WE TOOK A CHANCE

 The weather in Waukon seemed to be clearing at 5 on Wednesday night, so seven riders gathered at Casey's with the hopes of not getting wet.

Dee was our only two-wheeler, while Irv, Wayne & Sandy, Chuck, and Bob were on trikes.  David was behind the wheel of the support Jeep.

ChucK AND DEE ARRIVE

THE REST OF THE TRIBE 

With the forecast calling for the return of storms to the area in the next two hours, foregoing our planned trip to Boscobel was dropped in favor of a ride somewhat closer to home.

So our seven riders left Casey's and turned right at the county's only stop light and headed east on the Elon Road.  We followed the Elon Road to the turn going to Waterville.  We passed through Waterville on the aptly named Waterville Road.  This road ia about seven miles long and provides some smooth blacktop and excellent scenery before it ends at HWY 76.  Taking 76 for a short jog and onto some newly laid blacktop we came to State Forest Road and headed northeast on it passing through Yellow River Forest.  The speed limit through the forest is only 35 miles per hour, so we were able to sit back and enjoy the ride through the trees.  At the end of SFR we came to Lansing/Harpers Road and turned south on it and down the hill into Harpers Ferry.  In Harpers we turned on to the Great River Road and passed through Wexford and on into Lansing.  So far, so good with the rain.  

Once we reached Lansing and coming up close and personal to a moving train,  we motored north on HWY 26 headed for New Albin.  Once we reached New Albin, we stopped at the High Chaparall  for a break and watched our train go roaring by.

After our break, we went back through New Albin and onto Pool Hill Drive making our way toward Eitzen.  It started to sprinkle on us as we approached Eitzen, and the sky was blackening to the north, so turning south on to HWY 76 in Eitzen looked a lot better.  It did sprinkle on us most of the way down 76 and as we turned onto Iron Mine Drive.  It was there that Wayne and Sandy kept going for home.  With more sprinkles, we made our way down Green Valley Road and into the parking lot for Green Valley Getaway.  It was there that ChucK and Dee decided to try to beat the storm and head back home, while David, Irv, and Bob decided to eat and seek shelter in the restaurant.  A while later Wayne and Sandy joined us in Green Valley Getaway and said they had come through some pretty heavy rain on their way home.  Hopefully ChucK and Dee got back safely and not too wet.  While we were eating, a considerable amount of rain came down. After eating we waited for the storm to let up and headed for home.  I had 92 miles on the wet Wing when I garaged her.  I think we'll head for Protivin next Wednesday.

COUPLES TRIP

Right now the plan for the Couples' Trip on September 10th and 11th is to journey over to Marshfield and view Jarustic Park, The world's largest round barn, and possibly Wildwood Zoo.  Our motel stay will be in Abbotsford, about 20 miles north of Marshfield.

Please let Bob R know by September 1st if you plan to go, so motel reservations can be firmed up.  Right now we have Jim & Cathy, Wayne & Sandy, and Bob & Julie planning to go.

BIDEN'S ANSWER TO THE GAS NEEDS FOR MOTORCYCLES!

BAGGERS TO BAGLEY

 On another beautiful Wednesday, we had 13 Wednesday Night Riders show up at Casey's for an anticipated ride over to Bagley, WI.  Showing up on bikes were Larry, Jim & Malena & Honey, Dee, and Howard.  Trike riders included Gary & Gloria, Darrel, Irv, David M, and Bob.  Aboard the "support" Jeep was David H.

David M joins us after getting left behind last week

THE FIRST GELO ARRIVES

JIM, MALENA, AND HONEY

SOME MORE GELOS ROLLING IN

GOOD TO SEE GARY & GLORIA AGAIN

DEE CIRCLES THE PROPERTY

With warm temps and low humidity, we knew we were going to be in for some great views, and the ride east on the Elon Road did not disappoint!  At the end of Elon Road, we turned south and cruised down the hill on the Lansing/Harpers Road into Harpers Ferry.  We then turned onto Great River Road and followed in south to HWY 76.  What an improved 76, as we enjoyed the smooth new blacktop down into Marquette!  We then passed over the Mississippi River bridge on HWY 18 and into Prairie du Chien.  Still following 18 we passed through PDC and Bridgeport and turned onto CR C heading east through Wyalusing Park.  We then turned onto CR X and followed it all along the river into Bagley.

In Bagley we left CR X for a short jog on CR A and ended up turning onto CR P headed north for Brodtville.  P then turns sharply to the east and becomes a roller coaster like ride back to HWY 18.  It was time for a rest stop, so a slight jog over to HWY 35 and we arrived at the New Horizons Cenex Station just outside of Patch Grove for our break.

HONEY SAYS, "WHEN YOU GOTTA GO".

THIS WAS A VERY NICE CONVENIENCE STORE

After our break we continued our journey on HWY 18 all the way back through PDC, Marquette, Giard, Froelich, and Monona.  When we reached Luana, we turned onto Diplomat Road that changes to Forest Mills Road and cruised along it past the Gelo farm where Dee dropped off for home.  As we proceeded on FMR, Gary & Gloria dropped off at Cooks Road heading home.  The rest of us rode on up to HWY 76 and turned on into Waukon where some of us stopped at Green Valley Getaway for eats.

What a great evening for a ride!  I had 115 miles on the trike when I parked her for the night.  Right now next Wednesday's plan is Boscobel.

COUPLES' TRIP

The Couples' Trip is scheduled for September 10th and 11th.  If you think you may want to go (possibly to Marshfield or Lake Geneva), let Bob R know ASAP. (brotach@msn.com or 563-568-7277).  It's about a month away yet, but it's getting time to start lining up motel reservations and possible tourist stops. 

RTE for Three

 Only three hardy souls showed up for the Mystery RTE (Ride To Eat) on Saturday afternoon.  Butts on trikes were Darrel and Bob & Julie.  With a slight mist in the air, but still warm temps, we decided to take a chance and start our ride.

We departed Casey's at 4 for our mystery destination.  Hwy 9 west took us over to Centennial Road where we turned south.  The mist (rain) was so light that it didn't even show up on the screen on my trike and the pavement wasn't even wet.  Following Centennial south, we found Sand Road and took it on into Ossian.  We passed through Ossian and onto HWY 52 north heading for Calmar.  In Calmar we took HWY 150 south all the way to West Union.  There was some moisture on the windshields, but not enough to get us wet.  

While cruising down 150, and looking at the bluffs through the mist, it reminded me of the trip to the Smokey Mountains we just completed.  In West Union we took HWY 18 east for a short jog and then onto CR B64 (Golden Road) and made our way into Elgin.  Once reaching Elgin, we turned south onto CR W51 and made our way into Wadena, and "wa-la", our mystery stop appeared.  We had arrived at Barney's Bar & Grill.

SPACIOUS PARKING IN WADENA

NOT THE ONLY BIKERS HERE

We timed our arrival perfectly, because we had just placed our order when patrons started arriving in bunches.  The only thing I can say about most of the patrons of Barney's is "If you ever have to pick a team for a rope pull, come here!"

Julie had a regular cheeseburger while Darrel and Bob opted for the "famous Barney burger".  This was a double patty, double cheese burger on a fresh bun.  It took some wide jaws to get a bite!

After polishing off the burgers, it was time to head back home.  I had originally planned to continue south into Fayette, but the mist seemed to be getting a little heavier and it was going to get dark earlier, so we headed back to Elgin.

Once we got back to Elgin, we turned north on CR W51 and motored into Clermont.  The mist seemed to be getting heavier, and the roads were now wet.  However we were still dry, so we turned to the east on HWY 18 and made our way into Postville.  At the four way stop we headed north on HWY 51 and rode on it up to its junction with HWY 9.  We turned east on 9 and made our way into Waukon.  We had 113 miles on the trike and never did get very wet and no rain ever did show up on the weather screen on the Wing.

I had driven by Barney's many times and never stopped, so it was time to give it a try.  If you're in the area and hungry, this is the place.  Good food, good service, and funny signs!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Right now the plan is to ride over to the Bagley area.

THE BEST OF NE IOWA?

 On an incredibly clear and sunny evening we had 10 Wednesday Night Riders show up at Casey's in anticipation of our journey down to Guttenberg.

Irv, Ron & Helen, Darrel, and Bob were on trikes.  Howard and Terry brought their bikes, while Greg and Roger were sporting Spyders.  Ken arrived in his traffic blocking convertible.

GREG TAKES A BREAK FROM THE FARM

GOOD TO SEE HOWARD BACK AGAIN

ROGER & DARREL ROLL IN

PRERIDE VISITING

ENOUGH GAS TO GET TO POSTVILLE & BACK

The group departed Casey's at 5 with the temp at 82 heading for what may be considered one of the most scenic rides in northeast Iowa.  With the clear skies this proved to be true!

We cruised down Forest Mills Road past the Gelo infirmary, turned onto Cherry Valley Drive, and rolled into Postville.  Making our way through Postville brought us to HWY 18 and turning east we arrived at Gunder Road.  The part of this road through Gunder (8 miles) is rough, but once past Gunder the road smooths out and we sailed on down into Elkader.  Just outside of Elkader we got onto HWY 13 heading south and arrived at Grandview Road.  The name of the road says it all.  The views were grand!

Following Grandview Road and gawking at the scenery, we motored down the hills into Elkport and then took a short jog onto CR C7X passing through Garber.  C7X is aptly named Garber Road. We followed the whole length of this road all the way into Guttenberg and onto HWY 52.  In MHO, the two roads, Grandview and Garber, offer some of the best scenery northeast Iowa has to offer.  And we were lucky enough to pick a perfect night to view it.

In Guttenberg we took our break at the Kwik Trip.  We used to be able to stop at Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream, but they are no longer open on Wednesdays, so we settled for treats at Kwik Trip.

IT IS WARM ENOUGH TO MESS UP YOUR HAIR

 After our break, we passed through Guttenberg and after dodging some geese, we made our way onto the Great River Road heading north and followed it all the way into McGregor.  This road also offers some great views of the countryside.  I did slow for a deer just outside of Guttenberg.  We passed into McGregor and took Business 18 out of town and on to HWY 18 where we turned west.  After reaching Monona, Ron & Helen remained on 18 heading home, while the rest of us passed through Monona and took the Volney Road north to Rossville.  We turned north on HWY 76 in Rossville and cruised into Waukon and out to Green Valley Getaway for eats.  This had to be one of the most enjoyable rides of the summer!  There were 120 miles on the trike when I pulled her into the shed at home.

REMINDER ABOUT SATURDAY

This Saturday, the 13th, is another one of our RTE Mystery Runs.  We will depart Casey's at 4 PM that afternoon, eat at a mystery location, and be back well before dark.  The weather looks promising and EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

I thought you might enjoy this little tidbit that Chuckles sent to me.  It does bring back a lot of memories!

WHILE WE WERE GONE

 While 9 of the Wednesday Night Riders were on the guys' trip to the Smokey Mountains, there were still enough riders to grab the Wednesday night ride.

Here's a report from Dee:

We had a quiet Wednesday Night Ride on August 3 due to the humid, warm
weather and also because most of the guys were on the Guys' Trip out
east. Five showed up -- Ron and Darrel on their trikes, Dee on her bike,
and Irv and Terry in Irv's 'Vette. Ron allowed himself to be
sweet-talked into leading the ride, and he took us on a lovely spin of
about 110 miles. We traveled through Dorchester and Spring Grove, and
then followed Minnesota Highway 4 through through Yucatan to Houston
where we took a brief break. We were all curious about the Houston Fire
Department water truck that was being refueled during our break. Ron
talked to the driver and filled us in about how the FD uses the truck
for supplying water to fires. The last leg of Ron's ride went through
Hokah, Brownsville, Lansing, and up the long curvy road to Churchville.
The ride ended at Green Valley Getaway north of Waukon for supper. I
tried the dill pickle fries and they're really tasty! --Dee

UPDATE ON AL

 As most of you know by now, Al Tweedy was injured on our guys' trip last Thursday.  As he was rounding a sharp right hand curve on one of the roads in Georgia, a truck pulling a trailer came across into his lane and struck his Indian.  He was pinned under the bike and suffered injuries to his thigh, ribs, and feet.  He was taken by ambulance to the North Georgia Medical Center in Gainsville.  Upon examination there a punctured lung was also diagnosed along with some broken bones in the foot.  

His son, Josh, whom Al had planned on visiting later on, is now attending to his needs.  Al has been released from the hospital today (Monday) and will be staying with Josh for a while.  While Al was injured and his Indian is probably totaled, it could have been much worse.  His cell phone number is 563-568-1770

Our prayers go out for Al's speedy recovery.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Right now the plan is to ride to Guttenberg. Remember we leave at 5:00 now.

SATURDAY

This Saturday is another Mystery RTE run departing Casey's at 4 PM.  Everyone is welcome!