SEDALIA 2005

In 2004, we tried to get a tradition started: of heading to Arkansas, hooking up with Gene and Brad, and heading to Sedalia, Missouri for the races. Unfortunately, after 2005 the race disappeared from the schedule.

But we did have fun for our second annual group trip to Sedalia.

Pam and I left Chicago and rode down to Litchfield. We saw a motel for a good advertised price, and decided to try it. The Best Value Inn was clean and cheap. We walked over to Ponderosa for a steak, and then got some sleep. In the morning, we met one of the other riders staying at the motel. He was on a Route 66 trip: had rented a Harley the day before in Chicago and was on his way to California along the old road.

Pam and I headed through St Louis and down I-44 to Cuba, Missouri to catch one of my favorite Midwestern roads: Missouri Route 19.

Route 19 is a curvy little road that passes through the Mark Twain National Forest in that area south of I-44. There are a few small towns, but mostly it is just a smooth road through the forest, with few places with cross traffic.

It is a much calmer road than Deals Gap, with straight sections joining the curves, and the curves are much better suited for road boats than are the ones in the Gap. There are plenty of curves, though. Not too much traffic, either. South of Steelville the road gets very nice.

Lots of curves.

Interesting scenery, including a few Missouri mules.

This bridge was above a small park. We pulled off for a short break and read the information offered.

The Road King relaxing in the parking lot. You can see the place is not crowded!

There are a few canoe rental places, so it is possible that the road is more busy on weekends.

Once south of US 60, 19 has a lot of roller coaster sections in addition to the curves.

We turned west on US 160. US 160 is another nice road. It is the alternate to US 60, which has become a four-lane divided highway along most of it’s length through Missouri. 160 is still a two lane that hugs the contours of the Ozarks.

There were a few sawmills along here, harvesting trees from the forest.

West Plains, Missouri, a typical southern Missouri town.

We turned south at MO 5, headed into Arkansas, and Gene’s place. We sat on the deck, relaxing and watching the hummingbirds.

Brad’s back is feeling pretty good, so he is going to ride to Sedalia this year. Brad and Laura meet us Genes the next day, and we set off for Missouri, with Gene leading the way in his little Ford…flying low.

Gene leads us up to US 60, then across to catch US 65 in Springfield. It’s a nice day for a ride. Brad and Laura are happy to be out on the bike.

Chris Carr’s sponsor, Ford, has a nice display of four-wheeled machinery on display. We check it out, then enjoy a night of racing in Missouri.

The next morning, we have a good breakfast in the atrium of the motel, and then say good bye to Gene, Brad and Laura and head east for home.

FARLEY HALF-MILE 2005

Farley, Iowa is a little town west of Dubuque on US20. US20 is one of the nicest riding roads in northern Illinois; Dubuque is always nice to visit, so we head off to Farley.

US20 passes south of Rockford, and as we ride this stretch we see some fighter planes above the Rockford airport. We pull off onto IL 2, ride south a little bit and find a place to park the bike off the road. An air show is taking place at the airport, so we watch for a while and then get back on the road west.

ROCKFORD AIR SHOW

US20 is a nice road. From Elgin to Rockford, it’s a moderately curvy road, passing through many small towns. From Rockford past Freeport, it turns into a divided four lane, and is straighter and flatter, but still beats most interstates for riding pleasure. West of Freeport, it again becomes a two lane. This northwestern section of Illinois has more hills and scenery than most of the rest of Illinois, and the road is a beauty: lots of sweepers and lots of roller coasters.

US20
US20

VIEWING TOWER ALONG US20

PAM AND THE VIEW NEAR THE TOWER

US20 IS A FAVORITE BIKE ROAD IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS

US20

US20

We enjoyed the ride through northern Illinois, crossed the bridge into Dubuque, and looked for some ice cream…it was HOT! Dubuque has a section near the river (the downtown section) and a section on the bluffs above the river. The bluffs presented a problem in the old days, so a funicular was built, also called the Fourth Street Elevator. It is a railway, quite steep. There is a good ice cream store at the bottom, so we headed there.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE INTO DUBUQUE

FOURTH STREET ELEVATOR

FOURTH STREET AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ELEVATOR

We had a little time before the races in Farley, so we also stopped at the National Mississippi River Museum and bummed around for a while. Then we got back on US20 and headed west to the track.

NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM

BIG MOTORS ON DISPLAY AT THE MUSEUM

AN OLD TUG ON DISPLAYThe track was a clay half-mile track with nice grandstands. The crowd was not too big, but not bad for a second year race at that track. The track was pretty rough, and the setting sun caused a long delay because the riders could not see turn three with the sun in their eyes.

BIKES AT THE TRACK

CLAY HALF-MILE

Once the racing actually got going, it was pretty good. It was nice to see the large vocal group of Rich King fans in his home state stands! He doesn’t get the respect from the fans that he likely deserves at most races, probably because he makes it look so easy.

Coolbeth took the win, followed by Carr, with King third. His fans were looking for a win, but third was pretty respectable on the rough track. Jess Roeder’s mechanical gremlins followed him to Farley: he lost his clutch after eight laps in the final. Mike Hacker took a spill in the qualifying races, but refused an ambulance ride to the hospital.

GRANDSTANDS AT FARLEY

WHO SEZ POETRY IS DEAD?

Pam’s mothering instincts took over, and she insisted that we find Hacker in the pits and make sure he didn’t need any cash for the hospital. He was pretty banged up, but said he would wait to the next day to decide if a hospital visit was necessary.
We toured the pits for a while and then left to find a motel room.

JESS ROEDER DISCUSSES CLUTCHES

COOLBETH SWEATING AFTER HIS WIN

JB NORRIS INTERVIEWS LOCAL HERO RICH KING

JARED MEES AND NOCHOLE CHEZA MEET THE FANS

The next morning we headed east on 20 toward home. The air show was still happening in Rockford, so we took a short break and watched the planes for a half hour or so.

US20 WEST OF DUBUQUE

US20 EAST OF GALENA

US20

ROCKFORD AIR SHOW

MOCK BOMBING RUN AT THE AIR SHOW

DOGFIGHT OVER ROCKFORD!