BEAUTIFUL WEDNESDAY NIGHT!

A comfortable 77 degrees and not a cloud in the sky at 5:30 Wednesday (Who deserves it more?!) when 12 riders on 9 bikes departed Casey's.  Jim & Cathy, Meryle & Mary, Wayne & Sandy, Wayne M, Bob Z, Howard, Gary, Tom, and Bob R rode about 110 miles through Decorah (via Bear Creek Drive), Ridgeway, Spillville, Ft. Atkinson, Festina, Ossian, and Frankville, the back to Gus & Tony's where Bugsy joined us.  We stopped in the metropolis of Spillville for drinks, smart talk, and ice cream.  It was the nicest night we've had yet, and no one lost a muffler or a battery.  Although it's hard to believe with this group, some hot air was needed!

Here's some photos of the event.

"My saddlebags are better than yours."

"Hey, Howard, anything good in that dumpster?"

Tom squirting gas in a car roof

Nice b.......  bike!

Tourists in Spillville

"Anybody got any air?"

"Meryle, don't talk so loud!"

MEMORIAL DAY RIDE

After most of us paid tribute to the fallen veterans in Waukon, we left Casey's at 1 O'Clock with Wayne & Sandy, Meryle & Mary, Tom & Nancy, David & Suzanne, Chuck & Lois, Carl & Joyce, Howard & Dorothy, and Bob & Julie.  We traveled to Viroqua as a first stop where Tom & Nancy had to leave us for a hospice call.  The rest of us ventured on dodging rain until we got to St. Joseph, where Chuckles killed Lois's bike.  After several attempts to get it going again, everyone voted to leave them there to plead for mercy from St. Joseph and the nuns.  We contacted Scott and with Bob's trailer, he would come and pick them up later.  With the time left, we decided to cut the ride short and head directly back to Waukon.

Everyone made it back safely to Waukon where we were joined by Bob & Cathy and Jim for our cookout.  Between the garages and the deck we were able to stay dry and enjoy the meal and make fun of Chuckles.  Everyone seemed to have a good time and even Chuckles, Lois, and Scott were able to show up later and have some brats.

For those of you who couldn't come--we didn't miss you, so here's some photos for you to look at.

Carl using paper towels on his windshield--a no, no!

"Hey, Suzanne, go see if you can borrow Meryle's credit card!"

Wayne telling dirty jokes to the ladies

Lois, we told you not to let him use your bike!

Anybody got some duct tape and bailing wire?

ALL ROADS LEAD TO STEUBEN

On a really nice Wednesday night 14 souls on 11 units left Waukon on a 120 mile journey through Elon, Harpers Ferry, Marquette, PDC, Eastman, and to Jo's Kountry Bar in Steuben.  Returning to Gus & Tony's we passed through Seneca, Mt. Sterling, Fairview, Ferryville, and Lansing.  Dennis & Marlene, Wayne & Sandy, Meryle & Mary, Tom & Nancy, Bob Z, Howard, Carl, David H, Greg, and Bob R all made the trip.  However, now Gary isn't alone anymore on muffler drops on Wednesday nights anymore! 

And our favorite bar sign is now: "If idiots grew on trees, this place would be an orchard!" 

So far the weather looks good for the Memorial Day ride and cookout.  We'll be leaving Casey's at 1 PM and should be back about 5:30 or so for the brats at Rotach's house.  Bring a dish to pass if you want.  If you can't make the ride, come to the cookout.  See everyone then.

Here's some photos from Wednesday night's ride.

WE DON'T TAKE FLORIDA CREDIT CARDS!!

CARL'S NEW RIG

WE GOT A BIG GROUP TONIGHT!

THE GANG DEPARTS JO'S IN STEUBEN

AMPLE PARKING IN STEUBEN

Also here's a video on highway 179 from Eastman to Steuben.  We gotta do that one again!

THREE MUSKETEERS

Hey, it was above 50 degrees and no rain, so we ride! Jim and Cathy stopped by to wish us farewell.  It looks like a new (different) bike will be joining our group on an upcoming Wednesday night.  Three of us, Gary, Tom, and Bob R took a Wing and two Harleys through Elon, Harpers Ferry, Marquette, McGregor, Guttenberg, Garnavillo, Monona, Luana, Hardin, and back to Gus & Tony's for about 110 miles.  We did stop at Guttenberg, but not at Greasers.  Gary wanted an ice cream cone, but I told him we didn't have time!  We showed Mother Nature who's tougher!

It's about two weeks away yet, but keep the Memorial Day ride and cookout in mind.  Hopefully it will be a shade warmer by then.

Here's a couple of photos from this last Wednesday (5/14/14)

What IS Gary doing in those pine trees?!

But, Baby, it's cold outside!

That's Tom practicing shivering!

Florida Bike and New Darksider

Finally we were able to ride again Wednesday night.  We had 7 riders with Gary, Wayne, Bob Z, Howard, Tom, Nancy, and Bob R venturing through Lycurgus, New Albin, Brownsville, Houston, Caledonia, Eitzen, and back to Gus & Tony's.  It was a nice night with a moderate breeze (Hey! It's a motorcycle!  Expect wind!) and we put on a little over 100 miles.  They were doing some paving work on highway 26 in Minnesota.  It's nice to ride in a state that actually takes care of their highways!
Of the seven riders, we have two mystery riders for those of you who weren't with us to try to guess.  One bike has a Florida license and the other bike is a brand new Darksider.  From the photos and process of elimination, you should be able to guess who the riders are.

Here's a couple of photos from the start at Casey's

"Boy, they ain't got anything like this in Florida!"

There's something different about that bike.

Also, I'm going to try another video.  This is my favorite stretch of highway 76 that we rode on Wednesday.  For those of you who couldn't make it--enjoy.  For those of you who rode it--enjoy again.

BLAH!

That's the most civil description that I can give to the current weather in northeast Iowa.  Obviously with temps at 42 degrees and rain, no one rode last Wednesday.  As of now, the weather does look a little better for next week, so hopefully we can get a ride in on Wednesday night.
Julie and I did travel by cage to Camp Courageous on Sunday.  There were no motorcycles there, but the omelets were good again, and they had a nice crowd.  Maybe the fall ride down there will have better weather.
I was able to put on about 200 miles last Friday.  After delivering a spare sewing machine to West Union, I rode back through Decorah and up to Preston on 52.  I took 16 over to Houston and then 76 back home.  Apparently the legislature in Minnesota is smart enough to pass a gas tax!  Highway 16 from Preston to Hokah is brand new and smooth as glass!  It was a great ride, so if you get the chance, I recommend it.
With plenty of time indoors this week, I was able to put together the annual summer trip.  It looks like about 1,800 miles through such exotic places as Yankton, St. Joseph, Leavenworth, Gainsville, Springfield, Cuba, St. Louis, and Hannibal.  Looking forward to it, and hopefully everyone will be able to make it this year.  It should have stopped raining by then.
I thought you might enjoy this photo of the odometer from an 07 Gold Wing from one of my buddies in Pennsylvania.  

AND YOU THOUGHT I PUT ON A LOT OF MILES!!