BUCKNUCKLES ON HOLD--CLAYTON INSTEAD

Five Wednesday Night Riders gathered at Casey's on Sunday morning with a RTE planned to Bucknuckles in Prague, Wisconsin.  Jim & Cathy, Chuckles, and Al brought their bikes, while Bob & Julie came on their trike.  It was 84 degrees with about 90% humidity.

THE HUMIDITY WAS DOING A TUNE ON MY CAMERA LENS

AL GOT TENNIS ELBOW POLISHING THE INDIAN RIMS

THE BEAN SPRAYERS GET DONE ON TIME TO GO

After looking at the radar in the Bucknuckles area, it was going to be stormy to say the least.  So a decision was made to head south and go to Clayton.  Clayton was going to be our Mystery RTE next Saturday, so we'll have to come up with a new Mystery Run before then.
We departed at 10 O'Clock heading west on HWY 9.  We then turned south on CR W60 through Fishville and down onto Yellow River Drive heading west again.  YDR took us over to HWY 51 where we turned south and passed through Postville and onto HWY 18 east. Travelling east on 18 we passed by Monona, Giard, and Froelich before turning south again on HWY 52.  Garnavillo was our next destination and we turned back east there on CR C17 (Clayton Road).  Clayton Road actually took us to 228th St. and down the hill into Clayton.  

WE ARRIVE IN CLAYTON

After getting to Clayton, it was interesting to know that Jim, Cathy and Julie had never been to this quaint little river town before.  So, on a recommendation from Chuckles (actually Lois), we decided to lunch at Bill's Boat Landing.

This proved to be an excellent suggestion (thanks, Lois) because the food and service were excellent.  I would highly recommend this establishment after a scenic drive down to the river!

FIVE WELL-FED WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIDERS

After our meal we took an unnamed road back to CR X56 and retraced our way back west and then south into and through McGregor and Marquette and onto HWY 76 north.  We continued north to CR X52 and down the hill into Harpers Ferry where we stopped at Barry's MiniMart for ice cream (what's a RTE without a stop for ice cream?).  After our treats we headed up the hill on the Lansing/Harpers Road and then turned onto State Forest Road and through Yellow River Forest.  While still trying to figure out why snowmobiles were allowed, but ATV's and UTV's were not, we made our way back to HWY 76 (Branstad Memorial south) and back into Waukon.  Our decision to change routes today proved to be wise, since shortly after arriving in Waukon some wicked weather hit the area.  I had a little over 100 miles on the trike when we pulled into the shed.

MYSTERY RTE IS STILL ON FOR NEXT SATURDAY, JULY 6TH.  Leaving from Casey's at 3:30 that afternoon.  Destination is still a mystery!!

WE HAVE ROOM FOR ONE MORE GUY ON THE GUY'S TRIP TO HELL JULY 29-AUG 3.  FIRST COME--FIRST SERVE!

17 ON FIRST "SUMMER" RIDE--BUCKNUCKLES IS SUNDAY

On a pleasantly warm summer evening seventeen WNR gathered at Casey's for a ride to the DQ in Boscobel. Lois, Jim & Cathy, Bob Z, Howard, David, and Bob R rode in on two-wheelers.  While Wayne & Sandy, Meryle & Mary, Ron, and Darrel mounted trikes.  Dennis & Marlene, and Greg & Dale followed in support vehicles.

TWO SUPPORT CONVERTIBLES!!

MERYLE & DARREL COMPARE TRIKES

JIM EXPLAINS TIRE CHANGING IN ST. LOUIS

Since there was considerable chip sealing on the Elon Road, we had to take the Branstad Memorial North (HWY 9) through Churchtown and into Lansing.  After everyone's teeth stopped chattering, we crossed the Blackhawk Bridge into Wisconsin and onto HWY 35 south.  We followed 35 through Ferryville and on into Lynxville where we turned onto CR E heading east.  CR E took is down through Steuben (all roads lead to Steuben) and eventually down to HWY 60 east at Easter Rock.  We turned east on 60 and after a short jog onto HWY 61 and into Boscobel and the Dairy Queen.  There are quite a few scenic views that can be seen cruising down CR E.  Not being used to warm weather, the ice cream treats at the DQ hit the spot.

OVERFLOW PARKING AT THE DQ

RON EVEN HAS GNATS IN HIS EARS!

THE SUPPORT CONVERTIBLES FILL OUT THE PARKING LOT

After our cool treats we went back through Boscobel and took HWY 60 west through Wauzeka and on into Bridgeport where we picked up HWY 18 west and went through Prairie du Chien, Marquette, Giard, and Froelich before turning north on the Volney Road through Monona, Volney, and into Rossville.  We picked up HWY 76 north (Branstad Memorial South) and rattled our way into Waukon and Gus & Tony's where Bugsy was waiting for us.  Mary was able to clean out the pickle jar with her sandwich order, and Bugsy's eyesight is so bad that he thought Meryle looked good!  I had about 120 miles on the Wing as I pulled her into the shed.

BUCKNUCKLES

So far the ride to Bucknuckles is still on for Sunday.  There is only a 20% chance of rain as of today, but it is supposed to be hot.  So we will probably stop a couple of times before we get there and on the way back.  Departing Casey's at 10 AM on Sunday.

 WE ALSO HAVE A MYSTERY RTE RUN SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JULY 6TH, DEPARTING CASEY'S AT 3:30 IN THE AFTERNOON.

BUCKNUCKLES RESCHEDULED AND OTHER DRIVEL

Since the ride to Bucknuckles Bar & Grill has always been so popular, and got rained out Sunday, I am going to reschedule the run for this Sunday, June 30th.  We will plan to leave Casey's at 10 AM on Sunday.  Put that on your ride sheet.

What does a pissed-off at the weather Gold Winger do on the crappy days we've had?  Bike maintenance, that's what.  I did manage to get the clutch and brake fluid changed out on the bike, so I decided to tackle replacing the air filter.  As you will see from the photos below, that's no small task!

YOU HAVE TO TEAR INTO THE BIKE PRETTY GOOD...

JUST TO GET TO THE AIR FILTER

IT NEEDED CHANGING!!

I DID GET HER PUT BACK TOGETHER

WITH NO PARTS LEFT OVER!!

NO BUCKNUCKLES!!

With the Weather Witch and her full bladder moving northeast through Iowa and Wisconsin, the ride to Bucknuckles would be a wet one.  The early afternoon looks good for a while here, but the rain chances near Alma, Wisconsin are 80%.  We'll maybe try to reschedule when and if the Witch quits peeing all over us.  In the meantime, a little truism food for thought.

On the bright side, Wednesday night looks warm and sunny.  Might be time for a Boscobel run!

DOZEN TO HOUSTON--BUCKNUCKLES ON SUNDAY

Under partly sunny skies and temps in the low 70's, ten WNR gathered at Casey's hoping to avoid another rain out.  We had Howard, David, Chuckles, Beth, and Bob R on bikes with Jim, Wayne, Meryle & Mary, and Chuck (Newbie) on 3 wheelers.

HOWARD & DAVID PLEASED WITH THE RECENT DROP IN GAS PRICES

CHUCK (NOT CHUCKLES) IS A NEWBIE__WELCOME!

A HARLEY AND A DAMN FINE TRIKE

GOOD TO SEE MERYLE BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

BETH FINALLY GETS A FREE WEDNESDAY NIGHT

TEN WNR GETTING READY FOR THE HOUSTON RUN

  We took off through the construction on west Main and onto HWY 76 north on the edge of Waukon.  We followed 76 past Hanover and then west on Bear Creek Drive.  At the intersection of Bear Creek and Locust Road we picked up Roger on his bike and Darrel on his trike and our fleet grew to a dozen.  Taking Locust Road north to HWY 44 east, we turned back north onto CR 4 just west of Spring Grove.  We cruised down CR 4's smooth pavement and sweeping curves through Black Hammer and Yucatan to HWY 76 north again and then onto Houston for a rest at the BP.

ROGER TAKES ON ROCKET FUEL FOR THE V-ROD

After battling the gnats in the BP lot, we continued our journey on HWY 76 south.  I had planned to turn west onto CR 10, but the signs at the intersection said "LOOSE GRAVEL".  So we kept going south on 76 through Caledonia.  Instead of staying on 76, we took HWY 44 west over to CR 17 and turned south there.  CR 17 took us over to HWY 76 again just north of Eitzen.  We followed 76 on into Waukon avoiding the possible loose gravel on the Lycurgus Road.  Bugsy was waiting for us at Gus & Tony's.  The conversation there turned to illegal immigrants.  Like Congress, we couldn't decide what to do, so we're going to send Bugsy down there to take care of the situation!  I had 115 miles on the Wing as I pulled her into the shed.  

A SPECIAL WELCOME TO CHUCK (NOT CHUCKLES) FROM POSTVILLE.  HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE A LOT MORE OF HIM THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER!

BUCKNUCKLES

This Sunday we have another RTE scheduled to Bucknuckles Bar & Grill near Alma, WI.  Right now it looks like the Weather Witch is going to pee all over us again!  We were planning to depart Casey's at 10 AM that day.  Stay tuned to this channel for further developments and announcements.

NO RTE RIDE TODAY--HAPPY FATHERS' DAY TOMMARRO

With the radio and TV predictions and looking at the radar, it looks like the Weather Witch (aka Bitch) is going to spoil our plans again for today.  I'll look to reschedule sometime later.  I would really like to ride over to Protivin sometime and check out The Place.  Actually Clair was planning to ride with us today until he saw the forecast.  Hopefully we'll be able to catch him next time.

In the meantime  HAPPY FATHERS' DAY to all our WNR dads!

See you next Wednesday, I hope!

JUST ME & CHUCKLES--RTE ON SATURDAY

Under threatening skies and falling temperatures on Wednesday evening, only Chuckles & Bob R made the ride.  We left Casey's and headed south down rough HWY 76 (Terry E Branstad Memorial Byway South) into Marquette.  We absorbed a few sprinkles, but nothing major.  We crossed the bridge into Wisconsin, around PDC and took HWY 18 east to HWY 60 east.  We followed HWY 60 into Wauzeka and stopped at the BP there for a break.

ME & CHUCKLES IN WAUZEKA

After our stop in Wauzeka we turned onto CR N and headed back west where it looked like the sun was out and the sky was blue.  However, we did hit a shower before we got to HWY 27.  I planned on following N east again, but when we got to the turnoff, we discovered that N was closed.  Since it looked rainy to the south, we turned around on 27 and passed through Eastman.  I decided then to turn east on CR D even though the last time I was on it, it was really rough.  However, it has been resurfaced and was very smooth all the way down to HWY 35.  We took it slower than normal coming down the hill because the roadway was still wet and with new blacktop, the road could be slick. I do want to go back and ride D again when it's dry--smooth and lots of neat curves.  When we got to HWY 35, it still looked rainy towards PDC, so we headed north on through Lynxville and Ferryville.  The rain was no longer with us, so it was a good decision.  HWY 35 took us to HWY 82 and across the Blackhawk bridge into Lansing.  Still looking rainy to the south, we decided to take a punding on HWY 9 (Terry E Branstad Memorial Byway North) back to Waukon.  By this time the temperature had dropped into the mid 50's, and being a little damp yet, we decided to pass up Gus & Tony's and opt for a hot shower at home.  I logged 115 miles on the trike when I pulled her into the shed.  Apparently Jim's work on my new reserve coolant tank was successful!

LOOSE GRAVEL

As many of you know I have been pushing the county to put up loose gravel signs on roads that they have been using chip seal.  Without any warning riding on the gravel used in chip sealing can cause slipping, particularly on a two wheeler.  I am happy to report that there are now signs up, and I have called the county engineer's office to thank them.  You may want to consider doing this also.  It's for our protection!

SIGN ON FOREST MILLS ROAD
PHOTO FROM JIM

RTE ON SATURDAY

Saturday was supposed to be our RTE to the Bagley Hotel for naked ribs.  However that place is no longer operating.  I then decided to try Gunder since we got rained out from going there earlier in the year.  However, apparently that is just a bar now with no food!  SO, I decided that we should try The Place in Protivin.  If the weather cooperates, we will still depart Casey's at 4:30 on Saturday.  I plan to take Bear Creek Drive over to Locust Drive and then down into Decorah and then take the Madison Road over to Ridgeway.  So if our Decorah riders don't want to start at Casey's in Waukon, they can meet us along the way.  Hopefully the Weather Witch will leave us alone on Saturday.

GOOD REPRESENTATION OF WNR AT HOSPICE RIDE

Ten Wednesday Night Riders took part in the Annual Winneshiek Medical Hospice Ride on Saturday.  Gary, Carl & Joyce, Chuckles, Lois, Roger, Ron & Helen, Bob R, and, of course, Nancy. After a free-will breakfast in the hospital cafeteria, we mounted up at 10:30 and started our run.

DELICIOUS EGG BAKE AND CINNAMON ROLLS!

With a police escort, we traveled through Decorah and onto HWY 52 north.  We then turned east onto the North Winn Road (part of it was newly paved) and on into Hesper.  There we took CR W40 into Mabel and with the police directing traffic, we crossed HWY 44 and straight onto HWY 43 heading north.  Following HWY 43, we turned east again on CR 10/13.  I call this the "mountain loop" into Houston, because there are some switchbacks going down a long hill and some beautiful views of the countryside below.  After arriving in Houston, we stopped at the city park to draw our poker hands and have drinks and snacks.

HOUSTON IS THE HOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL OWL CENTER.
ANOTHER TRIP TO SEE IT?!

NANCY, CHUCKLES, AND LOIS MAKING THEIR WAY INTO THE PARK

RON & HELEN SAMPLING THE SNACKS

A REALLY NICE VETERANS' MEMORIAL IN THE HOUSTON PARK

After departing the park, the police had HWY 76 blocked off in town so we could turn onto HWY 16 and head east into Hokah.  Again in Hokah the police had traffic blocked so we could turn onto CR 18 and into Brownsville where we picked up HWY 26 south and to the Shellhorn Tavern for our second stop.

SHELLHORN TAVERN ON HWY 26

BIKES & TRIKES FILL UP THE PARKING LOT

CHUCKLES HIDING BEHIND HIS HELMET.
LATER ON HE WOULD BUY A|NEW ONE

ROGER'S NEW RIDE

RON & GARY EYEBALL OUR "SUPPORT VEHICLE".

WAITING TO BLOCK TRAFFIC FOR US

After leaving the Shellhorn we continued south on HWY 26 into Lansing and up the hill to Mt. Hosmer Park for our third stop.

LOIS NEGOTIATES THE SHARP CURVES UP THE HILL

BIKES & TRIKES AT MT. HOSMER

PICKING UP POKER CARDS

RON COMPARING RIDES

TWO "OLD HIPPIES" TRYING REAL HARD TO ADJUST!

DON'T STEP BACKWARDS!!

Back down the hill from Mt. Hosmer, we crossed HWY 9 again with police blocking traffic and then took CR X52 into Harpers Ferry.  From Harpers we turned north onto CR B52 and then west onto State Forest Road, through Yellow River Forest and back to HWY 76.  We followed 76 to CR X32 and turned right on into Waterville for our fourth stop at the Winchester.

PLENTY OF PARKING IN WATERVILLE

NANCY HEADS FOR THE WINCHESTER

ROGER COMPARES RIDES

WE DOUBLE THE POPULATION OF WATERVILLE

After a free-will lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, and coleslaw, we departed the Winchester and headed north to pick up the Elon Road.  Just then, the rain that had been threatening all day, hit us with a pretty good shower.  I guess it's only appropriate that we get rained on in Waterville!  The Elon Road took us through the torn up Main Street in Waukon, and again with police blocking traffic, we were able to continue on through town and onto the Old Stage Road.  We continued on into Decorah and our final stop at Topping Goliath Brewery where Bugsy caught up with us.  At Topping Goliath we were treated to some more snacks and were able to purchase drinks from a large selection of beverages.  Also in wrapping up the day, Ron and Bob won door prizes, and Lois hit the jackpot with a $100 gift certificate to Elliot Jewelry.  Chuckles used the silent auction to pick up a new helmet and some gloves.  The ride was scenic, well-organized, and benefited a good cause.  Looking forward to next year!  I had 155 miles on the Wing for the total ride.