Freeburg & Big Boy

There will be two "episodes" on this new post on the blog.  The first will be the ride Wednesday night.

We had a total of 14 riders show up at Casey's for our Wednesday night ride last night.  Lois, Bill, Dee, and Nancy came aboard bikes.  The three-wheel gang consisted of Richard & Melodye, Mark, Uncle Wayne & Karrie, Ron, ChucK, Dave, and Bob.  Showing up for the first time this year was Ken in his convertible.

LOIS, BUT NO CHUCKLES

MARK TIPS HIS CAP TO THE REST OF THE RIDERS

UNCLE WAYNE & KARRIE

RON ARRIVES

BILL ON HIS ADVENTURE BIKE

Chuck & DEE ROLL IN

TIME FOR GROUP GOSSIP

NANCY ARRIVES IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR

EVEN KEN BREAKS OUT HIS CONVERTIBLE

 It was a near perfect night for riding, so off we went with the goal being a cruise through the metropolis of Freeburg, MN.

After rolling through Waukon, we took HWY 76 north and just past Eitzen, we truned onto CR 17, and followed this "roller coaster" up to HWY 44 just outside of Spring Grove.  We turned east on 44 and arrived back on HWY 76 and on into Caledonia.

After passing through Caledonia, we took CR 249 and wound our way along a smooth and scenic stretch of asphalt on into Freeburg just avoiding the "rush hour"  Freeburg's fame rests in the fact that Little Miami Restaurant is located there.  

We jumped off 249 and continued an adventure onto CR 24, one of the more interesting roads we will travel on this season.  Most of 24 is not marked (Who needs "stinking yellow lines"?!) and winds its way along creeks and through woods offering up some great views.  CR 24 ends at the junction of CR 3, and we take 3 on into Brownsville for a break at River Station Convenience Store located there.

GOOD TO SEE NANCY AGAIN

THE SLINGSHOT GETS PARKED

THE REST OF THE GANG PARKS

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH GAS

After our break we continued our ride on a great night by taking HWY 26 on through Reno and New Albin and on into Lansing.  HWY 26 offered us some cooling shade along with some great views of the river.  We arrived in Lansing and took a gander at the new bridge construction and then passed through town to pick up CR X42 (Lansing/Harpers Road) and meander along it until we reached CR X52 (Elon Road) and cruised on into Waukon where six of us had eats at Uptown.  I racked up just a little over 100 miles on the Wing.  What a great night for a ride!

UPCOMING EVENTS

This Saturday is the Mags/Byrnes charity ride starting with a breakfast at the fairgrounds pavillion at 9 and a ride starting at noon.  I plan to attend the breakfast and make a donation to the charity, but I don't know yet about going on the ride.  Last year I did go.

This Sunday, we have another of our "semi-famous" RTE's (Rides To Eat).  The plan is to leave Casey's at 10:30 Sunday morning and make a trip for eats at The Lookout bar & restaurant near Arcadia.  It's been quite a while since we've been up there, so I guess it's about time.  It's always been a fun and very scenic trip.  Hopefully weather will not be a factor.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Sunday, June 14, is the WinMed Hospice Ride.  This is an event that our group has participated in for a good number of years now, and we have had a good number of us go each time.  Mark the date on your calendar! 

PART 2--The Choo-Choo

Last Monday, Big Boy, the largest operating steam locomotive in the world, was coming to Tama for a scheduled stop.  I couldn't pass up this possible "once in a lifetime" opportunity to see this monster. So, accompanied by Bill, we made our way down to Tama that morning.  We were then joined by Jim and Mike on the rebound from their trip to Chattanooga and points south.  The following are some photos and videos of the day's events with Big Boy.

JIM & MIKE ARRIVE FROM CHATTANOOGA

LOTS OF SPECTATORS

LOTS OF SMOKE

WE HEAD TO BELLE PLAINE TO SEE IT RUN

JIM OPTS FOR THE SHADE

HERE SHE COMES!!

The guys on the motorcycles in the last blog that no one could identify were Keenan Wynn and Lee Marvin.

SEE YOU SUNDAY!

CHOO! CHOO!

 "Big Boy", the world's largest operating steam locomotive, is traveling from Wyoming to the east coast this year.  It will be passing for a stop in Tama, Iowa, on Monday, June 1st, from 11:15 to 11:30 AM.

As a "train fan", I cannot pass up the opportunity to see this "monster".  So, I plan to ride down to Tama on Monday, leaving Casey's at 7 AM.

Anyone who would like join me on this ride is welcome to come along.  I will be returning to Waukon that same afternoon.

ANOTHER BIG GANG FOR DQ

A surprising number of riders (16) showed up for our usual Wednesday night ride. With temps in the mid 80's and with almost 20 showing up on Monday, 16 riders still made their appearance once again last night.

The biker bunch included Gene (newbie), Jim & Cathy, Bill, Mike, Dee, and Lissa.  On three wheels were Wayne, Terry, Richard & Melodye, Ron & Helen, Dave, ChucK, and Bob.

GASSING UP AFTER SPRAYING

PRERIDE CHATTER

BACKING ON IN

GOOD TO SEE RON & HELEN AGAIN

DAVE SURVEYS THE GROWING CROWD

ChucK & DEE GET PARKED

LISSA ROLLS IN RIGHT ON TIME

The plan was to arrive in West Union via a route Bob designed, so we departed Casey's (which should be less crowded from now on) and headed out on HWY 76.  Once we reached Forest Mills Road (CR X16) we turned south and cruised by the freshly sprayed corn on the Gelo farms.  FMR took us to Cherry Valley  Drive (838) and we made our way into Postville on it.  We wound our way through Postville and onto HWY 18 heading east.  

Since the last time he took Gunder Road (CR W64) just outside of Postville, Bob found it to be extremely rough, so he opted to keep going east on 18.  After passing by Luana and Monona, he decided to take Golden Avenue (CR X28) south down through Farmersburg and into St. Olaf.  In St. Olaf we turned back west on CR B65 and made our way over to the Gunder Road (CR X16)

After a 6 mile jaunt on Gunder Road, we actually did arrive in Gunder, and turned back south on Agate Road (CR W70) and weaved our way downhill into Elgin.  After working our way through Elgin, we found Golden Road (CR B64) and rode some smooth tarmac onto HWY 18, and took a short jog into West Union and a refreshing stop at Dairy Queen.

WE ARRIVE AT DQ

READY FOR A COOL BREAK

TERRY EVEN FINDS A LITTLE SHADE

The employees at DQ did a great job of getting all 16 of us served in good time, and the ice cream really hit the spot today.

We continued our journey by taking HWY 150 north out of West Union and we stayed on this smooth blacktop until we got to Festina where we took CR B32 east heading for Ossian.  This stretch of road was not the smoothest, but we only needed 6 miles before we arrived in Ossian.  We passed through Ossian, and on the edge of town, we took Sand Road.  Surprisingly, and maybe finally, Winneshiek County is going to fix CR W42 that heads north to HWY 9 outside of Decorah.  It has been in need of repair as long as I can remember. The sign says it was closed, so we would have to take Sand Road anyway.

At the end of Sand Road we turned back north onto Centennial Road and rode it up to HWY 9 where Ron & Helen departed for home.  Most of the rest of us continued east on 9, and after almost everyone else split for home, only four of us stopped for eats at Uptown.  

Bob had 105 miles on the Gold Wing clock after a warm but good Wednesday night ride.  Our two iron butts, Jim and Mike, are headed for Chattanooga today.  Wishing them safe travels!

UPDATE ON BOB'S HEALTH

As many of you may remember from the PMS get-together, I mentioned that there was a good possiblity that I was going to need the aortic valve replaced in my heart.  After further testing at Gundersen and visiting with the cardiatric staff there, it was confirmed that this replacement was necessary.

Right now, the surgery, hopefully TAVR and not open heart, is scheduled for June 17th at Gundersen.  Obviously, after the surgery, I am going to be "out of commision" recovering for, as of yet, an undetermined time. I go up to Gundersen on the 12th of June for a final check. So looking ahead, my last ride before surgery will be the Hospice Ride on the 14th, if they let me. That means I will be able to plan and lead two more Wednesdays, and the special ride on June 7th.  After the 14th, you will need new ride leaders and planners for an undetermined time.  I am hoping to be able to be back in action by the middle of July.  I am still willing to continue the blog, if I'm sent the ride reports, and I will keep you posted on my recovery via the blog.  I do expect you to keep riding on Wednesday nights while I'm not there!

Guess who these two bikers are!

BIB GANG FOR MEMORIAL RIDE & BRATS

For a good number of years now, the Wednesday Night Riders have planned a ride and a brat feed after the ride on Memorial Day.  We always wait until after the Memorial Day presentations are completed at the cemetery.

Here's some photos of some Wednesday Night Riders who attended and /or participated in the presentation at Oakland Cemetery this year.

LOIS OBSERVES THE PARADE FROM THE SHADE

BOB Z ARRIVES WITH THE VETS

KEN K BRINGS THE GRAND MARSHAL

CHUCKLES REPRESENTS THE KC's

WAYNE'S GRANDDAUGHTER CARRIES A FLAG

SUZANNE BRINGS THE WREATH LAYERS

ONE OF "BUGSY'S" SONS BUILT THIS WWII REPLICA

RICHARD & MELODYE'S GRANDDAUGHTER DELIVERS THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

WAYNE OBSERVES THE CEREMONIES

BOB Z WITH THE RIFLE SQUAD

JIM DOWNING'S GRANDDAUGHTER DELIVERS HER ESSAY

Our ride planned to leave Casey's at 1 PM well after we paid our respects to our fallen service men and women.

Arriving on bikes for the ride were Dee, Jim & Cathy, Mike, Chuckles, Lois, and Bill.  Aboard three-wheeled vehicles were Dave M, ChucK, Richard & Melodye, Mark, Uncle Wayne & Karrie, Terry, and Bob.  Dr. David & Suzanne drove in with their Mustang convertible.

DAVE M ARRIVES

ChucK & DEE DISCUSS COMMUNICATIONS

THE GANG GROWS

LOTS OF PRERIDE VISITING

UNCLE WAYNE & KARRIE ARRIVE

BILL PULLS IN FROM LANSING

BOB & CHUCKLES OBSERVING THE BIG GANG

The plan was to take Bob's "shortcut" up to Rushford and include three of his favorite pathways to get there.  The gang rolled out of Casey's under high 70's temps, but with a strong south wind.  Thanks to the "support" convertible blocking traffic, we were all able to get out of the Casey's lot still together.

Our journey started by passing through the only stop light in Allamakee County and continuing through Waukon until we reached HWY 76 and turned north.  We cruised along 76 with wind blasts until we arrived at the Dorchester turn and took CR A16 up the hill into Spring Grove.  We passed through Spring Grove on HWY 44 and made our way through Mabel, where we picked up Roger, adding to the three-wheeled gang.  Continuing on 44, we arrived in Canton, and there took CR 21, one of Bob's favorites, north all the way to HWY 16 just outside of Lanesboro. CR 21 is a smooth stretch of pavement that offers up some spectacular scenery  We slipped into town for a break at the BP store there.

AFTER PICKING ROGER UP IN MABEL

LOIS CHECKS TO SEE WHERE WE ARE

THE GANG STARTS TO RETURN FROM THE RESTROOM

THAT'S NOT A BUDWEISER!

After our break, we pick up HWY 250, another of Bob's favorites, and start weaving our way north.  250 offers some neat curves, but is probably best know for its "roller coaster" hills.  At its junction with HWY 30, we turn eastward on 30, and wind our way on into Rushford.  Once there, we pass through town and find our way to CR 27 and follow it part way along the Root River.  This stretch of road is pretty well tucked into tree lines, so the wind wasn't as bothersome. Bob likes this route because of the variety of hills and curves along with some great views. Near the end of CR 27 is Money Creek Haven, a campground with a huge swimming pool.  Per chance, a bathing beauty was spotted on the diving board as we passed by (very slowly!).

We then arrived at HWY 76 and cruised south on into Houston, where we stopped at the River Valley Convenience Store for a break.

WITH TEMPS NOW IN THE 80'S JACKETS COME OFF

SOME FIND A LITTLE SHADE

BUT SOME FIND LOTS OF SHADE

AND SOME LIKE TO BE DISTANT

After our second break on the trip, we continued our journey on HWY 76 out of Houston until we reached CR 10, another fun road.  After avoiding the "rush hour" in Sheldon, 10 led us back to HWY 76 just outside of Caledonia.  We passed through Caledonia staying on HWY 76, cruised past Eitzen and Dorchester and back to Waukon.  Bob had about 140 wind blown but fun miles on the trike when he arrived home.

Julie and Dennis & Marlene joined the 14 riders who stopped by for the  cookout, so we had 17 folks chowing down on brats and other goodies for a great climax to another Memorial Day.

We had a good ride, good food, and good fellowship today, but there is always something we should never, ever forget, especially on Memorial Day...