TRIO RIDES ON SUNDAY

 With the above average temps in our area, three Wednesday Night Riders who still had their rides ready yet, met at Casey's Sunday afternoon for a late season foray on motorcycles.

Mike arrived from New Albin, Chuckles rolled in on his Harley, and Bob led the way on the GW trike.

CHUCKLES & MIKE ARRIVE

BOB GASSES UP

THE TWO-WHEEL RIDES

The temps had already reached 60 by the time we departed, but there was a pretty stiff wind blowing from the south that kind of "jolted" us at times when we were riding east on the Elon Road.  The last time I was on this road, I saw a number of Amish buggies.  But this time we didn't come across any.

We turned onto the Waterville Road (CR X32) and down through Waterville we went and then continued on up the hill to HWY 76.  The wind was bumping us again on 76 until we started down Sunshine Hill.  We rolled into Marquette and took the bridge over to Prarie du Chien.  We passed through PDC on CR K, and then took Limery Road east back across HWY 35, past the orchards, and onto HWY 27 heading north.  The wind was now pretty much at our backs.

As we neared Eastman, we came across what I can only describe as a semi-free range chicken ranch!  There seemed to be at least 100 chickens in a fenced in pasture on the east side of the highway.  This is the first time I saw it.  We continued on 27 until we reached the turn to CR F, and down the hill we went.  Each time I ride this 4 mile stretch of road is a special treat, and today was no exception.  Since most of the leaves were now off the trees, there was  unobstructed views of the river and the surrounding valleys.

At the end of CR F, we took HWY 35 north along the river and stopped at Ferryville for a break.

BREAK TIME

VIEW OF THE RIVER FROM FERRYVILLE

After visiting with some "locals" about farms in the area, we continued on HWY 35 north to HWY 82.  We had to wait to turn on to 82, because a huge milk hauling semi coming from the north could not make the turn until a passenger car backed way up out of the intersection to let him through.  It seems to me that semi's are getting bigger all the time!

After that short delay, we crossed the Black Hawk Bridge and saw a huge crane that must be involved in the construction of the new bridge.  Once we crossed the bridge, we turned north onto HWY 26 and cruised along the river again.  No wind to speak of, but it was considerably cooler in the shade of the bluffs.  The temp was still at 60!

When we reached the intersection of Iowa River Drive (CR A26) we followed it along the Upper Iowa River over to HWY 76.  There Mike left us to head home, while Chuckles and Bob continued south towards Waukon.  When I came around one of the curves on 76, I must have surprised an eagle who was feasting on a road kill.  I slowed down, and by the time he got airborne, he was only a few feet above my head!  The rest of the ride into Waukon was uneventful, and I had a little over 120 miles on the trike when I parked her.  The wind made the ride a little uncomfortable at times, but still, being able to ride a motorcycle in our area in the middle of November is a real treat!

ANOTHER LATE FALL RIDE...

With the warm weather seemingly holding for the rest of the week, I am planning a Wednesday night (well, actually a Wednesday afternoon) ride.  This Wednesday I plan to leave Casey's at 2 PM, go for a ride, get back before 5, and have an early supper at Uptown.  Anyone who wants to go with me is welcome.  I would think this would be our last Wednesday night ride, but who knows!