GREAT WEATHER BUT FEW RIDERS

 With sunny skies and temps in the low 70's, we still had only five riders show up at Casey's on Wednesday evening.  I'm assuming there must have been some other activities along with farm field work going on.  The five riders were made up of Richard with the Slingshot, Dee and Mike on bikes, and ChucK and Bob on trikes.

ChucK through the windshield

RICHARD EYES DEE & ChucK'S PARKING SKILLS

MIKE COMPLETES THE FIVESOME

The five of us departed Casey's with the goal of stopping at Pikes Peak near McGregor for the always spectacular view of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers.  Taking HWY 9 and 76 out of town, we arrived at CR X26 (Volney Road), passed through "rosie" Rossville and weaved our way down into Monona and onto HWY 18.  We took 18 east to business 18, and took the detour into McGregor.  This stretch of "highway" into McGregor has needed replacement for a long, long time, and was just as rough as it has always been.  Passing on the west side of McGregor, we could see that Main Street was going under extensive repair to the street and apparently the sewer system.  We turned onto CRX56 (Great River Road) and followed it to the top of the hill and on into Pikes Peak State Park.

WE FIND AMPLE PARKING

WARM ENOUGH TO SHED THE JACKETS

WE ARE A WAYS UP

Once we arrived at the overlook, we were again treated to some fantastic views!

We were even treated to some soaring eagles!

And realize the Mississippi is still used to transport goods.

LOADED BARGES

It must have been "dog days" at Pikes Peak, because on our way back to our rides, we were greeted by an excited golden retriever (They are always looking for attention) and two, what I call miniature bulldogs, also wanting attention.

"PET ME, PET ME"

AND DEE SUCCOMBS

As we exit the park, we also notice two other dogs on leashes, and another at the nearby campground.  Apparently dogs make good camping companions.

Exiting the park, we turn south again on the Great River Road and make our way down the twists and turns to CRC17 (Clayton Road) where we make our way west into Garnavillo for a break at the Speede Shoppe.  Usually you can get soft serve ice cream, malts, or blizzards here, but the only thing the attendant could offer us were ice cream sandwiches!

After our brief break, we decided that since it was such a nice night, we would take the "long way" back.  So we headed back north on HWY 52 until we reached HWY 128 and rode it west on through Clayton Center and over to HWY 13.  Taking 13 north to HWY 290 (182nd St) we turned west again an on into Farmersburg.  There we took CR28 (Golden Ave.) north to HWY 18 west.  Instead of going back through Monona, we opted to keep on 18 and turned into Luana and onto CRX16 (Diplomat Road) and continued west and avoided "rush hour" in Watson.  There X16 is renamed Forest Mills Road.  We cruised by the Luana Golf Course and passed by the Gelo plantation, and shortly lost our two Woodchuck Drive residents.  The trio kept on FMR to HWY 76 again and then into Waukon and the Uptown Grill.  There we learned more about Mike's job and his workplace.  I accumulated 93 miles on this ride.

THIS SATURDAY

This coming Saturday, the 11th, is our first RTE (Ride To Eat) of the season.  It's called the Burger Run, and our destination is Little Miami Restaurant & Bar in Freeport, MN (near Caledonia).  We will depart Casey's at 4:30 and take "Bob's shortcut" to Freeport.  He refuses to ride on gravel, so there will be a little backtracking on the way back, but we will be back to Waukon before dark.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

THIS SUNDAY !!