CONGRATS & GOD'S SPEED

In case you missed it, a couple of our WNR's made the local paper recently.  Congrats to Carl & Joyce!  Notice how much better Joyce looks?  That's what Carl gets for marrying a "younger chick"!  We think you should put motors on those walkers.

Also two of our WNR couples are doing some traveling on their own this week.  Dayton & Joan are heading for Canada, apparently to just set foot there.  Jim & Cathy are heading for Arkansas.  I'm envious, since I've did some riding in Arkansas, and it was fantastic!  God's speed to all of you, and we'll be anxious to hear your reports when you get back!

"GOING BACK TO HOUSTON"

While we didn't have Bobby Bare or Dean Martin with us, but we did travel "back to Houston" (MN) on Wednesday night.  Ten bikes and 11 riders gathered at Casey's for our Wednesday night trek  with the promise that the rain was staying south of us.  We had our regulars, Bob Z, Meryle, Wayne F, Dayton & Joan, Chuckles, Lois, and Bob R, and we had Howard join us for the first time this year.  He looks good and we were glad to see him back!  Also joining is for the first (and hopefully not the last time) were Jeff M and Dr. Andrea.  Welcome to the newbies on their new Indians!

After departing Casey's under partly cloudy skies, we headed up HWY 76 through Hanover and Eitzen and took CR 17 through Wilmington into Spring Grove where we picked up newly paved CR 4.  We didn't have any center markings for the first ten miles, but the ride was smooth and scenic down through Yucatan and on into Houston.  I think we saw more deer along that stretch of road than we had seen all year!  After dodging the deer and taking in the scenery, we needed a break at the Cenex in Houston.  After some treats and conversation we departed Houston with a few sprinkles and onto CR 9 which was newly paved with no center stripe. (We don't need no freaking center stripe!)  and then east onto CR 21 where we had more deer sightings.  CR 21 took us back to HWY 16 and on into Hokah.  From there we took CR 18 into Brownsville and onto HWY 26 through Reno and New Albin.  From New Albin we took A 26 to the Lycurgus Road, where we dodged another deer, and then HWY 9 back to Waukon and Gus & Tony's.  I had 115 miles on the Wing.

For those interested, J&P has their Open House in Anamosa this weekend.  I usually try to make it down there and usually buy something for the bike.  However, they are moving their operations out of Iowa and into Louisville, so I guess my supporting them has ended also.

Here's some shots from Wednesday night.

JEFF AND DR. ANDREA ARRIVE

MERYLE TRYING TO COLLECT "DUES" FROM THE NEWBIES

EVERYBODY IS CELEBRATING THAT CHUCKLES ISN'T LEADING

WE ALL ARRIVE IN HOUSTON

DR. ANDREA ROLLS INTO HOUSTON ON THE NEW INDIAN

BOB LOOKING FOR "OLD CAR" BARGAINS IN HOUSTON

SIX PACK TO STEUBEN

On what turned out to be a beautiful late afternoon on the first second longest day of the year, six of us departed Casey's at 4:30  on Saturday for our "All Roads Lead To Steuben Burger Run".  Chuckles & Lois on their bikes,  Dayton & Joan on the trike, and Bob & Julie on the Wing traveled through Luana and PDC where we picked up Limery Road on up to HWY 27.  We then followed 27 to Eastman where we took HWY 179 for 9 miles into Steuben.  HWY 179 was built for bikers!

In Steuben we pulled into Jo's Kountry Bar for some of the best burgers around.  Add onions and a pink squirrel, and you have a meal to die for!

After the burgers were consumed we headed back on 179 to CR E.  We took E back to HWY 27 through Seneca and then on into Mt. Sterling where we picked up HWY 171 which took us back to HWY 35 and into Ferryville.  We continued on 35 to HWY 82, across the bridge into Lansing and followed HWY 9 back to Waukon.  We put on about 110 miles round trip with beautiful weather, great roads, wonderful green scenery, and delicious burgers!  If you have never taken HWY 179 from Eastman to Steuben, do it--very smooth sweepers, and then while in Steuben, you can't beat the burgers at Jo's.

Here's some photos of our six pack.

LEADER'S NEW SHIRT FOR THE TRIP

THE FOUR PACK

THE REST OF THE SIX PACK

OUR DESTINATION

CHUCKLES LEADS AGAIN--BOB'S BACK FOR STEUBEN

After spending over a week with the rug rats in Denver,  Bob is ready to be back in time to lead the "All Roads Lead to Steuben Burger Run" on Saturday!  Sounds like the rain will be out of here by 4:30, so according to the weather man (the same guy who said above normal temps and below average rainfall).  Saturday night is the burger special at the bar & grill in scenic Steuben.  We will leave Casey's at 4:30 and be back by dark.  That is providing they let us in.  Remember this is the bar where Meryle stole all of the rubbers out of the jar in the men's room last year!

The following is the report and photos from Wednesday by Chuckles and Lois.

Passing the time until our fearless leader returns, 12 of us on bikes, Chuck, Lois, Bob Z, David, Carl, Wayne & Sandy, Dayton & Joan and Jim & Cathy, followed by Dale & Mike in the convertible took Old Stage to Decorah.  We passed Decorah Sales Commission on our way to Ridgeway, Spillville, and a stop in Calmar.  We then cruised to Festina, Ossian, Castalia & Postville, until our final sweeping corners on Yellow River Drive & Forest Mills Road, after which 10 of us ended our 88 mile loop, and headed for food and drink at good ole' Gus & Tony's.  Looked like we could have maybe gotten wet a couple of times, but we stayed dry and the only gravel we found was right in downtown Waukon.

Here's a few pictures of the group gathering, Jim & Cathy topping it off, our stop in Calmar, and Lois picking up Chuck's Fathers' Day gift.  Hoping the weather cooperates for Saturday so we can enjoy the Steuben burger run together. 

Hospice Ride

As most of us bikers already know, motorcycle groups provide more support to charities than all other organizations combined.  And the Wednesday Night Riders are no exceptions.  We were there to support the Hospice Ride on Sunday.  Here's a report from Chuckles and Lois:

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The Front 9

 

After a rainy Saturday, with just a 20% chance, what a delightful surprise to wake up to sunshine on Sunday with it's 60% chance of showers.  Chukles, Lois and Nancy left Casey's around 8 as the day's festivities started in Spillville at 9 with a hearty breakfast of sausage, eggs, potatoes, pancakes & rolls.  Shortly thereafter Wayne & Sandy, Jim & Cathy and Warren all arrived on their bikes, and Dale & Mike in the support vehicle.  We had a 200 mile day by the time we got back to Waukon.  About a 110 participants, contributing towards a record fundraiser, enjoyed lots of nice roads & beautiful scenery with stops in Hawkeye, Elkader & Clermont before arriving back in Spillville for cheese curds, beef sticks, bars, chips & salsa.  Great riding day with temps getting into the 80's and not a drop of rain.  The group went home with door prizes, Mike with a prize for his poker hand & Wayne with special recognition & a prize for being the oldest rider! 

 

Missed you, Bob.  Here's a few shots from the day at breakfast, Wayne & Sandy getting registered and the bikes out in front of the Inwood. 

 

 

CHUCKLES IN CHA RGE

Your fearless leader is in Denver.  He will be back in time for the "All Roads Lead to Steuben Burger Run" on Saturday the 20th.  In the meantime Chuckles is in charge.  Here's his report and some photos from the adventure he led last Wednesday.

A PERFECT 10

As we were gathering at Casey's, Nancy stopped by on her way to another engagement to visit and gas up from her ride on Tuesday.  She had gone on one of the rides that she and Tom had frequently taken, up to Rushford for an ice cream cone, in honor of his birthday, June 9th.  Gosh, we miss you Tom!

The weather was biking perfect as Chuckles, Lois, Bob Z, Earl, Meryle & Mary, Jim & Cathy on bikes and Dale & Mike in the support vehicle headed North on 76, across Bear Creek to Locust, Hesper, Mabel, through God's country (because God only knows where we were) where we ran into an unexpected detour that ended with 2 miles (felt like more) of gravel (guess who led) before pulling in for a stop in Caledonia.  From there we traveled down 76 and Lycurgus Road back to Waukon where we were fed and watered (Bugsy joined us for coffee) at Gus & Tony's.  Out of our 115 mile loop, it was a wonderful 113 miles of smooth, curving roads, lush green scenery and the smell of fresh cut hay.  As always, we missed our fearless leader and hope things are going well in the Wild West.   

13 BUCKNUCKLERS

Thirteen of the Wednesday Night Riders took off from Casey's at 10 AM on Sunday heading for Bucknuckles Bar in scenic Praag, Wisconsin.  Departing under cloudy skies were Dennis & Marlene and Wayne M & Elaine in the support vehicle along with Wayne F & Sandy and Meryle & Mary on trikes, Jim & Cathy on their Wing, and Lois, Carl, and Bob R on bikes.  As soon as we got out of Iowa on HWY 76, the weather turned warm, sunny, and bright for the rest of the trip.  We traveled through Winona up and back to avoid all the construction going on near LaCrescent.  It was about 225 miles round trip with fantastic weather, good food, great scenery, and fun times.  We missed Julie who was at a class reunion, Chuckles who was on call, and Joyce (Carl said she had a hangover from her birthday party!).

Here's some shots from Bob and Lois.

THE GROUP GATHERS

WHERE IN THE HELL IS BUCKNUCKLES?!

WAYNE THUMBING HIS NOSE AT THE SUPPORT VEHICLE 

"I HOPE YOU REMEMBER HOW TO GET THERE!"

EVERYONE IS FINALLY HERE

THE LEADER IS READY TO GO

THIS SAYS IT ALL!

MR. BUCKNUCKLES

WE GET PARKED

THE GIFT SHOP

THREE "BIKER CHICKS" WAITING TO GET PICKED UP

OUR PICNIC GROUNDS

ELAINE DOESN'T WANT TO BE SEEN WITH THIS GROUP

JIM EXPLAINING THE FINE ART OF CHEST THUMPING TURKEYS!

THEN WE SPOT AN ALBINO DEER

CARL TELLING ABOUT JOYCE'S BIRTHDAY HANGOVER

DAMP DOZEN ON WEDNESDAY--READY FOR BUCKNUCKLES

A dozen Wednesday Night Riders on 10 bikes departed Casey's this Wednesday planning to go to Boscobel.  Meryle & Mary (trying out Bob's trike) Wayne & Sandy, Chuckles, Wayne M, Bob Z, David H, Greg, Earl, Gary, and Bob R  headed out with Bugsy's blessing and a forecast that said no rain until late night.  Apparently the weatherman had cars on his radar again, because as soon as we crossed into Wisconsin on HWY 35 it started to rain.  It wasn't a down pour, but enough to make it uncomfortable, so we took HWY 171 up to HWY 27 and on into Greener's in Seneca where we held up for a while.  The rain did let up and we continued our journey on wet roads down CR F (the prettiest 5 mile stretch in the tri-states) to HWY 35 and on into PDC on CR K.  We got on HWY 18 through Marquette and continued to CR X16 in Luana.  We followed X16 back to HWY 76 and into Waukon ending at Gus & Tony's where Bugsy welcomed us back.  The last half of the 104 mile ride was pleasant and apparently some more rain did come later in the evening.  It was good to see Greg and Earl again!

Sunday is the outing to Bucknuckles Bar in the booming metropolis of Praag, Wisconsin.   We are doing this trip instead of Hansen's this year, just for something different.  And it will be different!  Just finding Bucknuckles is half the fun, and then you will enjoy a unique dining experience and some wonderful scenery!  We will leave Casey's at 10 on Sunday, and I plan on traveling through Winona up and back.  I want to avoid that cluster of a detour in LaCrescent.  The mileage is about the same as to Hansen's, so I figure it to be about 200 miles round trip.  We'll stop for a break each way.  Hopefully the weather witch will cooperate, and we'll have a great ride.

By the way, I won't be here for the next two Wednesday night rides.  Chuckles will be in charge.  You may want to change to knobby tires.  I'll be back for the "All Roads Lead to Steuben Burger Run" on the 20th.

Here's some Wednesday night photos.

REVEREND BUGSY BLESSING THE BIKES

EARL BEING INCOGNITO AND MERYLE MAKING THE MAD DASH

WAYNE & SANDY HECKLING MERYLE

MERYLE EXPLAINING THE FINE POINTS OF BOB'S TRIKE

CHUCKLES ARRIVES TO EXPRESS HIS TWO CENTS WORTH