Seems impossible but Labor Day 2023 has come and gone, our celebrated end of summer opening the door to early autumn. Thirty plus years of a motorcycle gathering with attendance that has ebbed and flowed, this year marked my 16th edition...another "seems impossible". Rallies that I've attended have been marked with cooler temps, rain in small or larger amounts but this year was as hot and dry as any that I've been lucky enough to participate in.
There were housing challenges, new variations in how we all found a place to bed down at night. An even greater challenge was in finding a new location (and food) for our Sunday night banquet. Many thanks to Susie, Jill, Adam and their assistants that made it so easy for the rest of us to have our enjoyable fun. There were after hour suggestions about where and how to hold next year's rally. My vote is to repeat everything, such as it was, next year.....but we'll see what happens. As long as I can make another reservation in January for September, I'll be 8 months happy.
I decided to ride the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Stealth down, I even almost polished it before the trip! My open face helmet and Cousin Jeremy jacket had been planned but I changed my mind with all of the mid-90 degree temps predicted. The mesh jacket made my rides comfortable in all but the late afternoon sunshine.
There's a lot here, I know. Feel free to go grab a cup and come back for another sitting!
Stopped for a break in LaCrescent, MN
Arrival in Westby, WI at the Norske Inn
Here's the Track map that I culled from the GPS, 5 days of riding came out to 696 miles in total.
The elevation changes on Friday's Green Track above...
Early Friday morning...
Tom had arrived late Thursday evening...
Eric was there in time for breakfast Friday
Kevin arrived Thursday just after I did....
After our stop at Grandad's Bluff, we penetrated the construction traffic in downtown LaCrosse, making our way through the throngs of tourists visiting the LST 325 that was docked in the city's Riverside Park.
Normally docked on the Ohio River, Evansville, Indiana. https://www.lstmemorial.org/
Mike's 450 Ducati and Mark's 305 Super Hawk Honda....Oldsters for the Oldsters and of course I say these things with the utmost respect.
Mark won the Smallest Bike Trophy (again). It mayjust be my turn to win the Smallest Bike Trophy (again) next year.
A hundred years ago, maybe 120 or so, rural driveways all could have looked like this.
Place mat.....
Mighty Mouse was not a fan of the heat, not one bit!
Dropping right down into Coon Valley....
We were first in line at the Rockton Chicken "Q"
Great photos. Still working through them as I enjoy my morning coffee. Looks like a great gathering, interesting bikes, scenery, and people. A great choice to ride the Enfield!
ReplyDeleteThanks B.R., nice to hear from you again. The Enfield was another good choice for this rally. This bike has risen to my 2nd favorite, the Himalayan beats it by a very slim margin as top favorite.
DeleteAs always... Wildcat is a " look forward to " event. Great roads..great friends... Have attended for many years and still find new discoveries.
ReplyDeleteWe certainly look forward to it and you're right, you'd think we would have found everything by now.
DeleteThanks for your recount of your weekend. Makes me want to tag along with your group next year. Such interesting stops and you actually stop long enough to take pictures! BB
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the kind words BB. I do group rides sometimes but the only way I get to stop for photos or to really look around are when I go solo, definitely my preferred way. I would drive a group crazy if I stopped with them as I do when alone.
DeleteWhat's the story on all the kid trikes and wagons?
ReplyDeleteI honestly have no idea...someone's idea of a collection? Possibly an illegally large number of Day Care students?
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