ALPHABET SOUP ON LAST RIDE

This Friday, on Bob's invite ride, we had 9 Wednesday night riders show up at Casey's at 2 PM for what will probably be the last group ride of the season.

Lois, Mike, and Jim arrived on two wheelers, while the three-wheel crowd had Wayne, Dave, Terry, Roger, and Bob aboard.  Irv roared in with the Vette "support" convertible.

WAYNE & DAVE ARRIVE EARLY

LOIS DOING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WHILE ARRIVING

MIKE ARRIVES

FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY JIM

SOME FRIENDLY PRE-RIDE B S

TERRY APPEARS

AND HERE COMES ROGER

THE VETTE CAN'T PASS UP THE LAST TRIP

Since HWY 35 from Prairie du Chien to Lynxville has been closed all summer, our group has not had the chance to ride the scenic "alphabet" roads along that route.  So since HWY 35 recently reopened, Bob's plan was to take some of those "alphabet" roads on what was probably going to be the last group ride of the season.

We started out from Casey's on HWY 76 to Forest Mills Road.  We followed FMR past the Gelo corn fields that Cathy combined and into Luana and onto HWY 18.  HWY 18 was packed with traffic probably due to the Lansing bridge being closed, but we did make our way past Monona, Froelich, and Giard and into Marquette where we crossed the bridge into PDC.

We skirted around PDC on CR K and made our way to the newly refurbished HWY 35.  We hopped on it heading north on freshly laid, smooth blacktop until we reached Lynxville.  There we turned onto the first "alphabet" road, CR E, and followed it eastward up to HWY 27 and headed back south.  When we arrived at our second "alphabet" road, CR F, we journeyed on a very scenic downhill ride back down to HWY 35 again.  With most of the trees losing their leaves, we were able to see for miles into the valleys below.  What an incredible sight on a beautiful fall day!

Once we arrived back on HWY 35 we took a short jog south until we reached our next "alphabet" road, CR D, near the bustling metroplolis of Charme.  CR D is another favorite of ours.  It is usually more scenic coming down from HWY 27, but it still offered us some smooth curves and spectacular scenery going uphill and back onto HWY 27.

After reaching HWY 27 again, we ventured a ways south through Eastman until we reached our final "alphabet" road, CR N.  Back down the hill we went again enjoying the views and the smooth tarmac.  Again we arrived at HWY 35 and headed back south into PDC where we stopped at Casey's for a well-deserved break.  It was such a nice day, that some of our group actually opted for chocolate ice cream!

After leaving Casey's there seemed to be a lot of confusion due to some traffic on the round-a-bouts.  Even though I announced that we would be taking HWY 76 back to Waukon, Terry, Jim, and I were the only ones to do so, even though we waited in Marquette for quite some time.  I'm hoping everyone made it safely home from there.  I know Irv did and I did see Lois later, so that was good.

We did arrive back in Waukon just as darkness was starting to decend in on us.  I had exactly 120 miles on the Wing when I rolled her into the shed.  What a great day to revisit our special "alphabet" roads!

THIS SAYS IT ALL!!

 If anyone goes on rides yet this fall and wants me to post them, just let me know.  For the next few posts, I will be putting on some video snippets on some rides we took this fall.  A couple of these are the trips across the Black Hawk Bridge before it was closed.

A SPECIAL DAY

Today, Tuesday, November 11 is Veterans' Day.  This a a day of tribute to the veterans of all the conflicts fought to protect our freedom.

Our Wednesday Night Riders group is honored to have  five veterans who served in the armed services, and I would like us to appreciate their dedication to our country.

In no particular order they are...

BOB ZAHN

  

CARL THORNTON

BERNELL TOLLEFSRUD

TERRY LUBAHN

RICHARD PROTSMAN

THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE, GUYS!!

UPCOMING

I plan to ride on Friday at 2 PM from Casey's.  I don't know where yet, but maybe try some of the alphabet roads since HWY 35 is now apparently open.  If you want to "trail along", be at Casey's at 2 on Friday.

DAMP & COOL BUT STILL MADE THE FERRY

 The Weather Witch threw us a curve, but we still had four riders show up for what may have been the final ride this season.  Dee arrived on her bike, while Wayne, Dave, and Bob rode trikes.

WE LOOK PRETTY BUNDLED UP

The weather was predicted to be overcast (no rain) and temps in the mid to low 50's.  The Weather Witch decided to throw a little rain and cold wind at us about the time we were scheduled to depart from Casey's.  The original plan was to motor up to Lansing, take the ferry across to Wisconsin, and do some touring over there, and get back before dark.

However after looking at the skies toward Lansing and then Prairie du Chien, the decision was made to go through Prairie first, since the sky looked brighter in that direction.  So, off we went down HWY 76, with rain sprinkles most of the way.  After passing through PDC, we took HWY 60 into Wauzeka with some very light rain still falling.  Besides the rain, there was a strong, cold north wind that jolted us every once in a while.

While we took a break in Wauzeka (hot drinks), we checked the radar, and decided that we were soon going to be on the backside of the rain clouds.  So we took CR N out of Wauzeka and gladly the rain quit.  The roadways were still wet, and the wind was still cold, but at least we were getting dry.  CR N took us on a scenic journey up to HWY 27.  There we turned north and passed through Eastman and Seneca and into Mt. Sterling.  We then headed down the mountain on HWY 171 to HWY 35.  Just before we reached HWY 35, two huge deer crossed the road in front of me. I was able to stop in time and see if any more were coming.

Once we reached HWY 35 (still wet pavement), we made our way through Ferryville (appropriate name) with no stop for ice cream today.  35 took us over to HWY 82 where we turned as if to cross the bridge.  We did not know for sure where the car ferry was located, but soon road signs showed us the way. After a very short stint on well packed gravel, we reached the ferry dock.

The ferry was still here, and even though I told the steward that we had four bikes, he signaled me to board, and said he had room for the other three.  After checking things out, he determined that he did not have room for the other three, so I was the last one on the ferry this time, and the other three would have to wait for the next trip, since I couldn't back up and get off.

GOOD BYE, BOB!

While I was aboard, I was able to take some photos and videos of the journey.

A LITTLE HISTORY

NEARING THE DOCK

Once I got off the ferry, I knew it would be about a half hour before the other three came across.  So I went into Lansing Kwik Star for a coffee break, and returned to watch them come across on the ferry.

There they are--up front.

Ready to get off--

Here they come.

I tried to catch up to them in Lansing, but they had not seen me, so they continued on HWY 9 toward Waukon.  I finally did catch up to them, but since Dee was doing such a good job of leading, I just hung back.  I had 110 miles on the Wing when I got home.

Even though we were a little damp and a little cold, it was still a good trip.  The Cassville Ferry seems to be a well-run operation, and it was a fun ride across Ol' Man River!

FINAL FLING?!

 If the temp stays at least 50 and no rain, I plan to take what may well be the final ride of the season tomorrow (Friday, the 7th).  I plan to leave Casey's at 2 that afternoon, cruise down to Lansing, and take the ferry across the river.  Once in Wisconsin, I plan to take HWY 35 south to CR C, take C up to 27, take 27 down to CR N, and take N into Wauzeka for a break.  From there it will be HWY 60 to HWY 18, through PDC and onto HWY 76 in Marquette, and 76 on home.

If you want to join me, be at Casey's tomorrow at 2.

CATCHING UP!

 Since our last ride, the warmer fall weather has allowed some of us to continue rides.  There are three that I'll report.

On Novemeber 3, Monday, I went on my annual birthday ride.  I traveled over to Cresco via Bear Creek, North Winn, HWY 52, and Pole Line.  I then took HWY 139 up to Harmony for a break.  139 is and always has been a piece of crap Iowa highway.  Once into Minnesoata, it becomes a pretty nice stretch of road.  After my break in Harmony, I continued riding the backroads in the Harmony/Preston area.  On the way back, I took CR 15 and Dvorak Memorial HWY from CR 44 all the way through Florenceville and into Cresco.  What a treat that was compared to HWY 139.  It's Amish country, so you have to watch out for "road apples", but the next time I plan to go up towards Harmony I'm taking this route.

I took another break at Casey's (free donut on my birthday!) and then took HWY 9 back home.  I did notice that the convenience store in Ridgeway is open again.  I racked up right at 200 miles on this solo trip.  Not bad for a guy who is now 80 years old!

The very next day, Tuesday, November 4, was another Bob invite ride.  We had 9 riders show up under sunny skies and temps in the low 60's.  Mike & Joan, Jim & Cathy, and Bill arrived on bikes.  Richard rode in on his Slingshot, while Dave and Wayne arrived on trikes.  Bob led on his trike.

WAYNE LOOKS READY TO GO

BILL ROLLS IN

JOAN & CATHY JOIN IN

WAYNE & JIM DISCUSS THE UPCOMING VENTURE

RICHARD DOES A RIDE INSPECTION

BILL FINDS PARKING

LAST MINUTE PREP FOR MIKE

DAVE FILLS OUT THE GANG

Bob's planned route was through Freeburg, so we took his "shortcut" by taking HWY 9 up to Lycurgus Rd, and followed it and Iowa River Drive up through New Albin.  We then picked up HWY 26 and cruised along the color filled river bluffs to Brownsville.  Once there, we continued our route on CR 3 up to CR 24, and we turned our wheels for Freeburg.  CR 24 is an interesting road, say the least.  It starts out as a well marked wide section of asphalt and after a few miles, it becomes a one lane, windy semi-paved path.  It does, however, offer up some great scenery as it winds its way into Freeburg.  

Once in Freeburg, we are treated to a great stretch of road into Caledonia by taking CR 249.  We ride the sweeping curves and enjoy the smooth tarmac all the way into Caledonia for a "chicken poop" break at the Wired (Ruptured) Rooster.  While some had hot drinks, others actually sampled ice cream.  

After our Rooster break, we took HWY 76 out of town for a ways and continued our route onto HWY 44 in the Spring Grove direction.  Before reaching Spring Grove, we turned back south on a southernly direction on CR 17.  This road is always a fun ride.  It doesn't offer a lot of curves, but going up and down all the hills is like riding a roller coaster.  We arrived again at HWY 76 just north of Eitzen and followed it on into Waukon. We did have to make a quick stop as several deer crossed a ways in front of us.  They then just stayed in the ditch and stared at us on the way by. Once in Waukon,  five of us motored on into Lid's to sample their "award winning" tenderloins.  Our route was about 95 miles long.  Another great late fall ride!

As if that weren't enough riding for some, another ride took place on the next day, Wednesday, November 5th.  Since Bob had an eye appointment and have his pupils dialated, he passed up the ride.  Here's Jim's report and photos he took.

In spite of the breeze, with such nice temps in November, quite a  few people wanted to get out and enjoy it. We had Terry, Wayne, and Dave on trikes. Mike and Jim on 2 wheelers. Richard in the Slingshot and Irv in the Vette. Irv even put the top down.The plan was to ride to Guttenburg. We headed out to Luana via Forest Mills Rd. Hopped across to 18 and followed that to the brand new super smooth Farmersburg blacktop. At Farmersburg we took Fawn Hollow Rd to St. Olaf and Hwy 13.  13 took us to 128 through the big metropolis of Clayton Center and back to 52  down to Guttenburg with a short pit stop at Kwik Star. On the way home we took the Great River Rd with a scenic tour through NE Guttenburg. Jim was daydreaming and missed the quick left right turn right after exiting 13. There are still pretty colors on some of the trees and the ride down the hill into Guttenburg is always  pretty. The ride back also was colorful. We rolled through McGregor and Marquette back up 76 to Waukon. We still had good daylight for folks to get home and I had right at 100 miles on the bike. 

I know Terry has taken the ferry across the river at Lansing.  He has some photos on Facebook.  Sounds like the ferry is working out well early.

I'm really dating myself here, but you shouldn't have to be 80 to recognize this guy.  Hint: initials RR

ANOTHER RIDE

 ALERT!

There are a few who are going to venture out today (Wednesday) for a ride.  If you would like to join them, be at Casey's at 2 PM today!

I will wait to see if this Wednesday group has a report, and add it to the ride report from the ride yesterday (Tuesday) and post both of them then.

UPCOMING RIDE

 Today, Monday, Nov. 3rd, I will be taking my annual "birthday" ride.  I will be going alone, reflecting on turning 80.

However, tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 4th, I plan to ride again.  This is another "Bob Invite" ride.  I plan to leave Casey's at 2, take Lycurgus to New Albin, then to Brownsville, then through Freeburg, then to Caledonia (possible stop for "chicken poop" at the Rooster), and back to Waukon for a possible tenderloin at Lid's.  If you want to join me, see you at Casey's by 2 tomorrow.

I will probably not be riding on Wednesday.  I have an eye appointment and will be getting my pupils dialated (not good for cyling).  The rest of the week looks pretty chilly, so that's why I'm planning on Tuesday.

"I knew I'd be getting old, I was just surprised about how quick it happened!"

HANDFUL ON LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIDE

 Five riders showed up at Casey's for what was probably the last Wednesday night ride of the season.  Daylight savings time ends on Sunday, so the darkness is going to set in earlier.

Bill and Mike arrived from out of town on bikes.  Richard had the Slingshot warmed up, and Wayne and Bob were on trikes.

TIME TO BUNDLE UP

READY TO ROLL

With temps in the low 50's and darkness coming earlier, the ride would be shorter with no stops.  So we departed Casey's at 4 and headed east on the Elon Road.  Again it was a cool but clear night, but we could see for great distances and could tell that the trees were still full of color.

At the end of the Elon Road, we turned south onto Lansing/Harpers Road and rode the curves down to State Forest Road.  The ride through Yellow River Forest followed, and it was well worth taking our time with the 35 mph speed limit.  Again we were treated to some stunning scenery as we made our way through the forest and up to HWY 76.  Down 76 we went and on into Marquette where we wanted to take CR B45 (Pleasant Ridge Road) up to Monona.  We had heard the road was open and complete after resurfacing.  WRONG!  The hill out of Marquette was still rough, and when we reached the top of the hill, we discovered that only half of the road was resurfaced.  Fortunately it was our half.  However before we went too further, we had to stop for construction since only one lane was open.  We did luck out, because the pilot car arrived shortly and we were escourted to the next section of road where both sides were done.  We proceeded cautiously the rest of the way into Monona.  Please note that CR B45 is far from finished!

After arriving in Monona, we took the Volney Road all the way to Rossville and enjoyed some more great northeast Iowa scenery.  We then took HWY 76 back into Waukon.  The temp was right at 50 when we arrived in town.  Mike and Bill said their good-byes and continued on to Lansing and New Albin, while Wayne, Richard, and Bob stopped at Uptown for eats.  The sun was just about set, and we racked up a 70 mile ride.

AS OF NOW, ANY FUTURE RIDES WILL BE WEATHER DEPENDENT AND HAVE TO START EARLIER.  BOB WILL USE THE BLOG FOR ANY RIDE NOTICES THAT MAY COME UP.

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL FALL RIDE

On Bob's invite, 10 riders joined him on Sunday afternoon for probably the last  leaf looking ride and a fall trip down Thumper (Tschumper) Road near LaCrescent, MN.  The day was predicted to be sunny (good for leaf looking) and close to 60 degrees.

Jim & Cathy skipped corn combining and came on their bike, and even though we were going through New Albin, Mike & Joan arrived on their bike to partake in the preride b s.  Dave, Wayne, and Don & Karrie (no longer newbies) arrived on trikes.  Richard never fails to show in his Slingshot.

A LOT OF PRERIDE BS ALWAYS GOES ON

JIM & CATHY SAY THE CORN CAN WAIT

RICHARD PLANS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONVERSATIONS

THE TWO GALS SAY ITS WARM ENOUGH

DON & KARRIE COME AGAIN WITH UNCLE WAYNE

We pulled out of Casey's at 1 under those sunny skies and a 59 degree temp.  Cruising up HWY 9, we could already see that we should be in for some good tree color.  Once we arrived in Lansing, Bill joined us on his Guzzi as we took HWY 26 north along the Mississippi River and were treated to some awesome tree color on the river bluffs.  The timing couldn't have been any better for the sun to bring out the magnificent beauty Mother Nature created!  By this time the temps moved into the 60's.

We rolled through New Albin on 26 and on into Minnesota we went.  At the end of 26, we took HWY 16 into LaCrescent.  We turned past Kwik Trip on CR 6 and found our way to CR 25.  Up the hill we went, enjoying the scenery in the surrounding valleys until we reached Thumper and motoring along at the 25 mph speed limit, we sat back and enjoyed one of the best 5 mile stretch of stunning scenery in the tri-state area.  Thumper came through again!

After our enjoyable trip down Thumper, we arrived at CR 21 at the bottom of the hill and took it over to HWY 16 and into Kwik Trip in Hokah we went for our break.  Once everyone loaded up on coffee and donuts, we continued on HWY 16 to near Houston and took HWY 76 south for a short ways.  Once we reached CR 4, we pointed our wheels west and cruised all the way into Spring Grove on the Yucatan expressway.

Just outside of Spring Grove, we jumped on CR 27 (aka Sylling Road) and weaved our way over to HWY 76 near Eitzen.  Bob suddenly decided that the only way to top off a great ride was to have some ice cream, so he turned around and informed the group that we were going to stop at WW Dairy in Waukon.  So down HWY 76 we cruised and into Waukon and were greeted by the friendly staff at WW Dairy.  I had about 125 miles on the trike at WW Dairy.  What a great ride to top off the leaf looking season!

THE REST OF THE WEEK LOOKS MUCH COOLER, BUT UNLESS IT'S RAINING, I PLAN TO MAKE OUR LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIDE FOR THE YEAR.  IT WILL PROBABLY BE A SHORTER VERSION, BUT IT WILL BE A RIDE.  DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS THIS SUNDAY.

ALSO....HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!