WARM RIDE TO COOL BOSCOBEL

 With temps in the upper 80's, we still had 14 riders show up at Casey's on Wednesday night with the promise of getting cooled off with some ice cream in Boscobel.

We probably had the largest bike contingency we've had in a long time.  Riding in on the two wheelers were Larry (newbie), Lois, Chuckles, Howard, and Bob.  The three-wheelers were still very well represented with Darrel, Roger, Richard & Melody, and Bernell & Kathy.  Our support convertibles were manned by David in his Jeep and Greg & Dale in the Pontiac.

DAVID & GREG CONVERSE WITH NEWBIE, LARRY

BRENELL & KATHY ARRIVE FROM A WARM RIDE FROM HOME

ROGER BACKS INTO A PARKING SPOT

DARREL GASSES UP OL' YELLER

HOWARD TURNS DOWN A HOT CUP OF COFFEE

CHUCKLES & LOIS WHEEL IN

THE SLINGSHOT ARRIVES

MELODY COMES ALONG TO KEEP RICHARD IN LINE

OL' YELLER FINALLY GETS FILLED

With the number of roads being detoured or repaired, it's becoming a real challenge to pick good routes, and finding a way to Boscobel was no exception.

We elected to follow HWY 9 out of town and into Lansing where it always seems that someone is going to back right out in front of us.  Luckily loud horns can save the day.  Passing through Lansing, we crossed the Mississippi River and onto HWY 35 south in Wisconsin.  We passed through Ferryville and then took HWY 171 east.  171 is a smooth stretch of asphalt with some sweeping curves and appealing scenery. Upon reaching HWY 27 at Mt. Sterling, we turned south for a short jog before picking up CR S near Seneca.

CR S passes mostly through valleys formed by creeks that meander along the roadside.  Howard did report a deer crossing in front of him along the way.  The road itself remains in good shape and offers some hills, curves, and twisties along the way to Petersburg and HWY 131 where we cross the Kickapoo River.  We motor straight across 131 still on CR S and continue on to HWY 61 near Mt. Zion.  61 gives us a smooth journey on into Boscobel where we stop for cold treats at the old Dairy Queen now occupied by Udder Brothers Creamery.

A MUCH NEEDED STOP ON A WARM DAY

TOP UP AND AIR CONDITIONING FOR THE JEEP

Upon entering Boscobel, I noticed that HWY 60 west was closed for repair, so we would need to take an alternative route back home.  The choice was CR E where we turned north just outside of Easter Rock.  I knew E passed through Steuben (all roads lead to Steuben) and if we followed it far enough we could make our way back to HWY 27.  We did pass through Steuben, but continued onto HWY 179 instead of CR E.  This proved to be a wise choice since the Wisconsin folks did a great job improving this stretch of highway up to HWY 27 near Eastman.

We crossed straight over 27 and onto CR D where the speed limit is only 45 mph for a good reason.  Cr D is a downhill stretch of smooth blacktop and offers some great views on either side of the road, so it is best to just take your time and enjoy the ride.  D ends at HWY 35 near a village called Charme that I have never found!  We turned south on 35 and made out way through Prairie du Chien on CR K.  We then crossed the Mississippi River again on HWY 18 and made our way over to HWY 76 in Marquette.

HWY 76 is really a nice smooth ride from Marquette to the Waterville turn.  From there on in, I have named this teeth rattling stretch of highway the "Terry Branstad Memorial Expressway".  We survived the bumps and rolled into Waukon for our eats at the Uptown Grill.

TIME TO PUT THE JACKETS AWAY AND HEAD IN FOR AIR CONDITIONING

Although the first day of summer was plenty warm, I think everyone enjoyed the ride.  I had 125 miles on the Wing when I got her home.

MILESTONE

Or should I say 100,000 mile stones.  My bike, a 2012 Gold Wing has just racked up 100 thousand miles, and she still runs like a top.

Here's her clock with the photo taken just before our ride tonight.

HOSPICE RIDE IS SUNDAY

This Sunday is time again for the Wednesday Night Riders to support a very needy cause.  Winneshiek Medical is putting on their annual Hospice Ride with the proceeds are used for specialized therapies for hospice patients from Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek counties.  Here's the itinerary....

I plan on leaving from Casey's in Waukon at 9:15 on Sunday and having their breakfast and registering for the ride afterwards.  If anyone else wants to ride over with me, they are more than welcome.  The Wednesday Night Riders have always been good supporters of this event and hopefully that will continue.

SEE YOU SUNDAY!!