Kirkwood LOH - Spotlight on Carol
A Journey to Milwaukee 2010
When did my journey to Milwaukee really start? Was it the first time I rode as a passenger on a mini-bike with my Dad? Was it the first time I rode a dirt bike at my uncle's place? Or was it when Bob called me and said "get me the price information on the Harley-Davidson you want?" I think all of these events played a part in my journey. I learned what riding felt like with Dad; I fell in love with the fact that I was riding a motorcycle at my uncle’s place; and my dreams were fulfilled when I picked up my Heritage Softail and rode it home.
Recently, Harley-Davidson sent out invitations for all women riders to come celebrate with them in Milwaukee at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
After deciding to go, I had been anticipating the journey to celebrate Women's Rider Month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have been to Milwaukee many times since the city is only an hour north of where Mom and Dad live. This time would be different, though: I would be riding from the St. Louis area on my longest motorcycle trip yet. I shared the adventure with Cathy, who is a fellow rider and has become a good friend. We are both members of the Kirkwood H.O.G. and LOH Chapters, as well as the Women in the Wind Chrome Goddesses Chapter.
We planned our route via emails, texts, and phone calls. Cathy picked up a set of Scala Rider G4 Bluetooths for communication between us as we rode. Our friends on Facebook also asked us to post our progress along the way. They know I can't not let them in on the trip (we aren't going to the "Rock"). On the night before we left, I packed my bike. Due to the threat of rain, everything was packed in plastic bags inside my suitcase. I also added new ISO grips and a throttle assist to “Bobbie.” I was ready!
We left shortly after noon on Friday and arrived at the hotel around 8:30 that evening. We went via Interstate 270 to I-55, I-39, and I-894 into Milwaukee. And we did run through some showers along the way - it would cloud up, get nice, and then rain. This happened again and again. The last hour of the ride was probably the worst of the ride there as far as conditions, getting dark and raining. But that didn’t take away the memories from years past as we passed towns and locations - Lake Geneva, Alpine Valley, Williams Bay, and many others. After a long day of riding, we were so happy to get to the hotel.
On Saturday I got up early and rode to my parents’ house about 50 miles south of Milwaukee. Just before I arrived I received a text from my mom to not try and come by. My return text to her was "Look out front". She opened the door, gave me that look that only mothers can give, and went back in. We then went to breakfast where a very good friend, Amy, joined us.
After breakfast, I headed back to Milwaukee. I arrived just in time to hear some of the opening remarks from Linda Davidson. Group photos were taken and the event was open. What a great Museum Harley-Davidson has created, documenting the history of the company. This is a “must go” if you are ever in Milwaukee. With live music, vendors, demonstrations, shopping, and meeting new friends - another full day right? Well, we still had things to do and people to see. We opted not to do the group ride and went on a ride of our own - I wish I had known that they were resurfacing Route 45.
Jeannie, another friend, had posted on Facebook asking who was going to the “Grizz”, a biker bar in Southern Wisconsin, that night. I confirmed that it indeed was the same bar from years ago that I remembered. We probably rode for almost two hours getting there, taking all sorts of county roads crisscrossing back and forth across Route 45 until, finally, the road was open from Bristol down to the Grizzley Saloon. We had a bite to eat and listened to a terrific Blues band. Too bad we had to go back to Milwaukee to get some sleep, because we wanted to listen to more music! Of course the ride back was a lot quicker than the ride there.
Sunday came and it was time to head back to St Louis. Jeannie had invited us to stop by the radio station in Round Lake and surprise another old friend, Dennis, so we did. We arrived at WRLR and were guests on the “Sunday Stage”. WRLR is a small station with a broadcast rage of 10 miles; they also stream on-line. That allowed me to say “hi” to more friends that were listening and chatting on-line as the show was broadcast. After the show came the long, hot ride home. With the temperature in the 90's we made more frequent stops to keep ourselves hydrated.
I would love to make this trip again! I enjoyed sharing the trip with you, Cathy; thanks for going along. Carol