Pre RTE ride

[Putt]

Got up this morning, headed on out to the garage,
fired up the 1300, pointed her North and took a
liesurley journey into SW Wisconsin.
Headed on up US 61 in Iowa. US 61 from Davenport
to Dubuque is all 4 lane. Since it was such a nice day,
and I really was not pressed for time, I took, where I
could "old" Rt. 61. The hardwoods in this part of
the country are starting to turn, the soft Maples
are really brilliant this year, the bright reds of the
Maples contrasted nicely with the yellows of the
Elms and Hickory trees. (1st pix Dewitt Ia.)
Made it to Dubuque, crossed over into Wisconsin
and headed on up to Dickyville Wisconsin. Just
North of Dickyville, there are several roads that
head West down the valleys towards the Mississippi
(2nd pix Indian creek road). Made it back to 61, headed
on North to Boscobel, turned East on Wi 133 to Wisconsin
80. Turned North on 80, headed towards Richland Center.
Went zipping by a sign that said "old RT. 80", Had to
explore this road, clamped on the binders, turned ol' blue
around and took off on the "old" road (pix 3/4).
Arrived Richland Center, too US 14 East to where it
intersected with Wi 60, turned West and followed
Wi 60 into Prairie DuChien. Well heck, since I was that
far North, might as well stop at Cabellas and see whats
new :) After a short stop, I was walking out to the bike
and saw a '04 headed Northbound on Wi 35 in the
company of a 'Wing.. caught up with them, waved
and gave the guy on the 1300 a "OK" sign as I passed.
Stopped for gas up in Ferryville, and the Wing and 1300 pulled
up along side of me. Both gentlemen were from Eastern
Wisconsin, and were headed for LaCross to pick up 133 and
head on back East.. Game them the address of this board,
maybe we will see them join... Went a bit up the river, crossed
the old steel bridge into Lansing Ia, and head back South along
the Great River Road. The trees were really turning on the Western
bank of the Mississippi, too busy looking to take any pictures...
Did take this one (Pix5) just South of Guttenberg Ia.. Drove on
back through Balltown where I had a chat with a fellow that was
riding a Triumph Trophy.. He may check into the board also :)
Dang, this is getting long winded... Arrived home after putting
about 450 miles on the odometer... So much for a short jaunt...
What a motorcycle....
This weekend/next weekend should be the peak for SW Wisconsin

Putt..

[STeve1300]

Winter is the only thing I hate about Fall.

[Putt]

Holy Batcrap Robin!!

They are talking rain mixed with snow, Sunday night.....

Putt...

[Austin city limits]

At this rate Putt,,, I will never catch you in mileage... ;)

[CrashTestDanny]

Nice ride, Putt - next time you should swing South on 61 and come visit the booming metropolis of Wentzville!

:)

[Putt]

Nice ride, Putt - next time you should swing South on 61 and come visit the booming metropolis of Wentzville!

:)
Have been through that area on several occasions returning from St. Louis... I get down that way a couple times a year... You have some
nice riding in Mo.....

Putt...

[STnAV8R]

Nice meeting you Put. I check in on the ST forum on MSN once in a while but this one is new to me.

Adding to your story... my buddy and I decided to take a ride "out west" to the Miss River area as we knew the hilly terrain and colors would make a nice Fall ride, and it would probably be our last 70's day til spring. We stopped in the Honda dealer at Richland Center where he bought his '05 Wing and drooled for awhile. Lot's of wings, no ST's. When we left we traded bikes so he could try out the ST on some curvy roads. He did ride it once on our way back from SD on I-90 a month ago, but that's not a good test. Continued on west to the river taking any road that looked interesting. After an hour of twisties fun he wanted his bike back saying he was high and was going to kill himself on the ST. He was amazed at the handling and performance compared to his Goldwing and he couldn't help pushing it. That thing just wants to go, he said. He is 62 and a skilled rider, who teaches the motorcycle safety course and says he felt like a kid on the ST. Anyway, following him up 35 along the river at 60 mph I was suddenly startled by some guy on a bike who I thought was passing but backed off even with me for a couple seconds, then ducked in behind. I thought, wonder where he came from, never saw anyone behind us, he must have really come up on us fast. Then he ducks back in behind me for a minute before passing. As he passed looked like he was giving me the finger and I thought, what did I do?, then realized it's his INDEX finger and he's pointing at my bike, and at that time I first noticed he was on a blue ST like mine so I waved back.

Back to October reality in Wisc... 40's, cloudy and damp. Hope that ride holds me til spring.