Minnesota Bluff Country river ride

Travelling, Friends, and Trips

Minnesota Bluff Country river ride

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dccoleman 07-14-2008, 5:08 PM
Given the turnout and success of Randall's Grand Rounds tour I would like to know if anybody would like to join me in something a little more ambitious.  Down in my neck of the woods the Bluff Country Scenic Byway has some of the prettiest twisties in the state.  I say we meet at my house in Rochester and head to Lanesboro on the Root River for homemade bratwurst and rootbeer at Das Wursthaus for lunch. A brief stop in Whalan for your choice of pie at the Whalan Inn fuels us up for the rest of the ride along the Root to Houston or even as far as La Crescent on the mighty Mississippi. We'll hop the Great River road up to Nelson, Wisconsin before those who need to break off for home can do so.

From Minneapolis it is about 300 miles round trip. If that's too much, you're welcome to crash at my house (not literally).

Anybody interested? Suggestions appreciated.

David in Rochester

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1979 CX500 Deluxe

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WayneDW 07-14-2008, 5:19 PM
Been there, done that... want to do it again!

Great idea David. Start throwing out some date possibilities.

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Wayne
1983 GL650 Silverwing Interstate

WWW.fossilapostles.com

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dccoleman 07-14-2008, 5:52 PM
ok, that's a good place to start. August 2nd gives us almost three weeks. Hopefully that's enough time for everyone to ask off work. If that doesn't work for most the following Saturday is also an option.

I propose to meet in Roch at 11:00 and leave for Lanesboro after a short break. Folks can RSVP here or by email at Dccoleman at hotmail d0t com.

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1979 CX500 Deluxe

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Randall-in-Mpls 07-15-2008, 5:08 AM
David,

I'll give a tentative Yes, but I need to look closely at the schedule and consult with my wife.

R

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'78 CX500 - The Black Maggot

CX500 Factory Service Manual
1978 CX500 Parts Manual

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Graywolfs02 07-15-2008, 9:50 AM
Hi Dave,

I too will give you a tentative yes and will firm up after I speak with my event scheduling secretary  .

Greg

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1978 CX 500
Minnesota

Ride Safe, Ride Fast, Ride Far

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Bird 07-15-2008, 9:12 PM
I might be up for this as well. Have to see what is going on that weekend. Do you have a proposed route actually mapped out by chance? I know you typed the general route out, but not sure how that translates to roads on a map.

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"When I die, I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming and yelling like the passangers in his car." -Author Unknown

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WHODAT? 07-16-2008, 7:17 PM
I'm in. Aug 2 is good for me.
Note: I might want something a bit stronger than rootbeer. Do they have the old barleypop at dis Das Wursthaus?

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1981 GL500I Original owner.

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dtimm612 07-17-2008, 10:21 AM
I'm up for it, But am also planning a SD Badlands area trip around same time.  Put me down as a maybe

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81 Silverwing GL500
84 Magna VF1100C (V65)

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dccoleman 07-17-2008, 10:30 AM
Great. I hope you guys can make it. Here's a map of the route I propose . I'll be coming back through Wabasha and Zumbro Falls because I love the twisty road. If you can stick with it this is one of the better roads in the area, but it is a little out of the way for those who live in the Cities and parts North. Nelson, Wisconsin is a good jumping off place for those not wanting to backtrack.

Here's the Map If one of you can embed it in the post, all  the better.


David in Rochester

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***********************
1979 CX500 Deluxe

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dccoleman 07-17-2008, 10:39 AM
"WHODAT?" said: "I'm in. Aug 2 is good for me. Note: I might want something a bit stronger than rootbeer. Do they have the old barleypop at dis Das Wursthaus?"



I don't know if they have anything stronger than root beer. On the other hand the owners, Arv and his wife, will play beer barrel polka on the piano, tuba and accordion if we ask them.

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1979 CX500 Deluxe

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Randall-in-Mpls 07-17-2008, 10:52 AM

dccoleman wrote:

Arv and his wife, will play beer barrel polka on the piano, tuba and accordion if we ask them.

If the two of them can play those three instruments at the same time, it's worth the trip just to see that.

R

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'78 CX500 - The Black Maggot

CX500 Factory Service Manual
1978 CX500 Parts Manual

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Randall-in-Mpls 07-17-2008, 11:38 AM
Here's Dave's route, mapped from my house in Minneapolis, and assuming I'd ride with him to Zumbrota, and take 52 back home.  Almost 8 hours total riding.  That'll be a long day, but I'm looking forward to it.

If we go through Onalaska, I'd like to stop to see a building I drew last year.

R

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'78 CX500 - The Black Maggot

CX500 Factory Service Manual
1978 CX500 Parts Manual

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Randall-in-Mpls 07-17-2008, 11:43 AM

dccoleman wrote:

If one of you can embed it in the post, all  the better.

I've tried, but I haven't been able to embed the GoogleMaps frame in a post, and I don't think it can be referenced as a static image.  If it can be done, it's beyond my meager abilities.

R

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'78 CX500 - The Black Maggot

CX500 Factory Service Manual
1978 CX500 Parts Manual

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wridley 07-17-2008, 12:16 PM
Here is a screenshot of the map.

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Willy
1982 CX500C
1980 CX500D
1981 GL500I (wife)

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dccoleman 07-17-2008, 12:21 PM

Randall-in-Mpls wrote:

dccoleman wrote: Arv and his wife, will play beer barrel polka on the piano, tuba and accordion if we ask them. If the two of them can play those three instruments at the same time, it's worth the trip just to see that. R

I didn't say they play them at the same time, did I?

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1979 CX500 Deluxe

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dccoleman 07-17-2008, 12:29 PM

Randall-in-Mpls wrote:

Here's Dave's route, mapped from my house in Minneapolis, and assuming I'd ride with him to Zumbrota, and take 52 back home.  Almost 8 hours total riding.  That'll be a long day, but I'm looking forward to it. If we go through Onalaska, I'd like to stop to see a building I drew last year. R

That's pretty long. Here's another option if folks want to shorten it a little. It is about an hour shorter but it bypasses Onalaska. What's your opinion???

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1979 CX500 Deluxe

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Randall-in-Mpls 07-17-2008, 1:20 PM
I don't mind the longer ride.  It will be a good test of myself and the bike.

R

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'78 CX500 - The Black Maggot

CX500 Factory Service Manual
1978 CX500 Parts Manual

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Graywolfs02 07-17-2008, 1:20 PM
Are we basing the ride time with rest stopping every 75 miles (gas @ start, 75 mi rest, 75 mi gas, 75 mi rest, etc)?

I rode out to Appleton WI where R80DAve lives doing the 75 mi rest/gas and I found that didn't tire me out as much as a straight ride might have.

Greg

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1978 CX 500
Minnesota

Ride Safe, Ride Fast, Ride Far

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Randall-in-Mpls 07-17-2008, 1:24 PM
My time estimates are direct from Google Maps, so rest stop time would need to be added.  I figure, if I leave home at 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning, it will be at least 9PM before I get home again.

We definitely need to schedule in breaks.  Does anyone know the area who can recommend some good spots to stop?

R

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'78 CX500 - The Black Maggot

CX500 Factory Service Manual
1978 CX500 Parts Manual

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dccoleman 07-17-2008, 3:10 PM
Good places to stop are:
10:30 am my house in Roch (gas stop) leave at 11:15;
12:21 Lanesboro for lunch(66 minutes from Roch) leave at 1:30;
1:47 Whalen for pie (17 minues from Lanesboro and optional) leave 2:45;
3:15 Rushford for gas(25 minutes from Whalen--61 gas miles from Roch, but nothing next until Winona) leave 3:40;
4:51 Alma Wisconsin (71 minutes rest stop) leave 5:10;
6:15 Mazeppa MN for gas (65 minutes from Alma, 90 miles from Rushford gas stop) Leave for home at 6:40pm via US 52

If we take the longer route it adds an hour.

What does everybody think? Doable?

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***********************
1979 CX500 Deluxe

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Graywolfs02 07-17-2008, 7:29 PM
Either way works for me.

I'm putting in for that day off as of tomorrow.....

Greg

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1978 CX 500
Minnesota

Ride Safe, Ride Fast, Ride Far

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Anonymous 07-18-2008, 2:30 AM
Whoever posted this map on the HTTA page, it will not enlarge to a point where it can be understood.

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dccoleman 07-18-2008, 11:08 AM
That was me, so I posted it in a separate site and linked to it above. If you can't see it in this thread, let me know.
David

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1979 CX500 Deluxe

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drneo 07-19-2008, 2:09 PM
It's on the tentative block. I would be surely up for it! I'll know more in the next couple of days... :)

~Thom

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1982 GL500I - "Couchy" 52,000 miles down... 48,000 to go.

www.trainwiththom.com

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Anonymous 07-28-2008, 10:32 AM
I would like to make this ride as I know several of those roads very well and they are really curvy , fun roads. As of right now though, my schedule won't allow it. I will try to change my schedule though.

One word of caution, be careful at the end of the day riding Winona to Zumbro Falls. It is a tough road when alert and ready for it. At the end of the day it can almost be too much for the average rider. I don't recommend any barley pop and riding these roads though.

Have fun, be safe and keep it on two wheels.

David from Wisconsin
R80Dave

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Graywolfs02 07-28-2008, 1:21 PM
Hi David (R80Dave),

Welcome back....hope your vacation went well.

Greg

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1978 CX 500
Minnesota

Ride Safe, Ride Fast, Ride Far

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Graywolfs02 07-28-2008, 1:23 PM
Hi David,

I WILL be joining the ride this Saturday.

I will be coming down with Randall and Charlie.

Greg

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1978 CX 500
Minnesota

Ride Safe, Ride Fast, Ride Far

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Randall-in-Mpls 07-28-2008, 1:30 PM
Anyone else in the TC want to join the caravan?

R

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'78 CX500 - The Black Maggot

CX500 Factory Service Manual
1978 CX500 Parts Manual

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WHODAT? 07-28-2008, 6:52 PM
David, I'm going to need your address or I'll be wandering around Rochester all day long.

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1981 GL500I Original owner.

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wingsandteeth 07-29-2008, 1:47 PM
Dang, I really wish i had came across this post earlier, work is going to be taking up my entire saturday otherwise i would have gladly gone. have fun boys.

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'80 CX500c: my one, my only "skunk"

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dccoleman 07-29-2008, 2:39 PM
We're still on for this Saturday. Meet at my house at 10:30. Here's a map, and here's my address:

David Coleman
6238 Fairway Dr. NW
Rochester, Minnesota

The weather forecast for Saturday is sunny, with a 91 degrees for the high, but it might be a little cooler along the river.  I know a lot of you will be riding down and back from the Cities, so I'm not sure how everyone feels about dinner. I'd be happy to have something for us, but it would mean riding back home after dark. I'm willing to leave it open for now and see how many feel like staying a little later on Saturday for dinner. 


David

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1979 CX500 Deluxe

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dccoleman 07-29-2008, 2:42 PM

wingsandteeth wrote:

Dang, I really wish i had came across this post earlier, work is going to be taking up my entire saturday otherwise i would have gladly gone. have fun boys.

Call in sick

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1979 CX500 Deluxe

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dccoleman 07-31-2008, 7:56 PM
The run is almost here. I'm doing some last-minute things. Anybody going to stay for dinner? The menu is beef kabobs on the grill with corn on the cob, summer salads and watermelon. Hardest thing to drink is lemonade. I enjoy a beer now and then too, but riding and drinking don't mix.

Anyway, those who read this message please respond to let the Mrs. know if you're staying to dinner.

Saturday is the day!

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***********************
1979 CX500 Deluxe

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dccoleman 07-31-2008, 8:15 PM

Anonymous wrote:

I would like to make this ride as I know several of those roads very well and they are really curvy , fun roads. As of right now though, my schedule won't allow it. I will try to change my schedule though..... David from Wisconsin R80Dave

David,
I know you just got back from a trip, but I'd really like to meet you. I know a lot of other guys here have benefited from your experience and willingness to share. If you need a place to stay the night you're welcome here any time.

Hope you can make it.
David

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1979 CX500 Deluxe

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Anonymous 07-31-2008, 9:35 PM
David,

Thank you so much for the generous offer. Unfortunately, I cannot reschedule my commitments for this weekend.

My brother and I are planning a ride later in August. WE haven't decided if we are going to the IRA races (like World of Outlaws) August 22nd in Menomonie, WI. and Rice Lake on the 23rd or the Areostitch Rally in Dulth the same weekend that includes the trials competiton that same weekend.

Is anyone here going to attend either of these events or interested in attending these events??? Maybe we could meet up???

David from Wisconsin
R80Dave

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Graywolfs02 08-01-2008, 5:30 AM

Anonymous wrote:

David, Thank you so much for the generous offer. Unfortunately, I cannot reschedule my commitments for this weekend. My brother and I are planning a ride later in August. WE haven't decided if we are going to the IRA races (like World of Outlaws) August 22nd in Menomonie, WI. and Rice Lake on the 23rd or the Areostitch Rally in Dulth the same weekend that includes the trials competiton that same weekend. Is anyone here going to attend either of these events or interested in attending these events??? Maybe we could meet up??? David from Wisconsin R80Dave

Sorry you can't join us........If we stop for pie along the way, I'll dedicate my piece to you !

Greg

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1978 CX 500
Minnesota

Ride Safe, Ride Fast, Ride Far

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Gunsmith 08-01-2008, 5:51 AM
Hi David,

Someone from this group sent me an email invite me to go on this trip. I think it was you but can't remember. Anyway, whoever it was thanks for invite, it sure sounds like a lot of fun. I am, unfortunately, not going to be able to make it, too many irons in the fire if you know what I mean. Another reason is that I haven't quite got the fairing back on the bike yet and I am definately not in good enough shape make a trip that long with out it. So, ya'll have a great trip and hopefully someone can post some pics after its over.

Best regards

Terry O.

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Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm - Winston Churchill

1981 GL500 SilverWing

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dccoleman 08-01-2008, 6:44 AM
Terry,
We'll miss you, but keep you in mind for the next one. I'll post pics from the ride next week so you'll see what you missed.

Thanks for letting me know.
David

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1979 CX500 Deluxe