THIS WEEK'S EVENTS & UPCOMING RIDE

 This last week was a busy time for some of our Wednesday Night Riders.  Some of the group took part in events/ rides on five different days.

On Friday and Saturday, the GWRRA district rally was held in New Hampton.  Bob R went over on Friday and dropped off his trailer to haul the trike back on Saturday night.  He registered for the event and returned Saturday morning for the scheduled 4 hour ride.  Needless to say, the ride over from Waukon to New Hampton at 6:30 AM on Saturday morning was not very pleasant (cool and damp).  The scheduled ride actually included a stop at the Mexican restaurant here in Waukon for lunch, so Julie joined us there and would bring the truck over to New Hampton later.  We were joined by ChucK and Dee who arrived just in time for a great supper.  We all won door prizes!  Bob loaded up the trike on the trailer, since he did not want to ride home in the dark, and returned to Waukon.  Here's a photo of the bike show and a video of one of the timed riding contests that was held.

THERE WERE OVER 40 BIKES/TRIKES ENTERED IN THE SHOW

Then on Sunday, our trip down to Camp Courageous was scheduled.  Bob R and Julie were the only ones to attend AGAIN!  This was very disappointing, since WNR has been helping support Camp Courageous by attending their spring and fall fund raising breakfasts. Jim G did contribute by buying another raffle ticket for the VW camper that is going to be given away at the end of the year.  He has promised rides to everyone when he wins it!

On Tuesday, ChucK and Bob R represented Wednesday Night Riders in giving trike rides to residents of Northgate Care Center.  This event exceeded all expectations!  The residents (7 of them) were absolutely delighted with the rides and can't wait for us to do it again. At the end of the ride, each rider was given a "guardian angel" pin from us.  ChucK and Bob both agreed that it was a fun/feel good event for our group to do.  A story on this event should be coming out in the Waukon Newspapers shortly.

ChucK AND ONE OF HIS RIDERS

READY TO ROLL!

BOB AND ONE OF HIS RIDERS

Bob has a story to tell everyone sometime about this rider's comments.

THIS IS THE GUARDIAN ANGEL PIN THAT WE GAVE TO EACH RIDER

Finally, on Wednesday night we had a "six pack" of Wednesday Night Riders arrive at Casey's for our weekly cruise.  Jim G was our only biker, but Darrel, Roger, and Bob R showed up on their three wheelers.  Irv was the pilot in the "support" convertible, and Howard served as co-pilot.

OUR "WINNESHIEK TRIKERS"

NICE "SUPPORT" CONVERTIBLE!

JIM IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR

If it's 50 degrees or above, Bob rides.  So leading the pack with temps in the high 50's under sunny skies, he took off down HWY 76, onto Forest Mills Road, then on Yellow River Drive, past the Gelo Ranch and over to HWY 51.  There we turned north for a short jog onto Frankville Road and took it through its namesake over to HWY 9.  From there we took a short jog and started onto Centennial Road.  I guess our "Winneshiek" riders were refreshed enough and decided to head for Decorah.  The now foursome continued down Centennial Road and then onto Sand road which took us into Ossian.  There we picked up HWY 52 and cruised through Castalia and on into Postville.  We noticed that some harvesting was going on because all of the dust that was being kicked up in the fields.  In Postville we turned north onto HWY 51 and motored on up to HWY 9.  There we turned east and headed back into Waukon where we were fed at Lid's, since Green Valley Getaway had an event going on.  I had 68 "refreshing" miles on the Wing when I garaged her.

OUR LAST "RIDE TO EAT"

This Sunday is our annual ride up to Rockton for their nearly world famous barbeque chicken.  We plan to depart Casey's at 10 on Sunday morning for a scenic ride through the hills and valleys of the coulee region of Wisconsin.  After our fill of chicken, we will stop at Sunrise Orchard outside of Gays Mills for cider and their nearly world famous apple cider donuts (much better than DD).  If you want chicken, then it is best to reserve it.  Bob R will call in reservations for you if you want, but you need to let him know by Saturday morning. After that, you will have to make your own reservations.  Everyone is invited.  The temps look to be in the high 60's or low 70's with no rain predicted.

A FEW CHUCKLES CHUCKLES!

SEE YOU ON SUNDAY!

COOL WEATHER=FEWER RIDERS

 Apparently the sharp, sudden cold snap took a toll on the number of riders this Wednesday.  We only had five show up even though the temps were still well into the sixties and the sky was partly sunny.  Jim & Cathy rode in on their Wing, while Irv, Darrel, and Bob showed up on their trikes.

DARREL & IRV LOOK PRETTY SERIOUS!

THE GELOS SHOW UP TO MAKE THE RIDE "OFFICIAL"

We all decided that we had certainly ridden in much worse weather and with the sun still shining down on us, we left Waukon via the Elon Road heading east.  We followed Elon to the turn down Waterville Road and cruised down through Waterville and on over to HWY 76.  A short jog on 76 took us onto the newly paved portion of the highway, but we only had a smooth ride for a short time before we came to a traffic stop and had to wait for a pilot car to escort us through a construction zone.  It looks like the construction still being done is on the shoulders.  

After our "escort" through the construction zone, we cruised on down the hill and passed through Marquette and McGregor.  We then turned onto CR X56 (Great River Road) and journeyed up the hill past Pikes Peak Park (closed) and ended up at the intersection with Clayton Road and a right turn took us on into Garnavillo. Since it was cool enough, and we had only a few riders, a stop at the Speed Shop there seemed appropriate.

After downing some coffee and other warm drinks, we continued our journey by taking HWY 52 north up to HWY 18.  We turned west, and with sun shine in the face shields, we made our way past Monona and Luana and on into Postville.  Jim must have gotten cold, because the Gelo's turned off at Luana and headed home from there.

When the rest of us (now only three) arrived in Postville we passed through and got onto Cherry Valley Road and took it on over to Forest Mills Road.  We turned back north on FMR and passed right by the Gelo ranch where we assumed Jim was sitting by the fireplace!  We took FMR to its ending on HWY 76 and then passed back through Waukon and on to Green Valley Getaway for our eats.  There we were joined by Chris, and Darrel then tried this week's new pizza flavor, Rueben, with plenty of sauerkraut and cheese.  I had 95 miles on the trike when I put her away for the night.  The ride was cool, but also very pleasant!

BUSY TIME UPCOMING FOR WNR

The next week offers a lot of ride opportunities for our Wednesday Night Rider group.

This weekend is a final GWRRA rally in New Hampton on Friday and Saturday.  ChucK & Dee along with Bob & Julie plan on attending some of the events.

Then on this coming Sunday, the 25th,  is our annual Camp Courageous Pancake Run where we attend the pancake breakfast in Monticello to help support Camp Courageous.  Hopefully we get a good group together for this worthwhile event.  The temps look to be in the upper 60's with no rain.  We will depart Casey's at 9:15 on Sunday morning for a scenic drive to Monticello and back through Balltown.  Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend!  If anyone plans on taking a four-wheeler, I would ask that you contact Mary Cuvelier at 563-568-4070 to see if she would like to ride along.

This coming Tuesday, Sept. 27th, some of our Wednesday Night Riders will be giving trike rides to some residents of Northgate Care Center.  This will start at 10 AM with about six residents ready to roll.  Irv, ChucK, and Bob R have volunteered to give the rides, but ChucK and Bob should be able to handle it.  If you would like to bring your bike, trike, or car for viewing or would like to see the residents ride, you are certainly welcome!

Finally, our last scheduled RTE (Ride To Eat) is our "Run, Chicken, Run" Run up to Rockton, WI for their nearly world famous barbeque chicken will take place on Sunday,  October 2nd.  If you want to reserve your chicken dinner then you need to let Bob R know by Friday, the 30th of September.  As always we take a scenic ride up to Rockton and then stop at the Gays Mills orchards on the way back for apple cider and the world famous apple cider donuts (much better than DD!)  We plan to depart Casey's at 10 AM on that Sunday.  Again, everyone is welcome, and if you are taking a four-wheeler, contacting Mary C would be appreciated.

COUPLES' TRIP LAST WEEKEND

We had a "great couples' trip" last weekend.  Our stops in Marshfield, WI included Jurustic Park and the world's largest round barn.  Here's a couple of photos of these two attractions.

That's a wrap.  With winter on its way, it's time to take advantage of the riding days we have left!

FIFTEEN WNR DODGE "ROAD APPLES"

 A group of 15 riders appeared at Casey's Wednesday evening to take part in our weekly ride.  Under a favorable weather evening with temps in the high 70's and partly sunny skies we had Gary & Gloria, Wayne & Sandy, Irv, ChucK, and Bob R ride in on trikes.  Howard, Terry, Jim & Cathy, and Jim & Honey were behind handlebars on bikes.  David and Bob Z provided the "support" Jeep.

GOOD TO SEE GARY & GLORIA AGAIN

DAVID "FLAUNTS" THE IOWA STATE COLORS!

IRV & ChucK READY THEIR TRIKES

BOB Z INSPECTS A GELO REUNION

HOWARD CARRIES ON A CONVERSATION WITH HONEY

We departed Casey's and made our way through the stoplight on Main in Waukon and onto the Elon Road heading east.  On the way we noted that the soybean crop was starting to turn yellow meaning harvest can't be too far away.  

At the end of the Elon Road, we turned north onto Lansing/Harpers Road and swerved down the hill into Lansing.  We then crossed the Blackhawk Bridge over into Wisconsin and on to HWY 35 northbound.  It was a real treat to cruise along 35 on a newly paved surface.  Once we reached Genona we turned onto HWY 56 for a short jog through town and then onto CR K.

CR K is a windy stretch of blacktop that offers some spectacular views of the surrounding coulees.  The Amish must have thought this was a good night to observe the scenery too, because we had to pass a few buggies and dodge "road apples" while negotiating the curves.  After our windy stretch on K, we arrived at CR O and followed it along the tops of the bluffs and ended at HWY 56 again.  

We were only on 56 for a short jog again before we turned onto CR N.  This is one of my favorite stretches of blacktop.  We wind along creeks, pass over roller coaster like hills and still get great views of the green countryside.  We follow N southward until we arrive at HWY 82 and then turn back west.  HWY 82 is really roughshod and needs some serious repaving!  Not wanting to ride on 82 any longer than possible, we turned onto CR UU at Red Mound and followed it downhill onto HWY 35 this time heading back south.  

Since we had gone over 70 miles and close to two hours in the saddle, it was time for a break at the Pronto Store near DeSoto.

ChucK OBSERVES A "MEAN-LOOKING" TRIKE

WAYNE & SANDY OPT FOR WARMER CLOTHES

HONEY FINDS SOME "RELIEF" BEHIND THE STATION

Before our break was over, we were treated to a spectacular sunset that was similar to the one we saw last Wednesday.  These photos speak for themselves!

After our break, we continued south, crossed the Blackhawk Bridge again, passed through Lansing and continued our journey on HWY 9 back into Waukon and into Green Valley Getaway for eats.  We had a good number of us stay and try their "new" pizza recipe consisting of Philly cheese steak and other goodies.  Apparently the new pizza was good since it drew some rave reviews from our group.  

I had a little over 100 miles on the trike when I got her home.  Since the days our growing shorter (bad news), we may not be stopping for breaks on the rest of our Wednesday night rides.

COUPLES' TRIP

Right now the Couples' Trip is still on, even though we only have three couples planning on going.  Jim & Cathy, Wayne & Sandy, and Bob & Julie are still signed up.

TRIKE RIDES FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

Right now, the folks at Northgate Manor here in Waukon are excited about our offer to give trike rides to some of their residents.  We have set Tuesday, September 27th at 10 AM for this event.  More on this later.

CONGRATS TO JIM D

We learned last night that Jim D has a new granddaughter (Mercedes).  Congrats!

AND FINALLY

R I P, QUEEN E

CHANGE OF PLANS ON THE COUPLES' TRIP

 With the impeding weather forecast for the weekend calling for high temps in the low 60's and high 50's along with 80% chance of rain both Saturday and Sunday, we are postponing the Couples' Trip to the following weekend.  That would be the 17th and 18th.  Same times and same destinations.

If this weekend didn't work out for you, and you would like to come along with us next weekend, just let Bob R  know ASAP and we would be glad to have you along.

Right now we have Jim & Cathy, ChucK and Dee, Wayne & Sandy, and Bob & Julie still planning to go next weekend, so there is room for more!

WOW! WHAT A NIGHT!

 The Wednesday Night Riders were greeted with another fantastic weather evening.  With temps in the low 80's and partly sunny skies, 12 riders pulled into Casey's for a scenic journey through northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.

Arriving on bikes were Howard, Lissa, and Nancy (on a new ride!)  Showing up on trikes were Wayne & Sandy, Irv, Dave M, Darrel, Ron, and Bob R.  Supplying the "support" Jeep were David and Bob Z.

GOOD TO SEE NANCY AGAIN!

DARREL, RON, IRV, AND BOB Z

SANDY MAY NOT NEED A JACKET FOR THIS ONE

WE ADMIRE NANCY'S NEW RIDE

LISSA ARRIVES ONLY TO FIND OUT WE ARE HEADED TO CALEDONIA

WHO ARE YOU AGAIN?

Jim & Cathy buzzed by and honked to wish us well, so we left.
The plan was to head for Caledonia (right back where Lissa just came from), so we passed through Waukon and headed up HWY 76.  This time everyone made it out of the parking lot and through the stop light, so we continued our journey north to Bear Creek Drive, and turned west.  We traveled on BCR on over to Locust Road and turned north again up to HWY 44.  We then passed through Spring Grove where music in the park was going on, and made a turn southeast onto CR 17.  This strip on smooth asphalt has a lot of hills, so it's kind of like a roller coaster ride.  We passed through Wilmington, and at the end of 17, we turned back north on HWY 76 and motored into Caledonia for a stop at the Kwik Trip for a break.

LISSA SAYS "THIS PLACE LOOKS FAMILIAR!"

IT WAS TIME FOR A BREAK

EVERYONE GETTING READY TO HEAD BACK

We figured since Lissa works there at KT, we would get a discount on our treats.  No such luck!  We departed from the break and passed through Caledonia and picked up CR 5 on the edge of town.  We then followed CR 5 and took CR 14 when we reached a fork.  CR 14 took us on a smooth scenic tour down the hill to HWY 26 just north of New Albin.  We then continued our journey south on 26 and through New Albin following along the Mississippi into Lansing.  There we proceeded on HWY 9 with Waukon being our destination.  However on the way back on 9, we were treated to one of the most glorious sunsets Mother Nature had to offer!  It was easy to get caught watching the sunset instead of the road!  We did reach Waukon safely and some of us pulled into Green Valley Getaway for treats.  The main topic of conversation there was "the good old days of baling hay".  I had 105 miles on the Wing when I bid her "goodnight".

COUPLES TRIP

Right now the weather looks cold and rainy for this weekend, so we may be looking to postpone until next weekend.  I will be checking with those couples that were planning to go to see if that would work out.

A DOZEN SCREAMS FOR ICE CREAM

 Monday, Labor Day, was time for the Wednesday Night Riders annual Double Dip Ice Cream Run.  Showing up for the festivities on bikes were Lee and Jim & Cathy.  Aboard three-wheelers were Darrel, Roger & Janine, Wayne & Sandy, and Bob & Julie.  Showing up in the "support" Corvette were Irv & Terry.

DARREL & LEE GAS UP

WAYNE & SANDY FIGURE OUT HOW THE INTERCOM WORKS

TWO PROFESSIONAL MOLE TRAPPERS

WHO ELSE HAS A CORVETTE FOR A SUPPORT VEHICLE?!

ROGER & JANINE BACK IN

WATCH OUT, IRV

Our first planned "dip" spot was the Porch in Prairie du Chien, so we took "Bob's short-cut" and started up HWY 9 to Lansing.  We then crossed the bridge into Wisconsin and took HWY 35 south.  Before we got to Ferryville, we turned up the hill on CR B and followed it across HWY 27 through Towerville to the junction of CR C.  We then took C back to HWY 27 turning south through Fairview, Mt. Sterling, Seneca, and Eastman.  South of Eastman we turned west onto CR N and took it back down the hill to HWY 35 again.  We headed south on 35 and cruised into Prairie du Chien and rolled into our stop at The Porch.

The Porch was very busy serving ice cream and pizza, but we got our treats and went outside on the "porch" and polished off our first "dips".  By the way, if you have never had pizza at The Porch, you need to!  After our first "dip" we headed back to Waukon to WW Dairy for our second "dip".  We took the newly refurbished HWY 76 up to Waterville Road and then turned north onto it.

We enjoyed the scenery passing through Waterville and then up to the Elon Road.  The Elon Road took us into Waukon and we passed around the golf course and into WW Dairy where we were joined by Dennis & Marlene and the "mower twins", Chuckles & Lois, for our second "dip".  We had 115 miles on the trike when we parked her.

NEXT WEDNESDAY

It looks like a nice warm evening coming up, so the plan is to "explore" the Caledonia area.

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL WEDNESDAY NIGHT!

 With clear blue skies and temps in the low 80's, we had 16 Wednesday night riders gather at Casey's this Wednesday.  Wayne & Sandy, Ron & Helen, Irv, Dave M, Darrel, and Bob R straddled trikes.  Lissa, Terry, and Jim & Cathy rode their two wheelers.  We also had two "support" vehicles.  Greg & Dale in the convertible, and David & Bob Z aboard the Jeep.

TERRY & DARREL

DAVE M BACKS IN

TOP DOWN ON THE SUPPORT JEEP

GASSING UP THE DFT

TRIKE RIDERS ON A BEAUTIFUL EVENING

SUPPORT CONVERTIBLE READY TO ROLL

LISSA JOINS US AGAIN

SUE F SEES US OFF

THE GELOS MAKE IT AN "OFFICIAL" RIDE

After departing Casey's at 5, we ventured over to Decorah via HWY 9.  With busy traffic, not everyone made it through the stop lights, so we waited at the turn onto HWY 52 for catch ups.  After a short jog on 52, we turned west onto Madison Road.  Along with some great scenery, this road is like a roller coaster with all the up and down hills.  At the end of the paved section of Madison Road, we turned south onto CR W14 and joined HWY 9 again just outside of Ridgeway.  Passing through Ridgeway, we continued on 9 on into Cresco where we turned south again onto Dvorak Memorial Highway and high tailed it into Protivin stopping at the Fast Mart.

TIME FOR A BREAK

"NOW WHERE DID I PUT THAT SODA?"

A "NEW" STOP FOR LISSA

JIM ENTERTAINS THE TROOPS

After our break we headed east on CR B16 (still Dvorak Memorial Highway) and rolled on into Spillville.  I am always in awe when I view the Catholic church there.  The skill involved in putting up a structure like that a long time ago is just incredible!  What a beautiful church!

We pass through Spillville still on the Dvorak Memorial Highway (I don't know who Dvorak was, but he must have been famous enough to have many miles of pavement named after him) to its intersection with HWY 52.  Turning south on 52, we buzz through Calmar, Ossian, and Castalia and cruise into Postville.  Taking HWY 51 north out of Postville leads us to the turn onto Yellow River Drive which takes us east for a short distance to CR W60 (aka W Ridge Road and/or Old Stage Road).  Following W 60, we cross over HWY 9 and Old HWY 9 until we reach Prairie Drive and turn east again.  We soon find Mt. Olivet Road and swing past the cemetery and to HWY 76.  We cross 76 onto Iron Mine Drive and continue east to Green Valley Rd and follow it down the hill to Green Valley Getaway for eats.  I had racked up 117 miles on the Wing as I rolled her into the garage.

COUPLES' TRIP

Right now we have five couples signed up for the trip to Marshfield on September 10th & 11th.  I am planning to firm up the motel reservations on September 6th, so if you are planning to go along, please let Bob R know by then.  He will also plan to pass out the trip direction sheets next Wednesday, the 7th.  Right now the plan for next Wednesday's ride is to Caledonia and Brownsville.

SEPTEMBER 5TH--LABOR DAY

It's hard to believe that Labor Day is here already and that it's time for our annual Labor Day "Double Dip" Ice Cream Run.  We plan to travel out of town to find a serving (dip) of ice cream and return to WW Dairy in Waukon for our second dip.  We will depart Casey's at 1 PM that day and everyone is welcome.  If anyone is going along with a car, we would like you to contact Mary Cuvelier at 563-568-4070 to see if she would like to ride along.