NEW RECORD ON WEDNESDAY--MEMORIAL DAY RIDE & COOKOUT

 On a beautiful Wednesday evening, we had a record number of riders show up at Casey's.  The previous record for number of riders was sixteen.  We had 21 on Wednesday!

Trying not to leave anyone out, we had two "newbies".  Kevin came in a support convertible, and John was aboard an Indian bike.  Making their first appearance this season were Meryle & Mary and Ron & Helen on trikes along with Nancy on her bike and Greg C on his CanAm.  We also had Lois, Chuckles, Beth, Dee, and Larry on bikes.  Darrel, Wayne, Irv, and Bob rode trikes while Ken, David, and Dale & Greg drove their convertibles.

BETH GASSES UP HER HARLEY

DAVID GOT "PERMISSION" TO TAKE THE CONVERTIBLE

"NEWBIE" KEVIN & HIS CONVERTIBLE

THE "CROWD" GATHERS

CHUCKLES GREETS NANCY

"NEWBIE" JOHN'S INDIAN

RON & HELEN ARRIVE

IRV JOINS THE GROUP

"NEWBIE" JOHN ON HIS INDIAN

NANCY CAN REALLY DRAW A CROWD!

GREG C'S RIDE

ONLY ONE OF THESE WILL FINISH

Bob's destination for the night was to venture over to Wauzeka, WI, so we departed Casey's at 5:30 sharp and headed south on HWY 76 to Forest Mills Road. Forest Mills Road had been recently been chip sealed, so there was a pretty fair amount of loose gravel for about 3 miles.  However, LOOSE GRAVEL signs were posted, and Bob will call the county engineer's office in the morning and thank him for putting up the signs so we could cautiously proceed.  We followed FMR into Luana and then took HWY 18 east through Monona and into Marquette where we had to stop for the bridge repair.  We were fortunate with this large group to hit the stop light just right so everyone could make it through on into Prairie du Chien.

In PDC we took HWY 35 south to HWY 80 heading west on into Wauzeka where we stopped at the BP for a break.

WAYNE NEEDS TO GAS UP

WE ARRIVE AT THE BP

OUR GROUP DOUBLES THE POPULATION OF WAUZEKA

READY TO HIT THE ROAD AGAIN

OVERFLOW PARKING

We passed back through Wauzeka and past the "troll" bridge onto CR N heading west.  CR N offers a smooth and scenic ride over to HWY 27.  We turned north onto 27 and just north of Eastman we took CR D down the hill to HWY 35 again.  CR D is another one of the scenic "alphabet" roads in this part of Wisconsin.  Once we reached HWY 35 we ventured north through Lynxville and Ferryville and then took HWY 82 west across the Blackhawk Bridge into Lansing.  We then took a newly improved HWY 9 back into Waukon where some of us stopped for eats at City Club.  It was there that we learned from John the intricacies of operating a movie theater.  I had 115 miles on the trike when I retired her for the night.  Hopefully John and Kevin enjoyed the ride and the company and will join us again.

UPDATE ON JIM & CATHY

As many of you know Jim & Cathy took their Gold Wing on a trip down to Houston, TX to visit the kids.  While they did run into some rain on the way down, the way back became much more dramatic.  Just outside of Bowling Green, MO, Jim struck a piece of dislodged concrete on the highway.  Fortunately he was able to keep the bike upright, but the front rim was so severely bent that it was impossible to ride any further.  They were now able to rent a U haul truck and should be back home sometime on Thursday.  While everyone was relieved to hear they weren't hurt, an anonymous source commented, "Maybe brother Larry could give Jim some driving lessons!"  Glad we can joke about it!

MEMORIAL DAY RIDE AND COOKOUT

Monday is time for our annual Memorial Day ride and cookout.  Last year we did do the ride, but because of Covid, we couldn't do the cookout.  This year, however, if the weather cooperates, we should be able to do both.  As in previous years, we will gather at Casey's at 1 PM for the ride.  It will be a scenic tour touching the tri-states and then return to Waukon for the cookout at the Rotach house around 5:30.  Bring your own drinks and a snack, salad or desert to pass.  If you need to keep your drinks or food refrigerated, you can drop them off at the Rotach's before the ride. Brats will be furnished and grilled by Bob.  If you can't make the ride, you are certainly welcome to come to the cookout for some good eats and fellowship.  We should get back from the ride around 5:30.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

"OH, IT FEELS LIKE RAINDROPS"

Despite the forecast calling for rain showers, ten Wednesday night riders gathered at Casey's last night to test to see if Bob R could successfully guide them through a ride and not get wet.  As Bob pulled into Casey's, the song playing on his XM station was the Dee Clark hit song from 1961 "Oh, It Feels Like Raindrops"!  He was greeted there by Dee, Larry, and Howard on bikes.  Greg & Dale and Bob Z and David chose support vehicles while Chuck (not Chuckles), Darrel, and Bob R were astride trikes.

A "TRUSTWORTHY" GROUP

"ANYBODY GOT A RAIN JACKET?"

NEW RIDE IS ALL SHINED UP

He said,"THERE'S STILL TOO MANY GELOS!"

 

BOB Z AND DAVID SAY, "LET IT RAIN."

With partly cloudy skies and temps in the low 70's, the group departed for our goal for the night, Pikes' Peak in McGregor.  By looking at the radar, the best way to avoid the rain was to head east first.  So we headed east on the Elon Road.  We turned north for a short jog on the Lansing/Harpers Road and then picked up the Lafayette Ridge Road heading east again.  We did pick up a few sprinkles along the way, but nothing serious.  The LRR ends at the Great River Road where we turned back south and followed it through Harpers Ferry and onto HWY 76 south.  76 took us through Marquette and McGregor before we turned onto CR X56 and up the hill to Pikes' Peak State Park where we stopped for a break and a view of the river.  We apparently had just missed a pretty good shower, because the pavement into the park was very wet.

PLENTY OF PARKING AT THE PARK

SOMETHING GOT THE BOYS CHUCKLING!

We made our way over to the overlook and got a bird's eye view of a very low Mississippi River.  In all the years I've been up here, I don't ever remember the river looking this low.  A lot of dredging is being done to keep the channels open for barge traffic.

ENJOYING THE VIEW

Here's a couple of videos showing what we saw.

After getting our views, we headed back on CR X56 south down to Clayton Road and west into Garnavillo.  In Garnavillo we turned north on HWY 52 and rode it until we came to HWY 18 west and on into Monona.  Passing through Monona on CR X26 we traveled north through Rossville and onto HWY 76.  Again we rode onto some wet pavement and a few sprinkles, but no heavy rain.  HWY 76 took us on into Waukon after Dee & Chuck split off for home.  In Waukon we could tell by the wet road surfaces that we had just missed a pretty heavy shower.  Eight of us then ventured into the City Club for some eats.  After we were home and dry, we were hoping for some more rain again that night or the next day.  I had right at 98 miles when I parked the trike for the night.

SCENIC OUT--GOOD BURGERS--DAMP BACK

 Ten riders gathered at Casey's Saturday afternoon for the Wednesday Night Riders first RTE, the burger run.  Our destination was to be Bambino's in Ossian.  They had just won the "best burger in Iowa" award, so it was up to us to verify the award!

On bikes we had Marie and her daughter, Darrel's son, and Dee.  We also had a special "support vehicle" with Irv and Chris in their new "faster than the speed of light" convertible.  Chuck (not Chuckles), Darrel, and Bob & Julie were aboard trikes.

MARIE & PASSENGER

CHECKING OUT CHUCK'S NEW RIDE

THE NEW SUPPORT CONVERTIBLE--
"ABLE TO AVOID CATS IN A SINGLE BOUND!"

DARREL & SON'S RIDES

Our "short cut" journey to Ossian began with a trip out to HWY 76 and west to CR X16 (aka Forest Mills Rd).  We followed it past an obvious Biden supporter on the east and then past the Gelo ranch and then onto CR 838 (aka Cherry Valley Dr).  CVD took us through Postville and onto a short jog on HWY 18 before we turned south onto CR W64 (aka Gunder Road).  The Gunder Road intersects with CR B60 (aka Apple Rd) and we took it westward towards Clermont.  At the top of the hill on B60 and just before descending down into Clermont, we were treated to a spectacular view of northeast Iowa!  

So far, the rain that was predicted to miss us had done so.  We continued on Apple Road and passed through Clermont and onto HWY 18 for a short jog to the Great River Road heading northeast.  The GRR offers a scenic ride that crosses the Turkey River five times.  At the end of GRR near Eldorado, we headed north on HWY 150 and into Festina where we took CR B32 east into Ossian and our stop at Bambino's.

ARRIVING IN OSSIAN

NO RAIN YET, BUT THE TOP GOES UP

The burgers at Bambino's were every bit as good as advertised.  I was surprised that we were able to get right in and be seated.  The service was also excellent, and we were able to watch the horse race on their tv.  While we were in there, we were informed that the rain that was predicted to miss us was now here, and Darrel's son's phone also showed lightening strikes. It was decided that the group would split up for the ride home.  Some going to Decorah, and others heading for Postville or Waukon.

When we got outside, the rain could be described as a "hard sprinkle".  After drying of the trike seat as best as possible, Bob & Julie headed out of town by taking Sand Road east instead of CR W42 north to HWY 9 at the airport.  Lately CR W42 has become so rough that it is really no fun to ride anymore.  (Winneshiek County must be waiting for Joe's infrastructure funds to arrive!)

Sand Road took us over to the Centennial Road where we turned north and wound up onto HWY 9 heading back east. By this time we had ridden out of the rain, and were actually in some sun again.  HWY 9 took us back to Waukon.  I hope some of the rain followed us home later!  We had about 95 miles on the trike when we tucked her back in the shed.  This is one of the few times that I actually hoped we would ride in more rain!

I'm looking to stop at Pikes Peak on our ride next Wednesday night.

BACKASSWARDS INTO HOUSTON/SATURDAY BURGER RUN

Our most pleasant Wednesday night for riding came yesterday when a dozen riders showed up at the overflow lot at Casey's.  Apparently Casey's was doing some extensive remodeling and their lot was full of construction vehicles, so we ended up using Dr. Rounds parking lot for our gathering.

David and Kenny showed up in cages, Chuckes, Al and passenger, Marie with her new ride and passenger, Jim & Cathy, and Dee were aboard bikes.  While Chuck (not Chuckles) was sporting a brand new Honda Gold Wing trike, Bob was also on his (not new) trike.

KENNY'S CONVERTIBLE WAS LATER SCUTTLED BY A GROUNDHOG!

CHUCKLES, AL, AND MARIE'S GANG

JIM & CATHY AFTER THE CROPS WERE IN

A BRAND NEW RIDE!

STILL TRYING TO FIGURE EVERYTHING OUT!

THE RED HONDAS DOMINATE

With the temps in the mid 60's, we departed Casey's heading toward Lansing on HWY 9.  In Lansing we turned north on HWY 26 passing through New Albin and into Minnesota.  Reaching Brownsville, we turned onto CR 3 and made our scenic journey up into Caledonia where some detoured over to the Wired Rooster.  The rest of us got our break refreshments at Kwik Trip.

DEE WITH THE "NOT QUITE AS NEW" HONDA

"READY TO GO AGAIN"?

After our break, we got back on HWY 44/76 and passed through Caledonia and onto 76 south outside of town.  We continued on 76 into Waukon where some stopped at a crowded City Club for eats.  I had 92 miles on the trike when I got home.  It was really a pleasant spring ride!

BURGER RUN IS SATURDAY!!

Nothing is too good for the Wednesday Night Riders!  Our burger run is going to be to the grill that won Iowa's state award for the best tasting hamburger!  We will depart Casey's at 4:30 Saturday afternoon for a journey to sample those famous eats.  SEE YOU THEN--EVERYONE IS WELCOME.
 

.....AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE

 While the temp was just barely sixty degrees, we still had 11 Wednesday night riders show up at Casey's last night for a ride to view the apple blossoms above Gays Mills.  

David and Bob Z showed up in a new Ram pickup.  Bugsy and Helen were traveling in the "smooth as silk" BugsMobile, and Dale and Greg were aboard a support convertible.  Irv came with his Harley trike, while Chuckles, Lois, Howard, and Bob R chose bikes.

HOWARD INSPECTS THE BUGSMOBILE

SUPPORT CONVERTIBLE READY TO GO

IRV AND BOB Z

BUGSY WELCOMES CHUCKLES & LOIS

DAVID SAYS, "MY PICKUP LOOKS A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE!"

Departing at 5:30, we headed north on HWY 9 through Lansing, crossed the Blackhawk Bridge into Wisconsin, and headed south on HWY 35.  After passing through Ferryville, we took CR C east, and wound our way over to CR B.  After a windy ride with a few rain sprinkles, we arrived at HWY 31 just outside of Gays Mills.  We turned east again onto Del La Matter road and made our way toward the orchards.

DLM road took us up the mountain and past a few trees to HWY 171 and down the hill through the orchards.

Jim was right, the trees were in full bloom.  Because of the limited video space allowed on the blog site, I can only show a few excerpts from the video I took.  If this type of scenery is to your liking, I would advise getting up to Gays Mills asap, because the "Weather Witch" will be blowing the blossoms off very soon.

We continued our journey down HWY 171 passing through Gays Mulls and Mt. Sterling and back down to HWY 35 to Ferryville.  There we stopped for a short break at the Arco gas station.  

No one bought ice cream here tonight!  After our break we crossed the bridge again and took HWY 9 back to Waukon and cruised on into the City Club for eats.

Bugsy would join us later, and the conversation turned to what would be needed to equip a wrecker after you pulled it out of the woods.  

I had 98 miles on the clock after I pulled the Wing into the shed at home.  Hopefully one of these days we are going to get some warm weather and wind that blows less than 30 mph.