Goin' Back To Houston

We were heading back to Houston, MN, for the second attempt this year, but with the temps Wednesday night, one would think we were headed for Houston, TX !  The thermometer on the bank clock read 91 degrees as eight "cool" riders arrived at Casey's.  

Chuckles and Mike were our bikers. while ChucK, Terry, Richard & Melodye, and Bob boarded three wheelers.  Irv arrived in the "support" Vet.

HIS WATCH MUST BE BROKEN.  CHUCKLES IS THE FIRST ONE HERE!

ChucK & TERRY DO CROSS-OVER MANEUVERS

CHUCKLES INSPECTS TIRES

TERRY GETS PARKED

THE SLINGSHOT ARRIVES

JUST HOW HOT IS IT?!

SORRY BOYS, NO AIR CONDITIONING FOR YOU

MIKE TOPPS OFF THE GANG

It actually felt good to start moving again as we pulled out of Casey's parking lot.  I had the windshield set low and the wind deflectors on full, as we passed through Waukon and onto HWY 76 north.  The temp on the trike read 91 degrees as we made the corner and turned onto Bear Creek Drive.  We followed Bear Creek onto Big Canoe (CR A26) over to Locust Road and then turned north.  All along the way, the field crops looked tremendous!

When we arrived at HWY 44, we turned back east, and just outside of Spring Grove, we pointed our wheels onto CR 4.  I call this county road the "Yucatan Expressway".  We were treated to a refurbished stretch of blacktop all the way over to HWY 76.  CR 4 is a popular road for our gang.  It's scenic as it meanders along side of the south fork of the Root River and offers some nice sweeping curves.

As we looked to the west and north, we could see some dark skies forming and the wind started to cool down.  Actually the temp on the trike dropped down to the low 80's before we reached the BP convenience store in Houston.  Clouds were all around us, but so far no rain on us.

SOME OF US FOUND PARKING UNDER THE OVERHANG

CHUCKLES, TERRY, AND MIKE PLAY WEATHER FORECASTERS

THE REST OF THE GANG FINDS PARKING

THEY DECIDE WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET WET RIGHT NOW

TERRY FILLS US IN ON HIS HELMET LIGHTS

After some well-needed hydration, we left Houston, and with clouds still surrounding us, Bob decided to take HWY 76 back to Caledonia since that direction seemed less cloudy.  By passing along the shadey spots on 76, the changes in temps were remarkable.  At one time 76 degrees actually showed up on the trike thermometer.

We wound our way down to Caledonia and stayed on 76 south until we reached Iowa River Drive (CR A26) and turned back east skirting along the Iowa River.  When we reached Lycurgus Road, Mike headed back to New Albin, while the rest of us took Lycurgus Road back to HWY 9 and rolled into Waukon.  A few of us chowed down at Uptown.  I had 108 miles on the trike in downtown Waukon.

It was quite a ride!  Some of us got accumstomed to the heat we might endure on the upcoming Summer Trip, but all of us were amazed at the number of temperature changes and the great looking crops.  Thanks to Houston County for reconditioning one of our favorite county roads!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Seven of us are going to be gone for six days on the Summer Trip starting Monday.  Since Bob will be gone on this trip, you will need a new leader for a ride next Wednesday.

Our next scheduled "special ride" is another Mystery Ride To Eat on Saturday, August 9th, leaving Casey's at 4 that afternoon.  

BOY, IS THE SUMMER SLIPPING AWAY FAST!!

7 UP & SMILES

We had 7 show UP for our ride Wednesday evening.  With the weather looking "iffy" and the predicted low temps later, we still were determined to make a run again this Wednesday.  A few sprinkles did greet us at Casey's before we took off.

Rolling in on bikes were Bill and Mike.  Mike had been soaked on a previous ride that day, so any rain wasn't going to bother him.  Sporting three-wheelers were Ron, Richard & Melodye, and Bob.  Irv roared in with the "support" Vet.

The 'Vet is the first to arrive

MIKE SAYS THAT HE'S BEEN WET ALREADY

BILL ARRIVES FROM LANSING

RON MAKES HIS WAY OVER FROM DECORAH

LOOKS LIKE THAT'S EVERYONE

The original plan was to ride to Arlington, but still heading the possible rain and cold weather warnings, Bob "hand picked" a new route.  After leaving Casey's we took HWY 9 west just to West Ridge Road (CR W60) and then turned south.  WRR took us down to Yellow River Drive where we turned back west and arrived at HWY 51.  We then motored on into Postville, turned onto HWY 18 west for a short distance, and then pointed our wheels onto HWY 52,  and made our way through Castalia and on into Ossian.

After arriving in Ossian, we turned south onto CR W42 and followed a rather rough stretch of pavement down to The Great River Road (CR B40) and turned eastwardly.  B40 skirts along the Turkey River, and actually crosses it three times before we arrive on the ouskirts of Clermont.  Once again we were back on HWY 18 and after turning west, we rolled on into West Union for a break at Dairy Queen.  Since the predicted cold weather hadn't arrived, we figured some ice cream would be appropriate.

THIS LOOKS LIKE MY BIKE

YEP, IT IS.  LET'S GO.

Before we left the Dairy Queen stop, Bob passed out the "ride sheets" to Bill, Mike, and Richard for the upcoming Summer Ride.  

After our treats, we took a short jog on HWY 18 over to HWY 150 and headed south to the edge of town.  There we found the newly resurfaced HWY 56 and headed east  enjoying the warm temps and smooth riding.  When we arrived at Cedar Road (CR W51) we took it northward on a scenic drive into Elgin.

After arriving in Elgin, we stayed on W51 and arrived back in Clermont again.  Only this time we took HWY 18 back east into Postville again.  We passed through Postville and onto HWY 51 north which took us up to HWY 9 again.  All this time, the temps remained very comfortable, and we avoided all but a little sprinle all the time.  After a short stretch on 9, we took West Ridge Road again, only this time northward up to Old Stage, and turned east into Waukon where some of us stopped at Uptown.  There the conversation turned to all the good reasons not to install a swimming pool at your home.

I actually ended up with exactly 100 miles on the trike outside of Uptown.  What started to be an "iffy" situation, turned into a great ride for the 7 UP gang.

SMILES !!

Once again the Wednesday Night Riders brought smiles to the faces of 18 residents of Wellington Place in Freeport by giving them trike rides.  Ron, Roger, and Bob gave the rides while Julie took photos and handed out the pins to the riders.

BOB TELLS WHO WE ARE AND SOME DIRECTION TO THE EXCITED RIDERS

Here's some of the photos Julie took of some of the smiling faces.

RON WITH ONE OF HIS PASSENGERS

ROGER WITH A SMILING PASSENGER

BOB WITH AN EXCITED RIDER

Special thanks to Roger for filling in, especially with the number of riders we had.  Also thanks to Julie for taking the photos and passing out the pins.  Of  the 7 passengers I took ranging in age from 75 to 94, only two had ever been on a motorcycle before and the other five  were thrilled for their first ride!  All of our passengers said they had a great time, so again, it was "heart warming" for our group to do this, and what great publicity for the Wednesday Night Riders!

NEXT WEDNESDAY WE'LL TRY HOUSTON AGAIN

How many of us remember this?!

TONIGHT-JULY 16th

 If the weather clears by 5 (as it is predicted to do), then I do plan to ride down to Arlington tonight.  I do have the agenda/ride sheets done for the Summer Trip.  If any of the 7 who plan on going on that trip are available tonight, I will pass the sheets out to them.

See you tonight, hopefully!

WE SET A NEW RECORD!

 Since we started Wednesday Night Riders, the most riders we have had on any one ride (Wednesday nights or others) has been 17.  This Sunday on our "You Gotta Love Summer" pizza run, we had a new record 18 riders.

The "singles" crowd was made up of Wayne and ChucK on trikes, and Lois, Bill, Chuckles, and Bob P on bikes.  Doubling up were Jim & Remmy and Mike & Joan on bikes.  Pairing up on three wheelers were Ron & Helen, Richard & Melodye, and Bob & Julie.  In the "support" convertible were Dr. David & Suzanne.  There was quite a gathering at Casey's that morning!

After full tanks and empty bladders, we set out for Footjoy Farm & Brewing in the metropolis of Melvina, Wisconsin, for our pizza.  This place was recommended to Bob R by some other bikers.  As for weather, it was a "chamber of commerce" day!

We passed through Waukon and headed into Lansing on HWY 9.  This is about the third trip we have made this way lately.  In Lansing, Bob P joined us to push our group to 18 and set the record. 

Once again we crossed the Black Hawk Bridge and arrived at HWY 35 in Wisconsin.  Again, like last Sunday, we took 35 north to DeSoto and turned onto HWY 82.  This time we continued on this newly paved highway on up to HWY 27.  I consider the junction of these two highways as one of the most dangerous intersection around the area.  You cannot see well from either ditection because of curves and hills right there.  We all made it safely through however, and continued our parade past Monument Rock and on into Viroqua on HWY 14.  As I've always said, we need to close up ranks when passing through towns.  But no one ever does it, so we got separated and strung out.  After waiting for everyone to catch up again, we continued our journey on into Westby.

After negotiating a roundabout just outside of Westby we took HWY 27 northward past Cashton and on into Melvina and parked outside of Footjoy Farm.

Upon entering Footjoy, we were greeted by a huge, friendly critter.

Not expecting 18 people to roll into Footjoy, it took quite a while for us to get our pizzas.  The conversation while we were waiting was entertaining, and when the pizzas all finally arrived, they were delicious.  Thanks to Chuckles for a couple of the following photos of the group inside Footjoy.

BESIDES BEING A PIZZA JOINT, FOOTJOY BREWS THEIR OWN BEER

After alot of conversation and polishing off the pizzas, we departed Melvina on HWY 27 and turned onto HWY 33 on another roundabout near Cashton.  HWY 33 is a real gem.  I have ridden it from LaCrosse all the way over to Pt. Washington on Lake Michigan and was never disappointed with the scenery.  This section of the highway was no exception.  The views were oustanding as we made out way westward passing through Portland, Middle Ridge (beautiful church), Newberg Corners, and St. Joseph over to CR YY.

CR YY is another short route that offers some smooth asphalt and great scenery.  YY took us over to HWY 14 again, and we turned back east to catch CR MM.  This trail along the ridges is another treat.  It's best just to sit back, take it slow, and enjoy the views on each side of the road.  I have four favorite short stretches of county roads in our area, YY, MM, F, and Thumper.  I have taken them all in one day.  What a treat!

Speaking of treats, once we came to the end of MM at HWY 14, we cruised on over to HWY 35 and headed back south to Stoddard where we stopped at Hood Scoops Ice Cream Shop.

MIGHTY TASTY!

After the ice cream, we continued our journey back south on 35.  We crossed the bridge again and continued on into Lansing and back to Waukon on HWY 9.  I had about 150 miles on the trike at home. 

GREAT ROADS, GREAT WEATHER, GREAT FOOD, AND GREAT COMPANY ON A RECORD-SETTING RIDE!

UPCOMING EVENTS

The plan is to ride to Arlington on Wednesday, but right now rain is predicted.  Thursday we are scheduled to give rides to some residents of Wellington Place in Decorah.  It looks like rain then also.  Who knows?  Maybe both days will turn out fine.

ANOTHER DOZEN TO HOME A' GINS

Another warm summer evening greeted a dozen riders for our Wednesday night ride.  We had bikes ridden by Larry & Suzie (sp), Mike, Bill, Chuckles, and Dee.  Wayne, Richard & Melodye, Dave M, ChucK, and Bob made up the three-wheel crowd.

WAYNE ARRIVES FIRST

RICHARD & MELODYE ROLL IN

LARRY JOINS THE GROUP AGAIN

DAVE & MIKE ARRIVE

SOON FOLLOWED BY BILL AND CHUCKLES

HERE'S DEE

WITH ChucK TO FOLLOW

Our destination for the night was Home A' Gins in Mt. Hope, WI.  We started out on HWY 76 south and turned onto Forest Mills Road (CR X16).  After passing by the Gelo plantation and the Luana Golf Course, we arrived in Luana.  The plan was to turn onto Edgewood Road to get to HWY 18, but it was blocked off apparently for repairs, so we continued on Old HWY 52 into Monona.  I do not like taking this road since it goes right by the huge metal recyling yard, and you are neversure what might be lying on the road waiting to enter your tires.  We did make it to Monona ok, and then picked up HWY 18 for a cruise through Froelich, Giard, and Marquette and across the bridge into Prairie Du Chien.

We skirted around Prairie on the HWY 18 by-pass and picked up 18 and 35 again heading south.  After crossing the Wisconsin River bridge, we turned onto CR C heading easterly.  CR C is a windy stretch of asphalt with no markings that skirts along the bank-full Wisconsin River.  After stopping to stare down a deer and avoid hitting a jay-walker, we ended our journey on C at HWY 133.  We followed this smooth curvy section of highway over to HWY 18 again.  We took a short jog on 18 before turning onto CR J and rolling into Mt. Hope.

Home A Gins is a very popular spot, particularly on Wednesdays.  Besides their great home-cooked food, they have a drawing every Wednesday for cash.  There has been know to be close to a thousand dollars available for the drawing.  Since this was going on, we had to park all over town since the bar was full of patrons.

MIKE ,CHUCKLES, AND THE SLINGSHOT  FIND A SPOT

THE BLAKE'S FIND A SIDE STREET

ChucK ARRIVES

HAVEN'T I'VE SEEN YOU SOMEWHERE BEFORE?

After getting some refrehments inside the crowded facility, we ventured outside in the shade to polish off our drinks.  There we were entertained with stories about canoes and horses.

WE FOUND SOME PICNIC TABLES OUTSIDE IN THE SHADE

THE STORY TELLING STARTS

DEE & ChucK ARE TUCKED BACK IN THE SHADE

After our refreshments, we continued on CR J south out of town.  After a windy, but scenic stretch on J, we arrived at CR A and took that on into Bloominton.  In Bloomington, we journeyed onto the newly paved HWY 35 and passed through Patch Grove on our way back to HWY 18.  We cruised on 18 back through Prairie Du Chien, back across the bridge and into Marquette again.  Here a number of the group continued on 18 towards home.  The rest of us followed HWY 76 back to Waukon where we stopped at Uptown for eats.  I had about 120 miles on the trike in downtown Waukon.

ANOTHER REALLY NICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIDE!

In fact, I was treated to full moonlight as I made my way back home!

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Next Wednesday we'll try to get to Arlington.

This Sunday, the 13th, is our annual "You Gotta Love Summer" Pizza Run.  We will depart Casey's at 11 that morning.  Right now Footjoy Farms Brewing near Cashton looks to be our destination, but that may change depending on the events going on at Footjoy.

Thursday, July 17th, we are scheduled to give trike rides to some residents of Wellington Place in Decorah at 10 AM.  I will be in touch with Ron, ChucK, and Roger for the itinerary that day.