GOOD SIZE GROUP, NICE NIGHT

 We had 14 Wednesday Night Riders make their way to Casey's for a trip on Bob's "shortcut" to Cresco.  The crowd was made up of 5 bikers that included Mike, Chuckles, Lois, Jim, and Fred (newbie).  The trikers were Ron, Richard & Melodye, Wayne, Dave, Roger (picked up on the way), and Bob.  Irv arrived in the "support" Vet.

THE FIRST BUNCH ARRIVES

FOLLOWED BY TERRY

THEN CHUCKLES AND LOIS

JIM, WITH A FULL MUG

OUR "NEWBIE" GASSES UP

DAVE ROUNDS OUT THE GROUP

RON SAYS "THAT'S A REAL HEAD SCRATCHER."

We depart Casey's with the temps in the low 70's under partly cloudy skies and very little wind.  Perfect riding weather!

We make our way through town and head north on HWY 76.  When we arrive at Bear Creek Road, we turn west.  We continue on Bear Creek and then Big Canoe up to the Locust Church where we pick up Roger.  After crossing Locust, the road changes to 337th St. and we continue on it until we reach North Winn Road and turn southward.  North Winn takes us over to HWY 52 and we turn back towards Decorah.  All of the roads so far have been in good shape with some sweeping curves.

HWY 52 takes us down to Pole Line Road and a turn back west.  With the sun in our eyes, sunglasses are needed as we continue our journey towards Cresco.  Pole Line Road is an interesting journey, since it has some sharp turns and alot of up and down hills to maneuver.  Pole Line ends at HWY 9, and we cross it and roll into Cresco for a break at Quick Star.

TIME FOR SOME GOODIES

THE GANG'S ALL HERE

FRED TELLS US ABOUT HIS TRIP TO WASHINGTON AND OREGON

After leaving Quick Star, we pass through Cresco and turn to the south on Dvorak Memorial Highway.  After about 4 miles, we find CR A 46 (Schley Road) and motor on eastward with the sun now shining on our backs.  We arrive in Ridgeway and after a short jog on HWY 9 we turn back north on CR W14 and after about 2 miles we find Madison Road and turn east again.  Madison doesn't have a lot of curves, but it does offer some hills with good views.  Bob also kicked up an angry eagle along the roadside.  We arrive back on HWY 52 just north of Decorah and follow it into town where we pick up HWY 9.  The sun is starting to set, so we cruise back on 9 into Waukon where some of us stopped at Uptown for eats.

The trike had right at 100 miles on it when it was parked outside of Uptown.  An enjoyable ride on a great night, and welcome to Fred.  Hopefully he will join us again.

NEXT WEDNESDAY IS UNDECIDED YET.  WILL NEED TO RECOVER FROM THE COUPLES' TRIP THIS WEEKEND.

The services for Terry's father, Ernie, are today for visitation at Zion Church from 4:30 to 7 and tomorrow (Friday) from 10 to 10:50.  His funeral is Friday at 11 at Zion.

Services for Darrel Samuelson are next Saturday, the 20th.  His visitation is at Helms Funeral Home from noon to 2 PM with his funeral at 2 there at the funeral home.  I do plan on going over to the visitation next Saturday.

AND LESS WE FORGET...

ANOTHER PASSING

 I just received word from Roger that Darrel Samuelson has passed away.  He was always a very faithful rider with us up until last year with Ol' Yeller, his yellow Gold Wing trike.  I will try to post his funeral service information when I receive it.

Also, the service information for Ernie Lubahn (Terry's father) is as follows:

Visitation at Zion UCC in Waukon is Thursday, September 11, from 4:30 to 7 and Friday, September 12th, from 10 AM to 10:50 AM.  His funeral is at 11 AM on Friday also at Zion.

Portside Bar & Supper Club

 The Portside Bar & Supper Club in Harpers Ferry has an all-you-can-eat fish & chicken buffet Friday night.

ChucK and Dee are planning to get there around 4:30 for a drink (or two) and then partake in the buffet.  They said any Wednesday Night Rider is welcome to come down and join them.

Probably going to be a little too cool for biking, but a chance to get together again.

COOL & CURVY

 This Wednesday evening we had 11 riders show up at Casey's on a cool, but sunny evening.  Temps were in the mid 60's as Mike, Jim, Chuckles, and Lois arrived on bikes.  Dave, Wayne, ChucK, and Bob brought their trikes.  Richard & Melodye rode in in their Slingshot, and Irv stoked up his Corvette.  Bill met us on his Guzi as we passed through Lansing to make our group an even dozen.

IRV WOULD BE THE ONLY ONE IN SHORTS TONIGHT!

THE GROUP HUDDLES UP

With Viroqua being our destination, we headed out of town on HWY 9 cruising into Lansing where Bill was waiting for us.  We crossed the "soon to be demolished" Black Hawk Bridge and rolled into Wisconsin.  I would like to cross the Black Hawk Bridge as many times as possible, before it no longer exists.

We journeyed northward on HWY 35 until we came to HWY 56 in Genoa.  After passing through town on 56, we turned back in a northerly direction on CR K.  Like all the county roads to come, CR K is a stretch of blacktop that winds it way through the hills and valleys of the area.  After quite a stint on K, we arrived at CR O.  Here the fun really started!  Now along with all the curves and hills, we had to dodge "road apples" and maneuver around Amish buggies.  Apparently it was "rush hour" for the Amish as they were returning from the farmers' market in Viroqua.

CR O led us to CR Y and again we wound our way along with the Amish coming from both directions.  Some of us left CR Y and took CR B over to HWY 56 and rode on into Viroqua for a stop at the Quick Trip on the south end of town.  The other half of the group decided that continuing on CR Y was much better, so they followed it over to HWY 14 and stopped at the Quick Trip on the north side of town.  No matter which way we took, all of the those county roads offer a challenge, but are fun to ride.

With a couple of phone calls, we were able to join forces again and began to make our way back home by leaving Viroqua on HWY 14 and catching CR J just outside of town.  J took us past the lush, green Viroqua Golf Course and onto HWY 82.  We followed newly paved 82 all the way into Red Mound and then turned onto CR UU.  Down the scenic hill we went admiring a beautiful sunset and arriving in Victory and onto HWY 35 again.

We backtracked on 35 and crossed the Black Hawk Bridge again into Lansing.  Back on HWY 9 again into Waukon where 6 of us had eats.  The hot soup tasted pretty good!  I had 111 miles on the trike at Uptown Grill.  Even though we had to dodge "road apples" and buggies, it was still a nice ride on what would almost be considered a fall evening.  The sad part now is that the daylight hours will be getting shorter, so our rides will too.

Next Wednesday, we may cruise over by Cresco.

Another one of my favorite 50's/60's singers rode a motorcycle...

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM....

 WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!

At that's the way it looked in the Casey's parking lot as the group gathered for our annual Labor Day "Double Dip" Ice Cream Run.  I'm sure the beautiful day had something to do with it, but when we have 22 riders arrive, ice cream must have some thing to do with it!  The 22 riders broke our one ride record by four.  The most riders we had ever had before on one ride was 18!

Trying not to forget anyone, we had 10 riders on 8 bikes.  That group was made up of Chuckles, Lois, Mike, Jim & Cathy, Dee, Bill & Beth Ellen, and two imports from Wisconsin, Bob P and Luther.

Composing the massive three-wheeled gang were Richard & Melodye, Dave M, David R (Porky) & Elaine (Babe) from Wellsburg, Wayne, ChucK, Roger, and Bob & Julie.

We even had a "support" convertible with Dr. David & Suzanne aboard.

Here's some shots of the pre ride gathering in the Casey's lot.

"PORKY" & "BABE"

The first dip journey was to take us up to Caledonia where the "highly recommended" Wired (Ruptured) Rooster Coffee Shop was to offer us a big selection of dipped ice cream.  We arrive at the Rooster...

only to find out the "big selection" was the CLOSED sign on the door!  So we decided to move onto Houston where Bob knew (or hoped) some ice cream might be available.

We exited Caledonia on HWY 76 for a short distance and then took CR 10 through the metropolis of Sheldon and onto HWY 76 just outside of Houston.  We took 10 instead of 76 to Houston since Bob prefers the more sweeping curves, great views, and smoother blacktop.  We rolled into the River Valley Convenience Store in Houston and "overwhelmed" the nice lady on duty with our ice cream orders.  It was a very busy place, and after she called in her daughter to help, they handled the crowd very well. And we got our first dip!

The best part of the ride was to follow.  Just outside of Houston, we turned in an easterly direction on CR 9.  We followed 9 over to CR 21 and turned more southernly.  Both CR 9 and 21 meander along the Root River and offer some good views.  After a ways on 21, we turned back northerly on CR 25 and up a steep hill we went.  CR 25 is another jem that is well maintained and offers some excellent views of the valleys below.  Because of the tall corn in places, we were not able to catch all the great views, but it is still a nice route.  

The best was yet to come when we turned off of CR 25 at the WXOW towers and proceeded down Tschumper Road (Thumper Road for short).  This is only a one lane path of semi blacktop, but to most of us it is the most scenic four mile stretch of road in the tri-state area.  On a day like today, it did not disappoint.  The views were breathtaking!  A great ride down the hill takes us back to CR 21 and we make our way eastward to HWY 16.  A short trip down 16 takes us into Hokah for a brief stop at the Quick Trip there.

CHUCKLES TRIES TO TELL DAVID WHERE WE ARE

After a brief stop, we continued with our convoy down CR 18 from Hokah to Brownsville.  Once in Brownsville, HWY 26 became our route back along the Mississippi River to New Albin.  It was disturbing to see the number of catipillar tents in the trees along the river.  Outside of New Albin, we took CR A 26 (Iowa River Drive) for a smooth ride westerly to CR X30 (lycurgus Road) and then onto HWY 9.  Most of us took HWY 9 back into Waukon for our "second" dip at WW Dairy.

TIME FOR DIP #2

LUTHER SEEMED TO ENJOY THE RIDE

THE ICE CREAM WAS WORTH THE WAIT!

DENNIS & MARLENE MET US THERE.

There were about 115 miles on the trike at WW Dairy.  It sounded like everyone enjoyed the trip and the "double dips".  A special welcome to Luther from Wisconsin and to "Porky" & "Babe" good to see you again.

TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY NIGHT) if the weather cooperates, we may make tracks for Viroqua.  It's time to leave Houston alone for a while.

ON A SAD NOTE

Word has come to me that Terry's dad, Ernie Lubahn, has passed away.  More on the visitation and service to come.  Condolences to Terry and the rest of the Lubahn family.

TIME CHANGE

 REMINDER

Since WW Dairy closes early today, we will leave Casey's at 12:30 instead of the 1 o'clock time.

We will proceed to the Wired (Ruptured) Rooster in Caledonia via HWY 76 for our first dip(s), and then cruise through Houston and onto scenic "Thumper" Road.  We'll stop for a short break in Hokah and proceed back to WW Dairy for our second dip(s) before they close at 5.  About 115 miles total.

CLOSE, BUT NO HOUSTON

 After a pretty heavy downpoor in Waukon, we still had 5 hardy riders show up at Casey's for our Wednesday night ride.

Jim, Mike, and Bill two wheeled their way through some rain water and arrived a little damp.  Richard arrived in his Slingshot after dropping Melodye off, and Bob rolled in on his trike to lead.

IT AIN'T EXACTLY DRY OUT HERE!

RICHARD SAYS HE'S READY

BILL CHECKS FOR DRIER CLOTHES

The original plan was to take Bob's "shortcut" to Houston via CR 13 (the mountain pass).  After some convincing from the other 4, the plan was to continue to reach Houston, since it did look pretty good in that direction.  So, we decided to give it a try.

We left Waukon via HWY 76 north up to Bear Creek Drive.  We headed west on BCD and followed it until it turns into Big Canoe Road and then crosses Locust Road and becomes 337th St.  Finally this road with 3 names ends at North Winn Road and we venture back south on it passing by Seed Savers Exchange Farm and onto HWY 52.  We turn northward on 52 and arrive at its junction with HWY 44.  After a look in the direction of Houston, we spotted what looked like a pretty healthy looking shower to the north, so we decided to turn eastwardly on HWY 44.  Once we arrived in Mabel, we could take HWY 43 north to get to CR 13.

However, after a brief stop at the BP station in Mabel, things didn't look any better to the north, so we continued our abbreviated journey by staying on HWY 44 and rolled into the Quick Stop in Spring Grove.

HOT COFFEE HITS THE SPOT!

RICHARD THINKS MELODYE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION!

Actually, except for some wet roads and a few sprinkles, it had not been a bad ride at all.  So with the possiblity of the rain catching up with us, we left Spring Grove with the intention of heading back to Waukon.  On the edge of Spring Grove we made our way onto CR 27, Sylling Road.  This is a fun motorcycle road, and to our delight, it has been recently resurfaced, so we had a smooth, curvy ride back down to HWY 76.

We headed back south on 76 and came up to the stop lights where the bridge over Bear Creek is being replaced.  It was amazing to look down and see all the materials and equipment that was being used for this small bridge repair.  It's hard to imagine the amount of material and machinery that it must take to build a big bridge like they are doing in Lansing!

HWY 76 took us back into Waukon.  There Mike and Bill decided it was in their best interests to head back north to home.  Jim, Richard, and Bob stopped at Uptown for eats where the conversation turned to remote controlled lawn mowers with the names Mabel and Grassinova.  I had 91 milles on the trike when I got her in the garage.  Just as I pulled into the garage, a pretty strong rain shower hit.  Good timing!

UPCOMING EVENTS

This Monday, Labor Day, is our annual "Double Dip" Ice Cream Run.  We will venture out of Casey's at 1 PM that day and find an ice cream establishment somewhere for one dip (or more), and return to Waukon and WW Dairy for the second dip (or more).  This ride is going to include the now famous "Thumper Road", probably the most scenic four mile stretch of road in the tri-state area.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Next Wednesday we may try CR 13 into Houston again.

Looks like something Jim & Cathy, Mike & Joan, and Chuckles & Lois could use!!