WEDNESDAY NIGHTS JINXED?!

  I got a message from Jim this morning, and he seems to think Wednesday nights are jinxed for riding.  That sure seems to be the way it's been lately.  I don't know if anyone rode last night, but when I checked the weather at 5:15, the temp was 48 and the wind was blowing hard from the northwest.  I've never considered myself a wimp when it comes to motorcycling, but as you get older, you're not as tough as you used to be.

Since this Sunday looks pretty good for weather, I am going to go for a ride again.  I plan to leave Casey's at 1 PM again, and anyone is welcome to come along.  Same rules apply--social distancing and staying in Iowa.  Maybe a stop along the way (probably not at the jail in Harpers).

Some sad news to report.  Dayton Fish, Wayne's brother, passed away after a long battle with cancer.  Dayton and Joan were regular riders with our Wednesday night group up until last year.  On behalf of the Wednesday Night Riders, I want to extend our sympathy to the Fish family.  Dayton was a swell guy, and I'm sure he will be missed.

I always like to close the blog with something that makes you smile, but with the spring weather and the virus, smiles can be hard to come by.  But I'll try anyway.  Here's some more humor forwarded from Dennis & Marlene.

  

SEE YOU SUNDAY

GROOVIN' ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON

The Rascals song from 1967 had it right for 6 WNR who met at Casey's on Sunday afternoon--"Couldn't get away too soon."  Chuckles & Lois, Carl, Chuck (not Chuckles) and Bob & Julie "gathered" at 1 O'Clock with sunny skies and temps in the mid 60's for a ride that was originally scheduled for Camp Courageous.

CHUCKLES, LOIS, AND CARL GET THEIR BIKES OUT OF THE BARN

CHUCK WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF NEW "GOODIES" ON HIS TRIKE

It's ironic that the last three times we couldn't ride to Camp Courageous because of lousy weather.  Now we finally get a good weather Sunday, and Camp Courageous is closed from COVID 19.  We do plan on sending (mailing) our contribution down there.  They can use the funds, because the cancelled omelet breakfast is a big fund raiser for them.

We departed Casey's and headed up north on HWY 76 to Pool Hill Road, through Eitzen (yes, we did fudge a little by being in Minnesota) and down to New Albin.  We saw a lot of field work being done, and actually a lot of dust being kicked up.  From New Albin we headed south on HWY 26 into Lansing.  From there we took the Great River Road into Harpers Ferry and a break at the One Stop.  As we pulled into Harpers, we spotted a yellow GW trike followed by a Harley.  Sure enough it was Darrel and Roger also out groovin' on a Sunday afternoon.  We no sooner got together (6 feet apart) and "out of the clear blue of the western sky, comes Sky King."  Actually it turned out to be Howard.  So now our WNR group grows to nine.  There was some "suggestions" that maybe we should meet at the jailhouse in Harpers on Wednesday night instead of Casey's!

A FAMILIAR LOOKING YELLOW TRIKE SHOWS UP

After some conversations and winter catching-up, seven of us headed back to HWY 76 via the Great River Road.  We took 76 north to the Waterville turn where Carl continued on home.  The rest of took CR X32 towards Waterville.  I think coming down that hill into Waterville is one of the most scenic views in the county.  We passed through Waterville and back north to the Elon Road.  As we looked back west towards Waukon it looked like we might get wet before we got back.  However, we did make it back without any rain drops hitting us.  I hope Chuck (not Chuckles) and Darrel and Roger made it back to their homes with out getting wet.  We had 93 miles on the trike after getting back from "groovin' on a Sunday afternoon".

ANOTHER WEDNESDAY NIGHT WASHOUT!

I knew the weather witch was going to get even with us after the last time it cleared up in time for a ride.  This time she crapped on us late afternoon and checking the radar it looked to be a wet ride, so I didn't try it.  Between the witch and covid 19, this spring has to go down as one of the worst!  I did sneak in a short 70 mile ride early yesterday afternoon and made it back home just in time to avoid getting drenched.  While riding through Postville and holding my breath, I noticed that the state (in their infinite wisdom) has put down chip seal on hwy 18 through town without putting up any loose gravel signs.  So be extra careful if you go that way.

Camp Courageous is now closed for the entire summer, So obviously their omelet breakfast won't be held and our ride this Sunday won't happen.  However, the weather for Sunday looks pretty good, so since we didn't get in a ride Wednesday night, I plan to go for a ride on Sunday.  I don't know where to yet, but I plan to leave from Casey's at 1PM.  Anyone is welcome to come along.  Same rules--keep social distancing from each other--use hand sanitizer if using gas pump--stay in Iowa--maybe stop for a short break, but stay a safe distance (6 ft. or more).

I doubt if we will be able to hold our Good Sam trike rides scheduled for May 16th.  Maybe try again sometime this fall.  Also our Burger Run on May 16th looks real doubtful too, but I may go for a ride on that day anyway, so keep that in mind if interested.  HOPEFULLY we will be able to do our Memorial Day Run and cookout although it's almost impossible to try to predict anything.  Future posts on this blog will keep you updated.

NOW FOR SOME MUCH NEEDED HUMOR COURTESY OF DENNIS & MARLENE

IS THAT DALE IN THE CONVERTIBLE?!

OWWWW!

IT'S OFFICIAL

Wednesday night riding has finally started, although the second ride may be a ways off.  Last night 3 Gelos (You can never have too many Gelos.) and Bob R departed Casey's for the inaugural Wednesday night ride for 2020.  Jim & Cathy were on their Wing, Larry rode his Yamaha, and Bob was on the GW trike.

Larry dusted off the Yamaha

JIM & CATHY ROLL IN

I stated in the last post that if the temp was above 50 and there was no rain, I was going to ride.  So..

and suddenly at 5:30 after a drizzly, cold day, the sun came out!  The weather witch couldn't leave well enough alone and had to throw a cool northwest wind at us, but it was tolerable.  Now she's making next week turn back to winter with highs in the low 40's. 
We followed the route I laid out in the previous post and started out down the Elon Road heading east.  In a field to the north we spotted a Trump backer with a sign.  Continuing on we saw no deer, but one lonely raccoon and a turkey.  In some places the roads were wet yet and there was some sand at intersections.  When we got to McGregor, we thought all of the sand from the highways washed down the hill and onto their main street. After carefully negotiating through there we headed on HWY 18 for Postville.  On the way Jim & Cathy turned into Luana and took Forest Mills Road back home.  Larry and I continued on into Postville and eventually into Waukon at 7:25.  I had to finish the ride by riding past what was left of Gus & Tony's--a sad sight.  There was an additional 85 miles racked up on the trike when I pulled her into the shed.  It was good to "break the ice" for our first Wednesday night ride, but I hope the next ones are alot warmer!

AVOIDING BOREDOM WITH COVID 19.

Obviously I don't like being "cooped" up any more than anyone else who likes to ride, but I have been able to stave off some of the boredom by breaking out some of the old dvd's of past guys' and couples trips.  I found them entertaining again, and it's amazing how none of us have aged since we started those trips (lol).  If you still have some of those dvd's, stoke them up.  I'm sure you'll enjoy.
I also have a number of motorcycle and travel books that I will gladly loan out:

"Ride Like a Pro"--dvd
"Proficient Motorcycling"--The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well--book
"More Proficient Motorcycling"--Mastering the Ride--book
"The Ride Guide"--Americas best motorcycle tours--book
"Great American Motorcycle Tours"--book
"The Longest Ride"--a 10 year 500,000 mile motorcycle journey--book
"Alone in the Wind"--a journal of discovery in the summer of '88--book
"Chronicles of a Motorcycle Gypsy"--a woman's journey of 38,000 miles--book
"The Higdon Chronicles"--iron butts, airheads, and my life behind bars--book
"Greetings from the Lincoln Highway"--a road trip celebration of America's first coast-to-coast highway--book
"Waypoints Volume 1"--Zen Motorcyclist

If interested, just give me a call (563-568-7277) and I'm sure we can arrange some type of a drop-off.

Some more signs from Dennis & Marlene...

STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!!

IF

As I sit here watching the snow fall, it makes me even more anxious for spring to actually come here at least temperature wise.  It's now obvious that our PMS meeting rescheduled for this Wednesday, April 8th, is going to be postponed again.  I don't think there is any use in trying to set another date until this Covid 19 thing ends.  With that in mind---

IF the governor does not issue a "stay at home" mandate...
IF the temperature is above 50 degrees...
IF it's not raining...
IF I don't have the virus..

then I plan on riding on Wednesday night at 5:30 from Casey's for our first Wednesday night ride.

Anyone is welcome to come along and the ride will be a success...

IF we use the 6 foot separation rule.  In other words, no hugging, hand shaking, fist or chest bumping!
IF you are not feeling well, don't come.
IF we stay in Iowa.
IF you fill with gas at Casey's or anywhere else, use hand sanitizer afterwards.
IF we don't stop anywhere for a break on the route.
IF we don't stop anywhere to eat afterwards.

Right now I have about an eighty mile route planned that should get us back with plenty of daylight.  I plan to leave Casey's, head east on the Elon Road, turn onto Lafayette Ridge Road, turn back south on Great River Road through Harpers and onto 76 south.  Then on through Marquette and McGregor to Hwy 18, onto Postville and HWYS 51 and 9 back to Waukon.  You will be able to drop out anytime you want on the route.  This route may also be shortened depending on daylight and temperature.

So, if you are interested, knock the cobwebs off your bike, trike, or convertible and show up at Casey's healthy at 5:30 on Wednesday night, the 8th.