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2012 Summer Tour - Day 6

Early Friday morning I drove to Sutor Woods to pick up Jeff and Carol, pet Lilly Lu, a young 6 month old Redbone Hound who needs to summer (and winter) with me in Florida.  We are going to Wataga to get our bikes, gas them up and meet a contingent heading over from BFE.  Tim and Christopher are riding over and we are heading to Peoria to see Tim's parents, and then have the World's Second Best Pizza, bar none, Davis Bros.  



We were getting mighty thirsty by the time we got to Kickapoo, so we pulled into a place called Ludy's.  I'd been here before but had ever had a Bloody Mary here.  It was exceptional.  A little picnic chatting outside and we are off to Peoria.  The above picture is me and Christopher parking. our bikes at Ludy's.  By the way, my ride was furnished by John Sutor, Jeff's son.  It was a 1500 Harley Standard Softtail.  Lending out a bike to another guy is like lending out your girlfriend, so much thanks to john for supplying some really nice wheels for riding.  Although it was, as one might expect, a bit different from mine down here, we soon began to mesh well, learning each other's riding style.  Nice bike.  And while I think the whole Harley thing is a bit much, I certainly wouldn't ever close the door to having one.  My good friend Rick, who had a Suzuki just bought his first harley and loves everything about it.           



Awaiting our pizzas at Davis Bros.  Patti and Gary Stage are at the far center, while Carrie, Christopher, Tim, Carol and Jeff are on either side.


After pizza it was just riding.  No time schedule, no pre-planned route, they made me leader so all I did was generally point north and ride.   This sleepy town bar was in Lake Forest.  Never heard of it before, but it was a pretty nice place.  



Carol was kind enough to take some pictures of the group traveling around.  One can take pictures while riding, but it takes a bit of finesse and a simple camera to get it done.  Handing it over to a passenger just makes it simpler. Carrie has had this responsibility at times, also.


Going north on Route 93.


Traveling north about to run into Route 93.


I'm in the lead and Christopher is trying to keep up on his Kawasaki.  Actually, The Kawi is a great running bike, but it has no windscreen, like all of ours have, so as a rider, you do get knocked around a bit.  Not sure where we are at this point, but probably about to cross Rt. 93.


Me wondering if I should find Route 93.

As you can tell, the joke of the day was I simply had no idea where I was going.  Lots of people refer to roads by their numerical names, but I never learned them so you can't say to me, "Go up 41 then catch 34."  That's whale gibberish to me.  Seems I crossed 93 three times getting to Maquon.  No one seemed perturbed by it, and that's what you get when you stick me up front.  There was some nice scenery, good riding and the weather was perfect.  

Patti and Gary are always fun to be around and it was simply nice to be out riding in God's Country once again.  Lots of laughs, good conversation and did I mention the joy of riding?  

Tomorrow is Anamosa Day.  Another long ride and a new adventure.


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