Good showing of WNRs at Hospice Ride

 All in all, we had 14 in our group of Wednesday Night Riders show up for all or part of the Win-Med Hospice Ride on Sunday.

Bob P joined us from Wisconsin.  We also had Richard & Melodye, Jim G & Cathy, ChucK, Dee, Terry, Mike, Jim S, Roger, Julie, and Wayne.  Dave M also arrived with his HOG group for the ride.

A small group of us left Casey's in Waukon at 9:30.

Mike, Bob P, Richard, and Melodye arrive.

Bob and Terry make sure Richard gets aboard.

Bob P on a brand new Harley and Julie in her Durango

Our group was soon joined on the route to Decorah by Jim & Cathy and ChucK and Dee.  We all arrived at Win-Med together.  The hot, windy day that was predicted arrived.

EASY PARKING AT WIN-MED

A PRE BREAKFAST DISCUSSION

TIME TO EAT

While we were having breakfast and registering for the ride, Jim S and Roger joined us.

We were treated to breakfast sandwiches, fruit, and cinnamon rolls.

ChucK and Dee are enjoying the food.

After the breakfast, the ride was to begin at 11 AM.  Some of the "coffee connoisseurs" in our group decided that a trip to Caledonia for the air-conditioned comfort of the Ruptured Rooser was a better choice, so they opted out of the ride and forfieted all of their prize winnings.

The rest of the group (six of us) joined about 60 other cycles and cars for the scheduled ride.  We passed through Ossian and West Union and into Wadena on county roads and the newly paved highway 56.  We stopped at Barney's there in Wadena for our first break.  With the temps  now approaching 90 and a stiff south wind, hydration (non alchoholic) became important.

We left Wadena and took county roads and highways 112 and 13 passing through Volga, Osborne, Elkport and into Osterdock for our second break.  The restaurant and bar (Stockyard) in Osterdock has been completly remodeled and added to since I had been there.

Nancy arrives from directing traffic earlier.

Bob P and Terry find parking in the metropolis of Osterdock.

After our brief stay in Osterdock, we followed county roads and highways 52, 128, and 13 through Guttenberg, Clayton Center, St. Olaf, Gunder, Elgin, and into Clermont  for our last break at the city park.

Mike, Terry, Bob P, Jim S, and Bob R find shade for parking.

Mike finds out he's not going to a graduation party

After the refreshments in Clermont, we made our way to the PIVO Brewery in Calmar by taking CR B40 and HWY 150 through Festina and into Calmar.  At the reception at PIVO we were joined by Julie and Wayne.  We were treated to sanwiches, cheese curds, meat sticks, cookies, and bars.  No one of us present there won any prizes, but the numbers called were pretty close to ours!  Mike did get his bid for propane at the silent auction.  The Wednesday Night Riders were recognized along with two other groups for supporting the event.  I believe the route covered about 170 miles.  THANKS TO ALL FOR SUPPORTING A VERY WORTHWHILE CAUSE!

IF WE ARE ABLE TO RIDE WEDNESDAY NIGHT, WE WILL MAKE OUR WAY UP TO HOUSTON.

Also, start thinking about whether you want to go on the Summer Trip (formerly Guys' Trip) from July 28 to August 2.  The plan is to explore some of the interesting and historic attractions along the Lincoln Highway (US 30) in Iowa and Nebraska.  Bob R will need to know your intentions by July 4th.

WE WENT ANYWAY

 Despite the predicted rain in the area, four Wednesday Night Riders challenged the weatherman and arrived at Casey's for what turned out to be a very plaeasant cruise.

Arriving last night were Mike, Richard & Melodye, and Bob.  We were a slim but determined crew.

MIKE ROLLS IN FROM NEW ALBIN

RICHARD & MELODYE DECIDE TO BRAVE THE ELEMENTS

SKULL CAP GOES ON FIRST

MIKE IS READY TO MOUNT UP

The foursome departed Casey's a little after 5 and left Waukon via HWY 9/76 heading south.  When we arrived at CR X16 (Forest Mills Road) we followed it southward past the Gelo plantation and then onto CR 838 (Cherry Valley Drive).  We cruised on into Postville on CVD.  Once in Postville, we found HWY 18 and took it out of town and onto HWY 52.  Once on 52, we made our way through Castalia and Ossian and on into Calmar.  By now we were enjoying partly sunny skies and temps in the 70's.

Just outside of Calmar, we proceeded onto 175th St.  This took us past the PIVO Brewery (our destination on the Hospice Ride Sunday) and the South Winn Golf Course.  175th St. changes to 265th Avenue just past the golf course, and led us to CR B16 just outside of Spillville.  The metropolis of Spillville is actually a crossroads town.  CR B16 and CR W14 intersect right in the center of town.  If you take W 14 south it will lead you into Ft. Atkinson.  If you make a short jog around the town square and continue on B 16 you will end up in Protivin.  We took W14 northward towards Ridgeway.  

W14 has been recently repaved, so it a smooth but curvy stretch of asphalt.  I think I counted 5 90 degree curves with 20 mph limits on the way into Ridgeway.  When we arrived at HWY 9, we jogged a little west and stopped at the Clark Gas & Convenience Store for a break.

After our break we took HWY 9 east out of town and turned onto CR W14 again heading north.  After a short run on W14, we took Madison Road all the way to HWY 52 just north of Decorah.  As we looked behind us, we could see storm clouds building up, and hoped we could skirt or outrun them the rest of the way home.

We continued on HWY 52 until we reached CR W34 (North Winn Road).  This smooth stretch of concrete took us past the Seed Saver facility and continued north to 337th St. where we jogged eastward past the Winneshiek Wildberry Winery.  This made for an interesting and scenic ride.  337th St. takes us over to Locust Road where we cross and it becomes Big Canoe Road still heading east.  Once we reach Balsom Road, Big Canoe becomes CR A 26 (Bear Creek Drive).  So now we continued on Bear Creek all the way over to HWY 76.  I had to brake for two deer, a wild turkey, a turkey buzzard, and a hen pheasant on our journey on 76 back into Waukon.  Remarkably, I had exactly 100 miles on the trike when I pulled to a stop in fron of Uptown Grill.  

What was supposed to be a soaking ride, turned out to be a very comfortable and scenic journey!

DO NOT FORGET THE WIN-MED HOSPICE RIDE ON SUNDAY!!  SEE THE PREVIOUS POST FOR DETAILS!

Just in case..

 The weather for the ride tonight looks "iffy" to say the least.  If we do not ride, there will be no blog, So then I want to remind everyone about the upcoming WIN-MED Hospice Ride that is taking place this Sunday.  This is an event that the Wednesday Night Riders have always enthusiastically supported over the past years.  It is for a great cause, and we always have a good time on the ride and the festivities afterwards.

 I plan on attending the breakfast and the ride and plan to leave Casey's at 9 AM on Sunday morning for those who want to ride along.  Otherwise, you can make your own way over to Decorah and just have breakfast or go on the ride or both.  It's supposed to be hot, but there are some refreshment stops on the way, so let's have a good turnout like last year!

Here's the info on the event.

WinnMed Hospice Memorial Ride

June 22 • 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

The annual WinnMed Hospice Memorial Ride features a freewill donation breakfast, a guided motorcycle/car poker run through Northeast Iowa, and a silent auction at PIVO Brewery. Held rain or shine. All proceeds support WinnMed Hospice’s specialized services.

9:00am – 10:30am: Breakfast/Registration at WinnMed (901 Montgomery St., Decorah) Park in Lot F. Breakfast is open to the public–freewill donations welcome! Poker Run Registration: $20 donation per entry.

11:00am – 4:30pm: Guided Motorcycle/Car Poker Run Leaving from the WinnMed Campus at 11:00am, we’ll take a ride through beautiful Northeast Iowa and end at PIVO Brewery in Calmar, the last bikes/cars pulling in at 4:30pm.

4:30pm: Silent Auction & Snacks at PIVO Brewery

NINE ATE AT BUCKNUCKLES ON 88.

Our second R T E (Ride To Eat) this year drew nine participants to Casey's on Sunday. The scheduled trip was to Bucknuckles Bar & Grill near the metropolis of Praag, Wisconsin. But you have to go through Cream to get there! Sporting bikes were Dee, Mike, Bill, and Jim & Cathy.  The three wheelers were occupied by Richard & Melodye, ChucK, and Bob.

ChucK and DEE, FORMER BUCKNUCKLERS

JIM & CATHY COACH MIKE ON HIS FIRST BUCKNUCKLES VENTURE

RICHARD & MELODYE ARE FIRST-TIMERS

BILL HAS EXPERIENCED THE BUCKNUCKLES EXPERIENCE BEFORE

 

AND A "NOT-SO-QUICK" CHANGE ARTIST ARRIVES!

We had received some rain earlier in the morning, but by our 10:30 departure time, the sky was partly cloudy and the temps were in the low 70's.  Departing Waukon on HWY 76, we followed it north all the way past Eitzen, through Caledonia, Houston, and Money Creek to its end near Ridgeway.  There we opted not to take the interstate and use CR 12 instead and motored therough Witoka and onto CR 17.  We cruised down the hill into Winona and stopped at the Winona Visitor Center on Huff Street for a break.

This is always a great place to stop when you come to Winona.  There's always a friendly person in charge and a clean restroom.  This time even the "coffee hounds" got free refreshments!  Our rides get great views of Lake Winona.

After all the free coffee, we made our way through Winona, crossed the Mississippi River into Wisconsin and took HWY 35 north through Fountain City and up to HWY 88.  A scenic HWY 88 took us through Cream (no one got wet) and up near Praag and into Bucknuckles.  I have been to Bucknuckles many times over the years on weekends and have always had to wait in line to order and get served.  This time we pulled into a nearly empty lot!

JUST US AND A COUPLE OF OTHER BIKES

MELODYE CALLS TO SEE WHERE WE ARE AT

NO PROBLEM PARKING TODAY!

We placed our order and while waiting and eating, we scanned the fixtures in Bucknuckles which is always a treat.

PHOTO BY BILL

While waiting to depart, some "new comers" took a tour of the grounds outside.

RICHARD GIVES HER A "ONCE OVER"

RICHARD & MELODYE ARE ENTERTAINED BY THE BLUES BROTHERS!

After finishing off knuckle burgers and camel burgers, we departed Praag and headed back down HWY 88 for a short jaunt before turning onto CR T.  A short ride down T and we were able to catch CR N for a curvy, scenic trip down the hill and back on HWY35 heading south this time.

We passed through Cochrane, back through Fountain City, past Bluff Siding and near Centerville we stopped at Toad's Cove Convenience Store and Gas.  We got our gas, but what's a RTE without ice cream?!  So we all got ice cream there also, and "broadened our horizons" for ice cream tasting.

After gas and ice cream we left Toad's and continued on HWY 35 through Trempealeau and over to HWY 53 heading south.  53 took us to Interstate 90 west, back across the river and onto HWY 14 into LaCrecent.  Passing through LaCrescent, we got onto HWY 26 and followed it along the river to New Albin where we dropped off Mike.  Continuing on 26 we passed through Lansing where Bill got off.  The rest of us continued on HWY 9 into Waukon and some onto Postville.  I had 220 miles on the trike when I parked her.

THIS WAS REALLY A GREAT RIDE!  I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED GOING TO BUCKNUCKLES EVERY OTHER YEAR.  I'M GLAD SOME WERE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THIS ICONIC PLACE FOR THE FIRST TIME. AS THE SIGN SAYS, "THE FUN PART IS JUST GETTING THERE"!

UPCOMING

Wednesday--regular ride from Casey's at 5.  Possible trip over by Protivin.

Thursday--trike rides for residents of Wellington Place in Decorah depending on weather.  Riders to meet at Casey's across from Walmart at 9:30.  Rides at 10.

Put June 22nd on your calendars for the Winn-Med Hospice Ride.

I'M READY TO GO ON JIM & MIKE'S NEXT TRIP!

A DOZEN TO BAGLEY

Despite the smoke warnings, we still had a dozen riders ready to roll from Casey's for our regular Wednesday night ride.

Arriving on bikes were Jim D and his granddaughter, Melea, along with Lissa, and Bill.  Three wheelers were Richard & Melodye, Terry, Dave M, and Bob R.  Offering up "support" convertibles were Irv in a Vet and Dr. David and Bob Z in a Jeep.

JIM D IS BACK AGAIN

BILL USES REVERSE

LISSA  ARRIVES

THE SUPPORT JEEP WITH DR. DAVID & BOB Z

IRV ARRIVES JUST UNDER THE WIRE

 

With mostly sunny skies and temps in the mid 70's we departed for our intended mission to Bagley.  We left Waukon via HWY 9 and 76 and then took CR X16 (Forest Mills Road) past the Gelo ranch and on into Luana.  We jogged through Luana and arrived at HWY 18.  There we had quite a long wait for traffic, probably due to the closed Lansing bridge.  When we finally got onto 18 we cruised east through Monona, past Giard and Froelich, into Marquette, and across the bridge into Prarie du Chien.  Skirting around Prarie on the bypass, we picked up HWY 18 again and continued out of town.  After crossing the Wisconsin River bridge, we turned onto CR C and made our way into Wyalusing Park.  

We remained on CR C up to CR X and then turned onto it and on into the village of Wyalusing.  Still seeing some great scenery and not much smoke we continued on X as it turns into a rather narrow two lane stretch of asphalt into Bagley.

Once in Bagley, we found CR A and headed in an eastward direction.  We followed A on over to HWY 35 and passed through Bloominton.  It was nice of the Wisconsin DNR to resurface HWY 35 for us!  After about four smooth miles, we arrived in Patch Grove and stopped at the New Horizons Cenex convenience store for a break.  I've stopped at this location several times before, and have always found the folks running the store to be very friendly.

WE FIND PARKING AT CENEX

AND ACROSS THE LOT

DR. DAVID ALSO FINDS SOME GAS

After our break, we head for Waukon via HWY 35/18 back through Prarie du Chien and Marquette.  There we pick up HWY 76 north and cruise on into Waukon for eats at Uptown.  There the conversation turned to the possible construction mistake allowed by the Iowa DNR on the Lansing bridge building.

GREAT RIDE, GOOD SCENERY, NOT MUCH SMOKE

There was about 115 miles on the trike when I got her home.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Mags/Byrnes Ride is scheduled for this Saturday.  This ride is sponsored by the Goodfellows Motorcycle Club out of Waukon.  It is a fund raiser for a very worthy cause, scholarships for those in need.  There is sign-up at 10 that morning and a breakfast available.  After the ride, another meal is available and a silent auction takes place.  The Goodfellows do a great job with this event.  The ride is $10 per person, but if you can't do the ride, you can stop by for the meals and make a donation.

SUNDAY is our second RTE (Ride To Eat) for the season.  We are going to wind our way up to Bucknuckles Bar north of Alma, Wisconsin.  Bucknuckles is a "one of a kind" establishment frequented by bikers.  It is "cash only" for food, but the food is great, along with some incredible scenery on the way up and back.  Plan on leaving Casey's at 10:30 Sunday morning.  It will be a unique experience!

HONORING SANDY

 We had many of our Wednesday Night Riders honor the memory of Sandy Fish by attending her visitation and funeral service.  I received many thanks from Wayne and other family members for our thoughtfulness.  The funeral service was very touching with her grand and great grandchilren participating.

One of Sandy's final wishes was for the "wild" Wednesday Night Riders to escourt the funeral procession from the Babtist Church to the cemetery at Zalmona Presbyterian Church.  While some of us got wet doing this, we were happy to fulfill her wishes.  Sandy is now in a place where she can breathe again!

CHUCKLES TOOK THIS PHOTO OF US LEAVING THE CHURCH

Another of our group that needs condolences is Nancy Haberichter on the passing of her mother.  God bless Sharon Decker.

If the smoke doesn't bother too much, we will plan to ride Wednesday night.  We will take Bob's short-cut to Bagley.

SOME VERY SAD NEWS

 This is to inform everyone that one of our long-time members, Sandy Fish, passed away early on Saturday.  The visitation for Sandy will be Monday, June 2 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home from 4 to 7 PM.  Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd at 10:30 AM at First Baptist Church in Waukon.

The Wednesday Night Riders have been requested to do an honorary escourt from the church to Zalmona Cemetery following the service.  I would like to see as many of our Wednesday Night Riders as possible take part in this escourt.  Please let me know if you can participate either by e-mail (brotach@msn.com) or phone 563-568-7277 and leave a message.  Some of us will be attending the service, but if you cannot or choose not to attend the service, we would still like you to be part of the escourt.  We will gather outside the church after the service and form the escourt.  There will be a light lunch to follow at the church.

Condolences to Wayne and the rest of the family.  We are all going to miss her.