OK It looks like I dropped the ball again. I didn't specify that the ride this week is on THURSDAY not Wednesday. They're not open on Tuesday or Wednesday. So if you go on Wednesday, may I suggest you bring a bag lunch, and don't expect a huge turnout.
Our last attempt was a dismal failure, with only the hardiest of us showing. I can't blame those who sat that one out because it was brutally cold and windy. It should take about an hour to get there so we will be launching from the Iron Skillet @ 12:00. TIME........1:00
Here it is
Broken Arrow Saloon
240 Main St
Aurora KS 67417
785-464-1014
Facebook Page.....https://www.facebook.com/brokenarrowaurora
Web Page.............
Map site...........https://tinyurl.com/wd4hsez
As far off the scale as the weather was on our last visit to the Broken Arrow, it was just as far to the good today. The only down side for me was the amount of time we had to spend on the 4 lane. They're not my favorite roads. Six of us launched from the Iron Skillet headed north on old 81 with Terry Powell in the lead, Bill Gibbons in second and me in third. We picked up Bruce shields at the interchange of 106 & 81 and headed up the slab toward 24. Suzy was singing her heart out on the slab and I droned on through the boring part of the ride. Finally we got to 24 and headed east. The ride becoming a little more interesting for me I dutifully followed the leader. We came to CR799 intending to follow the sign pointing the way to Aurora. The only problem with that plan is CR799 is sans pavement.
It seems that Cloud county keeps this detail about their county roads a closely guarded secret from the state cartographers. As Terry came up to CR799 he signaled his turn, but upon reaching the intersection the ugly truth was manifested. No pavement. Road bikes don't like gravel roads. We pressed on east to CR809. That's the road I took last time. A few miles north and we saw the welcoming sign, Aurora 4 miles. On this last leg we encountered the only "inclement" weather of the day. Just a few drops of rain from one rogue cloud managed to hit me. When we rolled into town there were bikes lining both sides of the street and I got parked and Fritz settled. I went about getting shots of the bikes and counted 23. As I was finishing up I heard a Harley roaring into town. I thought it must be the fashionably late Diesel Dave. He rolled up and greeted me with his usual beaming smile and extended hand. Inside I found the front room packed and we were overflowing into the back room. The special of the day was a hot beef sandwich with a choice of sides. Popular choice. Lots of good food and company. We gradually filtered out for some good old fashioned tire kicking . Finally it came time to mount up for the ride home. My fuel gauge was showing half tank when I left town and I figured I should be able to make it back on what I had. Keeping a close eye on the needle It kept getting lower and lower. If it gets to dead empty I still have about 20 miles to go before I hit reserve. Figuring that if I get to Minneapolis without hitting reserve I could make it home. NO DICE. The headwind got me. About 5 miles north of Minneapolis Suzi's belly started growling and I had to hit reserve. I might have made it home on reserve, but I didn't feel quite that adventurous. I rolled into Minneapolis and put the feed bag on my noble steed. Peace of mind reassured I pressed on home. Fritz had enjoyed about as much riding as he could stand for the day and made a bee line for his water dish, and I collapsed into my welcoming recliner, totally spend from a great day of riding, friends and food.
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