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.