This past Sunday, November 7th, was the 17th Annual Swan Ride. The ride visits Alma, WI to look at the migrating Tundra Swans that stop each year in Rieck’s Lake Park in Alma, WI, but is really just an excuse to get out and ride in the middle of November!
This year’s ride started at Fury Motorcycles in South St. Paul.
Fury provided free breakfast which delayed the start of the ride slightly.
I was impressed to see over 200 people.
The ride was organized by Bill Bassett seen here in the red coat and black hat giving us some guidelines.
He then passed out the route sheet and sent us on our way. I normally don’t like large groups rides, especially huge ones like this. People get funny in a large group and start doing dumb things on the road.
I liked the way this one was organized however. We each had a route sheet, and then were sent on our way at our own pace. There were a few planned stops along the route were the group met up with the last stop being a big lunch in Wabasha, MN.
I wasn’t stuck riding in a pack for 200 bikes, so it was fun. I met up with a couple friends, and rode with them for the duration of the day. I took my new-to-me BMW and my friend’s were on Triumphs (a Bonneville, a speed four and a speed three).
None of us was very prepared (shameful I know). Each of us had forgotten a tank bag to hold the route sheet, but I managed to procure some duct tape and we were set.
I didn’t tape my route sheet down very well, and by the first stop in Ellsworth, WI it was shredded as laying in pieces over the last few miles of road. The others still had theirs, so we were set.
Shortly after the second stop in Durand, WI, we got a bit mixed up and our defacto group leader took off without half the group. I caught up to him and we got back on track after a couple wrong turns. Then I saw a ball of paper and duct tape go flying past my head. I couldn’t stop laughing. We’re in the middle of Wisconsin with no idea where we’re going and no route sheet!
Luckily we caught up to some other bikes I recognized from one of the earlier gas stop, so we followed them to the last stop before lunch where we were rejoined with the other two in our group. We all had a great laugh about it. The leader thought the next stop was just around the block, and didn’t realize to turn over his route sheet. When he did, that’s when it came off and went flying past my head. Hilarious!
I didn’t see any swans in the lake, but I did the day before in Carlos Avery, MN.
We decided to skip the BBQ lunch and headed back towards Minneapolis to get some tastier food.
We stopped along the way to get some coffee and enjoy the beautiful weather.
The day started out in the 30s, but the high ended up around 60F! It was a great time riding and a fun route. I’m a bit sad my route sheet didn’t make it, as I want to go back and show my wife some of the great roads. I’m still working on getting another copy.
We ended up in Minneapolis eating some tasty pizza at Galactic Pizza.
They recently reprinted their menu in 3D, so two of the guys were trying it out. I couldn’t resist the picture. Funny!
The R1150GS was very nice to ride all day, and I was quite comfortable. The windshield is a tad low and buffets a bit. I wish it was a couple inches taller.
By the time I made it home, I had put in 297 miles. It was fun, and I REALLY enjoyed only stopping for gas once during the ride! Loving that six gallon BMW tank. A great day to ride in the middle of November!!
** The map is just an approximation of our route that I could remember and not the entire route.
It looks like you had great weather for a ride (on two wheels). We are down into single digit temperatures and ice on the roads.
ReplyDeleteI've looked at the R--GS bikes but they've struck me as heavy and tall but those that own them seem to love them especially the R1150GS models.
Richard
Richard: It was a great day for a ride on two wheels. They just changed the weather guess for this weekend to ice and snow in the 30s. I'm actually looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteThe seat is a couple inches taller than my SV, but actually a few inches lower than my WR250R. On paper, the 1150gs is 550lbs. It doesn't feel like it when riding it. I get a taste of the weight when backing it into the garage. If you haven't ridden one, I'd suggest it. Then again, maybe not. You might buy one like I did. :)
Good ride report there Chris, sounds like you need to adjust that windshield a bit higher if possible though. Think of it of the first of many farkles to be fought for that continental distance crushing machine of yours. Take big sips from the BMW koolaid, you'll be fine.
ReplyDeletedom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Dom: I have the windshield at it's highest and just need another inch or two. If I stand up, completely quiet. I was thinking the Givi topcase mount was going to be first to use my V46 instead of my JCWhitneys, but I think a windshield mod will have to trump that. I hate buffeting.
ReplyDeleteBTW: i love "continental distance crushing machine" such an awesome mental image!