REFRESHING RIDE THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE

 With a little cooler weather in store, we had 14 riders show up at Casey's for our Wednesday night ride.  Howard, Chuckles, Lois, Mike, and Dee cruised in on bikes.  On trikes were ChucK, Ron & Helen, Jeff & Amy (newbies), and Bob R (oldbie).  Supporting our riders were Irv in the Vet convertible and David & Bob Z in the Jeep convertible.

IRV & BOB Z DISCUSS CURRENT EVENTS

RON & DEE JOIN IN ON THE DISCUSSION

HELEN & DAVID ARE AMAZED WITH ChucK's ACROBAT MOVES

LOIS & CHUCKLES VISIT WITH MIKE, THE PANCAKE CHEF

At 5 bells the group departs with the "shortcut" to Viroqua as the designated route for the night.  We motored through Waukon on HWY 9 and arrived in Lansing where an "ever alert" motorist tried to back out of a parking space in front of us.  After safely passing through Lansing, we crossed the Blackhawk Bridge into Wisconsin and turned onto HWY 35 heading north.

A smooth stretch of blacktop greeted us as we made our way into DeSoto and turned east on HWY 82.  So much for the smooth pavement!  82 has been needed resurfacing for a long, long time.  Fortunately it wasn't a long trip uphill until we came to CR N at West Prairie and turned back north again.  CR N is one of the Guide's favorite roads.  It winds through some scenic valleys following waterways at times.  We also got to pass through the metropolis of Purdy (Norwegian for Pretty) and the beautiful Bad Axe Lutheran church.  We also passed the graveyard for riding lawnmowers, not exactly a tourist attraction!  We continued the curvy smooth ride on N until we reached HWY 56.

After a short jog on 56, we turned onto CR O, for another scenic journey through the valleys and coulees of southern Wisconsin.  Cruising north on O, we passed through the village of Newton, and then turned east again onto CR Y.  This again is one of the Guide's favorites.  It's claim to fame is that it passes over the top of the dam of the Runge Hollow Recreational Area lake.  CR Y took us over to CR B and we turned south there at the pretty Bethel Church.  CR B is a short but very scenic cruise back to the outskirts of Viroqua.  Once in Viroqua, we made our way to the Kwik Trip on HWY 14 for our break.

GREAT RIDE BUT TIME FOR A BREAK

THE TOP WOULD SOON COME DOWN ON THE JEEP

DEE & ChucK FIND PARKING SPOTS

OUR "NEWBIES" SEEMED TO ENJOY THE RIDE

After a few drinks and some long john donuts on sale, the group departed Viroqua on HWY 14 and turned south on CR J.  This route took us passed the immaculate golf course and onto HWY 27 avoiding some construction.  We continued on 27, and not wanting to repeat the bumpy ride back down HWY 82, we chose to take CR B back west to HWY 35.  This route proved to be a little longer, but much smoother.  It also offers some great scenery.

Down the hill we scooted on CR B to HWY 35 just north of Ferryville and followed it to HWY 82 and turned again to venture across the Mississippi River into Lansing.  We again took HWY 9 back into Waukon.  The Guide doesn't like to go back on roads previously traveled that same night, but the alternate route back to Waukon doesn't offer much as an option right now.  Dump trucks full of fill dirt are passing along Lansing/Harpers road 24/7.  Not a place for motorcycles.

Some of us stopped to eat at Uptown Grill in Waukon.  I had about 115 miles on the trike when I got home.

MEMORIAL DAY RIDE AND COOK OUT

Everyone is invited to our annual Memorial Day ride and cook out.  After paying tribute to our fallen veterans, we will gather at Casey's at 1 PM for our ride.  This will be one of the most scenic rides we will take all year because it includes a cruise down "Thumper Valley".

After the ride around 5 to 5:30 we gather again at the Rotach house for our cookout.  Brats will be furnished, but you may want to bring your own drinks and snacks, deserts, or salads to pass.

This a is always a fun time, so hope to see you there!

EIGHT TO EAT

 Our first RTE (Ride To Eat) drew eight Wednesday Night Riders to Casey's on a beautiful Saturday evening.  Jim & Cathy rolled in on their new Wing.  Mike & Joan ventured down from New Albin on their Wing.  ChucK brought his new Wing trike along with Dee on her Kawasaki.  Bob & Julie filled out the group on their Wing trike.

YEP, CHUCK, THAT'S YOURS!

WELCOME TO JOAN--HER FIRST RIDE WITH US

DEE PARKS HER BIKE

MIKE TRIES ANOTHER PUMP--NO DICE!

"I ONCE CAUGHT A FIISH THIS LONG!"

After Mike's second attempt at trying to get gas (oh no, not another Meryle), we departed Casey's under blue skies and temps in the mid 70's.  Our destination was the St. Olaf Tavern for our eats.

We took HWY 76 for a short jog onto Forest Mills Road.  After cruising past the Gelo plantation and skirting the outskirts of the Chuck & Dee berry farm, we motored onto Cherry Valley Drive and cruised into Postville.  We passed through Postville on Tilden St. and onto HWY 18 heading west out of town.  We followed 18 on into Clermont and then turned onto CR B60 also known as Apple Road.  The first part of Apple Road is, and always has been, a rough stretch of pavement.  After about 3 miles of bouncing around, the roads smoothed out and we cruised on into Gunder.  There we picked up the aptly named Gunder Road and had a scenic ride to CR B65 and turned east into St. Olaf and parked outside the famous St. Olaf Tavern.

JIM "DUMPS" CATHY FOR EATS

DEE AND MIKE FIND PARKING SPOTS

After scoping out the interior of the St. Olaf Tavern, we decided that since it was such a beautiful evening, we would eat outside on the veranda.  Their was a group that was kind enough to give up their table to us, and we settled in to order.

A VERY FRIENDLY WAITRESS BEGINS TAKING OUR ORDERS

JOAN WOULD SOON GET A SUPER-SIZED DELICIOUS WRAP

HERE'S THE EIGHT WHO ATE

Everyone agreed that the food was plentiful and delicious.  Bob was the only one to order one of their "world famous" tenderloins, and it did not disappoint!  We then climbed back on our rides and took CR X28, aka Fawn Hollow Road, out of town and into Farmersburg.  We avoided the "rush hour" in Farmersburg and departed on X28, but now it's called Golden Road.  Golden is not the smoothest piece of tarmac, but it did get us up to HWY 18.  There we turned west toward Monona.  Upon reaching Monona, the Postville contingent continued on west, while the Waukon and New Albin group passed through Monona and motored down the Volney Road into Rossville.  We turned onto HWY 76 and on into Waukon, where Mike & Joan found some gas.

It was a great night for a ride with great company and fabulous eats.  Welcome to Joan and hopefully we will see her again on our rides.  We had about 80 miles on the trike when we put her to bed.  Tomorrow we'll stoke her up again for a ride to New Albin for the firemen's brunch.

We are looking to ride to Viroqua on Wednesday, and the following Monday (Memorial Day) is our ride and cookout afterwards.

FEW BLOOMS--BUT GOOD RIDE

 Our designated destination for our Wednesday night ride was to hopefully view all of the apple trees in bloom by touring through the Gays Mills orchards.  With high hopes, we had a dozen Wednesday Night Riders take to the road.

Gathering at Casey's were bikers Lois, Nancy, Dee, and Chuckles.  Those on 3 wheelers were Ron, Darrel, Roger, ChucK, and Bob R.  Irv manned the "support Vet", and David helped block traffic with his "support Jeep".  Mike joined the convoy on his bike in Lansing.

IRV TELLS US ABOUT HIS ADVENTURES WITH HIS TILT WHEELER

LOIS ROLLS IN UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF DARREL

THEN SHE "CUTS OFF" DAVID

GOOD TO SEE NANCY AGAIN

ChucK WATCHES DEE PRACTICE HER DISMOUNTS

CHUCKLES FILLS OUT THE VOTSMIER CONTINGENT

We departed Casey's under overcast skies with temps in the mid 60's.  Actually the sun tried to appear several times on our journey, but the haze from the smoke of the  Canadian fires covered it up leaving a red glow.

We took HWY 9 out of town and cruised into Lansing where Mike joined the parade.  After passing through Lansing, we crossed the Mississippi River on the Blackhawk Bridge and followed HWY 82 into Wisconsin.  After crossing the bridges on 82 we arrived at HWY 35 and took it south through Ferryville.

Just outside of Ferryville we turned east onto CR C.  Apparently C has gone through considerable repair work, because it was covered with many "tar snakes".  Fortunately it was cool enough that they did not bother much with the two wheelers slipping on them.  It may have been a different story on a hot summer day.  We may leave CR C alone for a while.

We continued on C and once we crossed over HWY 27, the tar snakes ceased.  Riding on C we couldn't help notice all the plant life at Star Valley Flowers, a commercial nursery.  CR C came to an end in Soldiers Grove on HWY 131 and we followed it for a short jog and then started down HWY 61 south.  After a few blocks, we stopped at the convenience store there for a break.

 

DAVID OBSERVES ROGER'S FILL UP

NANCY AND LOIS TAKE A BREAK

THE "CREW" FINDS PARKING

After our break we continued south on HWY 61 and then took CR X back west down to HWY 131.  CR X is a favorite short ride.  It's smooth and offers some nice views.  It ends by the Gays Mills High School and we turned south again on HWY 131.  After a short ride into Gays Mills, we made an abrupt turn onto Del La Mater Rd.  

DLM Road is an unmarked paved trail up the hill to HWY 171.  It is about 6 miles long with some interesting curves and not a road to see how well your accelerator works!  There are a number of apple trees along this route and they showed very few blossoms, so it looked like we might be a little late to see the full blooming trees at the orchards.

Del La Mater Rd took us up to HWY 171 where we turned south and ventured past the orchards.  HWY 171 isn't exactly a smooth pool table top, so we took our time enjoying some fantastic views of the valleys below us.  However, most of the apple trees had lost their blossoms over the past few days, probably due to the abrupt changes in the weather and possible wind and rain.

We continued to follow 171 down the steep curvy pavement down into Gays Mills.  At least this section of 171 was smooth which helped us negotiate the trip downhill.  HWY 171 passes through Gays Mills and Mt. Sterling and down the hill to HWY 35.  Just to make the ride complete, just before the junction of 171 and 35 there was a beautiful apple tree and lilac bush in full bloom!

HWY 35 took us back through Ferryville and we crossed the bridge again into Lansing on HWY 82.  In Lansing we followed HWY 9 again back into Waukon since the Elon Road was being repaired with chip seal.  Ten of us stopped at the Uptown Grill for eats.  I had about 110 miles of the trike's clock when I got home.  Even though we didn't get to see a lot of blooming apple trees, it was still a good ride!

SATURDAY

This Saturday is our first RTE (Ride To Eat).  The plan is to leave Casey's at 4:30 and wind our way over to St. Olaf and feast ourselves on their burgers and/or tenderloins.  Right now the weather for Saturday is calling for sunny skies and temps in the 70's, so it should make for a good ride to eat.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

NEXT WEDNESDAY

Right now the plan is to venture over to Viroqua, so see you at 5 at Casey's.

PLENTY OF SMILES!

 Yesterday (Tuesday) was the day that the Wednesday Night Riders gave some residents of the North Gate Manor Care Facility trike rides.  By looking at all the smiles on the faces of the residents after they rode, the day was certainly a success!

We were able to do 15 rides around the two mile route Bob R planned out.  We cruised out of North Gate and onto Allamakee St. heading south.  After entering town, we turned west onto 3rd Ave.  Following 3rd to its intersection with 5th St. (near east elementary), we turned north again on 5th until we reached 8th Ave.  There we took a short jog on 8th and took 4th St. north back to North Gate.  The planned route took as many right turns as possible to avoid having to cross traffic. 

We couldn't have picked a nicer day for this event.  Sunny skies and temps well into the 70's.

I got a note from Diane, the activities coordinator for NGCC this morning and she said the residents "absolutely loved it".

Here are some photos of the event.  And a special thanks to Julie, our "pit boss", who took photos and handed out the guardian angel pins.

These guys got that "warm feeling" from seeing all the smiles and listening to the excited voices.

RON, CHUCK, and BOB, THE CHAUFFEURS

RON & DELIGHTED PASSENGER

    

CHUCK & PASSENGER READY TO ROCK & ROLL

This next photo is of Bob's passenger, a "young" lady who turned 100 in April.  She told Bob that this was the first time she had ever been on a motorcycle!  See, it's never too late.

PRETTY "SPRY" FOR 100!

RON WITH ANOTHER DELIGHTED PASSENGER

CHUCK IS READY TO ROLL AGAIN

AND "AWAY WE GO!"

The residents weren't the only ones who had smiles on their faces.  Ron, Chuck, and Bob were "all grins" also.  This is the second time we did this event, and it was a rousing success again!  It has proved to be a really worthwhile event and good publicity for the Wednesday Night Riders. I have received many "thank you's" and compliments from the friends and relatives of the North Gate residents.  KEEP 'EM SMILING! 😊

A PERFECT NIGHT!

 The comment "It's a perfect night," was heard a number of times from the nine Wednesday Night Riders who gathered at Casey's last night.  On bikes were Chuckles, Howard, and Mike.  Sporting trikes were Irv, Ron & Helen (our only female rider), and Bob R.  Following in the "support" Jeep were David and Bob Z.

"FEARLESS LEADER" WITH PLENTY OF NEON YELLOW

CHUCKLES, MIKE, AND HOWARD

DAVID SHOWING THE GRIP USED TO STEER THE JEEP

RON CHECKING THE TRUNK FOR TREATS

Departing Casey's under sunny skies and temps in the mid 70's and our destination being Pikes Peak in McGregor, we headed east via the Elon Road.  At the end of the Elon Road, we took a short jog on the Lansing/Harpers Road and then onto Lafayette Ridge Road.  We followed LRR east and turned south onto the Great River Road.  Along the LRR we were treated to sights of a lot of trees with white blooms.  We assumed they were apple trees, but without Dee along, we couldn't be sure.  (More on the blooms later.)

We progressed down Great River Road passing by the Wexford Church and into Harpers Ferry taking in the great scenery and "perfect" temperatures.  We passed through Harpers, and continued our journey south on GRR.  Passing along the river we were able to see where the flooding had swamped some of the dwellings along the shore of the Mississippi.  The water still being high, prevented some of the cabin owners access to their properties.

GRR ended at HWY 76 and we turned southward and headed into Marquette.  Along the way past Effigy Mounds, we could see where the water had been that caused the highway to be closed earlier. When we arrived in Marquette, we had to take HWY 18 west for a ways and take Business 18 into the west side of McGregor.  Apparently Main Street in McGregor is undergoing some new sewer project and is closed to through traffic.

We arrived in McGregor after a bumpy ride down n Business 18.  I'm sure all the big grain trucks that have to use this route have added to the poor condition of the pavement.  Fortunately it's a short jog into town.  At the Catholic Church, we turned onto CR X56, Clayton County's version of the Great River Road.  On the way up the hill, we passed the site where the Ringling Brothers were born.  Upon arriving at the top of the hill, we turned on into Pikes Peak State Park.

PLENTY OF PARKING AVAILABLE

MIKE TELLS US THAT HE HAS CAMPED HERE BEFORE

THE BOYS IN THE JEEP MUST BE GETTING COLD!

 After parking the vehicles, we made a walk and stretch up to the lookout platform for some spectacular views of the Mississippi River.  We noted how high the water was yet and noticed some barges that had yet to continue their journey.

We all enjoyed the beautiful view from above.

HELEN TOOK A PHOTO OF ALL THE GUYS ON THE RIDE

HELEN, "A ROSE AMONG THORNS"!

"AIN'T THIS GREAT!"

"WHAT A VIEW ON A PERFECT NIGHT!"

HELEN FOUND THIS TREE (MAYBE CRABAPPLE) JUST LOADED WITH BLOOMS

THE GUYS STILL ENJOYING THE VIEW

SOON THEY WOULD "JOURNEY" INTO THE MEN'S ROOM

After enjoying Pikes Peak, we mounted up and exited the park onto CR X56 and made our way south to Clayton Road and took it west into Garnavillo and a break at the Speede Shop convenience store there.  While enjoying our refreshments, we were impressed by the monuments across the highway in the park that were dedicated to veterans from the area who served in various wars various wars.

After our break we cruised north on HWY 52 until we reached the junction of HWY 13.  We had to take 13 as a detour of HWY 18 west, because the bridge near Froelich is being repaired.  Once on 13 for a short ways, we turned west again on Golden Avenue and passed through Farmersburg, just missing the "rush hour".  

We continued on Golden (not exactly a pool table top!) to HWY 18 and took a short trip west again and cruised on into Monona.  There we followed Falcon Avenue through town and onto the Volney Road.  This took us north through Rossville and onto HWY 76 again heading north into Waukon. Once arriving in Waukon we made our way to the Uptown Grill where the popular eats for the night were Hawaiian burgers (very tasty).  I had a little over 100 miles on the clock when I parked the trike in the shed, and I would have to agree, it was a perfect night for a ride!

UPCOMING EVENTS

As most of you know by now, ChucK, Ron, and Bob R will be giving trike rides to approximately 10 residents of North Gate Care Center on Tuesday at 12:30.  Right now, if the weather holds, it looks like another "perfect" day.  Anyone else who would like to see this event is welcome to come to North Gate that day.  Bob R could use some help taking pictures and handing out attendance pins.

Next Saturday, May 20th, is our RTE (Ride To Eat) Burger Run.  Right now I'm leaning for a ride over to St. Olaf to the appropriately named St. Olaf Grill to sample a burger or one of their famous tenderloins.  We plan to leave Casey's at 4:30 that afternoon, and everyone is welcome.

 Next Wednesday Night the plan right now is to ride over to Gays Mills and hopefully enjoy the apple trees in bloom.

UPDATE ON WAYNE F

Wayne was in Rochester yesterday and had all the tubes removed, so hopefully he is now on his way to recovery.  We all were concerned and want to wish him well.

AND FINALLY

How remiss would be be without wishing all our Wednesday Night Riders moms...

NEWS--SOME GOOD, SOME NOT SO GOOD

 There was enough happening this past week that I couldn't wait until after Wednesday night's ride to post everything.

I'll start with the "not so good" happening.  Last week a deer ran into Lissa.  She was able to keep her bike upright, but she suffered injuries to her wrist and fingers where the deer struck her.  Some "good samaritans" stopped by to help her.  Here's hoping she has a speedy recovery and can join us again after she heals up.

With other news--

Chuckles and Lois provided a couple more photos of their journeys in Texas.

THERE ARE HILLS IN TEXAS

LOOKS LIKE LUCKINBACH

DON'T TRADE THE TRIKE FOR A HORSE!

This Sunday Jim & Cathy rode over into Wisconsin to take part in the annual Slimey Crap Run.  They forwarded a number of photos of this adventure, so if you would like to see them, click on the link below.

Despite the name of the event, they apparently had a good ride.https://photos.app.goo.gl/JL7W4airc7NpknM9A

Remember when I said I forgot to take my camera to Camp Courageous last Sunday?  Well I was informed by Chuckles that KCRG channel 9 took my place. Click below here and you will see three familiar people in line for the omelets.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/camp-courageous-sees-sunny-side-of-community-at-annual-omelet-breakfast/ar-AA1azt8q

Just to inform everyone that ChucK, Ron, and Bob R will be giving trike rides to some residents of North Gate Manor nursing home on Tuesday, May 16th at 12:30 with a rain date of Friday, May 19th at 12:30.  You are welcome to stop by and see the smiles on the faces!

Finally, I said at the PMS get-together that I would try to post a destination for our upcoming Wednesday night ride.  This Wednesday it looks like we will be heading for our annual ride up to Pikes Peak outside of McGregor.  It should be interesting to see the high water from high above.