This morning Patti (best wife ever) suggested I take some personal time and blow the cobwebs off one of the bikes. I thought, yeah, it's been a week or two so I grabbed my gear and headed for the garage. But which bike? I'm down to two personal rides; my late-model Triumph Bonneville and the '93 VFR. The Honda was looking a little neglected so I cinched on the tail pack and Garmin Zumo XT, hit the starter and the V4 burbled to life almost before I could let my thumb off the button. It was telling me, "It's about time."
As the engine warmed I contemplated which direction to point the front wheel. Not a lot of choices, due to my geographical location — the chaos of Chicago lies to the south, never-ending suburbs to the southwest, a sea of cornfields to the west and a giant inland lake to the east. North it is, or more precisely, northwest to the southern entrance of the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive in Waukesha and Walworth counties, Wisconsin.
"The Kettle," as it's known locally, is a designated scenic route in southeastern Wisconsin that links the two units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The route traverses through scenic and historic areas, including landscape shaped by glaciers from the latest ice age. In fact, "moraine" is the term for large deposits of sediment left by the melting glacier, forming ridges — and lots of fun roads. On this weekday morning, traffic is almost non-existent.
Today I would pick up the pace south of the little town of Palmyra, then work my way northeast on a collection of "alphabet roads," twisty county highways designated by a letter or letters, along with smaller byways with more interesting names, like Hidden Valley, Moraine Hills and Honeysuckle. I was pleasantly surprised to find Hwys H & ZZ freshly paved with nary another vehicle on their entire length. A short stop for soup and coffee at the Hen House Cafe in Eagle, and I'm back on the road, first northeast then tacking southeast to begin working my way back home.
As the engine warmed I contemplated which direction to point the front wheel. Not a lot of choices, due to my geographical location — the chaos of Chicago lies to the south, never-ending suburbs to the southwest, a sea of cornfields to the west and a giant inland lake to the east. North it is, or more precisely, northwest to the southern entrance of the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive in Waukesha and Walworth counties, Wisconsin.
"The Kettle," as it's known locally, is a designated scenic route in southeastern Wisconsin that links the two units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The route traverses through scenic and historic areas, including landscape shaped by glaciers from the latest ice age. In fact, "moraine" is the term for large deposits of sediment left by the melting glacier, forming ridges — and lots of fun roads. On this weekday morning, traffic is almost non-existent.
Today I would pick up the pace south of the little town of Palmyra, then work my way northeast on a collection of "alphabet roads," twisty county highways designated by a letter or letters, along with smaller byways with more interesting names, like Hidden Valley, Moraine Hills and Honeysuckle. I was pleasantly surprised to find Hwys H & ZZ freshly paved with nary another vehicle on their entire length. A short stop for soup and coffee at the Hen House Cafe in Eagle, and I'm back on the road, first northeast then tacking southeast to begin working my way back home.
Click on image for a link to The Elegant Farmer I take a few minutes for a butt break and photo op (below) at the quiet Mukwonago Town Park and later for my mandatory stop at The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago, home of the locally famous "pie baked in a bag." I always pick up a fresh, warm 5-inch apple pie (fits in my tail pack) for tonight's dessert. Simply the best.
Next, I'll skirt the town of East Troy, former home of Buell Motorcycle, and pick up Hwy D at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre for a high-speed run east, rising and falling on the graceful sweepers of this tabletop smooth road, seemingly designed to allow the VFR, and myself, to clear the cobwebs. Working south, I search out a few more of the state's Rustic Roads and eventually ease into the driveway four hours from the start of this short but worthy ride; 151 miles.
I'm continually impressed with this build. Its upgraded suspension, modified ergonomics, perfectly tuned engine with slightly lowered gearing, rolling on Bridgestone T32s — this has turned out to be a comfortable and responsive GT-style sport tourer, composed at speed and happy to flick about on a twisty back road. I think it looks nice, too!
Next, I'll skirt the town of East Troy, former home of Buell Motorcycle, and pick up Hwy D at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre for a high-speed run east, rising and falling on the graceful sweepers of this tabletop smooth road, seemingly designed to allow the VFR, and myself, to clear the cobwebs. Working south, I search out a few more of the state's Rustic Roads and eventually ease into the driveway four hours from the start of this short but worthy ride; 151 miles.
I'm continually impressed with this build. Its upgraded suspension, modified ergonomics, perfectly tuned engine with slightly lowered gearing, rolling on Bridgestone T32s — this has turned out to be a comfortable and responsive GT-style sport tourer, composed at speed and happy to flick about on a twisty back road. I think it looks nice, too!
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