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Sorry no pictures this time, forgot the camera at home.
We left onFriday afternoon, short trip (300 Miles) took U.S. Hwy 60 to Wabasha MN, drove down the Mississippi River for about50 miles to La Crosse Wisconsin then took U.S. Hwy 61 south to U.S. Hwy 14 east to Wisconsin Hwy 130 south to Dodgeville Wi.
These are some beautiful roads, rolling hills, small family owned farms and no straight aways longer than about 2 miles (have to even out the tire wear you know). My friend with the Harley Ultra Classic and his wife followed us. Good thing because they saw my sunglasses drop off the top of the trunk and when my wife opened the right side trunk cubby they saw the lid go flying off.
Back to the roads, U.S. 60 in Minnesota was written upa the Cycle World article last year. There is a 28 mile stretch (Recently repaved) that winds through the hills and along tributaries to the Mighty Mississippi. Over and around undulating through the hills and down the cliffs that the Mississippi have carved for eons. Everything is so green, I'm sure we could give Ireland a run for the money on the Emerald portion of the Emerald Isle. A must ride road if ever in Minnesota.
Crossing into southwestern Wisconsin is like going back in time, small farms dot the landscape, with interspersed small towns, just far enough apart to be a joy to slowly ride through, never so far apart that you have to be concerened about not finding gas or a bathroom. This portion of Wisconsin also was fortunate in that the last glacier age didn't scrape it flat, like most of Minnesota. Hwy's 61 and 14 roll on like a ribbon laid over the hills along ridgetops and through the valleys ever uncoiling in front you as you ride along. Hwy 130 just east of Spring Green was an unexpected joy, our route had us scheduled to go to Hwy 23, but a stop for gas (178 miles / 4.2 gallons = 42+ MPG) and a quick check of the map showed a shortcut, about 12 mile of constantly changing altitude and nice 20 MPH switchbacks, a couple of river crossings (Wisconsin River)thrown in as well. Old steel trellis bridges with paved roadways.
Saturday morning dawned cloudy and grey, we planned a side trip to a local winery, good plan, drove through a little light drizzle, not enough to put on the rain gear. arrived just after they opened, pleasent staff and good wine. Sat on the patio and enjoyed a bottle of their "Field 13 Reserve" a fruity dry red, with a block of 5 year old sharp cheddar and a chunk of baby swiss. Doesn't get much better than that, enjoying wine and cheese with some good friends while motorcycling around the countryside. Well then we made our wine purchase, do you know that a case of wine will fit in a Harley Ultra Classic Tour Pak in the box, but not in the Gold Wing.
We slowly made our way back in the rain, exploring some of the county roads along the way, more beautifull countryside dotted by family farms in the rolling hills. Seemes these folks know driving is an enjoyable experience as none of the roads are straight. The sun peaked out of the clouds just before we crossed the river into Minnesota and warmed us up. We stopped in a small town in WI and removed our rain gear, purchased a drink and a snack at a gas station then headed for a dinner date in Rochester MN. When we got to Winona, we took U.S. 14 to Rochester. The first 8 miles or so wind up through the bluffs along the Mississippi, before spilling out onto the glacial plains that make up most of Minnesotas landscape.
All I can say is "I wish I had my camera" my words alone cannot describe the beauty and joy of the area we rode through. Maybe it was getting away for a couple of days, maybe it was the company of my wife and good friends, maybe it was being on the bike for a couple of days, but whatever it sure makes a guy feel good.
Wish you could all join me for rides like this.
Tony
Sorry no pictures this time, forgot the camera at home.
We left onFriday afternoon, short trip (300 Miles) took U.S. Hwy 60 to Wabasha MN, drove down the Mississippi River for about50 miles to La Crosse Wisconsin then took U.S. Hwy 61 south to U.S. Hwy 14 east to Wisconsin Hwy 130 south to Dodgeville Wi.
These are some beautiful roads, rolling hills, small family owned farms and no straight aways longer than about 2 miles (have to even out the tire wear you know). My friend with the Harley Ultra Classic and his wife followed us. Good thing because they saw my sunglasses drop off the top of the trunk and when my wife opened the right side trunk cubby they saw the lid go flying off.
Back to the roads, U.S. 60 in Minnesota was written upa the Cycle World article last year. There is a 28 mile stretch (Recently repaved) that winds through the hills and along tributaries to the Mighty Mississippi. Over and around undulating through the hills and down the cliffs that the Mississippi have carved for eons. Everything is so green, I'm sure we could give Ireland a run for the money on the Emerald portion of the Emerald Isle. A must ride road if ever in Minnesota.
Crossing into southwestern Wisconsin is like going back in time, small farms dot the landscape, with interspersed small towns, just far enough apart to be a joy to slowly ride through, never so far apart that you have to be concerened about not finding gas or a bathroom. This portion of Wisconsin also was fortunate in that the last glacier age didn't scrape it flat, like most of Minnesota. Hwy's 61 and 14 roll on like a ribbon laid over the hills along ridgetops and through the valleys ever uncoiling in front you as you ride along. Hwy 130 just east of Spring Green was an unexpected joy, our route had us scheduled to go to Hwy 23, but a stop for gas (178 miles / 4.2 gallons = 42+ MPG) and a quick check of the map showed a shortcut, about 12 mile of constantly changing altitude and nice 20 MPH switchbacks, a couple of river crossings (Wisconsin River)thrown in as well. Old steel trellis bridges with paved roadways.
Saturday morning dawned cloudy and grey, we planned a side trip to a local winery, good plan, drove through a little light drizzle, not enough to put on the rain gear. arrived just after they opened, pleasent staff and good wine. Sat on the patio and enjoyed a bottle of their "Field 13 Reserve" a fruity dry red, with a block of 5 year old sharp cheddar and a chunk of baby swiss. Doesn't get much better than that, enjoying wine and cheese with some good friends while motorcycling around the countryside. Well then we made our wine purchase, do you know that a case of wine will fit in a Harley Ultra Classic Tour Pak in the box, but not in the Gold Wing.
We slowly made our way back in the rain, exploring some of the county roads along the way, more beautifull countryside dotted by family farms in the rolling hills. Seemes these folks know driving is an enjoyable experience as none of the roads are straight. The sun peaked out of the clouds just before we crossed the river into Minnesota and warmed us up. We stopped in a small town in WI and removed our rain gear, purchased a drink and a snack at a gas station then headed for a dinner date in Rochester MN. When we got to Winona, we took U.S. 14 to Rochester. The first 8 miles or so wind up through the bluffs along the Mississippi, before spilling out onto the glacial plains that make up most of Minnesotas landscape.
All I can say is "I wish I had my camera" my words alone cannot describe the beauty and joy of the area we rode through. Maybe it was getting away for a couple of days, maybe it was the company of my wife and good friends, maybe it was being on the bike for a couple of days, but whatever it sure makes a guy feel good.
Wish you could all join me for rides like this.
Tony
