Wednesday Night Riders: ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL WEDNESDAY--I RIDE--LOOSE GRAVEL--COUPLES TRIP

Another beautiful Wednesday night saw 12 of us gather at Casey's for our Wednesday night venture. With Earl, Chuckles, Lois, Wayne M, Lee E (glad to have him with us again), and Bob R on bikes and Carl & Joyce, Wayne & Sandy, and Dayton & Joan on trikes we departed at 5:30 on the street bordering the golf course. However, before we could get out of town we lost one rider. Chuckles' headlights went out on him. ( I always thought his bulb was a little dim anyway!) He turned back and headed home, so we continued with 11 of us traveling east on the Elon Road where we ran into more loose gravel from the county repair work. (More on that later.) After skirting the gravel, we took the Lansing/Harpers Road north and then the Lafayette Ridge Road east again to the Great River Road north into Lansing. In Lansing we had to detour onto Front Street to pick up HWY 26 north. On 26 near New Albin, we turned west onto Pool Hill Road and on into Eitzen and HWY 76 north. After a short drive north on 76 we took CR 27 west on into Spring Grove for a break. From Spring Grove we took HWY 44 west into Mabel where we picked up CR 28 heading south into Hesper. In Hesper we turned east onto CR A14 and followed it to the Locust Road. Heading south on Locust we then turned east again on CR A26 (Bear Creek Drive) to HWY 76 south and then back on A26 again to the Lycurgus Road. Heading south on Lycurgus Road we ran into more of the loose gravel, but managed to make it to HWY 9 west and back into Waukon at Gus & Tony's where Dale joined us. I had 110 miles on the Wing for our trip. Great scenery and still really green for this time of year!

I-RIDE

Again to remind everyone that the Good Sam I-RIDE is this Saturday with registration from 8AM to 8:45 with the "Blessing of the Bikes" following, and the ride starting at 9. Let's all try to support this worthy cause. Entry fee includes breakfast, lunch and a t-shirt!

LOOSE GRAVEL

With the county doing their tar spray and gravel repairs to two of the county roads frequented by motorcycle riders, I believe that the loose gravel that is left over presents a real danger to the riders, particularly if there are no warning signs. You can be into some of this loose gravel danger before you know it! So, I am scheduled to address the Board of Supervisors Monday morning at 9 AM concerning this issue. If they continue to use this method of road repair, then all I'm going to be asking is that they put up signs (LOOSE GRAVEL) warning bikers so they have time to react or turn around if they want. If some of you can make that meeting, I would appreciate the support!

COUPLES' TRIP

I am going to need to know very shortly if you plan to go on the couples' trip on the weekend of September 19th & 20th. I plan on traveling to Osceola, WI for a train ride and then an overnight stay and return to Waukon on Sunday. Very soon I am going to have to firm up motel reservations and get tickets for the train ride ($14 each). Right now I have confirmations from Thorntons, Blockers, Votsmiers, and Rotachs. If you are planning on going (first come-first serve) then let Bob R know as soon as you can.

Here's some shots from Wednesday night's ride. I also included a photo of the "American Queen" riverboat that is docked in Prairie du Chein. You may want to venture down there and see it. Look to the left as you cross the bridge and you'll see it. Go to the Villa Louis grounds for a closer view.