EVEN COOLER

 Last week's break from the oppressive heat was a welcome relief.  Who would have guessed that this Wednesday we would be looking for sunshine on our ride.  Quite a cool down!

Ten riders arrived at Casey's this Wednesday including Ron, who claimed to be a friend of ChucK's.  (After some heckling by the group leader, Ron decided that he had never heard of ChucK).  Ron added his convertible to the Vette with Irv & Terry aboard.  The three wheelers consisted of Ron & Helen's trike and Richard & Melodye's Slingshot.  The bikers for the night were Jim D, Chuckles, and Bob.

WHAT ARE IRV & TERRY WATCHING?

CHUCKLES USING JIM FOR REVERSE!

RON GETS TO KNOW THE GROUP

DESPITE HIS CHOICE OF FRIENDS, WE INVITE HIM ALONG

THE SLINGSHOT JUST WAITING FOR HER DRIVER & PASSENGER

After waiting around for Ron's friend to show, we departed town heading north on HWY 76.  The bridge on 76 near CR A 26 is still under repair, but we hit the green at the stop light just right and continued our journey northward.

We picked up CR A 26 (aka Bear Creek Drive) heading west over to Locust Road where we turned north again and made our way up to HWY 44.  We cruised through Spring Grove on 44 and rolled into Caledonia.  We stopped at the Kwik Trip there on the chance that we might catch Lissa there and see how she was doing after hitting a deer some time ago.  Lissa was there and after several operations on her wrist and arm and one more to go, she says she is recovering well.  She can't close her fist well yet, so she hasn't been able to ride by herself.  She has been a passenger with her husband, but is looking to be able to ride herself next season.

After our break and visit, we continued by taking Main Street into town and turning onto CR 5.  This is a smooth stretch of blacktop that takes us to CR 14 and down toward the river we go.  CR 14 is a scenic route that also offers up some sweeping curves.  This road ends at HWY 26 where we turn south and cruise into New Albin.  Apparently some type of resurfacing is going to take place on 26, since we were riding on grooved pavement.

I had planned to take HWY 26 into Lansing, but instead turned onto Iowa River Drive (A 26 again!) thinking it would offer more sun than the bluffs along 26 would.  We motored along on IRD to Lycurgus Road and took it to HWY 9 where we turned west and made our way to the Uptown in Waukon for eats.

THE CREW GATHERS AT UPTOWN

WHILE RON PUTS UP THE TOP FOR THE RIDE BACK TO MANCHESTER

I ended up with 96 miles on the Wing when I bid her goodnight.  It was cool, but still a great night for a ride!  Hopefully Ron will be able to join us again. He enjoyed the scenery in "our little corner of the world" and he's looking forward to coming back when the leaves turn.

NEXT WEEK

Jim & Cathy, ChucK & Dee, and Bob & Julie will be exploring Arkansas on a trip planned by Jim & ChucK.  We will be leaving Sunday and returning on Saturday, so for the ride next Wednesday, a new leader will be needed.

CAMP COURAGEOUS

The Camp Courageous pancake breakfast fundraiser is Sunday, September 24th.  We will just be getting back from Arkansas on Saturday, but I still plan to lead a ride down to Monticello for this event on Sunday.  That's how important I think it is to support this wonderful organization!  Hopefully we have enough Wednesday Night Riders who feel the same way.  We plan to leave Casey's at 9 that morning, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to come along!

Speaking of cold...