GREAT RIDE--DODGED A BULLET

The Wednesday Night Riders met at Casey's last night in anticipation of a ride into Wisconsin and then up to Lansing, across the ferry, and over to the Tiki Bar in Lansing for eats.  Because of the pending weather forecast, we had a variety of vehicles making the trip.

Bob & son, John, arrived in Bob's pickup and took Richard & Melodye aboard.  Bikers were Lois, Chuckles, Mike, and Bill, the leader for the night, with Beth Ellen aboard.  Trikers were Dave and Mark.  Jim & Cathy rode in the Bug, while Bernell & Kathy joined us in their red convertible.  Dee took the shortcut and joined us later at the Tiki Bar.

LOIS SEES DAVE ARRIVE IN THE HAZE

MARK SURVEYS THE SITUATION

BILL, BETH ELLEN, AND MIKE JOIN THE GANG

RICHARD & MELODYE ARRIVE SLINGSHOT LESS

CHUCKLES ARRIVES AFTER SOME EQUIPMENT CHANGES

BERNELL & KATHY ARRIVE WITH TOP UP

Bill led us on some roads that I haven't ridden for a long time.  We started out with the caravan headed down HWY 76 into Marquette, across the river into a torn up Prarie du Chien, and onto HWY 35 heading north. Bill led us north on 35 to Picatee Road and then onto Ducharme Ridge Road. These roads are rather narrow paved back roads that are neat to ride and offer up some great scenery.  We followed DRR over to HWY 27 and turned northerly to CR F.  F is another downhill scenic ride back to HWY 35.  We head north again on 35 and after passing through Lynxville, we turn back east onto CR E and back over to HWY 27.  After a short jog on 27, Bill leads us onto Shortcut Road, then Oak Ridge and Hobbs Hollow? and back down to HWY 35.  We pass through Ferryville, pick up HWY 82, and arrived for the ferry ride over to Lansing.  We hit the ferry perfectly timing wise, and we were able to get everyone on at once.

MIKE SAYS HE COULD HAVE BUILT THIS FERRY

MARK POSES WITH THE NEW BRIDGE

THE YELLOW BUG IS ABOARD

WE CRUISE UNDER THE NEW BRIDGE

WE GET A GOOD VIEW OF THE NEW BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

ALL ABOARD!

We soon depart at Lansing with a short jog over to the Tiki Bar and order our food.  Since the Tiki Bar is known for their fabulous ribs on Wednesday nights (by special order only), some of us got to sample these tasty morsels, and they were great!

DEE ARRIVES FOR THE RIBS--JOHN WAS MY CHAUFFEUR

WAITING FOR THE ORDERS

BERNELL & KATHY ENJOY SOME ADULT BEVERAGES

WE EVEN GET TO SIT TOGETHER

AND THE FOOD WAS GREAT

After eats everyone departed their separate ways hoping to avoid any storms.  From what I have gathered this morning, we lucked out.  North and west of Lansing, it was reported that over 7 inches or more of rain fell.  In fact a section of I90 had to be closed due to flooding.  Lois said she had 92 miles on her bike when she got back to Waukon. 

A GREAT RIDE AND GREAT EATS AND THANKS TO BILL (and Beth Ellen) FOR LEADING!

A COUPLE OF UPDATES

On Tuesday I met with Nikki Rink, the activity director at Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, after she contacted me about the possiblity of giving trike rides to their residsents.  After our discussion, both ours and their expectations and requirements will work out.  But since trying to choose a time to give the rides during an Iowa summer with the heat being a huge factor, we decided it would be best to wait until fall for some cooler weather.  I did not want to disappoint the residents with the possiblity of having to keep cancelling the rides due to heat.  I did indicate that if everything works out well, we could move their next rides to the spring when we give the rest of the rides.  I am not too crazy about the route that we may have to use there, but it may be the only way to avoid traffic and stay in the residential neighborhood.  Man, I thought Waukon had some rough streets!

Just this morning, I was contacted by a resident of the senior living complex in Spillville who wanted to see if we would give their residents trike rides.  These would all be assisted living folks.  I told the contact that I would touch bases with her in the near future to see if they meet our rquirements, and what kind of route would be available.  Again, the soonest we would give rides there would be this fall.  Apparently she read the great write-up our club got in the Decorah newspaper.

ME AND LOOKING FORWARD

Although I am starting to recover better from all the heart issues I had (new valve and a pacemaker), it will still be a little over two weeks before I am able to ride the trike again. So, the distance for the Summer Trip in late July, early August would be contrary to doctors orders.  That means that I will not be able to make that trip and be that far away from home that early after my treatments.  If the club still wants to have a Summer Trip, you will definitely need a new leader and may want to consider going to a different place other than the International Peace Gardens.  I would be willing to HELP plan a trip if someone wants to step forward and be the leader (s), but that should be done soon!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT & BOB UPDATE

Chuckles & Lois sent the following message concerning the ride for this Wednesday night.  It sounds like the destination is going to be the Tiki Bar in Lansing for ribs or other choices.

 This Wednesday evening we will depart Casey's at 5, as usual, and Bill will graciously lead us across the river for a scenic ride in Wisconsin. We hope to board the ferry on the Wisconsin side, at 7, and have something to eat at the Tiki Bar in Lansing, around 7:30, before heading back to Waukon. Items are available from the menu until closing at 9. Wednesday is 'rib night'. If you would like to have ribs, you need to order in advance since they only prepare that many. A day or two in advance is recommended. The half rack of ribs come with baked beans and coleslaw for $21 plus tax. To order a rib meal you need to call (563) 538-4474.

In case of rain we will leave Casey's, by cage, at 5pm. 

Bob had a checkup at Gunderesen this morning.  So far everything looks ok, after the struggle he has been through.  With some changes in medications and exercise, hopefully things will turn for the best. If things do work out well, he should be able to ride again shortly after July 12th.

His son, John, and Bob plan to make the eats at the Tiki Bar on Wednesday.  They will either meet you there around 7:30 or travel with you at 5 if it's raining.  (Rain, rain, go away!)

For those of you who provided rides at Wellington Place, Bob has put all the photos that Chuckles took on a DVD, and will give them to you on Wednesday.  Also you may want to look at the Wellington Place web site on Facebook for more photos.

Remember this guy?

 

TWISTER VIEWS

 Again I was happy to see the Wednesday night rides continue with new leaders.  This last Wednesday, Chuckles was in charge of photos and leadership.  (Pretty easy job, right Chuckles?!) I'm pretty sure Lois did the writeup.

They did a great writeup of their Wednesday night trip, so here it is, along with the photos.

  Following some questionable afternoon showers, 14 riders on 11 units gathered at Casey's on a comfortable summer evening with a plan to inspect the remnants of last week's tornado. On two wheels were Chuckles, Lois, Bill, Jim and Mike. On three wheels were Richard & Melodye in the Slingshot, Wayne, David, Mark, Ron & Helen and Chuck & Dee. Fortunately Dee found a ride so she didn't have to miss out as her bike was getting new tires. Gloria happened to stop by and greeted us before our departure.

With Chuckles in the lead, we departed Casey's and headed out on Elon Drive. As we approached the Elon Store we began sightings of tree and building damage and blue tarps still on roofs. Passing a farm, the building and tree damage was more obvious but thankfully the house was spared. We turned South on Lansing-Harpers road and witnessed a larger amount of tree damage, a roof ripped off and a large area that had been bulldozed clear, perhaps another building or grove of trees, but once again the house appeared, thankfully, untouched. Once we reached Harpers, we turned back North up the Great River Road. The mangled, twisted trees on the East side of the road were a sight to see. 

In Lansing, we had a surprise detour of the detour and cruised next to the river passing rib night at the Tiki Bar, the Marina and Car Ferry parking. With the damage now behind us we enjoyed a cruise up 26 toward New Albin, Turning onto Pool Hill/Hwy 2, we passed Trinity Mfg, Mike's home away from home, and cruised to Eitzen, admiring the cattle and crops along the way. It's easy to see that 'knee-high by the 4th' appears to be an obsolete expression.

Once we passed through Eitzen, we took a quick hop onto 76 then turned on to 27 up to Spring Grove for a break. This was another smooth asphalt with nice curves, hills and scenery. Departing Kwik Trip we took 44 West out of town to Locust Road/Hwy 8, following that to Big Canoe, where Ron & Helen headed for home. We followed Bear Creek then 76, where it was suddenly nothing but brake lights when Chuckles slowed the pace for 2 of the 3 deer to cross the road. We continued back to Waukon where 8 of us enjoyed eats at Uptown and the conversation centered around bike repairs and fireworks!

We showed 105 miles on the odometer when it got parked for the night. We absolutely missed Bob but I gotta say, "Chuckles, ya done good"!

There was some discussion of maybe next week, we could cruise down to Prairie and ride the Wisconsin side, take the Ferry to Lansing and partake of ribs at the Tiki Bar before heading home. They reserve ribs in advance only so would need a head count and maybe want to leave at 4 instead of 5. 

Here are some shots from the evening arrivals and Mike's new rear end!

WHICH REAR END IS NEW?!

GOOD TO SEE GLORIA AGAIN

They also added an addendum....

Sorry, Bob, I should have gotten this in the report. Ugh! Thank you!

Next Wednesday, we will still be okay to leave at 5, since it doesn't get dusky until almost 9. We will shoot to board the Ferry about 7 to hopefully be at the Tiki Bar by 7:30 or so. Bill says you can order off the menu but if you want ribs you need to call a couple of days in advance. The ribs are cooked and reserved just for those who call ahead of time.

To reserve an order of ribs, call the Tiki Bar at 563-538-4474, a couple of days in advance.

SMILES AGAIN AND BOB'S CONDITION

I can't begin to tell everyone how proud I am of the Wednesday Night Riders who helped brighten the day of about 25 residents of Wellington Place in Decorah.

Ron, ChucK, Jim, Roger, and even Richard provided the rides, and special thanks to Chuckles and Helen for helping with the photos and passing out the souvenier pins.

Here are some of the photos Chuckles was able to take of this "feel good" event.

PRERIDE PREP

HE CAN'T WAIT TO RIDE

RON INTRODUCES HIS FIRST RIDER

ChucK READY TO ROLL

JIM POSSES WITH RIDER--NICE TRIKE!

ROGER GETS READY

HOW ABOUT A RIDE IN THE SLINGSHOT

AND HERE'S THE GANG

I do plan to send the rest of the photos of their rides to each driver.

UPDATE ON BOB

To say it's been difficult would be an understatement! I did receive the new valve on Wednesday and was checked out and released by Gundersen on Thursday.  (Thanks to Dennis B for delivering and picking me up). I slept most of the rest of the day sleeping at home. (Anyone who tells you they got a good night sleep in a hospital is lying!)  On Friday I got up and started doing the walking exercises they said I had to do.  After the third walk in the afternoon, I felt short of breath and faint at times.  I sat down, and could feel a sensation of coming close to passing out.  So I called Gundersen and after they looked at the results from the heart monitor I was wearing, they said get to the VMH ER. 

After checking me out at VMH they found that my heart was pausing for short periods of time.  The regular heart beats were around 60, but then they would drop to almost 30 for short periods of time.  That's called pausing, and if it continues or gets more frequent, one could pass out and have to be resucitated. VMH called Gundersen and they said to get me up there ASAP, I needed a pacemaker. The original plan was to fly me up in a copter, but there were storms in LaCrosse, so I had to take the bumpy ride up in an ambulance. But I was accompanied by Claire B who is an iron butt rider, so we were able to talk motorcycles all the way up.  She even showed me some photos of her recent trip to Wyoming and Yellowstone with Marie L.

When I arrived at Gundersen, they had a crash cart and several people dressed in red outside my room.  Fortunately, the pauses were not severe enough, so they fed me with dopamine intraveiniously. It was determined that since none of the surgeons who do permament pacemakers would be available until Monday. (If you have a choice, do not check into a hospital on Friday!) they would give me a temporary pacemaker the next day.  So they cut open the bottom of my neck and put in the temporary pacemaker Saturday.  On Saturday night, I developed a hemotoma in the cut area and had to have pressure and ice applied the rest of the night and into Sunday morning. 

Finally after an unbelievable amount of sticks (I'm a human pin cushion.) and countless EKG's and blood pressure checks, Monday came and Monday afternoon they proceeded with the permanent pacemaker.  It's a leadless one and is about the size of a vitamin tablet.  They observed me through Tuesday and sent me home on Wednesday about noon.

Everything seemed fine until about 3 PM on Wednesday, but I began to feel a little pressure on my chest and could feel a little "bumping" sensation in the heart.  So back up to VMH ER I went. After a number of tests there it was determined that the cause was some premature ventricular contractions.  Apparently quite a number of people have these, and for the most part, they are harmless unless they come in a whole series. After a call to Gundersen, it was determined to put me back on a medication that I was taking previously, and so far, it's working.  I have gone on two walks and rode a stationary bike for a while with no problems.  I return to Gundersen on Monday for a pacemaker check.

I know it sounds like I'm doing a lot of complaining, but I'm really not.  I know a lot of you wanted to know what was going on, so I thought I'd tell you.  THANKS FOR BEING CONCERNED and thanks for the visit from Chuckles and Lois, but I really hated missing the Wellington rides.  That's why I was so happy to see that everytrhing went well. God bless you all!

I also think we are blessed living where we do.  The hospitals in Waukon and Decorah are top notch and we are only a couple of hours away from "world class" healthcare at Gundersen and Mayo.

 

RAINBOWS & HEART NEWS

First of all, I want to thank everyone who offered up prayers and well-wishes for my heart valve replacement surgery on Wednesday.  Apparently things went well, but I still have to wear a heart monitor for 30 days. I do have a checkup next Thursday, so we will see how things are going then, and what they are going to let me do or not do.

I was glad to see that some of the Wednesday Night Riders still ventrured out with out me. Here's a report from Jim who led the trio on the trip.

With Bob in the hospital getting a valve job, three  WNRs didn't have the sense to stay home. The future radar showed light rain at 4:45 and clear at 5:00. What we actually got were tornado sirens, actual tornadoes east of town, and downpours those times. After sitting by the pumps to stay dry and with some blue sky showing to the west. Richard, Jim, and Chuckles took off from Caseys with Jim in the lead so he could watch the radar and hopefully keep us dry. We planned on Elkader to West Union, and back down the Turkey river to Clermont and home. The weather immediately changed our plans with rain to the south. We thought we could try doing the same ride in reverse. We headed west on 9 to Centennial Rd to Sand Rd into Ossion. We turned on W42 south only to discover it is closed except for local traffic. We then decided we would go to Festina only to see that would get us wet, so we headed to Calmar instead, and realized the Great River Road into Clermont wasn't meant to be this Wednesday night. New plan. We headed past Pivo to Spillville, Protovin, and Cresco on the Dvorak Mem Hwy. Coming into Cresco we started seeing partial rainbows. After a brief pit stop at Kwik Star we continued following rainbows across the Pole Line Hwy to 52. A left on 52 and a few miles to N Winn Rd kept the rainbows in view on to Big Canoe Rd and Bear Creek Rd to 76 and back to Waukon with a rainbow south of town bringing us in. We stopped at the Uptown Grill for some coffee and lunch. We managed to stay dry and other than a little windy it turned out to be a pretty ride. Hopefully next week we won't need the radar and Jim can just follow someone else. I had114 miles on when I rolled back past Caseys. Best wishes for Bob and a speedy recovery!

Here's some photos of their adventure.

The next event for the WNR's is giving the trike rides to the residents of Wellington Place at 10 AM on Tuesday.  If you look on their Facebook page, you will see that they are really excited for this event.  Right now, I plan to come over and observe, take photos and pass out the pins.  Chuckles is giving me a ride over, and Jim is taking my place with my trike giving the rides.

GOOD SHOWING FOR HOSPICE RIDE

 As close as I could count, we had 20 Wednesday Night Riders participate in the Win-Med Hospice Ride on Sunday.  Some just came for the breakfast, but most came for the breakfast and ride.

Wayne, Carl and Joyce, and Julie came for the breakfast, while Chuckles, Lois, Richard & Melodye, Ron & Helen, Jim, Terry, Dave, Bernell & Kathy, Greg, Roger, Bill, and Bob did the breakfast and the ride. I'm counting Nancy as part of our group also.

Here' some photos that I and several others took during the day.

WAYNE, BILL, GREG, AND RICHARD & MELODYE LEAVE FROM CASEY"S

ALONG WITH TERRY

We arrive at Win-Med ready for the breakfast. Bill & Greg get acquainted as Wayne gets ready to eat.  Jim arrives and Richard & Melodye find parking,

After a hearty breakfast, we get ready for the ride.  While we were waiting, we got to see a beautiful Can AM ridden by a Legion Rider from Cresco.

Chuckles, Roger, and Bernell visit before the ride.

NANCY IS READY TO ROLL

The whole gang gathers for a group photo.  I have no idea who the two guys to Dave's right are.  Maybe they are new prospects.

Time to ride!

Our first stop was in Rushford.

CHUCKLES & LOIS VISIT

IT'S ALSO TIME FOR A BATHROOM BREAK

Our next stop was in Spring Grove. Parking around a nice park.

After leaving Spring Grove, we motored into Waukon, and then to Cleremont and finally to Calmar.  Along the way, Dave and Ron were drawing winners, but the big prize was $100 split by Terry and Roger. Roger needs to drink a Miller High Life before he gets paid.

Overall, we should be very proud of the number of Wednesday Night Riders we had to support this great cause.  It was a great day and a great ride.  Thanks to the Hospice staff, especially Nancy, and to Darrel for leading!  Apparently there were a little over 100 riders.