REFRESHING RIDE THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE

 With a little cooler weather in store, we had 14 riders show up at Casey's for our Wednesday night ride.  Howard, Chuckles, Lois, Mike, and Dee cruised in on bikes.  On trikes were ChucK, Ron & Helen, Jeff & Amy (newbies), and Bob R (oldbie).  Supporting our riders were Irv in the Vet convertible and David & Bob Z in the Jeep convertible.

IRV & BOB Z DISCUSS CURRENT EVENTS

RON & DEE JOIN IN ON THE DISCUSSION

HELEN & DAVID ARE AMAZED WITH ChucK's ACROBAT MOVES

LOIS & CHUCKLES VISIT WITH MIKE, THE PANCAKE CHEF

At 5 bells the group departs with the "shortcut" to Viroqua as the designated route for the night.  We motored through Waukon on HWY 9 and arrived in Lansing where an "ever alert" motorist tried to back out of a parking space in front of us.  After safely passing through Lansing, we crossed the Blackhawk Bridge into Wisconsin and turned onto HWY 35 heading north.

A smooth stretch of blacktop greeted us as we made our way into DeSoto and turned east on HWY 82.  So much for the smooth pavement!  82 has been needed resurfacing for a long, long time.  Fortunately it wasn't a long trip uphill until we came to CR N at West Prairie and turned back north again.  CR N is one of the Guide's favorite roads.  It winds through some scenic valleys following waterways at times.  We also got to pass through the metropolis of Purdy (Norwegian for Pretty) and the beautiful Bad Axe Lutheran church.  We also passed the graveyard for riding lawnmowers, not exactly a tourist attraction!  We continued the curvy smooth ride on N until we reached HWY 56.

After a short jog on 56, we turned onto CR O, for another scenic journey through the valleys and coulees of southern Wisconsin.  Cruising north on O, we passed through the village of Newton, and then turned east again onto CR Y.  This again is one of the Guide's favorites.  It's claim to fame is that it passes over the top of the dam of the Runge Hollow Recreational Area lake.  CR Y took us over to CR B and we turned south there at the pretty Bethel Church.  CR B is a short but very scenic cruise back to the outskirts of Viroqua.  Once in Viroqua, we made our way to the Kwik Trip on HWY 14 for our break.

GREAT RIDE BUT TIME FOR A BREAK

THE TOP WOULD SOON COME DOWN ON THE JEEP

DEE & ChucK FIND PARKING SPOTS

OUR "NEWBIES" SEEMED TO ENJOY THE RIDE

After a few drinks and some long john donuts on sale, the group departed Viroqua on HWY 14 and turned south on CR J.  This route took us passed the immaculate golf course and onto HWY 27 avoiding some construction.  We continued on 27, and not wanting to repeat the bumpy ride back down HWY 82, we chose to take CR B back west to HWY 35.  This route proved to be a little longer, but much smoother.  It also offers some great scenery.

Down the hill we scooted on CR B to HWY 35 just north of Ferryville and followed it to HWY 82 and turned again to venture across the Mississippi River into Lansing.  We again took HWY 9 back into Waukon.  The Guide doesn't like to go back on roads previously traveled that same night, but the alternate route back to Waukon doesn't offer much as an option right now.  Dump trucks full of fill dirt are passing along Lansing/Harpers road 24/7.  Not a place for motorcycles.

Some of us stopped to eat at Uptown Grill in Waukon.  I had about 115 miles on the trike when I got home.

MEMORIAL DAY RIDE AND COOK OUT

Everyone is invited to our annual Memorial Day ride and cook out.  After paying tribute to our fallen veterans, we will gather at Casey's at 1 PM for our ride.  This will be one of the most scenic rides we will take all year because it includes a cruise down "Thumper Valley".

After the ride around 5 to 5:30 we gather again at the Rotach house for our cookout.  Brats will be furnished, but you may want to bring your own drinks and snacks, deserts, or salads to pass.

This a is always a fun time, so hope to see you there!