2017 West Coast - Shake Down Run
Setting off on a two day shake down run through South West Wisconsin, North East Iowa and South East Minnesota.
Our objective on Day 1 was to run the alphabets in Wisconsin down to La Crosse. From my brother, I obtained a map that the BMW riders club used many years ago for their day rides. It maps out a route down many numerous roads that are a join to ride. Each road is a letter of the alphabet.
We hit a stretch of dirt road over by Cream WI. Other than that stretch, the road surface was fantastic, and we cruised with little mishap.
It was pass lunch time when we reach Arcadia WI. Looking for some small town cafe, we happened upon a tent run by a local church that was selling some bbq grilled chicken. Chicken, chips, soda was a simple afair, but LoriAnn commented on how good it was for days.
Interesting park in Sparta WI. Bicycle capital of the world
This was the first ride with our new Sena Bluetooth Communicators, Besides intercom, there is FM radio, as well as Bluetooth streaming from our phone. We can also receive phone calls from our phones and there are 3 preset phone numbers we can call out from. The sound quality is amazing and the wind noise is marginal when compared against our previous comm set on the bike.
We got to our hotel in La Crosse WI, just minutes before the rain. Great part of the trip was this stay in the hotel was paid for using earned travel points. Just like free! Instead of going out for dinner we ordered in Pizza. This was supposed to be the best Pizza in town, per the hotel clerk. It arrived covered in Tin Foil. The topping were OK. There was little sauce and the crust was cardboard.
Our objective on the morning of day 2 was Pikes Peak park in Iowa. The park is named after Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, sent by the government in 1805 to select a site for a military fort. Pike chose this site but the government built the fort across the river. Pikes Peak officially became a Iowa state park in 1936. Pikes Peak is rich in natural, cultural and historical resources, and famed for its majestic views of the Mississippi River.
From Pikes Peak we ran the ridge on highway 76 into Minnesota. The wind was pretty gusty along this great windy road. Great practice for what we might find crossing the plains of the Dakota's.
We reach Houston Minnesota and road west toward Preston on Highway 16. This is a great road that follows the twisting and turning Root river. The Root is famous for its Tubing and Canoeing. But I think its even more famous for Highway 16 which never fails to put a smile on a motorcyclists face.
We stopped for lunch in Lanesboro. We were late getting into town on a Sunday afternoon. Most of the restaurants were closing for the day a 2 PM. We found a favorite that we have ate at still opened and ordered some great sandwiches.
From Lanesboro we scooted over to Preston and then shot up Highway 52 to home. The ride up 52 had more wind than 76 coming out of Iowa. We stopped in Cannon Falls for a break and met an young couple on a Motorcycle ride. They had been buffeted by the wind all day and were trying to get home also.
It was a good trip. 760 miles in 2 days. I need to get the new tires installed. Riding on rocks.
Our objective on Day 1 was to run the alphabets in Wisconsin down to La Crosse. From my brother, I obtained a map that the BMW riders club used many years ago for their day rides. It maps out a route down many numerous roads that are a join to ride. Each road is a letter of the alphabet.
We hit a stretch of dirt road over by Cream WI. Other than that stretch, the road surface was fantastic, and we cruised with little mishap.
Interesting park in Sparta WI. Bicycle capital of the world
This was the first ride with our new Sena Bluetooth Communicators, Besides intercom, there is FM radio, as well as Bluetooth streaming from our phone. We can also receive phone calls from our phones and there are 3 preset phone numbers we can call out from. The sound quality is amazing and the wind noise is marginal when compared against our previous comm set on the bike.
We got to our hotel in La Crosse WI, just minutes before the rain. Great part of the trip was this stay in the hotel was paid for using earned travel points. Just like free! Instead of going out for dinner we ordered in Pizza. This was supposed to be the best Pizza in town, per the hotel clerk. It arrived covered in Tin Foil. The topping were OK. There was little sauce and the crust was cardboard.
From Pikes Peak we ran the ridge on highway 76 into Minnesota. The wind was pretty gusty along this great windy road. Great practice for what we might find crossing the plains of the Dakota's.
We reach Houston Minnesota and road west toward Preston on Highway 16. This is a great road that follows the twisting and turning Root river. The Root is famous for its Tubing and Canoeing. But I think its even more famous for Highway 16 which never fails to put a smile on a motorcyclists face.
From Lanesboro we scooted over to Preston and then shot up Highway 52 to home. The ride up 52 had more wind than 76 coming out of Iowa. We stopped in Cannon Falls for a break and met an young couple on a Motorcycle ride. They had been buffeted by the wind all day and were trying to get home also.
It was a good trip. 760 miles in 2 days. I need to get the new tires installed. Riding on rocks.
Comments