ANOTHER CONVOY!

 For the second Wednesday night in a row, we have had at least 20 riders joining us. This time we had 20 riders on or in 17 units.

We had Lissa (newbie), Jim D & granddaughter Miriah & mascot Honey, Jim G & Cathy, Al, Lee (Darrel's son), Darron, Larry, and Dee on bikes.  Straddling three-wheelers were Ron & Helen, Wayne, Darrel, Roger, Irv, ChucK, and Bob.  Our support vehicles included David with his Jeep and the Blues Brothers (Dale & Greg) in the red convertible.

JIM D, MIRIAH, AND HONEY GRAB SOME ATTENTION

DAVID CAN'T BELIEVE WHO'S HERE

DALE SAYS "NO MORE GELOS!"

BUT AL TELLS THEM "LARRY IS COMING TOO"

LEE IS ABLE TO RIDE WITH US AGAIN

"I GOT SHORTS AND A LUNCH THIS TIME!"

LISSA (A NEWBIE) ROLLS IN

ROGER & ChucK DISCUSS 3 WHEEL RIDES

The original plan was to take the Elon Road and Lansing Harpers Road down through Harpers Ferry and over to HWY 76 and on our way to the Bagley area.  However, Allamakee County, the State of Iowa, and the city of Waukon must have got a "hell of a deal" on chip seal.  So not wanting to run our two-wheel riders through fresh chip seal on HWY 76 and Elon Road, our ride would be over to Wauzeka.

Heading south on HWY 76 with temps in the mid 80's and under sunny skies our convoy turned south onto Forest Mills Road and cruised past the Gelo plantation where the crops looked really good.  Forest Mills took us through Hardin and into Luana where we passed through the "rush hour" and got onto HWY 18 heading east.  HWY 18 took us past Monona, Froelich, and Giard.  Just outside of Marquette the state was repairing a bridge, so we waited for just a short while at a stop light.  With the number of riders we had, we were lucky to all make it through together. (That's why it's a good idea to "close up ranks" when coming to a stop light.)

After getting the green for "go", we passed through Marquette and over the Mississippi River bridge into Prairie du Chien.  We were able to skirt around the edge of PdC on 18 and after getting the group through three stop lights, we caught HWY 60 and headed east again.  HWY 60 is a scenic drive along the Wisconsin River and with just a slight haze in the air, we were treated to some pleasant viewing.  60 took us into Wauzeka where the convoy stopped for a break.

IT 'S WARM AND TIME FOR A BREAK

LARRY LEFT HIS BUS RUNNING AND CAUGHT UP TO US!

After our break we took CR N west out of town.  Even though we had to look into the sun at times, we were still treated to some beautiful scenery along the route.  N took us to HWY 27 heading north and we passed through Eastman where I had to duck a foul ball from the softball diamond there.  We passed through town and then took one of my favorite six mile rides down the hill on CR D. This stretch of smooth pavement offers some fantastic views of the coulees and at times the river.  The speed limit is only 45, so sit back and enjoy! We were also treated to some cool shade on this journey.

CR D comes to an end at HWY 35 and at the supposed town of Charme.  I have never seen anything that resembles a town here, but I suppose at one time there was one at this junction. We took off northward passing through Lynxville and Ferryville to the junction of HWY 82 and crossed the Blackhawk Bridge into Lansing.  From there we took HWY 9 back into Waukon where some of us dined for the evening.  One guy even received a small "sample" of their delicious pizza!  I had 117 miles of the trike's clock.

Since there seems to be a lot of road repair going on in our area (some of it much needed), I'm not too sure where we'll ride next Wednesday, but I'm leaning toward Volga or Arlington.

GUYS' TRIP

You only have one more day to let Bob R know if you are thinking about going on the Guys' Trip on August 1st.

BUCKING THE WIND TO BUCKNUCKLES

By postponing the Bucknuckles RTE to Sunday, we avoided the rain, but had to battle the never-ending wind on our journey.  We had 16 souls and our #1 mascot show up at Casey's under mostly sunny skies and temps in the low 70's.

The three-wheeler crowd included Darrel, Wayne & Sandy, Greg, ChucK, Roger,  and Bob & Julie.  On two-wheelers were Lee (Darrel's son), Al, Jim D & Moriah (Jim's granddaughter) along with Honey, Jim G & Cathy,  Dee, and Darron.

WAYNE & SANDY WELCOME GREG BACK

DARRON WITH NO SHORTS BUT PACKING A LUNCH

GREG GETS ACQUAINTED WITH HONEY

AL, JIM, MORIAH, AND HONEY

SANDY PREPARING FOR THE WIND

IT'S AN OFFICIAL RIDE NOW THAT WE HAVE SOME GELOS

ChucK maneuvers in

ROGER ADDS TO THE SPYDER CONTINGENT

DARREL & LEE GAS UP

Our group departed Waukon heading north on HWY 76.  We actually followed 76 for quite a ways by passing past Hanover , Dorchester, and Eitzen and on through Caledonia, Houston, and Money Creek.  After crossing the interstate, we picked up CR 12 and much to our delight, the county had just resurfaced the route into Witoka.  There we headed down the hill again on some recently improved blacktop on CR 17 and on into Winona.  After passing through some construction at the intersection, we took HWY 14 north along the lake, and turned onto Huff Street and into the visitor center for a break.  While there we found out that one of our riders, who shall remain nameless, violated the "full tank/empty bladder rule".

After our break we continued to pass through Winona on HWY 43/54 and crossed the bridge from Minnesota into Wisconsin.  Turning north then on HWY 35, we passed through Fountain City, and then at Czechville we turned east onto HWY 88.  So far, we were able to stand some of the wind blasts from the west and with very little humidity in the air, we were able to enjoy the scenery along the way.  HWY 88 led us through the metropolis of Cream (speed limit 20 mph) and on into the burg of Praag and our arrival at the iconic bar and grill named Bucknuckles.

WE ARRIVE TO A "PACKED HOUSE"

MR. BUCKNUCKLES STANDS TALL

HONEY FINDS A NEW "FRIEND"

IN CASE THERE IS EVER A FIRE IN PRAAG

After going inside the bar and looking at all of the various wall and ceiling hangings, we decided that the inside was too crowded, and opted for hot dogs outside.  The original plan was to come to Bucknuckles on Saturday when it's less crowded, but the rain prevented us from doing that.

WAITING IN LINE FOR HOT DOGS

THE BLUES BROTHERS ENTERTAIN IN THE SHELTER

A "HARLEY" MADE FROM CHAINS

SOMETHING LEFT BY A BUCKNUCKLES PATRON

While the rest of the group finished with their hot dogs, some of us sat out in front and watched some of the bike departures.  If you were going to do this for any length of time, ear plugs are strongly recommended!

After departing the Bucknuckles parking lot, we headed back down west on HWY 88.  HWY 88 is a smooth ride with some sweeping curves and great scenery, so a trip back on it is worthwhile.  At the bottom of the hill we reached HWY 35 again and headed south.  We passed back through Fountain City and then on through Bluff Siding and Marshland.  When we reached Centerville we pulled into Toad's Cove, a BP gas station that serves ice cream, so we filled our bikes and our bellies.

Some of us continued on HWY 35, but for the others, Suzie's Bakery offered too much of a temptation, so this is where the group split up.  HWY 35 took some of us over to CR K and we took that into Trempealeau and onto 35 again.  I had planned on taking K to CR M, but M was closed.  After getting on 35 again, we soon reached the intersection of HWY 53 and we took it south to Interstate 90 and headed east into Minnesota again.  We were still battling some wind and decided that taking the Wisconsin side back might offer us a break from the strong gusts.  We passed through LaCrescent and then onto HWY 26 heading south through Brownsville, Reno, and New Albin and then on into Lansing.  There we took HWY 9 back to Waukon.  I had close to 200 windy miles on the trike when we got her home.

Here's the route that Jim D and the rest of his friends took.

NEXT WEDNESDAY

So far the weather looks good for next Wednesday night.  Right now the plan is to venture over to the Bagley area.

GUYS' TRIP

By the end of June, we need to know who plans to go on the guys' trip to the Smoky Mountains scheduled for August 1-7.  Right now we have Jim G, Jim D, Clair, Darron, Al, ChucK, and Bob R on board.  If you would like to join this "nefarious" group, then we need to know by June 30th because motel reservations are critical!  Let Bob R or Jim G know ASAP!

 

LET'S WAIT UNTIL SUNDAY

 With the impeding weather forecast for tomorrow (we do need some rain), our RTE to Bucknuckles will take place Sunday instead.  We will plan to leave Casey's at the same time--10:30 AM Sunday.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

CONVOY THROUGH PURDY VALLEY

 With an almost perfect evening for a ride, a new record number was set when 23 riders showed up at Casey's Wednesday.  Aboard two wheelers were David M and Bob P (HOG members who joined us), Greg (newbie), Dee, Jim D & Honey, Howard, Terry, Jim G & Cathy, and Al.  Joining the ride on three wheelers were Jacque (newbie), Roger, ChucK, Darrel, Bernell & Kathy, Ron & Helen, Irv, Wayne, and Bob R.  Ken followed for a ways in his convertible for a total of 19 units!

WELCOME JACQUE AND HER SLINGSHOT

TWO "MILD HOG" MEMBERS JOIN US

BERNELL & KATHY JOIN THE CONVOY

TERRY TAKES A BIKE WITH A MOTOR TONIGHT

AN INDIAN PULLS IN FRONT OF GREG

ChucK SAYS DEE IS STILL WARMING UP

KEN HIDES BEHIND THE WOOD PILE

DARREL & "OLD YELLER" JOIN THE PARADE ALONG WITH ROGER

As CW McCall says "We got us a convoy!"  The convoy departs Casey's at 5:30 with partly sunny skies and temps in the low 80's and passes through the only stop light in Allamakee County and onto HWY 9 heading for Lansing.

After passing through Lansing on HWY 9, we turn right onto HWY 82 and cross the Blackhawk Bridge into Wisconsin.  Once across the Mississippi River, we turn north onto HWY 35/82.  After a short stint on 35 we come to the detour outside of DeSoto.  Instead of taking the rough bumps and waiting for the stop light, we take our own detour onto Old 35 street and pass into DeSoto.

In DeSoto we turn right onto HWY 82 and head up the windy hill.  HWY 82 does offer some opportunities for scenic views, but it gives us a bumpy ride through Red Mound and into West Prairie before we turn onto CR N heading north.  CR N provides us with some spectacular scenery as it winds its way through Purdy valley. (For those of you who don't know, Purdy is Norwegian for "pretty" LOL).  

After enjoying the views on N, we come to HWY 56 and turn west for a short jog and then onto CR O heading back north.  At the junction of CR O and CR Y, we turn east on Y and follow the curves and dips over to CR B and turn south on B over to HWY 56 again.  CR O, CR Y, and CR B rival CR N for some of the best scenery in this part of Wisconsin.  It is especially a treat this evening, because the humidity is low, and you can see for miles and miles across the coulees.  We turn back east on 56 and cruise on into Viroqua for a break at Kwik Trip.

THE CONVOY ARRIVES IN VIROQUA

WE JUST KEEP "ROLLING IN"

GREG PAUSES FOR GAS WHILE DARREL LOOKS TO PARK

ROGER FINDS A SPOT

GREG FILLS FOR HIS TRIP BACK TO SPRING GROVE

After our break, we head back south on HWY 14/61/82 until we come to the junction where 82 starts back west.  We follow 82 for a short distance and then turn left onto CR J.  This county road is another treat.  Besides being smooth, it is like the other county roads we were on by offering some fantastic views.  CR J takes us on a journey over to CR C and a right turn heading west.  We do encounter some deer crossings and at times the sun shine keeps us on our toes, but we do coast down the windy hills and onto HWY 35 again just outside of Ferryville.  Turning north on 35 we pass through Ferryville and then back onto HWY 82 across the bridge again and into Lansing.  Again we take HWY 9 quickly into Waukon where we hope Green Valley Getaway will still feed us.  

Green Valley Getaway does accommodate us with fried food and pizza.  The favorite seemed to be the tenderloin sandwich which everyone seemed to enjoy.  I think everyone agreed that is was a great ride on a fantastic night and hopefully we have many more to come yet this summer.  I had 116 beautiful miles on the trike when I put her to bed.

Here's Jim D's map of our trip.

BUCKNUCKLES IS SATURDAY

Saturday is our every other year RTE to Bucknuckles Bar & Grill near Alma, Wisconsin.  This has always proved to be a fun trip with some great scenery and good food.  (You can even get a camel burger!)  We will depart Casey's at 10:30 AM on Saturday morning and wind our way up through Winona and up to Bucknuckles for our Ride To Eat.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

IRON BUTT RIDE

Jim G and Darron went on their annual Iron Butt Ride last week.  You can see the trip they made by clicking on this link.

https://mt.513gs.com/?d=c4ad91&l=en&u=2

Finally for those of us who went on the Hospice Ride on the 12th, here's the photo of the group at the finish in Calmar.

You may need a magnifying glass to see your face!  But what a nice , large group to support a good cause!

Two Jims with two Honeys!

 While most of our Wednesday night riders were concerned about the possibility of more storms and running into some possible storm damage, Jim D & Honey and Jim G and his honey (Cathy) ventured out into what seemingly turned into a pleasant evening.

Here's Jim D's accounting of the adventure.

What started out as a torrential rain storm turned into a beautiful day to ride. The Gelo’s, Jim and Cathy met with the Downing‘s, Jim and Honey at Casey’s at about 5:20. The wind was still blowing the clouds were still there but the roads were drying fast and to the north and west the weather looked good. We waited until 5:30 and then it was kick stands up and heading up Highway 76. The temperatures had dropped from 85 about 70 so we stopped along the way and put Honey‘s big jacket on, this turned out to be a good move because the temperature dropped to around 64 before we got back.
We cruised on up to Caledonia and stopped at our favorite coffee shop, the Wired Rooster for some caffeine and pastries. By the time we got out of the coffee shop the wind had died down and the sun was shining, it was truly a beautiful day. From there we continued on up 76 with our intent of getting on route 4 heading back down towards Spring Grove. I was leading and having so much fun I shot right on past Highway 4 and we had to make a U-turn to come on back to it. So we boogie boogied on down 4 having a great time then rolled into Kwik Star in Spring Grove and thought about what a quick trip that seemed to be from Caledonia. Time flies when you’re having a good time. so we took some pictures there to prove we had been on the ride and then headed out of town west on 44 over to State Route 8 and headed south towards Locust Grove. At Locust Grove we turned west on 337 and then south on 34 past Seed Savers and then continued on to 52 south towards Decorah. In Decorah we had to stop and fill up the Harley with some of that high test gasoline and then continued on to Waukon traveling the back way out of Decorah down Old Stage Road. We stopped for a few moments at Quillens to say our goodbyes and reflect on what a great time we had had. The deer were plentiful and we took our time on the straightaways but we put it into sport mode in the turns since it was just the two bikes. It was a wonderful nights ride and we missed all of you and when I turned the bike off it showed a 108 miles on the speedometer.

TWO JIMS & TWO HONEYS!

ARRIVED IN SPRING GROVE

Here is a map of our ride from Caledonia to Waukon. Unfortunately I hit the off button on my GPS watch just as we started while trying to button the sleeve on my leather jacket. So I had to restart it in Caledonia to get this map.
Jim Downing

GOOD WNR SHOWING AT HOSPICE RIDE

 The annual Winneshiek Medical Hospice Ride was held on Sunday.  We had 14 Wednesday night riders participate in the event.  Included in our group were Nancy (our poster girl and organizer of the event), Jim D and Honey, Ron & Helen, Bernell & Kathy, Chuckles & Lois, Irv & Chris, Darrel, Roger, and Bob.  The ride kicked off at Winneshiek Medical in Decorah with a breakfast and registration.

Chuckles, Lois, and Jim & Honey departed early from Casey's.

OFF TO A FOGGY START

NANCY WAS THERE TO GREET EVERYONE

A HARDY BREAKFAST WAS SERVED

IRV & CHRIS ENJOY THE BREAKFAST

THE CROWD STARTS TO GATHER

CHUCKLES & BOB P CONVERSE

BOB R ARRIVES AFTER CHURCH

DARREL GETS SIGNED UP

ROGER GETS SIGNED IN AND READY TO GO

THE GROUP GROWS EVEN LARGER

LOOKS LIKE IT'S TIME TO START THE RIDE

DARREL GETS "OL YELLER" READY TO ROLL

HONEY IS ANXIOUS TO GO

LADIES & GENTLEMEN-"START YOUR ENGINES!"

After departing Decorah, we made our way up north to Spring Grove where we stopped at the park for drinks, snacks, and card drawing for poker hands.

SPRING GROVE HAS A REALLY NICE PARK

WHO'S NEW SPYDER IS THAT?

HONEY WANTS TO GET GOING AGAIN

We leave Spring Grove and head down the hill to Dorchester.  We then head back up north and stop at Gator's in Eitzen for rest and card drawing.

After Gator's we head down Pool Hill and into New Albin.  We then travel along the river to Lansing and then into Waukon where we stop at Goodfellows on Main.

WE LINED MAIN STREET WITH BIKES AND CARS

CITY CLUB ISN'T OPEN YET

BUT GOODFELLOWS IS WELCOMING US

After our lunch of pulled pork sandwiches and chips, it was time to ride to our next stop which was Gunder.  We cruised past the Gelo estate and on into Postville via Cherry Valley Road.  We then proceeded onto Gunder Road and on into town for our stop at the Gunder Roadhouse.

"I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN YEARS."

THE GUNDER LOT IS SOON TO BE FULL

SOME HAD TO PARK ACROSS THE ROAD

After some refreshments and our card drawing, we headed for our final destination, PIVO Brewery in Calmar.  We wound our way through Clermont, Ossian, Festina, and on into Calmar.  The PIVO is a great facility for reunions, get togethers, and receptions.  Our event was in their spacious event center.

PLENTY OF PARKING

YEP, BURNELL, THIS IS THE PLACE

WE MADE IT!

PLENTY OF ROOM INSIDE FOR EVERYONE

PIVO Brewery was our final stop.  Here various prizes were given away along with the results of the silent auction.  Ron won a prize for the WORST poker hand, and Honey won a prize for the "furriest" rider!

Overall this was a very well organized event.  Kudos to Nancy and her crew for putting on a fun event for a very worthy cause!

After riding to Decorah and back, and then counting the mileage on the ride itself, I had a little over 200 miles on the trike when I got home.  Also thanks to Lois and Jim D for some of the photos used in this blog.