Storm Ride - 2008

An old motorcycle adventure -

Prelude: The weekend of June 7^th & 8^th 2008 proved to be one of terrific rainstorms throughout the mid-west, pounding Wisconsin especially hard. Thunderstorms, tornados and record amounts of rain combined to wreak havoc on the state causing flooding, and damages that required FEMA intervention for recovery. I, of course, decided it would be a perfect weekend for a long ride to surprise visit some friends in Minnesota.

Saturday June 7^th 2008
Early last week I realized my plans for the weekend had changed and I was free to attend the Minnesota-Wisconsin Breakfast Club in St. Peter Sunday morning. I quickly sent Wes an e-mail, getting the details on the where and when of the meeting. I then told him to keep it mum as I wasn't entirely sure I could make it but did plan on trying.

Saturday morning came with such promise. Sunny skies, hot weather (mid-80's) and slightly humid. I planned on a nice leisurely ride to Mankato, Mn (where I had booked a room for the night) and started out across the rolling hills of Wisconsin. My plans were to avoid the interstate and ride all the back roads to Minnesota. By doing this I would realize better fuel economy and enjoy the ride more too!

Traveling Hy 19 west bound was really nice with very little traffic. As I passed through each small town along the way, it was a pleasure to watch the locals doing their Saturday morning routine, knowing that I was NOT suffering the same fate that day.

 

After crossing under the Interstate I came into Waunakee (the only Waunakee in the world the sign proudly proclaimed) and started seeking Hy 113 to go north to the river crossing and the free ferry. I had always wanted to do this and thought it would be cool so I had planned my route this way to take

On the ferry I met a group of bikers who also were out just riding around and they asked me to join them as they headed off toward Devils Lake state park. I agreed to follow them as it was primarily along my intended route of travel and would offer me another experience and perhaps some new vistas. The back roads around the park they knew were filled with curvy roads and cool breezes as we circled the lake.

Eventually we came to the road where we went our separate ways and I continued along on my trip to Minnesota. Cruising along on Hy 33 I was startled when I crested a hill and saw a wall of black clouds to the north-west of me. It was apparent that I was going to get very wet very quickly if I continued along the way I was going. I noticed a car dealership and pulled into their parking lot. I dragged out my rain-gear and started to suit up when a voice called to me from the doorway!

"Where do you think you are going?" a man shouted out to me from the showroom door.

"I am going that way and it looks like rain!" I answered. I am sure the look on my face prompted him to explain further.

"The next town about 5 miles up is LaValle and they have a tornado on the ground there! You aren’t going anywhere… In fact you should come inside here with me right away!" he insisted and waved emphatically with the arm that wasn't holding the door against the rapidly rising winds.

I agreed that his advice was reasonable and after locking up my bike and carrying all my raingear I walked into his showroom while expressing my thanks for offering me shelter as well as good information.

As I made my way into the building a pick up truck and a car rolled into the parking lot. An old weather beaten farmer hopped out of the pick up and quick walked into the service department to hide out from the storm. A middle aged woman jumped out of the car and made her way into the showroom door still wearing her golf shoes and glove explaining that she was just finishing her second hole when the tornado siren wailed out its warning. So here we were; a small group of people from all over, with differing backgrounds, and nothing in common all seeking shelter from natures wrath. An uncommon group we were, a farmer, a golfer, the sales staffers and a biker all thrown together to form a temporary community of wary storm observers.

While we waited, we watched the low clouds roll in. Rolling and spinning as if in a mixing bowl, angry with black and green melted together as the sky went dark as night…As the storm approached we watched it come barreling through the open field across the street. The first blast of air was cold and smelled of rain, but not a clean fresh spring rain but rather it smelled of ozone and dirt from the crackling lightning. Bolts of heat flashed across the sky and soon started to sizzle as it shocked the earth nearby. The concussions from the thunder would beat against us. We could see the front edge of the storm system where a wall of rain was furiously beating the ground into a pool of muddy water as the wind and rain advanced on the glass fronted building. With awe and some anxiety the now gathered crowd of all the employees of the business watched this air-borne wave of wind and water blast its way across the field and felt it as it slammed into the building. The pressure of the air blowing against the building made our ears pop and the water was forced through every crack and quickly sent a small river of rain water across the floor as it was blown through the closed and locked doorway. Every person was silent, as if struck dumb by the power of the storm, as we gazed at the incredible amounts of rain falling on the parking lot. Each rain drop exploded into a thousand new drops as it pounded the asphalt and then was joined by another.

All the while, the wind howled and rain was driven sideways. Each person witnessing the power braved their way through it (although I am certain everyone was fearful). Nervous joking, pacing and general concern were the only outward signs displayed by the handful of people thrown together by the circumstances. After a short while (probably about 15 minutes) the storm eased its ferocity and turned to a steady rain. The skies lightened up a bit and we knew the worst of it was past. The only thing left to do was wait for the rain to slacken and the skies to brighten.

The golfer and the farmer returned to their vehicles and went on their way to homes hoping to find them undamaged. The staff all went back to their jobs and I just waited for the torrential rain to ease up. After 45 minutes the rain was light enough to allow me to continue my journey although now in full rain gear for the balance of the day.

The rest of my Saturday turned routine with traveling through one rain front after another. The rain would start, the rain would stop, the rain would start, the rain would stop, mile after mile, hour after hour until I finally broke through to the back side and enjoyed a brief encounter with the late day sun and no rain.

Sunday June 8^th 2008
After a not so restful night in a noisy hotel (a budget hotel with paper-thin walls), I set out to join the Minnesota/Wisconsin Breakfast Club for brunch. I had a great time renewing old friendships and making new ones too. Brunch was delicious and after a while the group decided it was time to go for a ride. As I had to begin my return trip the group agreed to “escort me out of Minnesota” and the ride was pointed in the general direction (easterly) of Wisconsin.

Of course a group of Goldwingers need a proper destination so the ice creamery in Nelson (The Original Nelson Cheese Factory) was chosen. A wonderful ride through the Minnesota countryside (dry-no rain until we got back to Wisconsin) lead by Mike and then by Brian once Mike got fearful of melting in the coming rain took us through some neat hill country and a beautiful overlook of the Mississippi River. The Nelson stop for a treat was a great idea (Root Beer Float for me thanks) and too soon I found myself headed toward home – in the rain.

The trip back home was peaceful enough (most of the way). I elected to try my luck on the Interstate and learned a few things about riding in the rain. First I learned that riding more “alone” rather than close in by other vehicles (especially trucks) reduced the spray that greatly hinders visibility. So in order to see more clearly I needed to stay out of groups of moving traffic and by myself. At 70 MPH water will run right off and over the windscreen and can be looked through. Another thing I learned is that a raindrop hitting you in eye at highway speed really hurts a lot!

A particularly odd moment is ingrained in my memory as the irony of my situation played itself out at interstate speeds. I cruised along in the left lane passing vehicle after vehicle, and as I passed each one I stole a glance at the passengers to try to judged their reactions to seeing a lone rider in the storm, a storm that was dropping several inches of rain per hour. Each time I was greeted by a smile, a shaking head and incredulous looks. Finally I noticed that I was passing a rather large pick-up truck with a motorcycle secured in the bed. As I went past the driver he seemingly for the first time noticed I was on a motorcycle and with a wry grin gave me a “thumbs-up” wave of his free hand. I am sure he thought me mad as I began laughing hysterically at this concurrence of fates we exhibited.

The trip down the interstate allowed me to make some serious time but the challenge of seeing through the spray as I neared Madison (due to increased truck traffic) made me realize that I needed to find an alternate route. I decided that Hy 19 was the way home as it had been the way out Saturday morning. Finally traveling without hindrance from other vehicles splashing I was able to relax and just cruise along (in the rain). When I passed through the little town of Waterloo I noticed that my fuel was getting low but decided that the next town of Watertown was the place to stop. As I rounded a corner I saw several cars, and SUV’s going very slow and realized that they were driving through standing water that had accumulated in a low spot! The waves they were making clearly indicated this was more than just a puddle. But I carried on in true biker fashion and entered the flooded street section. As I rode through the deep water (it was up to my ankles-while my feet were on the pegs!) I noticed the “blub-blub-blub” sound my exhaust being submerged made…an odd sound really! The bike was light in the front as I pushed through the water for about 50 yards and the bow wave splashed up in front of my headlight like a fountain. Finally emerging on the other side I let out a whoop and a holler as I reveled in my newest discovery…my ability to not crash in an impromptu lake….!

Now I really was pressing to get home. It was late and getting dark and the rain was coming in waves…hard & strong and then a bit lighter but never really stopping. I finally entered the city of Watertown and knew I was going to stop to get fuel. But as I came over the top of a hill I saw the road had been CLOSED..! Flooded under the railroad bridge… Now what…? To complicate things even more my low fuel warning light had come on already. After a few moments I resolved to return to the last gas station I passed so I trekked back the 11 miles to Waterloo- the scene of my water-crossing. Fortunately the gas station was on my side of the flooded street and I was able to without incident refill my now warning light glowing tank. Seeking advice inside I was advised of an alternate route around the flooded rail bridge and retraced my trip back to Watertown and around the flooded intersection.

One hard learned lesson is to be wary of towns with the word “Water” in their name when traveling during a monsoon…

Another 40 minutes and I pulled into my garage; safe, sound and mostly dry…But with a bag full of stories to tell my progeny some day in my old age.

A quick re-cap of my adventure weekend-
• 495 miles out of 730 ridden in the rain.
• 1 Tornado
• Total rainfall amounts exceeding 9 inches
• Lessons learned- Water crossing, visibility at speed, rain in the eye hurts.
• Rain Gear that kept me dry– Frog Toggs, Totes overboots, standard ¾ helmet.
• Rain gear that needs some work – Gloves.

   My neoprene gloves kept my hands warm but not dry.

Finale: I have always appreciated motorcycling for the adventures it offers. I like to add variety to my life by accumulating new experiences and looking for the uniqueness of each trip, each new acquaintance, every crested hill and new horizon. The single-mindedness of motorcycling plays to a part of my soul that is often overlooked in everyday life.

Postscript: The torrential rains had accumulated enough water as to wash out the banks of Lake Delton near the Wisconsin Dells and cause catastrophic flooding when the lake emptied downriver.

advantage of my found freedom on such a fine morning.