DONUT RUN

 With temps in the high sixties on this November Sunday, four Wednesday night riders took advantage of the unusually warm weather for a late season ride.  Gathering at Casey's were Lois on her bike, and Irv and Bob & Julie on trikes.

Lois with a "selfie" with Bob & Julie

IRV JOINS THE GROUP

After departing Casey's, we headed out east on the Elon Road with a brisk south wind keeping us leaning a little to the south.  We then turned south on the Lansing/Harpers Road and down into Harpers Ferry.  Turning back south along the river, we actually saw a water skier on the water, so riding bikes actually seemed a better way to take advantage of the warm weather.  We arrived at HWY 76 and followed it into Marquette where we crossed the bridge and arrived in Prairie du Chien.  We took CR K over to Limery Drive, crossed HWY 35 and continued up the hill to HWY 27.  We turned north on 27, and with the wind now at our backs made good time through Eastman and  to arrive at CR S just outside of Seneca.  Turning east on S for about 10 miles, we arrived at HWY 131 and followed it into Gays Mills and onto HWY 171.  Up the long winding hill 171 took us to our destination at Sunrise Orchards.

NOT NEAR AS BUSY AS LAST TIME

As Irv said, "Coffee and donut weather will be here shortly." So we all grabbed up a supply of the apple cider donuts that this place made famous.  After donning masks and making our purchases, we waited for Lois to find her keys.  Fortunately she recovered them from her saddlebag, so we were able to continue our journey east on HWY 171.  At the junction of 171 and 61 at Rolling Ground, we turned north on 61 and on into Soldiers Grove.  Just outside of Soldiers Grove we found CR C and followed it west all the way to Towerville and CR B.  We cruised down B with the sun now coming out and onto HWY 35 just outside of Ferryville.  #5 took us to HWY 81 and across the bridge into Lansing and onto HWY 9.  A refurbished HWY 9 brought us back into Waukon after seeing a good number of other bikers .  We had about 130 miles on the trike when we parked her and unloaded our prize.

OUR PRIZE, AND WE AIN'T SHARING!

I'll have to admit that the "weather witch" has been really good to us this past week by letting us squeeze in a few more rides before the snow flies.
 

IT'S SUNDAY

 It looks like our last group ride for the year will be this Sunday.  Leaving Casey's at 11 AM.  Stop at the orchards to replenish apple donut supply.  Everyone welcome to ride along.  Looks like winter is going to arrive on Tuesday!

BIRTHDAY RIDE AND OTHER DRIVEL

 Yesterday (Wednesday) I took my annual (if the weather cooperates) birthday ride.  This one was a day after my birthday, but it still worked out because the "weather witch" was in a good mood.  I first had to stop at the hospital to get ready for my annual medicare physical.  While there I had Lois (dressed in a hazmat suit) take my temp, and then Marie tapped me for a blood sample at the lab.  I guess it was nice to be treated by  Wednesday Night Rider members!

I put on about 150 miles on the bike, and I will put her away for the winter this weekend (always a sad day).  However, I do plan on getting the trike out for her last Iowa run sometime this weekend (either Saturday or Sunday around 11 AM) with a possible stop at the orchards for a refill on the donuts.  If you haven't put your ride away yet and want to ride along, let me know.  We can meet at Casey's.

Yesterday I rode to Luana and got onto HWY 18 there.  I soon discovered that the state decided to put tar snakes on 18 all the way from Luana to just outside of Marquette.  I'm assuming they are going to go all the way to Postville with this.  The strips didn't seem to be slick, but on the way to Monona, I saw more tar than actual highway in some places.  I passed through Monona, then across the bridge at Marquette (now finished), through PDC, and onto HWY 80 heading for Wauzeka.  I passed through Wauzeka and continued my trek into Boscobel for a break at the Kwik Trip there.  I ate a small lunch at the picnic table outside there.

Not a lot of colorful scenery, but really a nice sunshiny day!  After Boscobel, I took HWY 61 north to Soldiers Grove and found CR C heading west.  I followed C to CR B just outside of Towerville and took it down to the river just north of Ferryville.  I headed north on HWY 35 and then took Hwy 81 across the bridge to HWY 9 in Lansing.  Hwy 9 isn't quite done yet, and I had to wait for a pilot car near Chuchtown.  They are apparently putting in all those divots in the center lanes and shoulders to warn drivers who may fall asleep.  While this seems like a good idea at the time, it seems these divots fill with water and then freeze in the winter causing the pavement to break up.  Wait and see, because I'm sure in a couple of years you will see them filling in the divots they were making today.

IT WAS A GREAT RIDE, but it looks as if these next few days are going to be the last of our Indian summer, so ride yet if you can!

SOME OTHER DRIVEL

While Jim and Darron were on their adventure this summer, Jim sent me this photo from a sign he saw along the way.

Also, Jim sent me the following link.  It is a You tube documentary on the Cannonball Run.  This is a coast-to-coast ride for antique motorcycles of all brands.  It is really a neat account of the trials and tribulations these riders go though keeping the antiques on the road. It is about an hour long, so you may want to save the link and view it when you have time.

https://youtu.be/q3nBn-wYpJA