MORE SMILES AND PANCAKES

 Two events took place Friday and Sunday for the Wednesday Night Riders.  On Friday, Ron and Bob gave trike rides to six residents of Northgate Manor here in Waukon.  We would have had more participants, but it was a very windy day, and some of the residents did not want to give it a try.  However, we did bring smiles to the faces of the riders who did go.  Here's some of Julie's photos.

Sunday was our second "ride to eat" event.  The destination was New Albin for the New Albin Fire Department pancake brunch, and to get a glimpse of the "semi-world famous" pancake maker.  At 10 AM departure time from Casey's, we had Bill on his Gold Wing bike, Dave M on his Harley trike, Julie in the Durango "support" vehicle, Richard & Melodye in their Slingshot, and Bob leading on his Gold Wing trike.  Jim & Cathy left earlier, in case the firemen ran out of pancakes!  With cloudy skies and temps barely scraping 50, I'm sure there were quite a number who passed this ride up.

A SMALL, BUT HEARTY AND HUNGRY, GROUP GATHERS

We departed Waukon heading northward of HWY 9.  Since Bill had just come down from Lansing on HWY 9, we decided to take Lycurgus Road and Iowa River Drive up to New Albin.  We were able to park right in front of the fire station.

TIME TO EAT!

As we entered the station and paid our admission, we spotted Jim & Cathy along with Joan.  Apparently Jim & Cathy had to come early to have enough time to return home and do some crop spraying.  And shortly therafter, we laid eyes on the "semi-world famous" pancake chef!

THERE HE IS!

The firemen put on quite a feast!  We were treated to all the pancakes we wanted, scrambled or fried eggs, sausage, and milk or coffee.  The warm pancakes and hot coffee took away the chill from the ride.

Even though it was still cool, we continued the ride after eating.  We cruised up HWY 26 and on into Minnesota where we picked up CR 14 and turned east.  We made our way along scenic CR 14 into Caledonia.  We left town on HWY 44 heading towards Spring Grove.  Before we reached town, we turned southward onto CR 17, and rode this "roller coaster" route back to HWY 76.  Once on 76 we headed south back into Waukon and now the sun suddenly decided to appear.  I don't know if the temps ever got to the mid sixties as predicted, but we still had a good ride besides the great eats! There were about 80 miles on the trike when she got parked at home.

PLEASE NOTE:  AS OF TODAY, SUNDAY, MAY 18TH, THE BRIDGE AT LANSING IS CLOSED DUE TO MOVEMENT.  NO TIME FOR REOPENING HAS BEEN SET YET

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, May 19th--The trike rides for the residents of Wellington Place in Decorah has been postponed until June 12th.

Wednesday, May 21st--Regular Wednesday night ride (weather permitting)

Monday, May 26th, Memorial Day--This is our annual Memorial Day run and cookout.  After paying honor to our fallen soldiers, we will meet at Casey's at 1 PM for a ride through NE Iowa, SW Wisconsin, and SE Minnesota.  After the ride, we have a cookout at Rotach's.  Brats and buns will be furnished, but you can bring along snacks, salads, or deserts to pass.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME!  If you can't make the ride, you are still welcome to attend the cookout.  That should start around 5 PM.

A GRAND LADY!!

A PAIR OF 15's

This Wednesday evening, we had fifteen riders show up for a ride destination to Gays Mills to check on the apple blossoms.  Bikers were Jim S, Mike, Bill, Lissa, and Jim & Cathy.  Trikers were Dave M, Terry, Roger, Bernell & Kathy, and Bob.  Richard & Melodye arrived in their Slingshot while Irv showed up in the "support" Corvette.   FIFTEEN riders

THE GANG INSPECTS THE TRIKES

TIME TO RIDE

 We pulled out of Casey's with partly cloudy skies and temps in the low 80's.  We motored out of Waukon via HWY 9 heading for Lansing.  Crossing the Blackhawk Bridge we were able to notice the construction progress on the new bridge.  Once we arrived in Wisconsin, we took HWY 35 south through Ferryville and turned east onto CR C.  We use this county road a number of times during the riding season, since it seems to remain well-maintained and offers some challenging curves.  

CR C took us across HWY 27 and past Bathtub Springs.  Near here two deer suddenly decided to cross in front of our leader who had to squeeze the brakes to avoid them.  Continuing on C, we arrived in Soldier's Grove and stopped for a break at the Mobil One Stop.

A NICE LINE UP

SOME VISITING WHILE ON BREAK

ROGER INSPECTS THE PARKING SITUATION

We departed Soldiers' Grove via HWY 61 heading south.  We did a little by-pass operation by taking CR H over to CR X and back onto HWY 61.  Both of these county roads are well kept and offer some special scenery.  Once back on 61 we cruised on south to HWY 171 and turned back west for a route past the orchards.  This section of HWY 171 has been in need of repair for quite some time, so it's best to just sit back, take the bumbs slowly and enjoy the views.

Late last week the apple trees were in full bloom, but today, probably due to some recent wind and rain, many of the blossoms had already fallen off the trees.  However ther were some great views of the valleys below.  We skated down hill into Gays Mills and continued on a still rough 171 on into Mt.Sterling.  Since it was still comfortably warm and still plenty of sunlight, we took HWY 27 south through Seneca and Eastman and down into Prarie du Chien.  Once there, we took HWY 18 across the bridge into Marquette and jumped onto HWY 76 heading north.  This is where some of our riders continued on 18 heading for home.  

The rest of the convoy too HWY 76 back through Rossville and on into Waukon where a few of us stopped at Uptown for eats.  Bob was able to nix a rabbit who couldn't make up its mind on the way back.  There were 118 miles on Bob's trike when we parked in front of Uptown.  So far, the longest ride of the new season.  Even though we were disappointed in not seeing a lot of apple blossoms, it was still a nice ride.  Although I'm sure there were a few sore butts that were not used to the length of time in the saddle yet.

On the previous day, Tuesday, we gave trike rides to FIFTEEN residents of Good Sam in Waukon.  Once again they were thrilled to have us.  Ron, Bob, and Jim (using ChucK's trike) put smiles on the faces of the fifteen  residents who chose to ride.  Each driver making five trips on a route within the city limits of Waukon.  A special thanks to Julie for taking photos and passing out our "angel" riding pins and to ChucK for the loan of his trike.  Here's some of the photos Julie took.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FRIDAY, MAY 16--Ron & Bob scheduled to give trike rides to residents of Northgate Care Center in Waukon at 1 PM

SUNDAY, MAY 18--New Albin Fire Department Pancake Brunch with ride afterwards.  Leaving Casey's at 10 AM

MONDAY, MAY 19--Ron, ChucK, and Bob scheduled to give trike rides to residents of Wellington Place in Decorah at 1 PM

NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 21--Possible ride to Houston, MN

GUESS WHO BOUGHT A BRAND NEW HARLEY BACK IN 1957!

JUST BILL AND US

Our scheduled "burger run" to Cresco took place on Saturday afternoon.  With some great riding weather, we still had only three riders show up.  Bill arrived on his Gold Wing, and Bob & Julie showed up on their Gold Wing trike.

Our destination was Dan's Road House in Cresco.  They are well-known for their burgers that finished strong in a "Best Burger in Iowa" contest.  We departed Waukon under sunny skies and temps in the low 70's.  Taking Main St. west, after about 3 miles outside of town, we came upon a "Loose Gravel" sign, and turned north back to HWY 9.  HWY 9 also is lined with chip seal, but the non-caring Iowa DOT won't put up any of the "loose gravel" signs.  Thanks to Allamakee County for thinking of motorcyclists!

We took HWY 9 into Decorah and entered HWY 52 north.  After a short scoot on 52, we turned onto the Pole Line Road heading west.  This is a neat motorcycling road since it is well-maintained and offers some sweeping curves and views of the Upper Iowa River.  Pole Line took us all the way over HWY 9, and we crossed it to continue our journey on into Cresco.  After a brief hunt, we did find Dan's Road House right on Main St. (He does need some better signage!)

WE MAKE IT TO DAN'S ON A BRIGHT, SUNNY DAY

Dan's does offer a very limited menu, so you had better like burgers or chicken strips.  Since we came for the burgers anyway, we placed our order for what they called "smash burgers".  After quizzing the folks at the table next to us, they assured us that the "smash burgers" were huge and really delicious.  They weren't wrong!  It was one big, tasty burger served with french fries.  If anyone is looking for a great burger for a meal, Dan's is the place!

THREE "WELL SATISFIED WNR'S

DAN'S ONLY SIGNAGE

After leaving Dan's, we took another "shortcut" home.  We turned onto the Dvorak Memorial Highway south at the next stop light.  This is another well-kept stretch of pavement but remains pretty straight.  Instead of following DMH into Protivin, we turned back east on CR A46 and headed towards Ridgeway.  I hadn't been on this tarmack in a long time, but it proved to be another well-kept stretch of pavement, and we cruised into Ridgeway.

In Ridgeway we picked up CR W14.  To our delight, this stretch of road was recently resurfaced, and we had a smooth ride into Spillville.  Once we reached Spillville, we again found the Dvorak Memorial Highway (this time CR B16), turned east for a short distance and turned onto 25th Avenue that becomes 175th St. as you close in on Calmar.  This is all newly resurfaced concrete that goes right by the South Winn golf course and ends at HWY 52 just north of Calmar.

We passed through Calmar and sped on into Ossian with the temps still in the 70's.  Once in Ossian, we exited town on Sand Road and took it east over to Centennial Road where we turned back north and arrived at HWY 9 just east of Decorah.  HWY 9 took us back into Waukon where we had just short of 100 miles on the trike.  Bill gave us the "thumbs up" and headed for home in Lansing.

GREAT WEATHER, GREAT FOOD, GREAT TRIP..but perhaps on a weekend that conflicted with Mothers' Day.

Tuesday we give our trike rides to the folks at Good Sam.  Wednesday our destination may be the apple blossoms around Gays Mills.  Friday is our trike rides for the residents at Northgate Manor.  No wonder May seems to be flying by!

EIGHTSOME ON WEDNESDAY/BUSY TIME AHEAD

This Wednesday evening we had 8 riders show up for intended trip to view Pikes Peak above McGregor.  We welcomed Jim S (all the way from Festina), Mike (all the way from New Albin), Bill (all the way back from Florida), and Lissa (from many different Kwik Star locations.  They were all on two- wheelers.  The three wheeled gang was made up of Dave M (all the way from Gunder), Ron & Helen (all the way from Decorah), and Bob (all the way from 2nd St. NW).

WELCOME TO JIM S

RON & HELEN ROLL IN

BILL SAYS, "LONG TRIP FROM FLORIDA!"

LISSA ROUNDS OUT THE CREW

 With mostly sunny skies and temps right at 70 degrees, we depart Waukon via the Elon Road.  At the end of Elon Road, we turn south onto the Lansing/Harpers Road and cruise down hill into Harpers Ferry.  We spot a couple of dead deer along the road, but no live ones yet.

When we arrive in Harpers Ferry, we turn in a westerly direction and follow the Mississippi River on the Great River Road through Waukon Junction and over to HWY 76.  We turn south on 76, pass by Effigy Mounds and arrive in Marquette.  Following River St. (appropriately named) we enter McGregor and take the newly refurbished main street through town and pick up CR X56 at the Catholic Church and head up the hill to Pikes Peak.

WE "LAND" AT PIKES PEAK STATE PARK

Once at the park, we head to the overlook for some photo ops.

We also get to view some great river scenery from our high vantage point.

After our viewing, we depart the park and head towards Garnavillo, where I had planned to stop for refreshments.  According to Lissa, the convenience store where I had planned to stop was closed.  We did continue down X56 until we reached Clayton Road, and weaved our way into Garnavillo and onto HWY 52.

Sure enough, the Speede Shop across from the city park was closed with a chain link fence surrounding it.  I guess we will have to find out what happened.

We continued our journey on HWY 52 north up to HWY 18 and turned west.  Some of us turned into Monona on the Volney Road, while others continued on 18 heading for home.  The group that went through Monona followed the Volney Road up to Rossville and then took HWY 76 back into Waukon where Bill, Mike, and Bob stopped for eats at Uptown.  There the conversation turned to fencing property lines.  Bob had 88 miles on his trike after arriving home.  The view from Pikes Peak in the spring and especially in the fall is always a treat!

NEXT WEDNESDAY MAY BE TIME TO VIEW APPLE BLOSSOMS.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The next couple of weeks are a very busy time for Wednesday Night Riders.  

This coming Saturday, May 10th, is our Burger Run (RTE).  We plan to leave Casey's at 4:30 and ride over to Cresco and Dan's Road House to taste the burgers that were nominated for best in Iowa. Everyone is invited to attend this pre-Mothers' Day RTE.

On Tuesday, May 13th, Jim G, Ron, and Bob will be giving trike rides to the residents of Good Sam in Waukon.  The probable time will be 1 PM.  Anyone else can come to help load, take photos, or pass out pins.

On Friday, May 16th, Ron and Bob will be giving trike rides to residents of Northgate Care Center in Waukon.  Time for that will be 1 PM.  Again, anyone else is welcome to come and watch or help.

On Sunday, May 18th, we will take a ride up to New Albin for the New Albin Fire Department pancake breakfast.  We will depart Casey's at 10 AM that morning and take a ride in the area after we eat Mike's excellently prepared pancakes!

On Monday, May 19th, Chuck, Ron, and Bob will be giving trike rides to residents of Wellington Place in Decorah.  That is scheduled for 1 PM also.  Again observers and helpers are welcome.

REMEMBER MAD MAGAZINE?!!

6 PACK ON 2ND WEDNESDAY NIGHT

 Our second Wednesday night ride of the year drew only 6 riders.  Partly cloudy skies with temps in the mid 60's greeted us at Casey's.  Jim & Cathy and Mike & Joan arrived on two wheelers, while Richard brought his Slingshot and Bob led with his trike.

A SMALL, BUT ENTHUSIASTIC  GROUP

We departed Waukon via HWY 76 north and journeyed up to Bear Creek Drive while viewing a considerable number of farm fields being burned.  We turned west onto Bear Creek and followed it over to Locust Road.  Turning north again, Locust took us up to HWY 44 and we followed it through Spring Grove and on up into Caledonia where we stopped for a break.  Since the Qwik Trip there offers a numerous amount of coffee possibilities, most everyone was satisfied that we passed up the Ruptured Rooster.

THE 6 PACK ARRIVES.....

AND GETS READY TO HIT THE ROAD AGAIN

We backtracked through Caledonia and then picked up HWY 76 again and headed south through Eitzen.  We hit the stop light just about perfect at the bridge repair on Bear Creek, and continued up to Iowa River Drive and motored eastward.  We did spot about a dozen deer in a herd way across a field near the river.  Again, so far on this ride, we saw very little field work being done.

Continuing on Iowa River Drive, we came to Lycurgus Road and made our way southward to HWY 9 at the Lycurgus Church.  HWY 9 took us southward towards Waukon, but with plenty of daylight left we did some skirting first.  We turned onto Iron Mine Drive NW and that led us back over to HWY 76.  We crossed 76 onto Mt. Olivet Drive and past the Catholic cemetery.  Mt. Olivet Dr. took is over to Prairie Drive and past Ft. Burroughs to Old Stage Road and back into Waukon for eats at Uptown where the conversation turned to capturing skunks and soup seemed to be the popular dish.  The trike had 93 miles on her when I arrived home.

NEXT WEDNESDAY THE PLAN IS PIKES' PEAK

AND IF IT KEEPS RAINING.....

ONLY NINE

 We only had 9 particpants show up for our first "special" ride of the season.  This was our Spring ride down to Monticello for the omelet breakfast fundraiser for Camp Courageous.  Jim & Cathy rode in on their bike.  Bob led on his trike.  Dennis drove his Dodge with Marlene and Jens & Jane aboard.  Julie brought her Dodge also and took Richard with her.

JIM & CATHY READY TO RIDE VISIT WITH RICHARD

DENNIS ROLLS IN WITH A "SUPPORT" VEHICLE

JENS IS "SHOTGUN" WHILE MARLENE & JANE ARE IN THE BACK

JULIE DRIVES THE SECOND "SUPPORT" VEHICLE
WITH RICHARD ABOARD

What was supposed to be a cold day with chances of rain showers and a never-ending wind, turned into a great day for a ride.  After we left Waukon, we were treated to ample sunshine and since we were riding against the breeze, we were very comfortable.

The route down took us through Monona and Garnavillo and into Guttenberg for a short break.  Also there at Kwik Star were the HOG chapter riders also heading for Camp Courageous.

After our break we passed through Luxemburg, New Vienna, Dyersville, Worthington, the outskirts of Cascade and Monticello and on to Camp Courageous at 11:15.  There we enjoyed the delicious omelets, sausage, toast, juice, and coffee.

OUR NINESOME

After our "charity" breakfast, we made our way back through Monticello, Hopkinton, Delhi, and into Delaware for a gas stop.  We continued on HWY 38 past Oneida, through Greeley, and into Edgewood where we stopped at the Edgewood Country Club for our "mandatory" ice cream stop.

WE ARRIVE AT THE EDGEWOOD CC PARKING LOT

After getting our fill of ice cream, we took CR X21 north through Littleport and up to Grandview Road where we turned west over to HWY 13.  This stretch of X21 and Grandview (CR X3C) is one of the most scenic in northeast Iowa.  By this time the temp in the sun was close to 70 degrees.

We followed HWY 13 into Elkader and then found our way to the Gunder Road and continued our scenic journey on through Gunder, and then took a rough stretch of the Gunder Road over to HWY 18 just outside of Postville.  We passed through Postville and took HWY 51 north.  Jim & Cathy departed for home when we got to the Yellow River Drive turn.  The rest of the party continued on 51 up to HWY 9 and into Waukon.

I had just short of 200 miles on the trike when I parked her.  Great day for a ride for a great cause!

No he didn't ride with us, but apparently he rode motorcycles, and he was a great singer who passed away too soon.

PMS DREW A CROWD

 Our seventeeth annual PMS (Parked Motorcycle (Motorcar) Syndrome  get together for the Wednesday Night Riders drew an amazing 33 participants.  Included in our midst were military veterans including Bob Z, Richard, Bernell, Terry, Dave M, and Carl.  We were also blessed to have some WNR veterans in Wayne & Sandy and Carl & Joyce.

After a brief welcome, Bob started the meeting with the Mo Bandy ballad "Americana" video.  Mo does a fine job of explaining how small towns off the interstates are really what America is all about.  That was followed by Bob telling of some of their Florida adventures with winter.  He then went over some ride rules and made note of some of the upcoming "special" rides for 2025.  Then a video showing highlights of the WNR activities was shown.  This video included some of our sights, our rides, our new friends,  our charities, our "be good to others", and our eats.  2024 was quite a year!

The next video has become a "feature" of our PMS get-togethers.  Here we poke some good-natured fun at almost everyone who rode in 2024 by using photos that Bob and others took during the year.  Of course, there was always some "slight" imbellishment done, but no one was immune to the teasing, and everyone seemed to enjoy the "overheard quotes or misquotes".  

Hopefully everyone was able to get in a lot of post-winter visiting and spent an entertaining and enjoyable evening with friends old and new.

Our first "special" ride of the year is this Sunday when we venture down to Monticello to support Camp Courageous by donating and taking part in their omelet breakfast.  We will leave Casey's at 9 AM.  There may be a couple of cars making the trip, so if you don't want to motorcycle down, you should be able to catch a ride in a car.  Right now the Sunday forecast is for temps in the 60's with rain coming later at night.  Let's have a good turnout!