FEW RIDERS BUT A GREAT RIDE

 We had the least number of riders that we have ever had before for our annual "Run, Chicken, Run" Run up to Rockton, WI.  On a cool but soon to be fabulous fall day, we had only 10 riders to make the journey for the semi-world famous barbeque chucken.

The only bikers were Lois & Chuckles.  There were eight three-wheel riders including Don & Karrie, Uncle Wayne, Dave, Mark, Richard & Melodye, and Bob.

THE GROUP GATHERS 

TWO "ANCIENT MARINERS"

BOB CALLS IN THE CLUCKER ORDER

LOIS INSPECTS THE GROUP

GOOD TO SEE DON & KARRIE AGAIN

TIME TO GO

Not knowing how long it may take us to cross at Lansing, Bob chose to go down through Prairie du Chien and take mostly main roads since we needed to make sure we were there before 1.

Our journey started by heading south on HWY 76 into Marquette. We then crossed the bridge on HWY 18 and entered the three round-a-bouts to get us onto HWY 27 north. No one tried to crowd Chuckles off this time.  Once we got onto 27, we cruised along a scenic stretch taking us through Eastman and into Seneca for a short break at Greener's Corner where Bob bought some popcorn from the Boy and Girl Scouts.

We continued our scenic cruise along HWY 27 passing through Mt. Sterling, Fairview, and Rising Sun.  Once we avoided the "rush hour" in Fargo, we turned onto HWY 82.  After passing through Liberty Pole and paying homage to Monument Rock, we were headed for Viroqua.  Not wanting to venture through Viroqua, Bob turned onto CR SS and after a short jog took a shortcut on Lewiston Road over to HWY 82/56 and turned east until 82 split and up the hill we went.  This section of HWY 82 is a motorcyclist's dream.  It offers great views, sweeping curves, hills, and smooth tarmac.

After some fabulous scenery, we arrived in LaFarge and were able to take the newly resurfaced HWY 131 north and arrived to the smell of barbeque chicken at the famous Rockton Bar.  For the most part, we were able to find easy parking, since there didn't seem to be as many cages as there normally has been.

LOIS & CHUCKLES GET PARKED

OTHERS FIND THE SHADE

AND SOME USE THE MAIN LOT

We get our orders placed and sit down for a a half chicken, beans, and macaroni salad and bread.  After visiting with another rider sitting at our table, we remarked how far we'd come for the chicken, and then he told us he had come from Mason City!  The semi-world famous chicken draws them from all over.  After polishing off the chicken, it was time to make our way to Sunrise Orchard for some apple goodies.

LOADING UP AGAIN

GETTING READY TO ROLL AGAIN

STILL PLENTY OF BIKES YET

We headed back on HWY 131 through LaFarge and Viola and into Readstown all on newly resurfaced tarmac.  Once in Readstown we  turned south on HWY 61 and rolled into Soldiers Grove for gas at the Mobile Station.  We continued our journey south on 61 until we reached HWY 171 and turned westward toward the orchards.  The last time we rode on this section of 171, it was a real "teeth rattler".  However, to our surprise, just like 131, it had been resurfaced and we took "as smooth as glass" ride with stunning views all the way to Sunrise Orchards.

As usual, Sunrise Orchard was very busy, but we were able to fine parking and went in to buy and sample some of the apple goodies.  I can attest that the apple cider was good, and the apple cider donuts were great again!  I'm always happy to get out of that building without getting run over by a grocery cart!

We continued down the twists and turns on the steep hill into Gays Mills.  We stayed on HWY 171 and we again pleasantly surprised that 171 had been resurfaced all the way to Soldiers Grove.  What an improvement!  Continuing on 171, we went gliding down the hill and picked up HWY 35 and made our way into Ferryville.  What's a chicken dinner without ice cream, so we make a stop at the Arco Station for a dip or two.

After the ice cream, it was time to make our way to the Lansing ferry.  Taking 35 north, we turned west onto HWY 82 and into the parking lot for the ferry we went.  The ferry was full just as we arrived, so we spent about a half hour waiting for its return.  It seemed to me that this ferry boat wasn't as big as the one we had taken earlier in the summer.  But we did make our way under the new bridge and over to Lansing on it.

After crossing on the ferry, most of us took HWY 9 back to Waukon, as Don & Karrie departed for home just outside of Lansing.  I had a little over 170 miles on the trike when I rolled into the shed at home.  Usually I like to take back roads (county roads) as much as possible when we go to Rockton, and maybe that will happen again when the Lansing Bridge is open.  But if I were going to take main roads again, I would definitely recommend the route we took, especially since they have done all the resurfacing on HWYs 171 and 131.  It's too bad we didn't have more riders, but it's a busy time for a lot of us, and I'm sure crop harvesting is going to start very soon.

I'm still thinking about a ride to Dyersville in the near future weekend for pizza and to tour the Farm Toy Museum there, but so far I haven't heard much interest from anyone else.

JUST A REMINDER

 JUST A REMINDER--We will be leaving at 10 tomorrow morning, not 10:30, since Rockton quits serving at 1 and it looks to be about a two hour trip.

If you want chicken tomorrow, and have not made reservations for it, I would advise that you do that.  Bob Protsman called to tell me that some of his friends went up there last Sunday without reservations, and could not get chicken.  It looks to be a nice day, so there will be plenty of eaters at Rockton tomorrow.

So far I have only Dave, Chuckles & Lois, Richard & Melodye, and myself for chicken reservations.

CHANGE OF TIME FOR SUNDAY

 In looking over the possible routes to get us to Rockton before 1 O'Clock, I've decided that we better leave Casey's at 10 instead of 10:30.  I still plan to call in reservations as soon as they will take them.  So if you want me to make reservations for your chicken dinners, then let me know by Saturday noon. I still plan to stop at the orchards near Gays Mills on the way back and take the Lansing ferry back across to HWY 9 in Iowa.

SUNDAY--CLUCK! CLUCK!

 Since I haven't received any report from the ride some may have taken last night, I'll move on to our next event.  As many of you already know, our annual "Run, Chicken, Run" Run is coming up this Sunday.  The plan is to leave Casey's at 10:30 that morning and make our way up to the Rockton Bar for their "nearly world famous" barbeque chicken. As of now, I do not know the route we will be taking up there, but I do plan on taking the ferry at Lansing on the way back.  Also, on the way back we usually make a stop at the orchards for some cider and apple cider donuts.

Sunday, right now, looks to be a nice fall day, so there may be plenty of chicken eaters at Rockton.  That's why we usually call in our orders to reserve a chicken dinner.  I will call in the reservations, so if you do want chicken and want me to call in for you, let me know by noon on Saturday.

CLUCK! CLUCK!  EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Our mystery rider from the last post was Bruce Springsteen, as someone correctly guessed.

TRY THIS ONE!

ELEVEN TO SUPPORT CAMP COURAGEOUS

 We had 11 Wednesday Night Riders show up at Casey's Sunday morning for our fall trip down to Camp Courageous in Monticello for their fund-raising waffle breakfast. With the damp weather threatening to spoil our plans, we still had Mike & Jim dress up for rides on their bikes.  Dave and Bob planned to take their trikes, while we had two support vehicles with us.  Dennis drove his pickup with Marlene, Julie and Jens & Jane aboard.  Richard & Melodye opted for their Jeep instead of the Slingshot.

DAVE IS READY TO TACKLE THE DAMPNESS

MIKE AND RICHARD ARE DRESSED FOR THE RIDE

JIM CHECKS THE WEATHER FOR RICHARD & MELODYE

DENNIS ARRIVES WITH A TRUCK LOAD

JENS GETS TO RIDE "SHOTGUN"

After checking the radar, we figured if we got to Guttenberg without getting too wet that would be the plan.  So with a slight mist still falling, we opted to take HWY 76 down through Marquette and McGregor and pick up the Great River Road to head into Guttenberg.  The plan was to try to stay east of most of the heavier rain, and except for a few fairly wet spots on the roads, the plan worked fairly well.

After rolling through Guttenberg, we did encounter some wet areas on HWY 52, but once we reached Dyersville, we clear of any rain.  We made an attempt to stop at the new Kwik Star there in Dyersville, but it wasn't quite ready to open yet, so we waited in line again to use the facilities at Casey's.

After our break at Casey's we continued our journey south on HWY 136.  We did notice that some corn chopping had been done, so they must not received the amount of rainfall we did earlier.  When we neared Cascade, we turned onto HWY 151 and sped along this 4 laner until we reached HWY 38 just outside of Monticello.  HWY 38 took us south for a short ways to 190th St. and we motored along it and on into Camp Courageous.  A parking attendant wanted us to turn into one of the lots, but we ignored him and continued to our normal parking spots on the basketball court.  Dennis and Richard were also able to park their vehicles on the grassy area next to the courts.

NOBODY WAS GOING TO KEEP US FROM OUR NORMAL PARKING SPOT

 After parking, we made our way into the huge cafateria building and loaded up our plates on waffles and sausage along with juice and coffee, all delicious.  As always, we were able to sit as a group, and a kind attendant took our photo.

CHOWING DOWN

After a great breakfast, we made our way back to the vehicles. 

GETTING READY TO ROLL BACK HOME

While Dennis and his group decided to take the direct route back home, the bikers and Richard & Melodye chose to take the scenic way back as we have done before.

The "biker"gang, led by Bob left Camp Courageous by the same route, only this time as we passed by Cascade, we stayed on HWY 151 and exited onto Farley Road.  Bob decided to take a little different route over to our gas stop in Epworth.  Farley Road offered up some nice sweeping curves through the farm country and took us into Farley.  There we picked up Old HWY 20 and took the smooth asphalt into Epworth.  This brought back some memories for Bob, since this used to be the route from Manchester, his hometown, to Dubuque.  We even passed under a viaduct on a sharp curve that we nicknamed "dead man curve" back then.  We gassed up at the BP station there like we've done before.

After passing through Epworth, is when the route really becomes scenic, and is one of our favorites.  We catch Gun Club Road just outside of town, and follow this scenic byway up to Bankston and St. Clement Church. Then we turn for a short jog on Bankston Park Road over to Asbury Road and enjoy some more stunning scenery as we make our way to Five Points Road.  And as he has done before, Bob was gawking at the scenery and missed the turn onto Five Points.  Fortunately some thoughtful resident of Graf put a place to turn around, so back we went and up the hill on Five Points.

If you are ever in the area, Five Points Road is one you should never miss.  There are places along this stretch of blacktop where the scenery can only be described as "breathtaking".  Five Points ends at HWY 3, but the never-ending repair work on HWY 3 is still going on, so you cannot turn east and take it over to Eichman's BP as we often do.  This time, Bob hadn't planned to do that anyway, so we crossed HWY 3 onto South Mound Road.  This road is another treat.  It winds its way on newly paved blacktop up and down hills over to Sherrill where we pick up Balltown Road.

The treat continues as we meander along Balltown Road taking in more incredible views and into Balltown we go.  We pass by Breitbach's Country Dining, and one of these days I've got to get back there for one of their oustanding buffets or at least a peice of their delicious pie.

After turning onto CR C63 we take our time drifting along looking at the fabulous views of the valley below.  Our journey continues on C63 (Ridge Road) and then onto CR C9Y (Great River Road), which takes us through North Buena Vista and down the hill onto HWY 52 near Millville.  We take 52 on into Guttenberg, and what's a waffle breakfast without ice cream? So we stop at Joe's Pizza for some treats.

After polishing off the ice cream, we continue our journey on HWY 52 passing through Garnavillo and up to HWY 18.  There we turn westwardly passing through a busy Froelich, and on past Monona.  We turn on into Luana and take Forest Mills Road past the Gelo Ranch where Jim gets off while the rest of us continue on up to HWY 76 and into Waukon.  Bob had a little over 250 miles on his trike for the trip.

The bikes, and probably the "support" vehicles need a good wash, but it was again a great ride for a good cause!

While we were in Dyersville, I was reminded when I saw the sign for the National Farm Toy Museum that I had never been there.  I'm thinking about a trip down there maybe yet this fall for pizza at Happy Joe's and a Farm Toy Museum visit.  Anyone else interested?

NICE RIDE, JUST NINE

On a nearly perfect Wednesday night, 9 riders ventured out for our usual ride. Under partly sunny skies and temps in the high 60's, Bill, Jim & Cathy, and Mike rolled in on bikes.  Three-wheelers were Mark, Richard & Melodye, Dave, and Bob.  With all the road construction taking place and the daylight growing shorter, it's becoming a real challenge to put together a good ride on Wednesday nights.

THE THREE-WHEELERS GET LINED UP

 

BERNELL & KATHY COME TO SEE US OFF

COMPLAINTS ABOUT GAS PRICES?

After some good-natured chit-chat, the group headed out through Waukon and onto HWY 76 north.  We cruised on up 76 to CR A26 (Bear Creek Drive) and followed it to Locust Road, while Bob had to stop dead to let a gobbler and his harem of hens cross in front.

We crossed Locust Road onto what's called 337th St. and breezed along it to CR W34 (North Winn Road).  There we turned south and soon arrived at HWY 52.  So far, pleasant weather and smooth concrete surfaces.

A short jaunt down 52 took us to Madison Road and we turned back west.  With the sun was just the right height now to be directly in our eyes, but it still beats rain!  Madison Road is a rather straight stretch of concrete that passes by the Madison Church and becomes gravel  at the junction of CR W14 so we turn onto it.  The first part of W14 is rather rough, but once it passes through Ridgeway, it becomes smooth asphalt with some 20 mph curves and we meander on into Spillville.

We pass through Spillville and after a short jog on CR B16 (Dvorak Memorial Highway), we find 265th Ave. to our liking and soon arrive at 175th St. and follow it past the South Winn Golf Course and over to HWY 52 just outside of Calmar.  After a short bop into Calmar, we stop for a short break at the Kwik Star there.

After our break, and just about leaving Dave behind, we continue our journey speeding along HWY 52 into Ossian.  Once in Ossian, we find Sand Road.  We use it, because the never ending construction on CR W42 (Becker Avenue) continues.  Sand Road takes us over to Centennial Road and we turn north and arrive at HWY 9.

After waiting for all kinds of traffic to pass by, we turn onto 9 and make our way to Waukon, where all but Richard, Melodye, and Bob headed for home, as darkness was setting in.  

The three-some did stop at Uptown for eats.  Bob had a little over 100 miles on his trike for this ride.  That is probably going to be the absolute maximum for miles on Wednesday nights from now on.  Good roads, good scenery, good ride.

UPCOMING EVENTS

This Sunday, the 27th, is our annual fall ride to Camp Courageous in Monticello for their Pancake (waffle) breakfast fund raiser.  The Wednesday Night Riders have been supporting Camp Courageous for well over 25 years now, and as many of you know, this charitable organization does not depend on government funding, which is the reason why it's so well run!  It depends on contributions from folks like us for their existence, and they are well-worth supporting.  If you can't make the ride, and wish to donate, we will be leaving from Casey's at 9 that morning.  We always have a scenic ride back, and usually try to make an ice cream stop. SO LET'S HAVE A GOOD BUNCH HEAD DOWN THERE SUNDAY!!

The following Sunday, October 4th (Can you believe it's October already!) is our annual ride up to Rockton, WI, for their nearly world famouus barbecued chicken.  That's always a fun and scenic trip.  We call it our "Run, Chicken, Run Run, and the plan is to leave Casey's at 10:30 that morning.  More info on that in the next blogs.

Our mystery rider from the last blog was Captain Kangaroo.  A lot of people thought it was Chuckles, but Lois got it right!  Apparently a lot of different characters played Captain Kangaroo, but Chuckles wasn't one of them.

Who can guess who this guy is?  Clue..It is definitely not Chuckles!

8 on Wednesday & Feel Good Trike Rides

We had two events this week for the Wednesday Night Riders.  First on Wednesday was our regular ride, and then on Thursday, three WNR's gave trike rides to some residents at Eastern Star in Decorah.

On our first event on Wednesday evening, we had 8 riders make their way to Casey's for our regular ride. Trikers were Terry, Mark, Roger, Dave, and Bob.  On two wheels were Lee, Chuckles, and Lois. Some of our regulars were fishing Lake Michigan today and tomorrow.  We wished them good luck.

THE EARLY GROUP

ROGER JOINS THE GANG

LOIS & CHUCKLES ARRIVE

AND DAVE FILLS OUT THE 8 BALL GANG

 With a shorter time span to work with, and a possibility of some rain in the forecast, Bob decided to shorten the route some, but still find some decent roads. We took off rolling down HWY 76 into Marquette.  We then picked up CR B45 (Pleasant Ridge Road).  The first part (uphill portion) wasn't so pleasant, but the rest of the ride into Monona was smooth sailing.

Once in Monona we took CR X26 (Volney Road) into rosey Rossville. From there we took a short jog over onto Cr X32 (Waterville Road).  For me, this is the most scenic way to take into Waterville, and it did not disappoint this night.  After cruising through Waterville, we made our way up to the Elon Road and turned eastward.  

WE WERE EVEN CAPTURED ON FILM BY A RED BULL TRUCK

Upon reaching the Lansing/Harpers Road, we meandered down the hill into Lansing.  From there we took HWY 9 back to Waukon just as the sun was about to duck behind a series of clouds. A relatively short ride (85 miles), with no break.  But that may be the way the Wednesday night rides go from now on, short and sweet.

Today, Thursday, was our time to give trike rides to the residents of Eastern Star Home in Decorah.  Except for the bumpy streets in Decorah (I thought Waukon's were bad!), we had a good time and the residents all said they really enjoyed the rides. All the kids at St. Benedict School were out waving at us as we passed by.  How neat was that!

Here's a few of the photos that Helen took.

Everyone at Eastern Star thanked Ron, Roger, and Bob for giving some of them their first motorcycle ride.  Special thanks also goes to Helen for taking the photos and passing out the "angel" pins.  I know they want us back next year, and we all feel good again!