NO HOUSTON, BUT NO RAIN

Houston, Mn, was our goal for the Wednesday Night Riders last night, but after some conflicting reports on how to get there, a new route was taken.  It was a beautiful, but warm, evening as 14 riders made their way to Casey's.

The bikers included Jim and his grandson, Greyson, Mike, Lissa, and Bill.  Trikers were Wayne, Terry, Ron & Helen, Dave M, and Bob R.  Richerd and Melodye arrived in their Slingshot, and Irv provided the support Corvette.

IRV WELCOMES WAYNE BACK TO THE WNR'S

THE SLINGSHOT ARRIVES

GREYSON LOOKS HAPPY TO BE GOING WITH GRANDPA

MIKE ARRIVES WITH A REVAMPED COOLING SYSTEM

RICHARD INSPECTS A COUPLE OF VEHICLES

WITH RON'S FOOT MENDED, HE AND HELEN CAN RIDE AGAIN

LISSA DONS HER COLORFUL HELMET

THE GROUP GATHERS FOR THE PRERIDE BS

GREYSON INSTRUCTS GRANDPA ON HOW TO WEAR A HELMET

BILL RIDES IN ON A MOTO GUZZI

DAVE FILLS OUT THE TRIKE CONTINGENT

EVERYONE WELCOMES WAYNE BACK

WAYNE LOOKS GOOD ON THE DFT

 The convoy departed Casey's at 5, with our first Moto Guzzi ever on a Wednesday night.  We proceeded through the county's only stop light, and made our way up HWY 76 heading north.  On the way, we picked up Roger on his trike to now make our numbers fifteen.  Once we arrived at Dorchester Drive (CR A-16), we pointed our wheels up hill and rolled through some extremely green countryside and on into Spring Grove. It looked like a storm was brewing to our west so we had some quick decisions to make. The original plan was to take CR 4 out of Spring Grove and motor on up to Houston.  However, with some conflicting reports on the condition of CR 4 after some resurfacing, we decided to wait for a while before trying that route.

Instead, we took HWY 44 out of town heading east until we arrived at CR 17 and took this roller coaster stretch of asphalt back over to HWY 76.  Back north we went into Caledonia where we stopped at Kwik Trip for a break.  We all got some cool refreshments while Lissa visited with some of her former workforce.

ROGER'S CAN AM GOT THIRSTY ON THE WAY

MIKE EXPLAINS THE WORK JIM DID ON HIS 116,000 MILE GOLD WING

 After our break, we passed through Caledonia on CR 3,  with just a slight pause for a salute in front of the Ruptured Rooster.  We followed this smooth and scenic route down into Brownsville.  Actually, it felt pretty good to be riding in the shade of the bluffs.  It looked like we avoided the rain, at least for now.  

After arriving in Brownsville, we proceeded onto HWY 26 heading south along the Mississippi River.  After passing through New Albin, some of our crew took Iowa River Drive back to HWY 76 for a shorter ride home and to maybe dodge some possible rain.  The rest of us journeyed on into Lansing and then took HWY 9 back to Waukon where some of us ate at Uptown.  I had 108 miles on the trike in front of Uptown.  

I guess we'll have to save CR 4 (Yucatan Avenue) for a later trip to Houston.  It did turn out to be a good ride, and hopefully everyone made it back home safely and without getting wet.  Apparently there were some trees uprooted in Canton, Mn, and some hail damage near Calmar, so I guess we were lucky again.

OTHER DRIVEL

As some of you know know, I no longer have two rides.  I donated my 2012 Gold Wing to a veteran's organization.  They came and picked it up a couple of weeks ago.  It carried me, and sometimes Julie, over 101,000 miles, through 38 states and three Canadian provinces without a whimper!  So, obviously, I was sad to see it go.  It was sold at auction and the proceeds from the sale go to the veteran's organization and hopefully whoever bought it will put on another 100,000 miles.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Our first Mystery Ride to Eat is scheduled for Saturday, July 6th, with a departure time of 10:30 AM from Casey's.  According to the weather channels, there is better than a 50% chance of rain and thunderstorms that day.  I'll keep an eye on the weather, and by 8:30 Saturday morning, I'll make a decision to go or wait until Sunday and go then at the same time.  Stay tuned to the blog!

Next Wednesday evening, the plan is to ride over to Mt. Hope via CR C out of Prairie Du Chien.  Hopefully we don't run into anymore under construction or closed roads on the way!

These guys plan on joining us soon!