safe travels home or to Door County for the Wrangler Ride!
Local Bike Shop
- Erik’s Bike Shop – 1275 Washington Street, Grafton (2 miles from hotel) (262) 474-2453
Friday 11:00-7:00, Saturday 11:00-5:00, Sunday 11:00-5:00
Wineries in the Area
- Cedar Creek Winery – downtown Cedarburg
- Chiselled Grape Winery – downtown Cedarburg
- Sunshine Winery – downtown Cedarburg
Breweries in the Area
- Water Street Brewery, next to hotel, food served
- Milwaukee Ale House, downtown Grafton, food served
- Sahale Ale Works, downtown Grafton – beer, ciders, mimosas, bring your own food
- Fox Town Brewing, Mequon – a short drive (11 miles), check out the Annex with outdoor fire pit and live music Friday and Saturday evenings
- Plenty of other restaurants in Mequon
