DEPRESSING SNOW! HAPPY NEW YEAR! COUPLES TRIP UPDATE

With over 8 inches of snow sitting in my driveway waiting to be blown away, it's rather depressing for those of us who like to drive bikes, trikes, and convertibles.  While waiting for the city to come by and plow the street and dump it all back in my driveway, I came up with a few thoughts (Thanks to Chuckles for some of the photos) that have helped cheer me up this morning.

BUT REMEMBER..........

And to show that I'm trying to keep "upbeat" during the down times, I have been doing some of our summer trip planning.  I have been asked already about the couples trip!  So, even though I don't have the exact destination yet, I do have part of the route planned.  It should cut down on the number of motel rooms that are needed!  CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE THE ROUTE I HAVE CHOSEN.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa1lAVJHb_g


DON'T YOU JUST LOVE A "SMART ALEC" WITH TOO MUCH TIME ON HIS HANDS!!  AND TO ALL WNR..AND THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES....

PMS and A Very Merry Christmas

Since I got no takers for emceeing the annual P M S (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) meeting this January, it has been moved to March 16th at Rossville.  Josh said it would work for him.  Set aside that date, and you should have a good dose of PMS by that time!  Invitations will be sent out as the date draws closer.

LAST YEAR'S PMS MEETING

Thanks to everyone for the cards and gifts we received.  Boy! Judging by the size of some of your families, I would say your place at the dinner table may be in jeopardy.

I know there are many types of motorcycle clubs around, but I'll bet there aren't many that have more fun than WNR.  So with that in mind, here's a couple of tidbits (a card and a funny Bud Lite commercial) that were sent to us that I thought you might enjoy.  And as he said as his sleigh flew away...."and a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Here's the card with "another" motorcycle club--

And here's the Bud Lite commercial.  Click on the link and enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhaYvI1yrUM

A COLD ONE AND A COOL GIFT

With the promised forecast of 55 degrees and sunshine, I got the trike out of storage last Thursday.  Well, the temps never got above 50, but the wind did!  Needless to say it was cold even with the heated seats and grips.  However, I did cruise down to Luana, then to Gunder, back to Monona, to Volney, past the Gelo ranch (new bridge is done), through Fishville, and back home with a frozen butt and in need for hot coffee.  The ride was over 50 miles, so it qualified as per WNR rules  (see Chuckles for a copy of the rules), so that means I was able to ride in every month of 2015.  I realize I cheat for part of the time by being in Florida part of January through February, but I'm still counting it!

It sounds like Honda is recalling a lot of years of 1800 Gold Wings for possible brake issues. I just received my recall notice on the bike, but the way it sounds it also applies to trikes.  That means another trip for me with the trike to Oelwein for the recall work before it goes to Florida.  The bike will have to wait until spring the way it looks.  So, I would say Meryle, Wayne F, Jim G, and Carl may have the same situation.  There is no time limit on the recall, but if you want to use my trailer before the middle of January, let me know.

Now, if some of you are still looking for that last minute gift for the motorcycle grandpa, look what I found!  Click on the link below, and see what they have to offer.

http://diversethreads.com/products/only-the-coolest-grandpas-ride-motorcycles-coffee-mug?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=jun15-024-mug-gpa&utm_content=w11 

PMS LATER ON IN MARCH--SOME HUMOR

Unless someone else wants to run the annual PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) meeting this year, it will be moved to somewhere near the middle of March--probably the 16th.  By that time we will either be riding or have a real good dose of PMS!  The reason for this is Bob & Julie have to be in Ft. Lauderdale on January 17th for a Gold Wing Caribbean cruise.  That means they will have to leave Iowa (depending on the weather) somewhere around the 13th, so that would only leave the 6th as a date for our meeting.  So after consulting with two other officers, it was decided the 6th is too close to all the new year events, so it's best to wait until March.  After the cruise is over, Bob & Julie will be heading over to Panama City Beach for the month of February, and then maybe on to the Carolinas to visit Julie's sister on the way back.  At any rate, plan on the 16th of March.  You will receive an invitation in the mail sometime before that.

With winter now upon us, as mild as it may be, I still thought you might enjoy some motorcycle humor from a comedian.  Hopefully if you click on the link below, you will be able to enjoy his humorous tale of his motorcycle ride.

ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA

SOME MOTORCYCLE HUMOR--CLICK BELOW

https://www.youtube.com/embed/46fk02enulQ?rel=0

IS WNR A MATCH MAKER?!

While we were in Denver for Thanksgiving with the grand kids, we received some exciting news.  Not that back here you got 5-8 inches of snow, but we have an announced engagement of two of our young Wednesday Night Riders!

Jen, the daughter of Lois & Chuckles Votsmier, and Lars, the grandson of Wayne & Sandy Fish became engaged and have set a wedding date for early February.  Congrats to all!!

I can't prove it, but I believe the couple got to know each other through riding motorcycles and their participation in our Wednesday night rides.  So who needs Farmers Only.Com?! 

Chuckles was so excited that he had to rush right out and start getting things organized for the big day.  Here's a photo of him shortly after he heard the news.

SAD DAY--MEMO FROM GRANDMA--LAST BURGER

Even though it's been a great fall, and even though we will be taking the trike to Florida, even though the Wednesday Night Riders had a lot of fun this summer, it's still a sad day when you have to tuck the "fun machines" away for the winter.

Here's hoping all of the Wednesday Night Riders have a great Thanksgiving.  We are heading for Denver, I know Meryle is heading to Texas, and others are headed out of town also.  Actually it's been a while since our whole family has gathered for the Thanksgiving day feast.  Families seem to be too spread out now.  However, I do know that Thanksgivings are still important to grandmas.  I was sent the following "Memo from Grandma" from one of my Gold Wing buddies.  Hopefully you can click on the link below and get it.  It's a classic!  Double click on the MEMO FROM GRANDMA below and then click on the link.

MEMO FROM GRANDMA


FINAL BURGER RIDE
Last Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day, and with the impending weather could be the last day to ride this year.  Since it was about noon and I was hungry, I couldn't resist riding on down to Steuben for one of their "almost world famous" burgers.  The place was jammed with hunters and of all things "canoeers"!  I couldn't handle the 1/2 pounder, but the smaller one was delicious!  This trip, "All Roads Lead to Steuben Burger Run", will definitely be on the ride agenda again for next year.  I also didn't try one of their "pink squirrels"--maybe next year.

Here's some of the ride down.  Click to start.

MORE VETS--REST OF RIDE

I found we have another vet in our group on Wednesday nights.  Dale R (along with his buddy Dave) drove the support convertible on many of our rides this summer.  Sorry I missed Dale the first time, and thanks for your service.

Also, on Veterans' Day I attended the programs at the high school and St. Pats that honored veterans by presenting them with Quilts of Valor.  At St. Pats, one of the veterans honored there was Vernis Haberichter.  Vernis served in Korea and is Tom's father and Nancy's father-in-law.

Finally, here's a  video of the ride Chuckles and I took last Tuesday.

You should be able to guess where this is.

CR 13 AND SALUTE TO VETERANS

Today is Veteran's Day and yesterday Chuckles & Bob R went on a late fall ride through SE Minnesota.  More specifically I wanted to see if CR 13 from HWY 43 down into Houston was open yet.  It had been closed all summer for repairs, so we had not had a chance to ride it yet.  (Although previously Chuckles took the group on part of it on gravel!)  Riding CR 13 down into Houston reminds me of the rides in the mountains, because the road switchbacks down a steep grade with scenic views of the land below.

As we were riding down CR 13 I began thinking how lucky we were to be riding this late in the season and the freedom that goes with being able to ride a motorcycle. And realizing that the "freedom" was made possible possible because of the sacrifices made by our service veterans past and present.  

On behalf of the Wednesday Night Riders, I am privileged to salute the veterans that are part of our group (at least the ones I know of).  Salutes to Meryle, Carl, Bob Z, and Gordy.  We all enjoy riding with you and THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!!

As we wound our way down a newly paved CR 13 into Houston, the song "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood came through on my MP3.  Here's some lyrics that say it all:

 "And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I'll gladly stand up next to you
and defend Her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the USA!"

CR 13
For those of you who didn't get a chance to ride CR-13 (the mountain) this year and are looking forward to it next year, click on the start button on the following video and enjoy!

SOME BONUS END-OF-SEASON RIDES--HIP SURGERY AGAIN

Some of the hardiest of the Wednesday Night Riders don't have their bikes put away for the winter yet, and the weather this fall has offered us some bonus time to ride.  Here's some reports that flowed into the blog.

BOB'S 70th BIRTHDAY RIDE
On Tuesday, Nov. 3rd, Bob R left Casey's at 10 AM after having his favorite for breakfast (corned beef hash) at the Waukon Inn.  He traveled through Luana, Monona, PDC, Eastman, Steuben, Boscobel, Woodman, and on into Home A'Gin's in Mt. Hope for lunch (barbeques).  From Mt. Hope he traveled on CR K into Lancaster and then through Hurricane, Beetown, North Andover, Bagley, Bridgeport,and back into PDC for a stop at the Dairy Queen.  From there he crossed the bridge into Marquette and up HWY 76 through Waukon Junction, Harpers Ferry, Dalby, Elon, and back into Waukon.  It was right at 200 miles on a beautiful fall day.

TWO CLAIRS (CLARE) AND A CHUCKLES
On Wednesday the 4th of November, Chuckles invited Clare (sp) and Bob R on a ride.  Both Chuckles and Clare are EMT's at the hospital, so I guess since Bob R turned 70, Chuckles figured it wouldn't hurt to have a spare EMT along with us. Clare rides a Kawasaki KZ 440 and says she has been riding for about three years now.  It was her first ride with us, and she handled it very well.  We left Casey's at 12;35 (Clare was late.  Don't let that happen again!) and headed for Marquette where we were to meet up with Chuckles "other cousin" Clair (Riesberg from Dyersville).  With Chuckles in the lead we crossed into PDC, took Limery Rd to HWY 27 into Eastman and then HWY 179 on into Steuben (All Roads Lead to Steuben).  We then Picked up CR E and came out on HWY 60.  We took 60 on into Wauzeka for a stop at the BP station there.  Chuckles was doing good so far.  No gravel yet!
After our rest stop we continued on 60 into Bridgeport where we picked up CR C, then to CR X, CR P (newly finished), and on into Bagley.  Passing through Bagley on X we continued through Wyalusing, back to CR C and onto HWY 18 again.  HWY 18 took us back through PDC, over the bridge, and back to Casey's in Marquette again.  From there "cousin" Clair had to decide which way he was going back to Dyersville.  He picked HWY 52, so Chuckles said we could go back through Luana, and Clair could ride with us to the HWY 52 turn between Giard and Frolich.  However, upon leaving the station, Chuckles thought he was going the wrong way on a one-way street and had to back up from a close encounter with a dumpster!  We did make it out of Marquette and past Giard to say goodbye to Clair.  We continued on through Luana and back to Waukon just in time for Bob to make his Lions Club meeting.  I'd say we put on about 150 miles.  It was good to see "cousin" Clair again, and I'm sure we'll see the "other" Clare on some Wednesday night rides next summer.

LONE RIDER  (LOAN WOLF LOIS)
Lois filed this report with the blog on her ride on Wednesday.
Not wanting to miss what might be the last chance for a little cruise, I left Waukon about 4:15, meeting Wayne still dutifully driving his bus.  I headed down Forest Mills, where I met a couple of familiar bikes returning from an outing down south with Cousin Clair.  Took Cherry Valley over to Postville, then 51 to Yellow River Drive, where one lone deer waited for me to honk before slowly crossing from one lane and over the other up into the woods.  Next I turned onto Old Stage Rd and honked going past Fishville.  I still had some daylight, so I followed West Ridge to Liddiard Bottom where the pavement ended (Chuckles would have kept going), turned around and then took Prairie Dr. back into Waukon.  Was able to clock an additional 42 delightful miles on the Suzuki.  AHHHH!

ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE
Dennis had hip replacement surgery done a few weeks ago.  He was getting along fine, but the ball popped out of the joint and he had to go back and have it put back in again.  Apparently he was doing OK until Tuesday, when it popped back out again, and this time surgery was required.  Let's hope this time that everything stays in place, and Dennis has a speedy recovery.  I'm sure we all wish him well, since he and Marlene supplied the "support vehicle" for some of our rides this summer.  They had to miss the couples' trip this year because of the hip surgery, but hope to be back for trips next summer.

WET, COLD, WINDY WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Our last Wednesday night was forfeited to the weather witch.  Looking at the skies, hearing the wind howl outside, and looking at the outside temperature of 35 degrees, I opted for a smart move and didn't try to ride tonight.  It's too bad, since this was out last Wednesday night for the year since daylight savings time starts next week and it will be dark already at 5:30.  That's really depressing, but overall we had very few Wednesdays this summer that we were not able to ride due to weather.  And if you don't have your bikes put away yet, it looks like there may be some days next week that will be warm enough to ride.

I will still try to post whenever I can during the off-season trying to keep you informed and maybe entertained with some biking drivel.

We do plan to do another cruise in January with the Gold Wing group and also plan to take the trike with us to Florida to ride during February.

Julie & I went for a final leaf looking ride Monday afternoon.  The temperature was in the 60's with plenty of sun, so the leaves were showing their colors along the river between New Albin and Lansing.  I tried to do a video again from the trike.  Hopefully you will be able to click on the link and see it.  Don't be too critical since it was only my second try on the trike and I should get better. Also as you will notice, the bugs were still out.

FINAL Four??

Four of us including Chuckles, Lois, Gary, and Bob R departed Casey's Wednesday night under sunny skies and 67 degrees on what may have been the FINAL Wednesday night ride of the season.  With daylight savings time coming in two weeks and a predicted high temperature into the low 40's for next Wednesday, our rides on Wednesday night might be over for the season.  
However, even though our ride was short, it was a beauty.  We took HWY 9 to Iron Mine Road, where we dodged Gordy with a wagon load of corn, and over to HWY76 north.  76 took us up to Iowa River Drive (A26) and we headed east along the river.  At the end of A26 near New Albin we got on HWY 26 and headed south towards Lansing.  Between New Albin and Lansing the scenery was spectacular!  The merciless winds that we have been having lately must not have effected the trees on the bluffs along the west side of 26, because the leaves were just beautiful and made the ride well worthwhile.  If you have the time, I would recommend taking this drive between New Albin and Lansing to see the leaves.  I don't think they're going to be there much longer.
We continued on 26 past the detour and on into Lansing where we got on HWY 9 and on into Waukon.  Since the Wednesday Night Riders are a community minded group, we stopped at the St. Pat's School soup supper to eat.  Good chili, good hot dogs, good ride!

BECAUSE OF SOME CRUISE ARRANGEMENTS, WE MAY NEED TO MOVE OUR ANNUAL PMS MEETING INTO MARCH.  MORE ON THAT LATER.

Here's some photos of the FINAL Four.

STOPPED AT A26 AND HWY 26

THE MOON WAS OUT WHEN WE GOT TO ST. PAT'S

LOIS & CHUCKLES IN THE MISTY MOONLIGHT

TWO SPOOKS IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT

ONE MORE TIME!

Yes, we had one more Wednesday night ride.  With temperature readings in the sixties and under sunny skies, Lois, Chuckles, and Bob R headed out on what we hope is not the last Wednesday night.  We took HWY 9 west past Meryle's to CR W 60 where we turned south and went past Fishville.  I didn't realize that W60 was called Old Stage Road until I saw it on Google maps.  I always thought the Old Stage Road went from Decorah to Waukon (A52).  At the end of W60 we turned back west on Yellow River Drive to HWY 51 north.  After a short mile or so, we turned back west on the Frankville Road.  We passed through Frankville just in time to avoid the rush hour.  The Frankville Road took us back to HWY 9 again where we turned west heading for Decorah.  After a short way on 9 we turned back south on Centennial Road and picked up CR W46 heading back west.  Another short trip on W46 brought us to CRW42 heading back south to HWY 9 again.  Heading west on 9 we stopped at the light to turn onto CR A52 (OLD STAGE ROAD?).  We had to wait for all the Wall Martians turning in front of us before we finally got onto A52!  We then followed Old Stage Road (A52?) back to Waukon and Gus & Tony's.  It was about a 60 mile trip and back before dark. It looks like there will only be two Wednesday nights left for us before Daylight Savings Time kicks in.

Here's a couple of photos from Wednesday.

WE STARTED AT 5:30 AND.........

WE WERE BACK BEFORE DARK.

BONUS SUNDAY WAS A GEM

It doesn't get much better than that!  Lois & Chuckles and Julie & Bob departed Casey's on Bonus Sunday bound for The Creamery Ice Cream & Pizza Restaurant in Rushford under bright sunny skies and a temperature of 78 degrees.  All along the way we were treated to some beautiful fall foliage, especially the maple trees in the towns we passed through.  We started up HWY 76 and onto Bear Creek Drive and the Locust Road.  We then west through Hesper, into Mabel and onto HWY 44.  From 44 we continued onto HWY 52 through Canton and on into Harmony for a rest stop.  Continuing on 52 we took HWY 16 east near Preston for a scenic ride through Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, and on into Rushford.  It seemed like anyone who owned a classic car or motorcycle was out driving that day and rightly so.  The Creamery had quite a crowd at the ice cream counter, but we didn't have any trouble getting a table and ordering our pizzas.  If you thought their ice cream was good, you should try one of their pizzas!  I'm sure we'll be back again.

After stuffing ourselves with the tasty pizza we continued on scenic 16 through Houston and all the way to Hokah where we took CR 8 across the ridge and down in the valley to Brownsville and onto HWY 26.  26 took us through New Albin where we picked up Iowa River Drive and Lycurgus Road to HWY 9.  Upon reaching Lycurgus, we decided to try to make WW Homestead Dairy before they closed.  We made it in time to top off the day with some top notch ice cream.  Yes, Bonus Sunday turned out to be a gem!  Hopefully there will be some more coming, but it will be hard to top this one!

Here's a couple of photos of our 4 some.

WE ARRIVE........

AT A BUSY CREAMERY

LOIS WITH TOMORROW'S LUNCH

CHUCKLES EYEBALLING HIS "NEW" RIDE

THE LEADERS FULL OF PIZZA

EIGHT ON WEDNESDAY---BONUS SUNDAY

Eight bikes lined up at Casey's on Wednesday night to take advantage of the warm, but short lived weather.  Starting out in 68 degree and sunny conditions were regulars Howard, Chuckles, Carl, and Bob R.  We were glad to have Nancy, David A, and Bob H join us again, and we also welcomed Brad L to the posse.  

With darkness creeping into our riding time now, our rides are obviously going to be shorter and without any needed rest stops.  Our group this time headed up HWY 76 to Iowa River Drive and headed east to HWY 26 south near New Albin.  26 took us into Lansing where we picked up the Great River Road.  Following the GRR to LaFayette Ridge Drive where we tuned west and caught Elon Road back into town for our usual at Gus & Tony's and where Howard's "hot date" joined us.  We only put on 62 miles, but with darkness setting in and all the field work going on, we were concerned about deer.  We did see a group of deer in Ed Stahli's driveway on HWY 26 near Lansing.  We also got fairly close to a turkey and also had an eagle come up close to the road.

BONUS SUNDAY
Any time you can expect sunny and above 70 degree weather in October in Iowa, you had better take advantage.  So I am.  I am planning to ride Sunday up to Rushford for pizza and/or ice cream.  I plan to leave Casey's at noon, so if your hungry for pizza/ice cream and want to take advantage of a nice Sunday afternoon, you are welcome to join.  Who knows?!  It may be the last nice Sunday we have for a long while!

Here's a couple of photos from Wednesday.

Carl telling Chuckles that after Sunday he had to wash clothes before he came!
Nancy is wisely ignoring both of them!

Bob H gassing up for the first time this summer?!
He remembered the gas but forget his gloves.

Brad telling Howard and David A about his latest deer incident

CHICKEN CONVOY

Remember the C.W. McCall song "Convoy"?  Well, "mercy sakes alive" with 4 bikes, 3 trikes, 2 Jeeps, and an SUV, "it looks like the Wednesday Night Riders had themselves a convoy" heading to Rockton for chicken on Sunday.  We didn't have a chartreuse micro bus, but we did have a couple in a topless Jeep wearing all the clothes that they own!  With 18 of us including Jim & Cathy, Wayne M, Howard, and Bob R on bikes; with Meryle & Mary, Wayne & Sandy, and Dayton & Joan on trikes; and with Chuckles & Lois in their Jeep, Carl & Joyce in their Jeep, and Dennis, Marlene, and Julie in Blocker's Journey we departed Casey's with cloudy skies and a temperature reading of 47 degrees.

After a "refreshing" ride to Viroqua for a warm-up stop at the Mobile station, we continued on scenic HWY 82, CR D, and CR P on into the Rockton Bar for some of their "almost world famous" barbecued chicken with fixin's.  What a treat!

After our fill of chicken, we departed Rockton heading for the apple orchards in Gays Mills.  The temperature by this time had crept up to a "toasty" 54 degrees.  Upon arriving at Sunshine Orchards, we immediately got in line for hot apple cider and warm donuts.  Some of us also filled our trunks and saddlebags with apples and donuts for the trip home.  After a brief gas stop in Ferryville we crossed the river into Lansing and back home on HWY 9.  I had 162 miles on the Wing when I pulled into the garage.  With the high temps only reaching the low 50's, we can come to only one of two possibilities:  1) The chicken and donuts are too good to pass up, or 2)  the Wednesday Night Riders are a tough bunch!

Here's some photos of the convoy.

"ANYBODY GOT AN EXTRA JACKET?"

NICE PANTS!  LATER IN ROCKTON SOMEONE ASKED HIM TO DANCE!

THE SUV JOINS THE CONVOY

"HEY, LOIS.  WE FORGOT OUR NECKEES."

WAYNE JOINS THE CONVOY

TWO JEEPS IN THE CONVOY

"LET'S HAVE SOME CHICKEN!"

PEELING OFF THE EXTRA CLOTHING

HOWARD READY FOR MACARONI SALAD
CARL & JOYCE WEARING ALL THE CLOTHING THEY OWN

OUR COOKS

LOIS SAYS, "IT'S FINGER LICKIN' GOOD!"

CARL SAYS HE HAS TWO MORE CHICKENS COMING

DIVING INTO THE "ALMOST WORLD FAMOUS" CHICKEN

COOL RIDE--LOTS OF FLASHING LIGHTS

It was 62 degrees when 6 of us left the Casey's parking lot Wednesday evening, and by the time we got back in town after about 70 miles it was 52 degrees.  Quite a change from the past few Wednesday nights!  So six bundled up riders (Wayne, Bob Z, Gary, Lois, Beth, and Bob R headed to Postville via the Cherry Valley Road.  Outside of Postville we picked up HWY 52 and headed toward Calmar.  This stretch of highway used to be one of the worst in the state, but now it's newly paved and smooth as glass!  As we neared Ossian, we had to stop for some roadwork and wait for a pilot car with flashing lights to escort us about three miles.  After that we were unlucky enough to catch up to more flashing lights.  This time it was a manure wagon being pulled by a tractor.  Fortunately we got by him in Ossian as we stayed on 52 towards Calmar.  However, we were soon met by more flashing lights and pulled over to see 3 fire trucks go by.  We could see some smoke in the distance and assumed that was where they were going.  As we got into Calmar on the main street, there were more flashing lights from police and highway patrol cars parked where the highway turns north.  We have no idea what was going on there, and we didn't stop to find out.  I had planned to taking a loop through Ft. Atkinson and Spillville, but with all the delays, we just continued on to Decorah and then HWY 9 back to Waukon where Sandy joined us at Gus & Tony's. Lots of flashing lights but no deer!

CHICKEN RUN SUNDAY
We will depart from Casey's at 10 AM on Sunday.  If you want chicken, make sure you either call the Rockton Bar or let Bob know by Friday (563-568-7277).  So far I have reservations to make for Meryle & Mary, Wayne & Sandy, and Bob & Julie.  Right now it looks like it's going to be a cool day but no rain.  I plan on riding, but there will probably be some alternate transportation available for those who don't want to ride on bikes.  We do plan to stop by the orchards on the way back.  I can smell the chicken and the donuts now!

CHUCKLES & LOIS--NEW RIDE
Apparently Chuckles doesn't want to rent motel rooms anymore on our Couples' Trips, so he and Lois have been eyeballing this.

ABE WAS A BIKER!!
While Jim & Cathy were in Springfield, Illinois, they found out that Abe Lincoln was a biker.  Here's some photos they took of Abe's ride.

Here's a couple of photos from Wednesday night.

A COUPLE OF "TOUGH OLD BIRDS" READY TO BRAVE THE COLD

TALK ABOUT TOUGH!  NO WINDSHIELD FOR BETH!

COOL WEATHER HAS "THAT EFFECT" ALSO

CAMP COURAGEOUS---YES! PANCAKES--NO!

Seven of us departed Casey's at 10 AM on Sunday with full intentions of arriving at Camp Courageous for their annual pancake breakfast fundraiser.  Gary, Wayne& Sandy, Meryle & Mary, and Bob & Julie traversed the Volney Road into Monona where we picked up Carl & Joyce in the support Jeep at Kwik Trip.  From there we stopped for a short break in Elkader and continued on through Garber, Colesburg, Petersburg, Monticello, and on into the basketball court parking lot at Camp Courageous.  It was a gorgeous fall morning for a ride, but we discovered that the Camp had changed their hours from 8 til noon instead of 1. And it was 12:30, so there were no pancakes to be had!

After Bob & Julie dropped off their semi-annual donation, and Gary purchased a chance to win a Volkswagon Beetle convertible, we decided to feed our faces at the Pizza Ranch in Monticello.  No pancakes, but we did manage to stuff ourselves full of pizza and chicken.

After having our fill of food at Pizza Ranch we headed home via HWY 151 into Cascade and CR Y-17 into Epworth for a gas stop.  We continued on Y-17 to HWY 52 and took 52/3 into Sageville for another short break.  It was decided that it might be our last chance to have ice cream at Greaser's, so off we went on through Sherrill, Balltown, North Buena Vista, and onto Guttenberg.  After the ice cream treats we headed north on 52, then west on 18 past Monona and into Luana where we took the Forest Mills road home.  I had 240 miles on the trike when we pulled into the garage.  It was disappointing to miss the pancakes at CC, but we did get our fill of food and couldn't have asked for a better day to ride!

RUN, CHICKEN, RUN RUN
Next Sunday, Oct. 4th is our last scheduled ride of the season.  It's our annual "Chicken Run" to Rockton for their "almost" world famous chicken.  Weather permitting we will leave from Casey's at 10 AM that morning.  PLEASE NOTE:  If you want chicken to eat at Rockton, you have to make reservations for it.  You can do this one of two ways.  1)  Call the Rockton Bar yourself (608-625-4395) to reserve your chicken or 2) Let Bob know (563-568-7277) before Friday if you are going and he will call it in as part of the Wednesday Night Riders group.

Here's some shots of the Camp Courageous trip, and also in case some of you went to bed early Sunday night, I took a few shots of the lunar eclipse for you to see.

ALBINO PUMPKINS??!!

"I WONDER HOW MANY PUMPKINS WE CAN GET INTO BOB'S TRUNK?"

"ANYBODY SEEN MY SUN GLASSES?"

"SUPPORT JEEP" IN ELKADER

JOYCE STILL RECOVERING FROM THE COUPLES' TRIP