Poopy's Lunch Ride

With a full-time job just around the corner, this might be the last "free" Monday I have in a long time, so what else other than ride should I do?  I planned a ride to Poopy's in Savanna, Illinois for lunch.  This route I had planned would cover close to 400 miles roundtrip.

My route would have me ride a small stretch of The Beltline Highway 12/18 westbound to Highway 14 (Park Street) south towards Oregon.  South of Oregon Highway 14 changes from a divided highway to a 2-lane roadway.  On this 2-lane roadway I saw several flags showcasing American Heroes.  As I walked along this fence line, I thought back to the many friends in my life who have sacrificed a "normal" life so that others can feel more at peace.  Whether these Heroes were in the Military, Law Enforcement or a Fire Fighter, they have done their assignments unselfishly, knowing their life was on the line everyday.  

  

Continuing on Highway 14 south I decided last minute to turn west onto Highway 92 and take it into the Village of Brooklyn, then Highway 104 south to Highway 59 west.  I rode into the Village of Albany, crossing over  the Sugar River.  I stopped to take a photo of the Damn along with S&B Tubing Company (Floatin' through Life).  We might need to try this River out next summer since we now have kayaks!  Weird names of two cities close to each other in Wisconsin, better known for their New York locations.

Continuing westbound on Highway 59, I passed a church that began in 1856.  The Gap Church was a perfect spot for yet another photo.  If someone knows what Hymn Sing means please let me know.  I'm assuming it means the congregation gets together and sings hymns?

After a few photos I continued west on Highway 59 until I reached Highway 11, there I rode west towards Monroe.  Instead of riding through downtown Monroe I decided to take the Highway 11 and bypass business 11.    

Just east of Browntown on Highway 11, I saw a sign that read "Hawks Mill Winery".  I decided being so close to a Winery and not buying a few bottles for my absent passenger would be a big, very big mistake.  I rode south on Allen Road and found Hawks Mill Winery.  The parking lot was gravel so I took extra caution as to not make a bad impression of my years of riding experience.  As I got off the motorcycle I read a sign saying, "Wine Tasting 11:00AM" and it was only 10:00AM!!     

In the wine processing building a man, later found out to be the owner came out to greet me.  I asked if there was anyway I could purchase a bottle of wine even though the store was closed.  He graciously opened up and spend some time explaining the many different fruit wines.  Hawks Mill Winery has only been in business for about a year.  The Winery covers 18 acres and uses their home grown grapes as well as others to ferment fruit into wine.  The store is located high above the valley where they grow their grapes and from out on the deck overlooking the grapes below, you can see for miles.  Wisconsin has many wineries, each with a unique story to tell.  The store itself was once a house, later sold to the winery and in 2015 after being remodeled was opened to the public as a store and tasting room!  

Inside the store, or "tasting room" you will find several types of fruit wines.  Some are sweet, other semi-sweet and a few dry.  The store was spotless!  During regular hours they serve food.  What an awesome stop that I could have easily passed had I taken a different route or had been in a pack of other riders and on a time schedule.  This lone-wolf-ride might turn out to be the perfect ride!  The owner took a case box and custom made it to hold 3 bottles securely so I could ride without the worry of broken bottles.

Back on my route westbound on Highway 11 I came into Shullsburg.  Shullsburg is known for their cheese processing.  In fact, October 1st is their Cheesefest Celebration!  A Danish immigrant in an Irish town started making cheese in 1938 and by 1940 the Government heard about Tony's cheese that it became a household word from Shullsburg to Berlin!  Shullsburg known for the lead mining that once was a way of life has seen its' own disasters when 8 men died in the mine.  This Lead Mine Cave disaster occurred February 1943.

I finally reached Dubuque and the Mississippi River!  After a short ride west on Highway 61 I turned left to ride south on Highway 52.  I met up with four other riders, all on Harley's, they also had plans for lunch at Poopy's in Savanna, Illinois.  As my low fuel light started to glow, I knew I had at least 35 miles until empty.  Not knowing the area very well along with male pride, I refused to use my onboard GPS!  As soon as I saw a Casey's Station I stopped.  Good choice because there were other photo opps nearby!  Checking-in on Facebook, I found out I was at Lock and Damn No. 12 in Bellevue, Iowa (A True Riverfront Experience).  

I haven't ridden these roads in what seemed like forever and yet as I traveled on, I recall the sites as if it were yesterday.  This to me was amazing since I rarely remember what I did yesterday!  I knew I was in for another awesome grated metal bridge on Highway 52 followed by a stop sign approximately fifteen feet from leaving the bridge.  Since the stop sign is so close to the end of the grated bridge, one must start braking prior to leaving the bridge.  Be prepared, know ahead of time what is coming up!  To my surprise, as I reached the bridge I saw they were constructing a new one.  The new bridge looks to be bigger (of course) and no doubt better and hopefully NO metal grating!! 

The bridge from Iowa into Illinois is short in length when comparing it to the bridge from Wisconsin west into Dubuque, Iowa. 

Being on the road since about 7:30 this morning, I was getting hungry and hoped Poopy's was near!  Continuing south on 52/84 along the Mississippi River you immediately land in Savanna, home of Poopy's!!  Since this roads were somewhat familiar, I felt I had to turn right onto Highway 84 in order to reach Poopy's.  I had reached my destination after adding about 200 miles to our 2014 Harley-Davidson Peace Officer Special Edition Limited.  Without wasting anytime in the parking lot, I damn near ran inside to get a look at the menu.  A special bar stool was waiting just for me, now how did they know!?  My goal was to be back on the road by 1:30 and it was almost 1:00!!  With another 200 miles to ride before reaching home, I thought a Poopy's Burger, would have me stopping a few times at gas stations even though I had plenty of gas to make it home (go with your first thought here!).  So I played it safe and ordered a grilled chicken breast sandwich and diet soda.  Service was very fast and I was back on the bike in no time and easily before 1:30pm!  Pope's is a place you could easily spend an afternoon.  They have a large store with many t-hirts, patches, ranger and other biker apparel.  For those who have more time, you can even have one of the tattoo artists add some special artwork!

Just shy of 400 miles, I arrived back home just after 4:30.  This gave me plenty of time to take a load to the yard waste center.  Hopefully I can talk a few couples into a Couple Fall Color Ride covering this same route.  I will need to start working on lodging and see what is available.  October can be a very busy time for everyone!  

  

New LED Rear Lighting 2014 Ultra Limited

Recently finished the rear LED Lights on our 2014 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited.  Though the Limited comes with several LED Lights from the factory, Harley-Davidson offers additional LEDs.  I have always said, more is better and when it comes to safety and being seen, well........

Last year we added the Electra Glo LED Saddlebag Run/Brake/Turn Lamps, cost $229.95.  Previously we had a set of Custom Dynamics Chrome with Red Lenses, Fillerz part #GEN-FDRS-RED-C, cost $249.95.  This LEDs fit in the area between the saddlebags and rear fender.  Shortly after they were installed, they stopped working properly.  Harley-Davidson would not warranty the part since it is an aftermarket item.  Custom Dynamics refunded our money, but NOT the cost of installation!  Had these been a Harley-Davidson part, both cost and labor to install would have been warranted!  Shortly afterwards, Custom Dynamics came out with an adaptor so these lights would not breakdown.  Our dealership saw a few come back as mine did.

After the Electra Glo LED Saddlebag lights, we added the Layback LED Tail Lamp, cost $159.95.  The light functions as a running and Brake Light.  The small LED lights mirror the pattern of the Electra Glo LED Saddlebag Lights.

Finally NEW in 2016 Harley-Davidson released Electra Glo Keystone Auxiliary LED Run/Brake/Turn Lamps, cost $299.95.  These new lights fit the area between the Saddlebags and Rear Fender as did the Custom Dynamics ones.  The difference between these and the Custom Dynamics other than these being Harley-Davidson, backed by dealerships worldwide, is that they again mimic the pattern of our Saddlebag AND Tail Lamp LEDs!  Also, the outer perimeter of the Keystone LED Lights have a running light (see 1st photo) and when the brakes, directionals or 4-way flashers are activated, then the inner LED lights are lit!  The photo to the left shows 4-Way Flashers on.  If these would have been brake lights, then the Layback LED Tail Lamp would also have been lit. 

By adding all three, our LED Rear of our 2014 Ultra Limited is now finished.  Total retail cost,  $689.85 plus installation.  Many of you may say, that this is a lot of money, and yes I agree, but what is your safety and your passengers safety worth?  Far too many motorcycles are being operated with terrible, at best rear lights!  Many custom bikes have rear lights that are the size of a quarter.  Though these tiny lights may comply with state laws pertaining to required lights, will it draw the attention to motorists who are behind them?  Again, the more the better, the safer.  Please consider adding LED lights to your motorcycle.  Be seen, be safer!

As always, Ride Safer, more Skilled and Straight!!  

Harley-Davidson Ultra Tri Glide Impressions

Thursday started off like many April mornings in Wisconsin, COLD!  Though it could have, and has been colder, so I was blessed with a sky which saw no clouds and 100% sun.  I knew this day would warm up quickly and I had some riding to do before dinner time.  I rode our 2014 Harley-Davidson Limited into work at Harley-Davidson of Madison.  As hard as it was to concentrate on work, I had a few things to get done before my first ever ride on a Tri Glide.

Before heading out on the 2016 Tri Glide, I watched a mandatory twenty minute video by Harley-Davidson on the Tri Glide.  This is a "must see" video for anyone wishing to demo or rent a Tri Glide.  What I learned from the video was location of the Parking Brake and Reverse Gear along with their uses.  As far as operation, nothing really new for me, however a Tri Glide, or any other Trike Motorcycle is SO VERY DIFFERENT than a motorcycle on 2-wheels.  Many of you are saying, "Well, dah......" Believe me, take one out and you will see how different these 2 bikes are.

First impressions of the 2016 Tri Glide, awesome!  The fit and finish says all Harley-Davidson.  I will not be getting into the specifications because going to HD Tri Glide will provide a much more in depth review than me!  I will however go over some of the awesome features I found.  As I mentioned previously the Parking Brake, don't know when HD moved it from the right side of the bike to the left, just behind the driver floor board, but this was genius!  It is so easy to operate, place the Tri Glide in Neutral and with your heal simply press down and your parking brake is set.  A small light on your dash panel will tell you it is set.  To release, simply press down again and it is off and the light on the dash goes off.  On previous models, you had to reach down on the right side of the Tri Glide and pull up on the parking brake handle.  Reverse Gear is easy to operate, first place the Tri Glide in Neutral, with the left thumb push the "R" button (same location as the horn rocker switch).  A red letter "R" will be displayed on your dash panel indicating you found the reverse gear.  Then simply hold the "R" button in and look over your shoulder, you are now going backwards!  Neutral Start, I quickly found out that in order to start this Twin Cooled V-Twin, you need to be in Neutral!  As a Riding Academy Instructor, I really like this feature and will have to check other 2016 models to see if it is the same or just unique to the Tri Glide.  Once I got the Tri Glide started, the rumble of the Screamin' Eagle slip-on mufflers were awakened and I saw all the pigeons that make their home on top of our dealership fly away!  Good thing I was wearing my helmet just in case they were upset by this noise and wanted to leave me with a present or two!  Brake System, is the same as on other Project Rushmore motorcycles from Harley-Davidson.  Not only are the brakes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) but linked as well!  With linked brakes as the video shows, works when slight pressure is applied to the rear brake pedal, some pressure is automatically applied to the front brake.  However, when front brake pressure is only used, none is applied to the rear.  The best practice is to apply both brakes at the same time and progressively apply more pressure to stop.  Keep in mind that the Tri Glide is heavier and stopping distance will be increased.  If you are accustomed to getting 40mpg on your motorcycle, you will be disappointed at the gas mileage on  Tri Glide, but I feel the other attributes out weigh this by far.  


What I liked about the Tri Glide was never having to put my feet on the ground as I came to a stop.  This was weird at first, for someone that has been riding a motorcycle for over 40 years.  Slow, parking lot maneuvers were easy to perform, you didn't have to balance the Tri Glide!  The Tri Glide turns very tight if needed.  The only other 3 wheelers I have had the pleasure of riding were a Boss Hoss Trike with a 350 cu in Corvette Motor and a Can Am Spider.  Didn't like either of these 3 Wheelers at all.  With the Boss Hoss, the driver needs a lot of upper body strength to steer around corners.  With the Tri Glide the front forks are raked out further than a Limited, so the steering is easier than what I experienced on the Boss Hoss.  The Spider was different having 2 wheels in front, though between these 3, the Spider was the least expensive.  Back to what I liked about my Tri Glide ride, all controls were matched in location with what we have on our 2014 Limited.  I didn't need to search, or look down to locate something.  In fact, after about 30 miles, I pulled over and linked my iPhone with the Blue Tooth on the Boom Audio System.  Good thing I did since my wife called me as I was riding.  Shifting, Cruise Control, Braking, Boom Audio, Twin Cooled everything identical to our Limited.  If I was to purchase a 3 wheeler, this is the only one I would consider since I am so comfortable with the location of controls.

What I didn't like about the Tri Glide is why so many fall in love with them.  A trike you don't lean, you don't counter steer.  Counter Steering is explained as pressing on the side of the handle bar in the direction you want to go.  Press right, go right.  As you press, the motorcycle leans in the direction you want to go.  When going through a curve, the tighter the curve the more you will feel yourself being pushed into the seat.  You lean with the curve and the motorcycle.  With a Trike, you steer in the direction you want to go.  For example to go right, you pull the handle bar towards you in the direction you want to go.  As you go through the curve on a Trike, keep your body upright though you will feel as though the force is pushing you opposite of the turn direction.  It is really important to practice curves at a slower speed until you get used to this feeling.  I also felt that the Tri Glide was a rougher ride than our Limited, though I never checked the air adjustable shocks, so this may have been the issue.  The only other thing was that the Tri Glide was an Ultra and not a Limited, meaning no stock heated grips or a CB radio, though both can be added. 

So where did I go on my maiden voyage of the 2016 Tri Glide?  I rode to the Merrimac Ferry and took Highway 113 over the Wisconsin River.  For those of you that have never been here, there is NO bridge, NO pavement to ride on!  It is a cable operated ferry that runs throughout the day simply taking people from one side of the Wisconsin River to the other.  From here I proceeded to Devil's Lake State Park to experience some tighter turns.  The Tri Glide performed flawlessly in these turns!  Then to Baraboo and Circus World Museum before heading home. 

If you are interested in trying a Tri Glide out, look us up at Harley-Davidson of Madison, in fact take this one out on a rental ride.  We have other rental motorcycles available such as; Heritage Softails, Street Glides, Road Glide, Limiteds and the Tri Glide.  The Tri Glide rents for $155 per day, $140 for 2-3 days, $125 of 4-6 and a week rental is $750 or $107.14 per day!!  Check us out!

Any part of this article that is highlighted, by clicking on, will take you to a link explaining more.  Overall, my Tri Glide ride was just about 200 miles.  I look forward to adding miles on our other rental Harley-Davidson's this month!  Remember to ride safe, skilled and sober!  For those wishing to learn to ride or practice their skills, we other both New Rider Course and Skilled Rider Courses at both of our dealerships! Whether you are in Madison or Sauk City, stop in say hi and grab some popcorn and tell us your stories, we'd love to hear them!