I fired up the Flying Breadpan on Friday to go to work, only to have it drop two cyls. Bad sign. Spent the rest of the day replacing ignition modules to get it up to snuff again. Brought along a LOT of tools and spare parts, just in case. Headed out Saturday morning into a STRONG wind that I fought all the way to Monroe WI 560 miles from here. The rig was NOT handling right at all, but I had a bunch of stuff to haul down for the event and couldn't swap bikes.
First photo is in Frankville Iowa, small town I found while "running the hyponenuse". YOu DO ride the hypontenuse, don't you?
Thats the Flying Breadpan on the Cassville ferry, crossing the Mississippi. MAN did it ever rain!! Pounding rain, soaked my hands to the bone.
Once into WI, I went through Dickeyville and stopped to look at the Grotto. Religion makes folks do really odd things Like these Grotto's that dot the countryside. Concrete and a LOT of ground clutter. Broken plates, shards of pottery, all set into concrete and stone.
Made it to Monroe, EXHAUSTED and spent the next few hours saying howdy to the other riders as they came in. Lots of familiar faces, and a few new folks to Rally competitions.
The Breadpan though was in NO shape to compete, the rear tire was looking scary. Decided to not ride Sunday, but Bill offered up his R100 BMW, so I climbed aboard that and had at it. Bonus list was handed out Saturday night, but I was too exhausted from fighting the Breadpan and could not keep my eyes open to put together a decent route. Settled on a nice 450 mile loop for the day and was in bed by 10:30. Sunday AM hit a cheeese factory first thing, found the Bakers there.
Made a nice big loop up to Wilton WI nabbing bonus's's's along the way. Here is a shot from Gina's Pies are Square in Wilton. You need to go there. My favorite resteraunt in the state. Had a chicken salad sandwich, did not have pie.
Headed south and West, Wilton being the half way point for my day. I'd talk more in depth about the roads, but in short, you need to ride those roads. Absolutely amazing.
I stopped at a LOT of Veterans Memorials, taking in the thousands of names, none repeated, in each town. This one had a giant granite "Earth" that rotated on a water fountain. Very nice. Memorial Day, please take extra time to stop and appreciate their sacrifice.
Back down to Balltown Iowa where I nabbed a slice of Pie to go, helmet fell off the bike and broke the visor. Rode the ferry again and ate pie on the way across to Cassville. Back through Dickeyville where I came across this guy on his Suzuki Intruder with a Velorex 700 on it, and a doggy inside.
Grabbed a few metal sculpture bonus's's's before heading back to Monroe. My score was low, just over 11,000 points if memory serves. Not even a contender, but it was a GREAT ride, amazing roads, and a wonderfull bike. I have no regrets.
Monday Morning Grunt offered to ride with me back across Wiscconsin and Iowa to make sure my tire held out on the Flying Breadpan.
Crossing the MIssissippi
Made it home by keeping my speed down, and staying in one lane. Bad mojo. Need to change the front lower mount. Have a few redesign ideas to think about.
Wore through the tread, through the cords, and have only the rubber UNDER the cords holding air in. ACK!!! scary stuff.
Seeya at the Bonzai next year!!
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This message has been edited by MilkmanDan from IP address 24.111.242.114 on Jun 6, 2006 4:26 PM
Posted on Jun 1, 2006, 3:32 AM from IP address 24.111.242.114
Here is a shot from Gina's Pies are Square in Wilton. You need to go there. My favorite resteraunt in the state. Had a chicken salad sandwich, did not have pie.
