Challenging Ride and I'd Tell Ya, But I'd Have To Kill Ya

 On a warm but pleasant Wednesday night, we had 14 riders show up for our weekly cruise.  Larry, Lissa, Bob D, Bill, Lois, and Mike & Joan rode in on bikes.  (Luckily, Mike & Joan led Bob R to Casey's so he wouldn't get lost!).  The three wheel crowd consisted of Terry, with a new Spyder, Irv, Ron, Dave M, Richard & Melodye, and Bob R.

IRV & TERRY CHECK OUT IRV'S NEW TRIKE

RON & BILL CONVERSE WITH LARRY

TERRY'S NEW RIDE (THE JACKET WAS EXTRA)

MELODYE DEPARTS THE SLINGSHOT

LOIS STOPS BY TO WISH US GOOD LUCK

Originally the plan was to journey over into Wisconsin and on to Mt. Hope for our destination.  However with the Wisconsin River on the rise, the route I wanted to take was under water.  That made our alternate route the "mountain" route into Houston, MN.  Little did we know what would be instore for us later, but off we went.  The temp as we left was 82 degrees.

After passing through town, we headed north on 76 and onto Bear Creek Road.  I guess we actually passed both Larry's and Lissa's homes on the way.  We continued on Bear Creek (CR A26) until we reached Locust Road (CR W38).  Making a turn north, we were only on Locust for a short time until we took CR W40 west on through Hesper.  At the Minnesota line, W40 becomes HWY 28 and on into Mabel we went and then onto HWY 44 for about a block before we arrived at HWY 43.  This highway is a favorite for motorcylists since it has been recently resurfaced and has some challenging twisties and offers up some great views.  So far we were having a very pleasant ride, but all that was about to change.

The plan was to take HWY 43 north up to CR 10 and turn east.  CR 10 becomes CR 13 as soon as it crosses county lines.  Why Minnesota does this is a mystery!  But usually CR 13 is what I refer to as the "mountain" road into Houston.  It winds along a ridge top high above the valleys below and then twists its way down a very steep and curvy "mountain" into Houston.  It has always been a fun and scenic ride, but not tonight.  As we continued on CR 13 for about 5 miles, we started seeing signs for road repair and loose gravel.  Why they didn't have these signs posted at the start of Cr 13 is another mystery!  At any rate, most of the rest of the journey down into Houston was a real challenge especially for the two wheelers.  Fortunately we made it into Houston for a break at the BP convenience store there.  What really "pisses me off", is that I called the Houston County Highway Department to check on roads there, and they told me everything was fine!

FORTUNATELY WE ARRIVE SAFELY

TALKING ABOUT A RATHER HARROWING EXPERIENCE

 After our break, I promised the convoy that there would be no more gravel, which turned out to be true.  However, after the gravel experience, the deer decided to get in on the act.

After a short jog on HWY 76, we took CR 4 back towards Spring Grove.  CR 4 (AKA Yucatan Alley) is a pleasant journey along Riceford Creek offering up smooth asphalt and some great scenery.  However, tonight the deer decided it was time to leave the flooded creek and cross the road.  I stopped four times after spotting deer (usually very young ones).  Avoiding any deer, we continued our journey through Black Hammer and onto HWY 44 and on into Spring Grove.  Once there we turned onto CR A16 (Dorchester Drive) and had a pleasant and scenic ride down into Dorchester.  Once there we took HWY 76 back into Waukon and finished our journey at the Uptown Grill.  I had 116 miles on the trike upon arrival there.  Except for the "loose gravel, under construction" foray on CR 13, the rest of the ride was great!  My advice would be to stay off CR 13 for the rest of the year unless you travel in a dump truck.

UP COMING EVENTS

This Saturday, the 6th, is our first "Mystery Ride To Eat" for the year.  I'd tell you where we're going, but I'd have to kill ya!  I can tell you that we will be leaving Casey's at 10:30 that morning for a eating establishment somewhere yet to be named.  We will be looking to eat at around noon and  get back before the predicted rain in the late afternoon.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME 

Also, later this month, the Wednesday Night Riders will be giving trike rides to residents at the Wellington facility in Decorah.  Ron says they are excited to have us coming.  More on this later as details get finalized.

Finally, Dee sent me some photos she took at Winn Med as we were getting ready to do the Hospice Ride.  I enjoyed seeing them, and I thought you might too.

AND ENJOY!