Motorcycle Adventures
(2012 & Prior)
November 21, 2012 I took the afternoon off for what will probably be my last ride for the 2012 season. I think it was around 54 when I took off but I threw my jacket and glove liners in anyways which was probably a very good idea. I mostly stuck around town and frontage roads because the wind really picked up by lunch time. It was in fact warmer heading north away from the sun because the wind was coming out of the south and brisk enough that the sun didn't help much to keep the chill off heading straight into the wind. Only 31 miles but I have just over 5,800 miles for the season. My all-time record, so far. ;)
November 11, 2012 Well it finally happened... a day above 40 degrees and it actually made it into the low 60s. So by half-time of the Badgers game I made my way out on the bike to meet Kevin without my insulated liner and also with my airflow gloves. From his place we left south of town to Eden then over to Waukousta to Dundee, Armstrong, Greenbush, Glenbeulah, Elkhart Lake, and almost to Chilton, back through Johnsburg, Saint Peter and home. I dedicated today's ride to my half-sister Marjean Boots who was involved in a tragic accident on November 6 (election night) which she was sent to Froedtert Hospital with major head trauma and brain damage. She loved to ride so it seemed even more fitting. Just over 80 miles for me today. Godspeed my dearest Marjean!!!
October 21, 2012 Kevin & I decided to forego the Packers game to take the bikes out for another (maybe last) day of riding since the weather was pretty decent. Although it got up to 63 degrees it never feels that warm when you're cruising on the bikes at 60+ mph this time of year and we didn't head out until after noon. We went through Horicon Marsh and to his folks to check and set up his trail cameras. We ran into a bunch of other riders taking advantage of this probable last day or riding too. 90+ miles based on my odometer this trip. Below are a couple of pictures.
September 30, 2012 Kevin & I planned a ride to head for Holy Hill west of Milwaukee especially since the colors were near peek in that area from what we could tell the day before on our way from Iron Ridge to Milwaukee for the Brewers game. It was a little cool with some clouds when we left town to head down there. We took Hwy 45 south to West Bend where we took Hwy 33 west through Allenton to Hwy 75 south to Hwy 83 south to Hwy 167 east to Holy Hill. It was really busy with lots of people who had the same idea as us; however, we did take time to venture into the church and up one of the steeples. We took a bunch of awesome pictures which are below and to the right. From there we took Hwy 167 east to Hwy 164 to Hwy 75 to Hwy 144 through the west side of West Bend and then a bunch of back roads into Kewaskum and then Cty V to Campbellsport where we stopped at the Campbellsport Inn for a really late lunch and to watch the beginning of the Packers vs. Saints game. I think we put in around 110+ miles this ride.
September 21-23, 2012 Kevin & I planned a trip to Winona MN to visit with Dad & Canders. We knew that it would be pretty cool heading out so we packed and dressed appropriately. However, we were under the impression that it was supposed to get warmer every day after our departure, but instead every day/night was expected to be cooler. Saturday night there was a hard freeze advisory... ugh! At least we had the warmer gear to wear. We took mostly Hwy 21 there and on the way home Sunday we came back the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi into La Crosse then to Sparta where we dropped south on Hwy 71 to Elroy, then north on Hwy 80 to Necedah, then east on Hwy 21 to Hwy 73 out of Wautoma to Cty F to E into Berlin and back roads out of Berlin to Hwy 23 just outside of Ripon. I think that we put in around 430 miles this trip.
September 2, 2012 Kevin & I planned to go for a ride, but we really did not have a destination in mind. Except I figured we could venture to Flanagan's Pearl Lake Campgrounds to stop by and see my old besty (Shella) from high school. So that is where we headed. I took some wrong turns and roads on our way up there, but luckily I have a great sense of direction; including I was able to ride a bunch of roads I've never been on before. We made it there and visited with her and her family. From there I was planning on taking us around Pearl Lake and back to Tommy's bar for some late lunch / early dinner; but once again I took a wrong turn. Didn't take me long to realize that so we back tracked to Tommy's where we also ran into Shella again. From there I took as many different roads as possible home. We only put in 130 miles this time and no pictures.
August 25, 2012 We planned a ride to my old digs... Madison. Gary & Laurie Jahn and Tom Rodgers joined us. We met in the G&L parking lot before heading out. I took us out on Cty D past and into Oakfield and then Y through Mayville where we took Hwy 33 into Beaver Dam. After that I tried to take us south but we ended up back on Hwy 151 to Hwy 73 south out of Columbus through Marshall and Deerfield to Hwy 12/18 and to the Beltline to the John Nolen exit into Madison. We were shooting for the Monona Terrace but didn't want to pay for parking and could not get to the free parking due to construction, so we ended up parking just off of the capital square on East Wash. The Farmer's Market was still going on when we got there and we walked around the capital square to State Street to find some place to have lunch. Seems like there are a lot less eateries on State Street since I lived there but more chain type places. We finally decided to eat at Five Guys burger joint. Thought we'd eventually make it to State Street Brats, but if it's still there it must be within a block of University Square. Anywho, we had some awesome burgers and on our way back to the bikes we stopped at Paciugo's for some messy gelato. Once we got back to the bikes I took us over to Gorham to University Drive to Q into Middleton where I took us around the north side of Lake Mendota and back roads through Token Creek into Sun Prairie. From there we took Hwy 151 to Hwy 73 north to Hwy 44 into Brandon where we broke off from Gary & Laurie. The rest of us stopped at the park in Brandon to stretch and relax before making our way back to Fondy. We took TC out of Brandon to Hwy 151 to Fondy. According to my odometer I put in just over 200 miles this ride. Sure felt good to make it back to Madison and see all of the changes, as it always changes. To the right are a few pics.
August 10-13, 2012 Kevin and I planned a trip to Ashland and to Copper Harbor MI. Click here to view my blurb and page with pictures.
August 5, 2012 Kevin and I planned a ride to head towards Wild Rose. Tom Bartelme former G&L employee and Tom Rodgers current MAG/G&L employee joined us. We met that morning in the G&L parking lot. It sure felt much cooler than the past couple of months with temps only in the mid to high 60s when we left and dew points dropping; including a good wind out of the northwest. However, it was an absolute perfect day for a ride. By the time we reached Wild Rose and headed for home it felt quite a bit warmer. We took a mix of highway and county roads on our way up there going through Green Lake, Berlin, and Spring Lake and then we overshot Wild Rose just to the north to make a stop at the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery. After spending some time there we headed back into Wild Rose for some lunch at the Pioneer Pub. After that we headed east to Poy Sippi and into Omro, Waukau, Pickette, and back to Fondy. I only put in 140 miles this trip, but I'm sure we would have gone further if we did not have a graduation party to attend. Below are some pics and to the right is a map so Tom Rodgers (transplant from PA) has an idea of where we were/went.
July 29, 2012 Kevin and I headed out of town with Port being our destination. We headed south on Hwy 75 to Hwy 33 into Port where we stopped to walk out on the breakwaters to the lighthouse and then for some lunch at Victor's Pier Street Shanty. Then we headed north on LL along Hwy 43 just outside of Sheboygan and other back roads into Sheboygan Falls and finally ended up in Kiel for some ice-cream at the DQ. Then we took Hwy 149 to my aunt and uncles outside of Mount Calvary because we heard their barn blew over from sheer winds the Thursday prior... what a mess they had! Good thing they have great insurance. We ran into a little rain on the way home from there and only put in around 150 miles. Below and to the right are some pics.
July 28, 2012 Kevin and I planned on getting in a ride but we couldn't leave until later in the afternoon because I had a hair appointment and a girl cannot cancel one of those... =) We decided to head west through Rosendale, Ripon and almost into Princeton but then headed south on Hwy 73 through Randolph where we stopped for gas. Then to Columbus where we took Hwy 60 east to Hustisford and to Hartford where we stopped at The Mineshaft for some dinner. Then we were detoured heading east out of Hartford on Hwy 60 and took some back roads north to West Bend and then Cty M north and more back roads through Batavia, Dundee and Hwy 45 to Eden and all the way home. Around 180 miles this trip but no pics or map.
July 14, 2012 Kevin and I planned on taking a ride heading towards Lake Michigan due to how hot it was supposed to be and north along the lake as far up as Kewaunee or Algoma. We took a whole bunch of county and country roads all the way to Manitowoc where we finally hooked up onto Hwy 42 through Manitowoc and along Lake Michigan, including the remainder of the way pretty much (except for taking Cty O out of Trivers back to Hwy 42) to Algoma. We apparently missed some bike ride that was supposed to happen between Two Rivers and Kewaunee since we saw all kinds of bikers at most intersections with flags and one State Trooper, but we never ran into them. Once we were in Algoma we made a stop at The Steal Head Saloon for some yummy burgers and then we stopped by the lake front to walk off our burgers. We put in around 230 miles this trip. Below are some pics.
July 8, 2012 I planned a ride to head through the Menominee Reservation and just into Langlade County. Kevin, Tom and Kevin's friend Ken were in tow. We met at the Stretch at 8:30 a.m. and we took OO to I to N which turned into Olden Road and then Cty M to Hwy 116 into and through Omro and Winneconne. Then another Cty M north through Hortonville, Hwy 54 through Shiocton to Hwy 187 north which turned into Cty K to Shawano, then Hwy 55 all the way through the Menominee Reservation where we stopped by the falls for some pics and to stretch. Back on Hwy 55 into Langlade County, and then Cty M to White Lake. (Yes, Cty M was the theme for the day... to see if we could hit every Cty M in every county we ventured through!) In White Lake we stopped at the Black Bear gas/convenience/restaurant for some pretty good sandwiches. Then Cty M north to Hwy 64 through Cheguamegon-Nicolet National Forest to Hwy 32 South where we stopped in Mountain at the Schoolhouse Bar. Then south again on Hwy 32 to Pulaski, then Hwy 160 west to Hwy 55 South through Seymour and into Kaukauna where we stopped at 1,000 Islands along the Fox River. Then Hwy 55 to Sherwood where we stopped at Frogg's for some ice-cream sundaes. Then Hwy 55 to Hwy 151 all the way back to Fondy. I think it was around 5ish when I got home and I put in almost 270 miles this trip. To the right is a map (a small part of our north tip of our trip doesn't show) and below are some pics from our stops.
June 29, 2012 Kevin and I headed for Winona MN to see my Dad & Candy. We left early in the morning and took Hwy 33 most of the way there through Baraboo, Ontario (Wild Cat Mountain), Cashton, La Crosse and then mostly Interstate to Winona. It was a beautiful ride and Kevin's first real long one with his new ride (Honda ST1300) and he had a blast, especially through Wild Cat Mountain. We stayed until Sunday (July 1) and headed back pretty early since it was so hot. We took mostly Interstate through La Crosse and then Hwy 16 to Sparta, and Hwy 71 south to Mauston. Then I got us detoured on an okay route up to Necedah where we took Hwy 21 for a ways to Hwy 13 and then a few county roads back to Hwy 82 to Montello & Princeton, but from there I took more county and other roads all the way home to avoid the weekend (camper) traffic on Hwy 23. Right around 460 miles for me this trip. Below and to the right are some pictures from our ride and visit. Oh and I ran out of gas along Hwy 61 in Winona. First time ever for me to do that, but thankfully we were close enough for Candy to come rescue us!
June 23, 2012 Kevin and I were planning a somewhat short ride prior to his son Miles' graduation party this afternoon. We originally planned to head towards Red Granite, but realized rain was heading our way from the west so we decided to head more towards Valders. We headed through St. Peter, Johnsburg, Marytown to Hwy 151 and we ran into a detour that took us north around Valders, so we ended up in Manitowoc. We headed to the Lake Michigan waterfront to see if the ferry was there, but it wasn't. However we stumbled on their awesome Farmer's Market. From there we walked downtown for some lunch and stopped at the Rock N' Blues Haus. They had a really good soup, salad & dessert bar. By the time we got back to our bikes the ferry had arrived so we took a couple of pics by it before leaving. We took Hwy 42 out of Manitowoc to Cty A into Elkhart Lake, then to Glenbeulah before hitting Hwy 23. It looked most certain when leaving Manitowoc that we'd hit some rain and we did, but not until just outside of FDL and it wasn't much. I put around 120 miles on the bike this trip. To the right are a couple of pics by the S.S. Badger ferry in Manitowoc.
June 10, 2012 Kevin and I ventured out for "Breakfast on the Farm" in Manitowoc County, in Kiel at the Greendale Dairy farm. We took Hwy 23 most of the way then Cty A through Glenbeulah to Elkhart Lake and Hwy 67 to Kiel and back roads to the farm. This was my first time partaking in a "Breakfast on the Farm" and it was a fun experience, including very good eats! We took pretty much the same roads back to Elkhart Lake and then we took roads through the northern part of the Kettles to Dundee and then some Cty roads back to Fondy. Kevin said we put in just over 100 miles. We left very early which was great because it was pretty darn hot by the time we headed back. No pictures today.
May 19, 2012 Kevin and I planned to ride. I suggested heading towards Lake Michigan since it was supposed to get into the high 80s / low 90s and that is where we headed. I took a bunch of back roads out of Fondy through Dotyville, Armstrong, Green Bush, Glenbeulah, Elkhart Lake, Rhine Center and just north of Sheboygan to hook up on Cty LS (Lake Shore Drive) along Lake Michigan. The closer we got to the lake the more noticeably the temps went down which actually felt pretty chilly at times with the air-flow jacket. We stopped in Cleveland for a break, pictures and for me to skip rocks. Then we headed north along LS to Manitowoc where we stopped at West of the Lake Gardens to see what flowers they had blooming. I would say they (along Lake MI) are behind us by at least 2-4 weeks for blooming plants, etc. Their tulips, crab trees and lilacs were still blooming. Oh and it was only 61 degrees in Manitowoc and 90 in Mt. Calvary. Shows just how much of a difference the air off of Lake Michigan affects the temps. We took too many back roads to map it out but I put in right around 160 miles. Below and to the right are some pics.
May 12, 2012 We had our first group ride for the 2012 season with our destination being the Caddy Shack in Pardeeville for some of their awesome homemade soup and lunch. We met up in Rosendale and I led the group from there down Hwy 26 to Cty TC over through Brandon, Markesan, Kingston, etc. to Hwy 44 which we took the remainder of the way to Pardeeville. Saw a lot of Amish the closer we got to Pardeeville. Unfortunately the Caddy Shack did not have their soup special on Saturdays... only on Sundays. Boo hoo, but no matter since they have real good food anyways; however, they have the best homemade soups. From there we headed up Hwy 22 to Hwy 23 out of Montello to Princeton where we broke up since Gary, Laurie, Stacey, & Rick live in Oshkosh and the rest of us (Me, Kevin & Tom) live in Fondy. I led my group once I figured out where Cty D North out of Princeton was to Berlin where we took Hwy 91 to Cty M and then to Olden Road. I put in just over 160 miles on today's ride. To the right are a couple of pics.
Weekend of March 17, 2012 Saturday I had intentions of watching the Daytona 200 as I do every year, however decided to forego that because it was 70+ degrees here. I've been on my bike every day since March 11 except one day when it rained. It's so awesome to have almost 300 miles on my bike by March 18. Saturday Kevin and I took a ride up the east side of Lake Winnebago and stopped at the wayside/overlook in Taycheedah, then stopped at Columbia Park and went up the lookout tower, after that we stopped for some DQ in Kiel and ate it in their park along the river. Sunday we headed towards the Mayville area and stopped by the Horicon Marsh and Ledge Park. Unfortunately the parks weren't fully open yet since most don't open until well after Spring officially starts. To the right are a couple of pics and I can only hope that this nice weather continues!
March 11, 2012 We had unseasonably warmer temps (around 60) and last week we had a pretty good rain to clean up the roads so today I had planned on a record early start to my riding season. As usual the bike didn't want to turn over and although I had a fully charged battery and let the bike sit in the sun for over an hour she was still stubborn. Thanks to my neighbor who has an older Honda and who felt sorry for me, he brought over his charger and she started up right away. 60+ miles later I arrived back home and it felt so good to be back in the saddle! =)
November 12, 2011 I guess it helped to keep my fingers crossed because today I was able to get in another ride on the bike. I hoped to do a little riding today since it was supposed to get up into the 50s. It was 54 when I finally decided to get on the bike; however, it took me a little while to get it to stay turned over. Once I did I was able to put in just over 50 miles on it. I first headed south around town and then to Eden and back to town and stopped by Kevin's to warm up. After that I stopped at Lakeside Park to visit Mom's tree since today would have been her 69th birthday, and from there I took Lakeshore Drive to just outside of Oshkosh and back home through Van Dyne.
November 1, 2011 I took the day off to accomplish some yard work and with hopes to get the bike out one more time, and what might be the last time for this season. It was somewhat overcast and very breezy when I finally headed out. So I felt quite chilled at times. I only put just over 50 miles on today. I have over 4k on the bike this year. Still not the 5k I strive for, but I was impressed to get what I did with a crummy start to the season and then so unbearably hot & humid all of July. I'm still holding out until the weekend of Thanksgiving to put the bike to sleep for winter... fingers crossed!
October 8, 2011 I headed out for a ride with friends and our destination was Wisconsin Dells. I met up with Tom at his place on the way to meet Gary & Laurie in Rosendale. From there we headed south and west to Portage. We took the Rustic Road along Pine Island and the Wisconsin River back up to Wisconsin Dells where we stopped for some lunch at Tippers. From there we headed for Baraboo to stop by Devil's Lake. It was crazy busy there with so many people out to enjoy what might be the last nicest/warmest day this year. We would have taken the Merrimac Ferry, but it would have taken forever since it was so busy. To the right is a map and below are some pictures I took along the way.
September 17, 2011 I met up with some folks for a ride to Milwaukee and more specifically to have a burger at Sobelmans. It was kind of a miserable start... low fifties, drizzle, and windy; including we must have just missed some major rain all the way through Kewaskum. So I was pretty well sprayed by the water on the roads from the guys ahead of me. However, by the time we hit West Bend it became at least party sunny. We had some really good burgers at Sobelmans. Gary had a little bloody (virgin) Mary with his condiments (picture below). After Sobelmans we ventured to the Harley Davidson Museum. They even allowed me to park my bike in their parking lot. I just had to pronounce the name of my bike (hee-yo-sung). After that we headed for the Michigan Lake shore and then back home. Below are some pictures and to the right is a map. Think I only put in 150 miles today, but as far as I'm concerned that was enough since it was a bit chilly. In fact I turned my heat on for the first time this season after I arrived home. =/
September 9, 2011 I took the bike to Winona, MN to spend the day and weekend with my Dad for his birthday. I took mostly minor highways and back roads there and on my way home. Since it was a bit more of a distance of a ride; including that I took two different ways there and back (plus a little construction on the way home), I wasn't able to map the whole trip in one pic/image. I had to map it with two images. To the right are two maps and one pic some really nice folks took of me when I stopped at a wayside just outside of Camp Douglas on my home Sunday. I put in just over 450 miles this trip.
September 5, 2011 I took the bike to Mayville to meet Scott for a ride. We headed south from there through Hustisford, Lebanon, Ixonia, Helenville, and Sullivan where we were held up in traffic for a while due to their annual Labor Day "the World's Greatest Junk Parade." Hmmm what a thing to be known for; however, it certainly draws a lot of people. I wonder what that says about most Wisconsinites??? Anyways from there we circled around and ended up heading west into Jefferson where we stopped for some lunch at local family restaurant. From there headed north on some county roads, then east on Hwy 16 & 60, north and then west through Juneau, east through part of the Horicon Marsh and onto Mayville. I headed east from there to Hwy 175 back to Fondy. No pics or map this time and I put in almost 200 miles, but it was a chilly ride. Only 56 degrees when I left in the morning and it was only 61 when I got home. It was still a nice ride though as almost any time on the bike is nice.
August 27, 2011 I took the bike to the Madison area for a ride with Mike, Veronica and Wayne. We took off from Cambridge/Rockdale for The Grumpy Troll in Mt. Horeb for some grub and then proceeded to Blue Mounds and to Brigham Park. After that we tooled around through the bluffs and valleys in that area and ended up around Spring Green & the House on the Rock before heading back. We took some more back roads and then Hwy 19 through Waunakee and I split up from the group by I90/I94 and I proceeded on Hwy 19 to Sun Prairie. Then I took Hwy 151 all the way home from there. I put 290 miles on the bike this trip. Click here for a rough map of the route we took, and below are some pics I took.
August 6, 2011 I finally was able to plan a trip to Door County. Tom & Jane met me in the G&L parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and we headed out on Hwy 23 to Glenbeulah and then headed up to Cty Rd MM to Lake Shore drive north of Sheboygan. We took Hwy 42 from Manitowoc to Algoma and then I took us off the beaten path along Cty S to Cty U up to Sturgeon Bay. Then we took Cty T to Cave Point Road to Cave Point Park on Lake Michigan where we stopped to venture out along it's rocky shorelines, stretch, relax, etc. From there we headed to Bailey's Harbor along Hwy 57 and stopped at the Cornerstone Pub for lunch. From Bailey's we took Cty EE to Egg Harbor. We took Cty G to Cty B out of Egg along the Sturgeon Bay side back to Sturgeon Bay. From there we took Hwy 42 back to Algoma where we stopped for ice-cream at Caffé Tlazo. From there we stuck to Hwy 42 to Manitowoc and then we took Hwy 151 all the way back. I put just over 300 miles on the bike today and it felt so good to finally break the 300 marker!!! To the right are a few pictures.
July 3, 2011 We finally had a group of riders for a nice trip on the bikes. I met Tom & Scott at the Stretch in North Fondy and then we headed for Oshkosh to meet Laurie & Gary. Gary was pretty much the organizer for this trip and his destination was Green Lake and/or that area, so that is where we headed and continued onto Pardeeville where we stopped for some lunch at the Caddy Shack Bar & Grill. They had free soup today with your order and I swear it was the best soup I've had in a very long time! They offered five choices and I had the chicken tortilla. From there we headed up to Wautoma where we stopped for some ice-cream, and also where Laurie & Gary broke off to continue towards home. From there we headed to Neshkoro where Scott broke off from us. After that Tom & I proceeded down some back county roads and ended up back in Princeton. From there we took more county roads to Ripon and so on all the back. It's kind of a hard trip to map out, so I probably won't do that. However, I posted a couple of pics to the right. I put just over 200 miles on the bike today and it felt soooo good!
May 29, 2011 So far this season it has been hit or miss for me regarding riding. For the most part when the weather has been nice I've either had something else going on or working. However, today I planned a ride with Scott and our destination was Waupaca, but we didn't quite make it there. Once Scott took over leading for some reason he kept heading straight towards the rain. Grrr! I think if we'd have kept going north we probably would have avoided most of the rain, but unfortunately we didn't and I got caught in heavy rain and some high wind gusts shortly after we split up in Waukau and for the remainder of my ride home (around 30 miles). Put in exactly 160 miles and outside of the last 30 it was a pretty good day of riding.
May 8, 2011 Went for a ride with Kat & Dave. Nothing too long since we got a late start. Headed east and north and stopped at Three Guys & a Grill (a/k/a the Marsh Lodge) outside of Elkhart. I posted some pics to the right.
April 8, 2011 Bike ready to go... battery check, oil pressure check, tire pressure check, now just hoping for the weather to cooperate tomorrow.
2010 has been Archived
2009 has been Archived
My Accident:
April 20, 2008 I had a pretty nasty crash on Walnut Road just west of town after a really nice ride with some coworkers through the Kettles, etc. and was flown to Froedtert Hospital via Flight-for-Life for a weeks stay with the following injuries:
- compound fracture (right wrist) required two surgeries
- grade 3 separation of the left shoulder
- hairline fracture of the left Fibula
- including some minor road rash
Click here to view pictures of my bike, gear & scene of the accident. Myself and a coworker were near the end of a nice ride that afternoon and just tooling down some back country roads outside of town when it happened. I don't remember any of the accident, but was conscious when it ended. A hump in the road that wasn't visible upon my approach was the cause. My helmet took some blows as well as all of my safety gear destroyed. My helmet surely saved my life! This hasn't deterred me from riding as I enjoy it too much!
2007 has been Archived
