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