Holy Hill, Batman!

[Poligrafovich]

After reading it mentioned in bajakirch's Sunday thread, it occurred to me that Holy Hill is well within range for a lunch hour ride for me. It was a beautiful day here in southeast Wisconsin so I took a loop around the area, featuring a visit to this local landmark.

This part of the state is mostly flat, sprinkled with glacial lakes and moraine hills. The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill sits on a prominent peak surrounded by rolling wooded hills, just north of the more densely populated corridor along I-94 west of Milwaukee. Most of the main roads are along straight grid lines, but in the Holy Hill area the side roads are through wooded areas with lots of nice ups and downs and twists. Very scenic, but no boy-racer stuff - the speed limits are mostly 35, and the roads are rough enough you've got no business going much faster anyway.

I printed a few google maps, but mostly I was playing it by ear, picking the smaller road whenever I had a choice. I stopped at a small but scenic church to snap a picture and make up my mind which way to go next.

Holy Hill is the highest peak in the area, with the tower right at the top. It's visible for miles around.

The shady approach road is typical of those I was riding, though a bit smoother than most.

A shot looking up from the parking lot. Not crowded at noon on a Wednesday, though I did see a row of Harleys in the other lot.

After a long narrow stairway, the view from the top is spectacular. It isn't a particularly tall peak, but it stands well above anything else in the area.

One day I will learn how to insert text between pictures.

[ariwhiteboy]

Beautiful scenery! Thanks for sharing. 

[fishball]

Very nice!  There are some great views of the main church from approaching roads as well.  The highway out to Hartford is a real hoot to ride.  Plus there are some rustic roads in the area as well, but like you said they are all 35mph and less.

[hockeyhawk]

very cool, thanks for taking us along.

[JB1290]

Great pics. Where abouts in SE Wisconsin are you located? Id like to get a ride together with Baja and whoever is in the area when I'm able to ride.

[NightHawked]

Sounds like a good midday recharge, some nice shots.

[luckylindy]

Great pics.

[talespin]

Not crowded at noon on a Wednesday, though I did see a row of Harleys in the other lot.

Harley riders need a lot of prayer.

[Burgi]

*sigh* all that green is beautiful!

[Poligrafovich]

Where abouts in SE Wisconsin are you located?

I live near the southern KM state forest between Dousman and Eagle, and work in Waukesha.

*sigh* all that green is beautiful!

Interesting that many of the road and place names around there have Irish-sounding names. Usually that goes back to who settled there long ago. I guess the Irish found it familiar and attractive. The pictures don't do it justice.

[bajakirch]

Nice shots. And don't worry about the way your photos lay out. It took me nearly 3 years on the site and well over 1000 posts before I figured it out.

And I'm down for a ride JB whenever you're able. I'll ride into November, so you just let me know when your back (and SOQS) gives the OK.

[geemann]

great ride pics!

I am still stunned by how sharp the inversed paint job on your NH looks.

cheers,
-g

[hppants]

Nice RR - thanks for sharing.  Your bike looks unique and well done.

To put text between pics, after your "insert img" line, hit "enter" (or return the carriage for us dinosaurs from the typewriter days).  On the next line, type whatever text you would like to describe the next pic, and hit "enter" to continue.  Then set up your next "insert img" line and repeat as necessary.  We are asked to limit our individual post to 5 pictures.  So for example, if you have 12 pictures to post, do the 1st 5 and "post", then "reply" to your own post and do the next five, then rinse, lather, and repeat.

[bajakirch]

For me the big challenge was setting myself up on a picture-hosting site (I use Picasa). Once I did that, the rest was pretty easy.

I typed up a detailed, step-by-step process for doing it through Picasa for another member. But I think I did it as a PM rather than a post, and I cleaned it out of my Inbox. So I think it's lost. I should have saved that.

OK, thread unjacked.

[SirSeanSean]

Very nice pictures. Thanks for sharing. 

[fishball]

We are asked to limit our individual post to 5 pictures.

Whoops.   I did not know that.

[skramer360]

  We are asked to limit our individual post to 5 pictures.  So for example, if you have 12 pictures to post, do the 1st 5 and "post", then "reply" to your own post and do the next five, then rinse, lather, and repeat.

pants, I believe that limitation is for forum hosted attachments. I don't think it matters if you host them in photobucket or whatever and link them here.

http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,15.0.html

At least I think that's what that guideline says.

[Wearyeyed]

Great pics. I'm in northeast Illinois, and vaguely familiar with some of the sights up your way.

Despite that, I have only one question....

The bags.  Gotta' know what bags you got. 

[Poligrafovich]

The bags.  Gotta' know what bags you got. 

Saddlemen Sport Panniers (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UJFB2W). They are also sold under the "Moose Racing" brand. I do like how they look with this bike.

I posted a slightly better pic at http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,10973.msg159718.html#msg159718

[Wearyeyed]

Thanks!

Little embarrassed to admit I saw the other thread, and even looked at the bags...did you get the XL or regular size?

Do they accommodate 2-up w/o removal?

They DO look good; good choice!

[Poligrafovich]

...did you get the XL or regular size?

XL.

Do they accommodate 2-up w/o removal?

I think so, but I haven't done it.