First Ride of "09"

[tipup]

Ok since I am on the, well almost the 60day count down to April, when I hope I can ride, I think that i need to start planning my first long ride. So my question to all of you other bike guys out there, where would you go? I live in south central MN. I am looking for a full or half day ride, I was thinking up around the St. Cloud area? Anyone have any good areas up there to ride?

[fishorgolf]

This past year I had to drive from lake Minnewaska to my place on Mille Lacs and being the type of person who hates driving the same road twice unless I have to I took some back roads between Sauk Center and little Falls. I don't know the exact road numbers but we when threw towns of Gray Eagle, Bertrum, and Swanville. very nice area and not what I expected (flat) it was all hills and valleys etc.

[Hafnutz]

I've always liked to ride up 169 to Garrison early in the Spring. Especially nice if there are those huge piles of ice along the edge of the road on the west side of the lake...or maybe I'm just weird...

[The_Duckslayer]

The Lil Mrs and I took a ride to a place that I found on Explore MN dot com. There is a guy that listed the top 10 places to get a burger in MN. There is a place in Miesville, home of the baseball Mudhens, called Kings. Looks to be about 65 - 70 miles from where you are and should be a fairly easy place to go there one way and come back another.

PS... Burgers there were great and there are about 80 different ones to choose from. We have been there three times now and have not been dissapointed. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[chuckwagon]

I live in the SW metro and always like riding to either Still water or Cannon Falls and taking the wisconsin side down the river roads. The ride getting there isn't much fun but once you take a break in either town and then hit the river roads it's a heck of a great time! Can be a little on the cold side in spring and fall though. For your area you could always cut across to Hastings or Redwing and go north or south along to river? Just an idea ... AAAAAAHHH I WANNNAAA RIDDEE

[JigginIsLife]

easy the ride taking the back roads through like new prague up to the hutch area or around the lakes area sw or st. cloud. not to mention you get the hilly area around gaylord. all those places are nice areas ride. i would think holding off on the river runs till fall cuz they are better then. you could always drive down to iowa....haha just kidding.

[Walterwontfalter]

River Roads along the Eastern MN border. Either side.

[The_Duckslayer]

Actually some really great rides I could not tell you where I have been. Drive 30 miles from home and get off on a county road that you have never been on and just see where it goes! Heck, as long as it is not gravel what difference does it make. If you find a mom and pop diner along the way you are in for some great food. We have done that several times and had a blast! Did that last year down in the garden city area and holy cow are there some beautiful rides in that part of the country. Eventually you will run into a town and know where ya are and if not you pull out the map or the GPS to get back home. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[The_Duckslayer]

Took the bike out last night! I bought a 5X12 trailer the other day and wanted to see what it will take to get it loaded into the trailer. Man that trailer sure dows look big! Right up until I pull that Roadstar into the back of it! Ufdah! I am hoping that I can get the rear end slid over and then get mama's new V Star 950 in behind it without a lot of hassle! WOW bikes are bigger than one thnks! We leave a week from today for our Texas trip! If ya get a chance to go to the motorcycle show at the Convention Center this weekend stop by the J&J Powersports booth. The liquid silver V Star 950 Tourer they will be displaying is my wifes bike! She is very pumped about the trip! Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[IFallsRon]

I was in Mora on Sunday and saw several riders going north on 65.

[Griggs]

I can't wait for my first ride. Too bad I can't fast forward the calendar to April!

[Cold_blood]

well i did it i got my bike started and took her out around town yesterday it felt great to be on the bike again but it had to end so its now in the garage again with a full tank of gas i sure loved the feeling of looking at the gas pump and seeing it only cost 2.50 for a fill up

[The_Duckslayer]

Well we have been back almost a week now so I suppose it is about time that I get this posted. We had a great trip! Left here driving into a south wind and that did wonders for the gas mileage! Averaged about 10 MPG all the way down there. Straight 6 in the Envoy was chuggin but it did the job. We got to Dallas about 7 AM last Saturday. We spent the day hanging out at the middle sons place and resting up after the long overnight ride there. Then on Sunday we headed out to go further south! Just got on the country roads and headed south. The first two days the temps were in the 60’s to low 70’s. Then it got hot! 85 degrees for three days in a row! I got sunburn on top of my sunburn! Yowsa! We went as far south as the gulf coast at Corpus Christi. We stayed on North Padre Island and then turned around and came back up a different way. 1200 Miles altogether. It was great to be on the bike again and can’t wait for the day that I can ride up here. Funny thing about the roads down there… they don’t have pot holes! Did see one armadillo though, but it was laying on its back taking a “nap” on the shoulder of the road. Well that was our first ride of the year… Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[fishinphilth]

I cant wait until my first ride either! I just have to buy a bike first and I told my wife I was getting a bike this year. It went like "Do you think it would be ok if I bought a Bike." I told her. And she said it was o.k. The first one is not going to be nice, but as long as it is 2 wheels and goes straight I dont care. I have always wanted to get a bike and now it is going to happen.

[Dave S]

Either river valley would be a nice ride (Minnesota or Mississippi).

HWY 61 that runs from Winona North through Wabasha is very scenic. The MN River Valley from Mankato up through Le Sueur, Henderson, Blakely, Belle Plaine, Jordan and Carver would also be a nice ride.