WNR GOES TESCEMPERING (THUMPING)

A dozen units lined up at Casey's Wednesday night under sunny skies and 80 degrees.  Chuck (not Chuckles), Darrel, and Irv motored in on trikes.  Bob Z, David, Jim & Cathy, Larry, Chuckles, Al, Darron (first Wednesday night ride this year), and Bob R manned two-wheelers.  Dale & Greg rode in the support convertible.

GATHERING UNDER BRIGHT BLUE SKIES

LARRY & CHUCK (NOT CHUCKLES) CHECK THE WEATHER

THE SUPPORT CONVERTIBLE READY TO ROLL

IRV & AL TAKE ON FUEL

JIM WELCOMES DARRON TO THE RIDE

Our goal for the ride tonight was to include Tescemper Road (pronounced "Thumper" by bikers) near LaCrescent.  We departed Casey's and headed north on HWY 76 and then turned west onto Dorchester Drive passing through Dorchester and on into Spring Grove.  Outside of Spring Grove we turned north again onto CR 4 passing through Black Hammer and Yucatan on our way to Houston.  However, it looked like the "good old" Weather Witch was going to play her tricks on us again, as the skies toward Houston began to darken.  We turned onto HWY 76 outside of Houston and passed through. I had planned to stop in Houston for a break, but decided to continue our quest for "Thumper" since it looked like we were going to get wet if we stopped.  

Outside of Houston we took CR 9 east to CR 21 where we turned south and followed it to CR 25 where we turned north up the steep hill and then east again where the road is called South Ridge Road.  Continuing on 25, we approached Tescemper (first turn south right before the WXOW tv towers) and turned onto what I consider the most scenic 4 miles of road in the tri-state area.  The speed limit is only 25 mph for a good reason.  It lets you enjoy the absolutely spectacular scenery on either side of the road.  Tescemper (Thumper) took us back down to CR 21 and we turned back east to HWY 16 and on into Hokah's Kwik Trip for our break.  So far due to the "skillful" maneuvering of our fearless leader, we have avoided any rain showers.

TIME FOR A BREAK--ABOUT 74 MILES

BIG "FRAIDEY CATS" PUT THE TOP UP ON THE CONVERTIBLE

After leaving Hokah, the temperature had dropped to 72 degrees and we noticed wet areas on HWY 44 as we headed towards Caledonia.  Passing through Caledonia we got back on HWY 76 south and passed through Eitzen.  We then turned back east on Iowa River Drive and then south again on the Lycurgus Road. and then onto HWY 9 at the Lycurgus Church.  We got off of 9 ASAP onto Iron Mine Drive, over to HWY 76 and on into Waukon and Gus & Tony's.  The sky towards Decorah really looked dark, so we hope Darrel and Darron made it back home OK.

WE ARRIVE AT G &T'S SAFE AND DRY

BUT LOOK AT THE DARK SKY TO THE WEST

Once inside JoAnn joined us.  After listening to the Gelo brothers banter over their pizza order, Chuck (not Chuckles) remarked that maybe it was good that he didn't have any brothers!  It rained while we eating, so the bikes were wet when we came out, but we didn't have far to go.  Hopefully Jim & Cathy and Chuck (not Chuckles) got back home with no problems.
I racked up a little over 130 miles on the Wing on the "Thumper" run.  Depending on weather, next Wednesday may be the Bagley loop.