Tinboatcapt
05-10-2004, 09:54 AM
We chose the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, IA as an excuse for the first trip since acquiring the '86 K100RT last fall. I had suggested taking a trip to my reluctant spouse, Barb, and to our eager friends, Jahk and Marica. They supplied the necessary peer pressure to get Barb to go along. Barb and I had put many happy miles on three motorcycles before starting a family. But we sold the last bike in 1986 and hadn't ridden since. She thought she had paid her dues and no longer needed to do this touring stuff. After all, isn't that what airplanes are for?
The planning was conducted via e-mail and finally Saturday morning arrived, 47 F and so humid it was condensing on the windshield. Barb and I left Lakeville before 8AM and met Jahk and Marcia on their 2002 "Wing" in Elko, MN a few miles down the county road. We had chosen to ride US 218 to Cedar Rapids, IA, but needed to take the slab (I-35) a short distance to Owatonna, MN. The wet cold weather lasted the first two hours, but was warming by the time we reached Austin, MN.
Uncertain of what to expect for fuel consumption two up, I topped off the tank early to check the mileage. We took this opportunity to shed some layers and rain gear. The ride down US 218 was at first two lane, straight and flat; typical western Iowa countryside, with a long stretch that seemed like each county was competing to see how many different road surface they could get into each mile. Then US 218 became four lane highway from just north of Waterloo, IA to the junction with US 151/US 30. That's where we turned East toward Cedar Rapids and Anamosa. The wind had been bouncing us around while southbound, but was pretty uncomfortable once we turned Eastward. It was gusting up to 25mph according to the weather reports.
At last we achieved our final destination: the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, IA. It had been, as far as I was concerned only an excuse to ride somewhere, But, I was impressed with the collection. There were many pre-WW I bikes in both restored and un-restored condition; Hendersons, Harleys, etc.. As expected many post WW-II Harleys. There were also plenty of 50's, 60's and 70's British bikes, and a nice collection of vintage Honda's. But alas, only two Beemers: R75/5 and a pre WW-I model. Here is where I must confess: I know little or nothing about early BMW's, except that I have always envied those who went whispering by with such class while I rattled along on my Suzuki GT750J. I found the museum to be more than I expected, very entertaining, and well worth the trip.
Anamosa is a town straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Along main street, families were taking up places on the sidewalks, clearly expecting a parade. The parade, it turned out, was for the returning men of the 234th Signal Battalion that had just returned from Iraq. The town welcomed home the soldiers with the High school band, the fire department, and a few pick up trucks to carry the troops and their families in the parade. A fine "welcome home" it was!
We had made reservations in Cedar Rapids so, back down US 151 to the center of town for a fantastic dinner, and a great night at the Coopers' Mill Inn Best Western. Sunday morning broke with sunshine, perfect temperatures, and calm winds. In spite of that we had a leisurely breakfast and got on the road a little after 10 am.
We chose IA 13 to US 52 as a return route. North East Iowa holds a secret. It is rolling hills and sweeping curves and they took us through sweet small towns on good two lane roads. Combine that with perfect weather for riding, and I think I've won over the missus to riding again. US 52 is everything IA 13 is but the smooth was gone. It is one of the old concrete US routes that has had it's share of patches. We stayed on it until we reached Rochester, MN where it turns into a major "slab" between there and Minneapolis. However we were now in our own "back yard" and knew of some alternate routes. We took MN 14 west to MN 56 turned, north to Co. 50 then west home to Lakeville. And, Just in time! Within an hour severe thunderstorms were rolling over Southern Minnesota.
There it is. Three hundred forty five miles the first day, and six hundred and fifty two for the weekend. And I have rekindled my blushing brides enthusiasm for touring. Not a bad weekend, Eh? Oh, and I'm sorry there's no pictures...I couldn't bring myself to get off the bike!
The planning was conducted via e-mail and finally Saturday morning arrived, 47 F and so humid it was condensing on the windshield. Barb and I left Lakeville before 8AM and met Jahk and Marcia on their 2002 "Wing" in Elko, MN a few miles down the county road. We had chosen to ride US 218 to Cedar Rapids, IA, but needed to take the slab (I-35) a short distance to Owatonna, MN. The wet cold weather lasted the first two hours, but was warming by the time we reached Austin, MN.
Uncertain of what to expect for fuel consumption two up, I topped off the tank early to check the mileage. We took this opportunity to shed some layers and rain gear. The ride down US 218 was at first two lane, straight and flat; typical western Iowa countryside, with a long stretch that seemed like each county was competing to see how many different road surface they could get into each mile. Then US 218 became four lane highway from just north of Waterloo, IA to the junction with US 151/US 30. That's where we turned East toward Cedar Rapids and Anamosa. The wind had been bouncing us around while southbound, but was pretty uncomfortable once we turned Eastward. It was gusting up to 25mph according to the weather reports.
At last we achieved our final destination: the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, IA. It had been, as far as I was concerned only an excuse to ride somewhere, But, I was impressed with the collection. There were many pre-WW I bikes in both restored and un-restored condition; Hendersons, Harleys, etc.. As expected many post WW-II Harleys. There were also plenty of 50's, 60's and 70's British bikes, and a nice collection of vintage Honda's. But alas, only two Beemers: R75/5 and a pre WW-I model. Here is where I must confess: I know little or nothing about early BMW's, except that I have always envied those who went whispering by with such class while I rattled along on my Suzuki GT750J. I found the museum to be more than I expected, very entertaining, and well worth the trip.
Anamosa is a town straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Along main street, families were taking up places on the sidewalks, clearly expecting a parade. The parade, it turned out, was for the returning men of the 234th Signal Battalion that had just returned from Iraq. The town welcomed home the soldiers with the High school band, the fire department, and a few pick up trucks to carry the troops and their families in the parade. A fine "welcome home" it was!
We had made reservations in Cedar Rapids so, back down US 151 to the center of town for a fantastic dinner, and a great night at the Coopers' Mill Inn Best Western. Sunday morning broke with sunshine, perfect temperatures, and calm winds. In spite of that we had a leisurely breakfast and got on the road a little after 10 am.
We chose IA 13 to US 52 as a return route. North East Iowa holds a secret. It is rolling hills and sweeping curves and they took us through sweet small towns on good two lane roads. Combine that with perfect weather for riding, and I think I've won over the missus to riding again. US 52 is everything IA 13 is but the smooth was gone. It is one of the old concrete US routes that has had it's share of patches. We stayed on it until we reached Rochester, MN where it turns into a major "slab" between there and Minneapolis. However we were now in our own "back yard" and knew of some alternate routes. We took MN 14 west to MN 56 turned, north to Co. 50 then west home to Lakeville. And, Just in time! Within an hour severe thunderstorms were rolling over Southern Minnesota.
There it is. Three hundred forty five miles the first day, and six hundred and fifty two for the weekend. And I have rekindled my blushing brides enthusiasm for touring. Not a bad weekend, Eh? Oh, and I'm sorry there's no pictures...I couldn't bring myself to get off the bike!