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 ~ Links to previous news & ride reports on the News page ~
2008.05.04 Slimey Crud Run RC: KevinM
The Slimey Crud Run happens two times a year; once in the spring and again in the fall. It starts somewhere southwest of Mad City and ends up in Leland WI.
But our ride started at Hwy 10 and Hwy 61. I got there at 6:15 take off time. Within minutes, having Paul, Harald and John in tow, we where off to southern Wisconsin.
We tried to make time going down so we hit WI 35 and cut over to Hwy 61 at Red Wing then down to I-90; across to 154; down to Hwy 33.
Hwy 33, if you haven’t rode down it yet, is a road you need to look into. It twists through Wildcat Mountain State Park.
It is the closest you can get to mountain riding in the upper mid-west.
Leland is a very little two bar town and on Slimey Crud day it holds well over 200 motorcycles of all makes and models.
It is something to see as bike after bike rolls in to this little town.
We sat here a few hours to take in the sights and a few beers.
As 3pm came we were back on the road again - then it was back up 33 to 27 to I-90 to Hwy 108 and Mindoro cut.
This is a road you also need to get on to.
The day was starting to get long and it only got longer as Paul took the lead in Wabasha. We turn on MN 60 - a very nice road but it sure goes south a long way before it turns to the west. We also got behind a batch of RV’s.
The day was long, the ride was great.
I had 544 miles and 15 hours. Get out there and RIDE.
Ride Eat Sleep Triumph - Get some R.E.S.T.
Kevin M.
> And here is my ramblings for this ride (why? because I can and you didn't ) ~hn
Getting up at 4:40am after a Saturday ride is no easy task (for some of us). Add in an absolute 6:15am leave time from The Point and you really start to look forward to the upcoming 550 mile round trip.
On this ride with Kevin were PaulM, Harald & JohnW
One of the things that make it a fun endevor is that you get to scream down some very scenic and twisty roads.
I did not take any prictures while driving - sorry about that.
The short stretch throught Wildcat Mountain State Park had some great scenic views but watching the road made more sense concidering we were following Kevin.
A helmet mounted camera would have been great.
No actual peg scraping but it was close on a number of those 35, 25 and 15 mph curves - we were, of course, maintaining a reasonable speed the whole time...
< short write up on the highways taken is in the works - wait for it >
You can almost get a sense of the enjoyment we felt by looking at the Google Map in Satellite view.
Starting at Mindoro, WI, follow 108 south, east to Bangor and down 162. When on 33 east - just keep going.
You can also start at LaCrosse (our inbound route) and follow 33 east. It's a great rainy day armchair tour.
There are lots of pictures of the crowd and bikes at the Slimey Crud Run and a couple of stops on the way.
Showing up in the afternoon was 'Hi-Ya Busa' Dave.
We hung around, kicking tires and telling stories for a couple of hours and then headed back by way of the Mindoro Gap; back on I90 until we could head West on Hy 60 to re-enter the cities on Hy52/55.
I did a couple side roads near home to get to an indicated 550 miles on the odometer for the day.
2008.05.03 Wandroos or Bust - RC PaulM
With the weather so nice, as in it wasn't raining or snowing, I just couldn't continue on with the Wet Noodle Run without rain so I drew a new map with Wanderoos, Wisconsin as the destination.
Due to the wonderful weather we've been having this spring I wasn't able to pre-ride these roads.
There were just two deviations from the map, one to bypass construction and another to go on PP instead of just Cty P'ing.
I was looking for dirty corners all day. The roads were cleaner than in the summer and hopefully nobody slipped at all like myself.
All the celebrities of Wanderoos were there to greet us.
Tony O. came with his new ST and the Hat even pumped up his tires for the ride.
What else could anyone want other than to win the lottery.
After leaving Wanderoos we stopped in Scandia.
All these people showed up to watch Tracey do some stunt riding in the Meister's parking lot after the ride.
2008.05.02 Finally got Dave's pictures from the First Ride on the photo's page.
Ride Schedule can now be viewed as a web page. The .pdf file is still the default link
2008.04.26 Global Warming?
At 6:30am it's 32F and dropping, wind west
23mph, wind chill 18F.
 Snow on the ground,
more is predicted to come.
This after 70s & 80s the past couple of weeks.
I I Wonder what the turnout
will be?
I've got my '79 BMW R100RT
on the charger just in case the temp's climb just a
little bit before my 11am leave. May even put the
'83 HD XLH on the charger just in case I'm feeling I
need something a bit closer to the ground so I can
use my feet as out-riggers for stability.
Now at 9:45 it's up to 35
with the sun peeking out.
Looks like we may luck
out; the one's riding two wheels that is.
With light snow
falling, along with the temperature, it's time to
head down to The Junction.
>>>>> Here's the link to Dave's Ride Report
At The Junction I find Dave T. outside
enjoying one of his humongous cigars; Vern is
inside keeping warm.
Wasn't long before Mark
K, Davey, Steve and a couple of other riders arrived.
Then, as if knowing all had shown up,
Dave appears to lead the 7 of us on the
1st West Bank Motorcycle
Club ride of the 2008 season.
I was all for heading to
Prescott for some shrimp but Dave had
 his mind set
on heading to his place. The road was in really good
driving condition as we headed up Washington and
then north on Broadway. He must really like stop
lights and pot holes. But it didn't take long and we
were beyond the stoplights on every block and
heading into Brooklyn Center.
 Pat, Dave's wife had hot
food already lined up on the table and everyone was
more than ready to dig in.
Needless to say once the
food and refreshments were out everyone settled into
a seat in the garage and it was talk; munch; talk;
munch from then on out. Pat tried to get the gang
into the basement 'play room' a couple of times but
everyone seemed quite happy in the garage.
In between the eating a
bunch of those that showed up on 4 wheels took a
'ride around the block' for ride credit.
The snow and wind did not
spoil the 1st ride of the season & party - I'm sure
it just made it more enjoyable. The last of
the group finally left just after 6:30.
Everyone please remember to thank Dave for hosting
the party.
<
Pictures are posted >
Anyone with pictures they wish to share with the rest of us please get them sent in soon.
~hn
2008.04.24 Before you do anything else take a look at the Letter from the Treasurer for the 2008 season. Then those that haven't looked at the Events page - Yes, The first ride is this Saturday. The Road Captain will be Dave M. and the planned route will be a nice, lazy
scenic round-about that will end up at his place.
~hn
2008.04.21 Flood Run turnout for the West Bank Motorcycle Club was pretty good with more than 13 at last count showing up for the early (by West Bankers standards) Shrimp and Oysters breakfast at Boat Drinks. I got there at about quarter to nine and there was Vern standing in the door. Within minutes there came Kevin and Brad. Then there was a rider or two every 5 to 10 minutes. Most of the group stayed down below with a few venturing up to Broad Street to mingle with the ever growing crowd.
Before noon it was time to get out of town before the main mob. We stayed on 35, bypassed Diamond Bluff and made the next stop Maiden Rock. Said Hi to Dave McL
and verified that he was still hosting the first
ride. Hung around for a bit more and then headed on
down the road making Nelson the next stop. It was
real quiet what with the large number of cops in
view. On to Alma where we stopped at a park just
short of town for another break. Weather was still
cloudy and cool. Would it rain or not was the
question. We decided not to press our luck and
headed back to Prescott for more shrimp.
<
Pictures >
Hey - Hey - Hey -- Look at that countdown timer...
We are coming up on that first club ride of the season which will be this Saturday, April 26th, 2008 noon leave. The destination will be to the Ride Captains home again this year. Let's not forget to thank Dave for doing all the work needed to get ready for this and putting up with the spills and 'thrills' that seem to come natural to our group.
On another note - Those looking at the ride schedule may notice that it is not up to date. We are working on this. Drop the WebMaster a note to hurry up the process. ---
It's Done.
~hn
2008.04.15 You have until midnight to get your taxes in the mail - but while it's still daylight take the time to get that bike of yours roadworthy. On Wednesday take that bike down to The Junction on a test ride. Then you will be ready for the Flood Run this weekend 4/19.
Intercepted the following message off of the net:
Meet @ the Boathouse 10am, shrimp & oysters for
breakfast?
It's supposed to be wheelie nice out!
I'd like to welcome a new (returning) sponsor:
Roy's Repair - Right now they are having a sale that is running to the end of April. See the sponsors page, visit their web site or run on down to the shop - They are located just a bit south of The Junction.
2008.04.05
WBMC election results
for 2008:
Treasurer: Scott Peplinski
Secretary: Sandy Ellingson
WebMaster: Harald Nendza
Newsletter Editor: Jan Myers
Safety Directors: Mark Cady,
Lane Allen
Ambassadors:
Mike Green, Lissa Landmark, Gary Zimmerman, Mike Rodeck, Steve Firnhaber
Change to 'patches' rules: Leave well enough alone.
It was starting to look like
a real light turnout before noon but by the time the
meeting was over there must have been 40-45 present.
There were also plenty of bikes. Once the meeting
and chatting was over a few of of the members
grouped up and headed out to places like Prescott
for shrimp. Haven't heard if they made it. I did
notice a few that just couldn't decide on when to
leave or where to go. The weather remained
good with the temps into the mid 50's plus. And most
welcome - the roads were dry with most of the salt
far to the sides.
Watch out for those heaves,
dips and all the large concrete chunks and rocks on
the roads. The pot holes are still numerous and many
are quite deep.
We should mark some of the
worst and most dangerous pot holes and see how long
it takes our tax dollars to get them fixed up...
~hn
2008.04.01 Here is the
tentative agenda of business that will be brought up at the General Meeting on Saturday:
Officer nominations: (in order of nomination)
Treasurer: Scott Peplinski, Milo Kendall, Keith "Smoker" Effron
Secretary: Sandy Ellingson
Webmaster: Harald Nendza
Newsletter Editor: Jan Myers
Safety Directors: Mark Cady, Lane Allen
Ambassadors: Mike Green, Lissa Landmark, Gary Zimmerman,
Mike Rodeck, Steve Firnhaber
New Business to be voted on:
To receive patches:
A.) Leave well enough alone
B.) Change rules to read;
To receive life patch / 200,300,400 etc. patches - No longer would you need to achieve these numbers by doing them in consecutive years.
C.) Change rules to read;
Life patch would still need to be 5 consecutive years of 20 rides per year. After receiving the life patch, all subsequent patches would no longer need to be in consecutive years.
Other Business: ? (as usual the loudest voice will be ignored.)
If there are any other issues I ain't
heard of them... ~hn
~hn
2008.04.01 Curious as to what goes on at the Road Captain/20 riders meeting? Here are Lissa's notes:
20 ride/RC meeting - 3/29 The Junction Noonish = 12:40
Joke: - what's brown and sticky? (answer at bottom) ;)
Request:
- get new membership cards made & distributed
Items:
1) Riding Season Officers, etc (see above)
2) Life Patch Discussion:
- yes - we will bring this for vote at general meeting
3) Sponsor window clings/posters/etc:
- agreed - team working this
4) 40 year patch/party:
- design competition open to all, vote at year end party
5) Resurrect tri-fold?? (color or B&W version
6) Sponsors need an invoice:
- does anyone have a template of a good invoice?)
7) Ambassador items:
- clean photo quality .gif or .jpeg, try for 10% off for members, remember to welcome new riders, ambassador rides x3 per year to sponsor, etc.
We'll have a meeting after the general meeting to sort this out.
I've made several copies of the members handbook.
I'll have them available for interested parties next saturday... I'll also have them available for all new riders. i imagine the treasurer will distribute them along with pins for all new riders...
-- a stick --
~hn
2008.03.29 Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day despite the early weeks warnings of snow. The temps climbing towards 50 must have been what brought out the dozen or more bikes and over 32 persons to quickly go through the administrative details of nominating officers and getting various other items on the agenda for next weeks General membership meeting.
I got a bunch of pictures but somehow managed to always have something that needed attention my attention so the pictures will take another day or two.
Don't forget that we will be squeezing in another 1st Wednesday this week. Mike McC. has already been making calls to gather the flock together.
I'd give you the list of officers and other things on the General membership ballot but I'm not very good at taking notes so you'll have to show up this Saturday if you want to have any say at all in to WBMC's operation.
And look at that count down clock -- It's gettin' close.
By the time the General meeting is over we will be under 20 days left to make sure the bike is ready to roll...
~hn
2008.03.24 All you with your 20 ride patch and those that have earned the Road Captains patch should plan on attending the Road Captains / 20 Riders meeting on March 29th (see Events page).
This is where you nominate candidates for the various offices, pay dues and present issues that will be voted on by the general membership on April 5th.
This is also the first chance to signup for rides.
Anyone with something they want on the meeting agenda should get details to the Treasurer or Secretary now. ~hn
>>> One last thing -- Bring your dues payment...
2008.03.21 Darrell sent up some pics of his VTX on which he has installed blue Lazer LED's.
More pics he sent are on the photo's page. Have a look.
Since moving to New Mexico he's been very good about letting us know the temperature down there.
Take a look on the News tab for the current newsletter where he sends us Christmas greetings (page 5) ~hn
2008.03.14 If you see a yellow popup banner about "... SVGControl Module 2.0' ... click here...." be assured that clicking to install the module is safe. Its only seen on IE so far. Need more info - see: Whatz Up - Website
So what else is new - Sat. breakfast at The Junction...
Got the bike cleaned, oiled and ready to go...
~hn
2008.03.12 Time for the Ambassodors to get out and contact the past and future sponsors - Ambassodors responsibitities run for a full year which takes you up until the General Membership Meeting on April 5th.
Anyone with something they want on the meeting agenda should get details to the Treasurer or Secretary now.
I Finally got around to updating the web site statistics.
Look for
Web Site Statistics at the right of the front page. Look at the Countries; full list and the Hosts; Full list.
I find the stats interesting but it's main use for me is to weed out the spammers and page scrappers...
~hn
2008.03.04 Tomorrow just happens to be the first Wednesday of the month. Are you going to make it down to The Junction...
~hn
2008.02.29 Today is that extra day that comes but once every four years.
Use it wisely...
Got any good information you want to share with the rest of the WBMC - send it in.
~hn
2008.02.20 The Total Eclipse of the moon will occur on Wednesday night. This will be your last chance to see one until December 21st, 2010.
The earths shadow will touch the moon starting at 7:43 p.m. CST. 78 minutes after that (9:01pm for the math and time challenged and 21:01 for the rest of us) the moon will be entirely within the earths shadow. After 51 minutes (average for a total lunar eclipse) the moon will begin to come out at the lower left (southeastern) edge.
If you miss this one you'll have to wait almost three years, until Dec. 21, 2010 for the next total lunar eclipse to be visible from the West Bank Motorcycle Club back yard.
~hn
2008.02.12 ScottP provided some upcoming events you-all may be interested in.
All WestBankers are welcome to decend on Kara's house on Feb 23rd to celebrate Kara's and ScottP's birthday's. Call Kara or Scott for further info/directions.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 is the 5th annual Bikerday at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Check SCVR.org for more information.
This is important for everyone who rides a motorcycle.
Here's what's at stake:
-Maintain YOUR right to wear or not wear a helmet
-Increase penalties for those who injure or kill YOU
-Make motorcycle awareness part of all drivers training
-The possibility of no longer being covered by your insurance in the event of an accident (several insurance companies are opting not to cover bikers in accidents!)
--- and much more!
NOTE: To get in on the Official BikerDay your asked to register by 2-18-2008
March 29th is the Road Captain/20 riders meeting.
Also on March 29th & 30th don't forget to get your butt on over to the Donnie Smith Bike Show. A few of our members will be showing their bikes which they have worked hard on throughout the year. This show is lots of fun with plenty of bike styles and classes represented.
~hn
2008.02.07 The International Motorcycle Show and another 1st Wednesday get together at the Junction are now past events. If you missed the meeting jump on over to the Photo's page to get a glimpse of Milo in a suit along with the goings on of the 25 or so that showed up.
Next on the agenda is the total eclipse of the moon on the 20th at around 9:01pm CT - See the Events page.
50 days to the Road Captain/20 Riders meeting then the week after is the General Membership meeting.
You've got 70 or so days to get your bike in running order so start planning now... You don't want to miss out on the first ride - do ya. Or De-Frost Yur Nuts & Flood Run ~hn
2008.01.23 Oh how the time flies. Only 9 days to the International Motorcycle Show. After that there are only, lets see 29 minus 1 (or 2 or 3) plus 29 - well, it's less than 60 days to the Road Captain/20 Riders meeting.
Remember to mark your calendar so you show up... ~hn
2008.01.17 Check out that ride start date - We are now down to double digits and it won't be long before we are out of the typical 'coldest' month, slide through the shortest month (with the added day this year) and then start rolling out the bikes into the ever warming weather. Time to mark the calendar for a 'check the bike over day'. My batteries are charged, tires look good and only an oil change and a little grease here and there before another spring; summer and fall riding season. ~hn
Remember: Feb. 6th is the First Wednesday... show up...
2008.01.02 On this Second day of January a segment of the WBMC gang was able to make it to the Junction for a bit of libation, eats and chit-chat. I remember the following people being present (sorry that I can't remember everyone - buying me refreshments does help remembering names): Steve F, Jason, Milo, Mike & Karen, Duane & Renee, Scott & Sue; Chad & Sandy, 'the girls tag team' of Kara & Tracey, Jim M, Scarfy, Mike McC, Mark & Jenelle. oops-brain turned off -
Sorry if I didn't mention you. See Milo's pics on photos page.
Got the 'cold facts' and run down on the I-Cycle derby from our own Mark K who managed to stay up on two wheels and complete the run. He wasn't in the first couple of places but then again he wasn't in last couple of places. The best I can remember is something like 14th out of 20 - Not bad since he lost one of the route cards and had to back track to find it again. Lucky guy...
Steve F was there to take pictures of the start and they are available from the photo's page. Thank you Steve.
Milo was busy taking pictures and as soon as he gets them to me you all will be able to see who showed up.
None of the agenda items were discuss so it looks like there will need to be another 'meeting' - See you-all on the first Wednesday of February.
Don't forget
Join the mailing List (over there on the right side). It's painless - join now.
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