THIS WEDNESDAY & HOSPICE

I was glad to see that a good number of riders showed up this past Wednesday night, and thanks to Jim for leading.  I opted out of going.  With my upcoming surgery less than a week away, I did not want to risk the chance of getting wet and cold.

 It sounds like you had a really good ride, and here's the report that Jim sent me.

We had a good turnout in spite of iffy weather for our Wednesday night ride. With Bob deciding not to chance it, Jim, Bill, Mike, Chuck, and Lois were on two wheelers. Mark was on his trike, Richard and Melodye were in the Slingshot with Bernell and Kathy providing the chase vehicle in their convertible. After Jim got his satellite weather radar subscription straightened out so he could keep an eye on the weather the group headed out. We headed south to 76 and turned east. We took Forest Mills Rd to Luana then east on Hwy18. We turned off on  the nice smooth Farmersburg rd, continued to St Olaf and then to Hwy13 past Elkader. We then took Grandview  Rd to Garber Rd and on into Kwik Star in Guttenberg for a pit stop. After a short stop because of weather concerns we motored out on the Great River Rd through Mcgregor and Marquette. We took 76,then the Great River Rd to Harpers Ferry, up the Lansing Harpers Rd to Elon Dr back to Waukon. We actually stayed dry. It was pretty windy going to Guttenberg but that seemed to let up on the way home. Jim had to dodge a doe and her fawn and all had to dodge a Harley the guy had parked on the hwy without any lights on just out of McGregor. Richard was running over snakes.The out of town riders headed for home and the rest stopped at the Uptown Grill. I had 117 miles on the wing when I rolled past Caseys on my way home .

Here's some photos that Jim & Chuckles took.

With my upcoming surgery and recovery time, you will probably need ride leaders for the next few Wednesday nights.  I have an extremely busy end of this week coming. I have a neice getting married in Dubuque on Saturday, so today, Thursday, I had to travel up to Onalaska to get a root canal done before surgery.  That was a great time!  I'd planned to come back home and get in a final round of golf, but it poured rain and the wind about blew me and the pick up off the highway.  On Friday, I have to return to Gundersen in LAX for a couple final checkups and then drive down to Manchester to see the kids and grandkids that are coming for the wedding.  I have to return to Waukon that night, because staying at a motel is not what Gundersen recommends.  Then on Saturday, I will head from home to the wedding in Dubuque and reception in Farley.  I will also return to Waukon sometime Saturday evening. HOWEVER, I still plan to ride in the Hospice Ride on Sunday, and will leave Casey's at 9 AM Sunday morning to head to Win-Med for breakfast and sign up for the ride. Anyone who wants to ride along with me is welcome.  Sign up is up until 10:30 and the ride starts at 11. SO, let's have a good turnout for the Hospice Ride Sunday like we usually do!

I did ride in the Mags/Byrnes ride last Saturday.  It was for a good cause and they did have a good crowd, but it always seems like there are some that just can't keep civil.  There were several that just roared through Hokah with loud mufflers roaring, and several passed me on double yellow near Dorchester.  Fortunately, they were in the minority, and hopefully didn't spoil it for everyone. There are also some skid marks on the highway just south of Brownsville where I had to slam on the brakes to avoid a deer! Chuckles got a shot of me and some of the group waiting to take off from the fairgrounds.

Lissa and husband, John, also rode in the Mags/Byrnes ride.

Also, someone identified the mystery biker in the last post.  It was Dean Martin, one of my favorite singers. I still hum along to some of his best--"That's Amore", "You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You", and "In the Misty Moonlight".

AND FINALLY, HOW ABOUT THESE TWO "YOUNGSTERS"!!