A REFRESHING EVENING

After putting up with a lot of heat, humidity, and rain this past week, six WNR were treated to a cool, sunny evening ride.  Lois, Howard, Jim & Cathy, and Bob R brought their bikes while Wayne stoked up the DFT and departed Casey's at 5:30 with temps in the mid sixties.  
We headed out on HWY 9 west past Meryle's mansion and then south onto CR W60 through Fishville and down to Yellow River Drive west.  We followed YDR over to HWY 51 for a short jog onto Frankville Road.  We motored through Frankville and followed it back to HWY 9 west again.  A short blip on 9 and we took the Centennial Road south to Castalia  where we turned onto HWY 52 heading through Ossian.  Straight through Ossian took us to CR B32.  B 32 took us through Festina onto HWY 151 and back west on B32 into Fort Atkinson where we stopped for a break at the Lickety Split.  They serve ice cream cones here, but we decided to wait for Monday for those.

PLENTY OF PARKING AT THE LICKETY SPLIT

HAVE A SLURP?

HOWARD STILL OPTS FOR GATORAIDE

NO CONES, BUT STILL COOL DRINKS

From Ft. Atkinson we took part of CR W14 and part of "another" road into Spillville.  In Spillville we turned back east on HWY 325 and onto HWY 52 south heading into Decorah and HWY 9 east again.  After passing through 3 stop signs we made our way to the Old Stage Road past Walmart, through Freeport and Nasset and into Waukon at Gus & Tony's where the conversations turned to raccoons in combines and tossing geckos out the door.  The ride was refreshing and with no humidity one could see for miles and miles.  I had 96 miles on the Wing when I pulled her into the shed.

UPCOMING RIDES

Monday--Sept. 3-- Labor Day Double Dip Ice Cream Run--One dip on the road and one dip at WW Dairy when we get back.--We will be leaving Casey's at 1 PM.

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 & 16--Couples' trip to Galena--Leaving Casey's at 8 AM.  We added Wayne & Sandy to the participants.

NINE ON THE MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR

Nine WNR gathered at Casey's Sunday morning for our second mystery r t e of the season.  Chuckles, Lois, and Bob Z rode their bikes, Meryle & Mary and Bob & Julie were on trikes, and Dennis & Marlene cruised in the support convertible.

GOOD TO SEE THE YELLOW SUPPORT VEHICLE AGAIN

GATHERING OF THE MYSTERY RIDERS

WHILE CATHY IS AWAY.............

Since I got no responses from any WNR for our mystery destination this time, I took the recommendation of a person from the area that must follow the blog.  We headed north on HWY 76 to Eitzen where we made a turn west onto CR 27 (Sylling Road).  It had just been repaved, so we had a smooth and scenic ride into Spring Grove.  We then turned onto HWY 44 and stopped at the BP in Mabel for a break.  It was pretty humid with temps in the mid 80's.  Heading west gain and onto HWY 52 north to Canton, and north again on CR 21.  CR 21 is a straight shot through Henrytown and merges with CR 12.  We then took 12, another smooth and scenic ride into Preston.  Our mystery destination was the Olympic Bowl and Restaurant and we arrived a little before noon.

WELCOME TO PRESTON!
CHUCKLES WANTED TO TAKE THIS HOME

NEW BUILDING AFTER A FIRE

SUPPORT VEHICLE AT MYSTERY STOP

MORE MYSTERY RIDERS ARRIVE

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THEIR SALAD!

LET'S EAT!!

Even though there was a fairly large crowd in the restaurant, they made room for us and provided excellent service.  The rib special attracted Dennis and Lois while the rest of us had an assortment of sandwiches and some mouth-watering onion rings.  Our mystery destination was an excellent choice.  Thanks, whoever you were!

We departed the restaurant under cloudy skies with a threat of rain in the area.  Taking HWY 52 north out of Preston, we picked up CR 8 east and worked our way down to Lanesboro.  CR 8 was another smooth and scenic drive. Then onto HWY 16 heading east again.  My intent was to go over to Houston and up the ridge to Themper Road and take it down the hill, but the radar on the Wing showed some heavy rains in that area, so I elected to start taking county roads south to try to avoid the rain.  It worked for a while, but soon we were riding in an off and on drizzle.  We worked our way back to HWY 52 south to Decorah and then HWY 9 back to Waukon.  I had about 175 miles on the trike when we pulled into the shed and a more steady rain started.

Despite the rain, we found some very scenic and smooth roads on the mystery ride, and I would certainly go back to the Olympic Bowl and Restaurant again.

UPCOMING RIDES

Next Wednesday--5:30 from Casey's

Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 3rd)--Double Dip Ice Cream Run--
1 PM from Casey's

Couples' Trip--Sept. 15 & 16--Right now I have Votsmier's, Blocker's, Gelo's, and Rotach's signed up.  If you want to go, let Bob R know Wednesday or Monday.

HAPPY TRAILS!

WEAVING THROUGH NE IOWA ON A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER NIGHT

Ten WNR gathered at Casey's Wednesday Night under clear blue skies and temps in the mid 70's--perfect for riding.  Greg came on the yellow Can-AM, Meryle and Wayne & Sandy were on trikes, and Larry, Al, Chuckles, Lois, Howard, and Bob R mounted two-wheelers.

LARRY & MERYLE ADMIRING THE DFT

GREG CHECKING IN & GOOD TO SEE HOWARD AGAIN

THE D F T READY TO ROLL

CHUCKLES & LOIS ARE NOT LAST TONIGHT!

THE NEW GRANDFATHER ARRIVES

After leaving Casey's we took the Elon Road over to the Lansing/Harpers Road and then turned east again on LaFayette Ridge Road.  LRR took us down to the Great River Road and we followed it through Harpers Ferry and finally onto HWY 76 south.  We took 76 down along the river past Effigy Mounds and through Marquette and into McGregor.  Just outside of McGregor we took CR X56 up to Pikes Peak where we stopped for a break and a spectacular view.

WE ARRIVE AT THE PEAK

PARK THE BIKES

and walk to the outlook for this view....

After the viewing, we left the park and headed south again on on X56 until we got to Clayton Road and took it west over to HWY 52 in Garnavillo.  The sun was pretty much in our eyes all the time heading west, but the views were still great on this clear evening.  Outside of Garny, we took HWY 128 west through Clayton Center and then letting some deer pass in front of us, we arrived at HWY 13 and headed north.  13 took us to CR B65 heading west again through St. Olaf and onto the Gunder Road.  We took Gunder Road north through Gunder and onto HWY 18 just outside of Postville.  In Postville we found Cherry Valley Road and traveled it over to Forest Mills Road.  We then headed north again past the Gelo Ranch and onto HWY 76 north into Waukon and Gus & Tony's where we learned about getting an electric fence shock in church.  I had 112 miles on the Wing when I pulled into the shed.

SUNDAY
Our second Mystery RTE is Sunday.  We will leave Casey's that morning at 10 and head out to a mystery spot for eats.  Everyone is welcome!

School starts Thursday--God Bless our bus drivers--Wayne, Sandy, Larry, and Darrel!

Four For Fish Friday

As an impromptu (unscheduled) ride Friday, I posted that Julie and I were heading over to Home-A-Gins in Mt. Hope for their fish supper and we would swing by Casey's at 5 o'clock to see if anyone else wanted to ride along.  When we got to Casey's we went in and registered to win a 4-wheeler from KNEI and then picked up two new Gelo's (Gary & Gloria) and two trikes departed for Mt. Hope.

We took HWY 76 south to Rossville and down Volney Road into Monona.  We picked up HWY 18 east there and took it through Marquette, Prairie du Chien, and Bridgeport to CR C and headed east on it.  C took us along the Wisconsin River and over to HWY 133 heading south.  From 133 we joined 18 again and turned east into Mt. Hope and Home-A-Gin's.

ARRIVING IN MT. HOPE

OUR DESTINATION

While the food was very good, it did take a while to get it.  So by the time we were ready to leave, I knew we probably were not going to make it home before dark.  So instead of taking my normal long way back, we just got back on HWY 18 again and took it all the way to Luana and got on Forest Mills Road.  Gary & Gloria store their trike on Forest Mills Road, so they got off there while Rotach's continued on home.  It was dark, but I took it slow watching out for any four-legged threats and we made it back safely.  On the way over and back we came through a number of damp spots on the roads, but we never did get rained on.  It was a good ride with good food, so I may add it to our regular rides for next year, but maybe leave earlier or have it earlier in the year.  I had 125 miles on the trike when we got home.

UPCOMING RIDES

 Next Wednesday from Casey's--5:30
Sunday, Aug. 26th--Mystery RTE--Casey's--10 AM
Monday, Sept. 3--Double Dip Ice Cream Run--Casey's--1 PM
Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 15 & 16--Couples' Trip--Casey's--8 AM

CZECH OFF PROTIVIN

Nine WNR gathered at Casey's Wednesday night for our annual pilgrimage to Protivin.  We had Larry, Al, Jim & Cathy, and Bob R on bikes.  Wayne & Sandy were on the DFT, and Greg and Dale brought up the rear in the support convertible.

LARRY CARRYING ON A CONVERSATION. 
LATER HE WOULD FORGET THE GUY'S NAME

THE DFT ROLLS INTO PLACE NEXT TO AL'S RIDE

Since there was a real threat of rain to the east, Protivin soon became our destination for the trip.  We took HWY 76 north to Bear Creek Drive west over to Locust Road and headed south into Decorah.  In Decorah we took College Drive past Luther College and onto Pole Line Road heading west again.  Pole Line Road proved to be a smooth and scenic ride over to Cresco.  In Cresco we turned south again on Willow Avenue (CR V58) and on into Protivin for a rest stop at the Fast Mart.

EVERYONE GATHERS AROUND LARRY'S BIKE
IN CASE SOMEONE IN PROTIVIN TRIES TO STEAL IT

WAYNE BEATS A PATH FOR ICE CREAM

From Protivin we took CR B16 through Spillville and onto HWY 52 heading south into Calmar.  We continued on 52 into Ossian where we turned onto CR W42 and W46 over to Centennial Road.  Turning north on Centennial we came to HWY 9 and headed east into Waukon and Gus & Tony's where Bugsy joined us.  The conversation turned to what a lousy place California would be to live.  I had 122 miles on the Wing when I got home.

HUNGRY FOR FISH??

Julie and I plan to motor over to Home-A-Gin's in Mt. Hope on Friday for their fish supper.  We'll leave home at 5 that afternoon and swing by Casey's to see if anyone wants to ride over with us.  The fish is really good at Home-A-Gin's, but they do have other food on the menu also.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Our second Mystery RTE is Sunday, Aug. 26th, when we will be leaving Casey's at 10 AM.  If you have a place you would like to go to eat don't tell anybody but Bob R.  First come, first serve.

The 2018 Couples' Trip is Sept. 15 & 16.  Right now it looks to be a trip down to Savanna, IL, for lunch at Poopy's and then on up to Galena for a two hour stay (shopping or a trolley tour).  From there we will travel up to Dubuque for Saturday night.  On Sunday the plans are to spend a couple of hours at the Mississippi River Museum there and then head back over into Wisconsin for a lunch stop at the brewery in Potosi and then home from there.  Right now I plan to leave Casey's at 8 AM on Saturday (Sept. 15) from Casey's.  Be sure to let Bob R know as soon as you know you want to go.  Sounds like fun!

GUYS' RIDE RECAP

Many of you have asked about the trip that David, Bob Z, and Bob R took last week.  So I will try to give you a condensed version and a few highlights.  Since the blog has a very short time frame for videos, I can only do one short version of the many routes we rode.
Our goal was to reach Athens, Ohio, and use it as a base to ride the Windy 9.

DAY ONE
We left the Rotach house at 7 AM Monday morning, July 30th.  It was a very nice morning ride until we got near Guttenberg where we ran into very thick fog and had to slow to 40 mph in a lot of spots.  After reaching the top of the hill outside of Guttenberg, the fog lifted and we continued onward.  We continued through Dyersville where we made our first break.  From there we didn't stop again until we needed gas across the river in Fulton, IL.  We continued easterly and cutting south on state highways while avoiding interstate travel.  Surprisingly the state roads in Illinois were in good shape and we were able to make good time for our scheduled stop in Pontiac, IL, and tour the Route 66 museum there.

THE MUSEUM IS HOUSED IN AN OLD FIRE STATION

REMEMBER THESE?

ORIGINAL BURMA SHAVE SIGNS!

The Route 66 museum was very well done with some interesting exhibits.  I'm glad we were able to stop!  We continued on eastward to Gilman, IL, for our first overnight stay at the Motel 6 there.  No pool but it was right next to a Dairy Queen, so Bob Z was happy.  We covered 351 miles this first day.

DAY TWO
We left the Motel 6 on Tuesday morning again heading east and jogging south when we could with Athens, Ohio, being our destination.  However, most of the day and all across Indiana we rode through drizzling rain.  It was never heavy enough to force us to stop, but it was a PITA on a motorcycle.  We arrived in Athens about 4 in the afternoon (eastern time) and checked into the Baymont Motel there.  They were repairing the exit to the motel, so we had to take a detoured route to get to the Baymont, but there was a hot tub and a pool waiting for us.  We covered about 385 miles this day with about 300 of it in the drizzle.  The routes through Illinois were very straight and boring.  It almost always felt like you were riding in the middle of a corn or soybean field.  Everything was very green, however.

DAY THREE
This was the first day that we were going to start in riding the Windy 9, but it was still drizzling in the morning.  Not wanting to try riding windy curves on fresh blacktop, we decided to wait until closer to noon to venture out.  There was still some rain in the area, but with the radar on the Wing, we were able to dodge it.  I had to change the planned route quite a bit, but we were still able to get over 100 miles of riding on some fantastic roads!  There were plenty of curves that had to be taken at 25-35 mph, but the roads were in such good shape that it made for a real fun ride.  I think we only came to one curve all day that I would actually call a switchback.  The only problem we had with the late start and dodging the rain, we weren't able to take time to stop at some of the interesting attractions along the way.

DAY FOUR
Finally the weather broke and we were able to get a full day of riding in on the Windy 9.  We put just over 200 miles on the bikes and again through some challenging curves and very well-maintained roads.  Riding HWY 555 (the triple nickle) was probably the highlight of the day.  We were also able to take scenic rides along the Muskingum and Ohio rivers.  We were also able to make a lunch stop at the iconic Triple Nickle Diner.  It was really a fun day!

TRIPLE NICKLE DINER

DAY FIVE
We left Athens on Friday morning heading westward towards home.  If you know me, I don't like to take the same roads out and back, so we did a lot of jogging west and north.  We made it all through Indiana and a lot of Illinois in good weather.  Our destination for this day was the Super 8 in Bourbonnais, IL.  After about 500 miles we arrived there in time for a swim in the pool and supper at a very understaffed I-HOP.

DAY SIX
We left the Super 8 around 7 AM for the last leg of our trip home.  We stayed on the Illinois and Wisconsin side of the Mississippi passing through scenic Savanna, Galena, E. Dubuque, Dickeyville, Potosi, Cassville and Prairie du Chien on the way back to Waukon.  We put on about 340 miles that day and arrived back home around 3 PM.

"WHERE THE HELL ARE WE?!"

Would I do it again?  Yes!  Even though the roads through Illinois and Indiana were in good shape (better than Iowa's), I would probably take a couple of extra days and take a more scenic route out and back by swinging in from the south through parts of West Virginia.  The Windy 9 was all it was cracked up to be!

WE MOTORED "ON OVER" TO NORTH ANDOVER

A 2018 record number of WNR showed up on a beautiful Wednesday evening to take advantage of the weather for a ride across the river to MC Sports Bar & Grill in North Andover.  
Fourteen riders gathered at Casey's with Chuckles, Lois, Wayne M, Al, Jim & Cathy, Bob Z, David,  and Bob R on bikes and Meryle and Wayne & Sandy on trikes and Greg & Jenny on the CanAm.

GOOD GROUP ON A NICE WEDNESDAY

GOOD TO SEE WAYNE M AND GREG & JENNY AGAIN

MERYLE TRYING TO MANIPULATE THE GAS PUMP

WAYNE AND A DAMN FINE TRIKE

SANDY BEING CAMERA SHY

LATER HE WOULD NOT NEED MUCH GAS

CHUCKLES & LOIS ARRIVE IN THE NICK OF TIME

DAVID WELCOMING GREG & JENNY TO THE GROUP AGAIN

Our convoy departed Casey's at 5:30 heading out on HWY 76 and down CR X16 past the Gelo ranch and on into Luana where Bob Z had to drop out with no rear brakes.  (It could have been worse.  It happened here and not in the middle of Illinois somewhere last week.)  From Luana we took HWY 18 east through PDC and onto CR P near Patch Grove.  P proved to be a smooth scenic road that took us down to CR A near Bagley.  Taking A east to CR VV south and then CR V east again into North Andover and MC Sports Bar and Grill for a break,

"HOW DO YOU SHUT THIS DAMN THING OFF?!"

THE INDIAN AND CAN-AM LAND IN NORTH ANDOVER

WATCH THE GLARE OFF THE HEAD!

After a rest at MC's we continued on CR V and then CR U, both smooth scenic roads, back to HWY 35 and then north back to PDC where we picked up 18 and crossed the river again into Marquette.  Taking HWY 76 back north, we were treated to a spectacular sunset. We stopped at the Old Rossville Store for eats since Gus & Tony's in Waukon was closed.  

IT'S STILL LIGHT IN ROSSVILLE

PLENTY OF PARKING

After feasting on chicken, fish, and other goodies, we departed Rossville in the dark.  Jim had a chance to try out his new lights.  I had about 120 miles on the Wing when I got home.