J&P Open House 2009

Friday, June 26th we headed west to Dyersville, IA for an up-close and personal view of the one and only baseball diamond built in the middle of a corn field! Yeah, you got it, Field of Dreams! Before we made it to Dyersville a secret stop at Botham Winery had been planned. Home of the Badger Blush and Big Stuff Too, this little winery in the hills of southwestern Wisconsin near Barneveld is a must see. After a few samples from their many popular wines, we knew what we wanted; Badger Blush was my favorite, Cathy's was Big Stuff Too.

After lunch at Culver's in Platteville, it was on to Kevin Costner's white Farm House in Dyersville to the Movie Set of Field of Dreams. After a few miles on a gravel road we neared the baseball field the was built so they would play, or so to speak. We got many pictures and even sat on the wooden bleachers where Costner himself sat wondering, "Why should I build a baseball field in the middle of the field?" We all talked about getting together for another "Dive-In-Movie" just so we could again relive the past by watching this movie. If you have seen the movie, then take a drive to see the field!

A short drive from Field of Dreams and we found ourselves at the Comfort Inn off of STH 20 and HWY 136 in Dyersville. Dinner Friday evening was at the Country Junction (walking distance from Super 8 and Comfort Inn). On the menu was a full list of specialty Martini's! Just ask Chris how she liked her Chocolate one after dinner! The bar area is in a silo shaped area of the restaurant. The food was good and the prices reasonable. The pies, well they were fantastic! A must stop for dinner if you find yourself in the area!

On Saturday we arrived at J&P Cycles around 9:15. There were a few hundred bikes that beat us, since they started greeting riders at 8:00. This year marked their 30th anniversary, and not to be out done by previous years, John and the crew again brought back Michele Smith, Cory Ness, Rick Fairless, Jason Britton, Monster and a few stunt teams. The weather couldn't have been any nicer. It was warm, well very warm! God blessed us with a breeze that helped keep the heat in check. The girls again walked around filling up their cards for a chance to win a raffle prize. As of Sunday evening we still haven't received a call saying we won anything. But then again, riding with friends, staying over night, socializing and getting back home safely......I'd say we won many times over! The celebrities all signed autographs on anything from hats, shirts, self-portraits to even a pedal motorcycle! This year many of my pictures were of other Road Glides. You can see these and many other photos at Shutterfly, make sure you type in the password chrome.

After we left J&P Cycles we headed for ice cream at the Dairy Barn in Anamosa, home of the National Motorcycle Museum. We found a family run ice cream parlor and blew our diets by ordering turtle sundaes! After a shorter ride home, thanks to Warren (cut off about 9 miles by taking X47 north to Hwy 20, we all found ourselves in the pool at the hotel, well except for Zman who needed a nap! After relaxing we all met at the local Pizza Hut, two blocks away. Many of us ordered the Pazzon meat lovers. Prior to this I had two trips to the salad bar! I love pizza and the more the better, except for the Pazzon. If you are hungry, I mean really hungry, skip the salad bar, go right to the Pazzon! This was one of the best pizzas I've ever had! I was stuffed, like the Pazzon!

Sunday after breakfast we headed to Dubuque Harley-Davidson. Vigil (owner of Sauk Cuty HD purchased both Wilwert's dealerships, one in Dubuque the other in Galena, IL). They had their Open House on Saturday. The last group picture of this ride was taken in the parking lot of Dubuque HD. Their dealer shirts were really awesome, however if I purchased another HD t-shirt, then I think I could move the tour-pak to the solo position if you know what I mean!

Gas mileage on the Glide was awesome. Friday & Saturday we got 48 mpg with Cathy and all the bags full! In the wind of Sunday, the mileage went down to 44. The wind though was probably some of the strongest I've had the pleasure of riding in for some time. Enjoy the photos and links to other sites. Thanks again to Marc & Chris, Dan & Beth, Pat & Kim (new owners of HD), Chad & Rhonnie, Jason (gotta get the wife on the next ride!) and Chuck & Sandy, for the memorable weekend! Stay safe and remember to Ride Your "A" Ride at all times! Head & Eyes up always!

Harley's Forgotten RG Stripe Now Found!

Harley-Davidson for whatever reason, some say to save money while others think it was a mishap not known until after production was in full swing! Whatever the reason the Motor Company never added a stripe on the side covers for the 2007 & 2008 Road Glide model years. In 2009 an attempt was made to add a plain stripe that I feel has no artistic value what-so-ever, but none-the-less a stripe was added!

After researching where I could purchase such an artistic stripe to compliment the Vivid Black paint, bright red and burgundy stripe of the 2008 Road Glide, I located a company named Hell's Foundry. This company sells a "Winding Road" Glide stripe for $49.95 that not only compliments the blank canvas of the dull looking side cover, but connects the strip from the gas tank to the one located on the saddle bags.

Installation was tricky and I ended up with a few creases, but you'll need to look closely to find them. I probably saved $50 or so by not paying someone to install. Thanks to my wife for ordering these stripes for our 27th Anniversary!

Remember to continue to "Ride Your A Game" by bringing a positive ATTITUDE, riding within your own ABILITY not others, being AWARE of ever changing road, weather and traffic conditions and be ALERT by keeping a mind free of drugs, alcohol and clutter.
Ride safe!

The Hell With Waldo, Where's Willie G?

The First Rumble at Harley-Davidson's Museum off Canal Street in downtown Milwaukee took place Saturday, May 9. Breakfast with Bill Davidson for all Museum members was held prior to the Bike Blessing at the intersection on HD Museum property.

Three couples from Watertown braved the forecast of 50 degrees, winds around 15-20 mph and threatening rain. Just east of Pewaukee, CDogg needed gas and motioned to me in panic. Not really, remember the saying full tank, empty bladder? His wife even asked him if he had enough fuel! Good thing he thought he did because after fueling, the big v-twin would not kick over. A call was made to Wisconsin Harley-Davidson who later made the trip to STH 164 and I-94 to pick the bike up at the Kwik Trip station.

The remaining two couples later continued the trip to the museum. We made it just in time to partake in the Bike Blessing and then later on we received individual blessings. Harley knows how to throw a celebration! After Zman and his wife became members of the HD Museum and we got our key chain and HD Road Pack we got photos with the bike that was in the movie starring Harrison Ford, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"(2008).

As we were walking around I saw what appeared to me as Willie G and his wife! I knew Bill Davidson was going to be present and had hoped Willie would be there as well. As luck would have it, he was! This was my first face-to-face meeting with Willie G and his wife. He was very personable and we had photos taken with him and he signed whatever we were wearing, at the time it was raingear!

Later we witnessed two V-Rod dragsters battle it out in the parking lot! Really, they burned rubber and went screaming (like Danny Gokey's last note on American Idol during Rock & Roll week) for about 150-200 feet. Black rubber and all. I later met up with Bill Davidson and asked him how difficult it would be to clean the red dyed cement where the top fuel bikes raced. His reply, "Clean it! Hell we had them sign it!"

Many more photos can be seen on Shutterfly. Simply click on Willie and it links you to another site. Be sure to type in the password "chrome" when you get there.