LUCKY 13

 On another near perfect night for riding, we had 13 lucky souls arrive in anticipation of a trip over to Protivin.  Bill, Lois, Chuckles, and Lissa made up the two-wheel crowd.  Arriving on three wheels were ChucK, Bernell, Richard & Melodye, Wayne, Mark, Dave, Terry, and Bob.

IMPORTANT CONVERSATION

MORE PRERIDE CHATTER

CHUCKLES & TERRY DISCUSS THE COMING RIDE

I THINK THIS GUY WOULD RATHER COME WITH US

SOME NEW RECRUITS?!

LISSA FILLS OUT THE GANG

With Protivin as our goal, we started out on Bob's shortcut by rolling through the county's only stop light and heading onto HWY 76 north.  Apparently we pass right by the Blake ranch before we reach Bear Creek Drive (CR A26).  We cruised along BCD up to Locust Road where the school that Bernell attended used to be. As we continue on A 26 its name changes to Big Canoe and then 337th St.  This route does offer a smooth surface, nice curves, and good scenery.  Once we reach North Winn Road (CR W34) we turn south and connect onto HWY 52 heading towards Decorah.

When we come to the turn for CR A34 (Pole Line Road) we turn onto it and cruise through the scenic contryside all the way over to HWY 9 just outside of Cresco.  Passing through Cresco and by the now closed Kwik Star (There is a new one west of town) we turn onto Dvorak Memorial HWY and on into Protivin we go for a quick stop at thr Fast Mart Convenience Store.

HARLEYS MUST BE GAS GUZZLERS!

ANYBODY KNOW WHERE WE ARE?!

MAYBE TIME FOR JACKETS

WE TAKE A SHORT BREAK

The original plan was to follow CR B16 (Dvorak Memorial HWY) over to Spillville on the way back.  However, as seems to be the case where ever we go, the road is closed for construction.  So back we go through Protivin towards Cresco again.  However before we get to Cresco, we make a turn onto CR A46 (Schley Road) and take some rolling hills on into Ridgeway.

Once in Ridgeway, we get back on HWY 9 and head for Decorah.  With HWY 9 under construction, getting through Decorah can be a challenge.  This is where the group split up.  Bernell headed back up toward North Winn, Dave and ChucK headed to Postville, another group continued on 9 to Waukon, and the rest took the Old Stage Road back to Waukon. Lissa's husband, John, joined us at Uptown.  As near as I can tell, I racked up 112 miles on the Wing at Uptown.  Since the days are becoming shorter, we may have to ride less miles or forget taking breaks on Wednesday nights.

Despite the unplanned detour, it was still a good ride!

Since no one has stepped up to take over the Couples' Trip in September (I can't blame them), I plan to do another RTE (Ride To Eat) on Saturday, September 12th.  More details on that later.

The rest of the September events aside from Wednesday nights are September 7th (Labor Day--our annual "Double Dip Ice Cream Run"

September 17th we are giving trike rides to the residents of Eastern Star Home in Decorah.

September 23 & 24 is a fishing trip invite from Dee and ChucK.  You should contact them ASAP for details!

September 27th is the pancake (waffle) fund raising breakfast at Camp Courageous in Monticello.

Our celebrity motorcyclist from the last post was Patrick Swayze, an actor whose most popular films were Ghost and Dirty Dancing.  He passed away in 2009 at the age of 57.  Lois made the identification on the blog.

HOW ABOUT THIS GUY?!