Ode to Triumph

I ride an 885cc, 550 lb.Triumph Trophy triple, built in 1996, and I love it!

 Recently an opportunity to replace it came up which sent me on a bit of a scavenger hunt. I was confident that many bikes would tick all my sport touring boxes. The progress made in twenty years is truly outstanding. But I hit a snag when I crossed two classes of bikes off my list. I’m not looking for a roomier sport bike like a VFR and I’m really not that interested in a bike over 600 pounds or 120 hp. I just don’t need either of those things in my life. What I do need is some weather protection, a lump that’s easy to use around town, and confidence inspiring handling. In those regards, the Trophy finds itself in an elite class.

The old Trophys were much more comfortable than the Sprints that followed them. It will knock out a 5 hour stint on the freeway no problem and can be ridden all day without fatigue. (the Corbin saddle helps) And it’s far less mass than a modern Trophy, which competes more with BMWs K bikes than their RT twin. It’s a cushy sport bike that can truly tour, a combination that seems to be missing from many manufacturers’ lineups.

That’s not to say it has no modern peers, I just expected to find more. So what’s on my radar? First of all, the Moto Guzzi Norge ticks all my boxes and comes with ABS, fuel injection, plenty of torque, and easy going handling that doesn’t mind playing a sport bike on the weekends. The FJR1300 is a proven platform if not a little bigger than I’d like. From what I can tell, it can be a perfectly good commuter. A Versys 1000 would be an absolute blast, upright yet sporty with long legs for soaking up St Paul’s crumbling infrastructure. And of course BMW’s R1200RT or ST if you can find one. 

I believe the BMW RT has been a consistent favorite because of its friendly power plant, excellent handling, comfort, and reasonable size. It’s just an effortless bike to use day-to-day that will tour and carve corners. It’s not the fastest bike out there and has its issues (ABS). There’s a reason people put so many miles on them, the bike just makes riding easy. These qualities have been a winning combination for decades.

I really didn’t expect a 20 year old Triumph to keep such good company until I set out on a search to replace it. There are surprisingly few motorbikes out there that inspire me to go through the hassle of selling, buying, and dialing in a new bike. Don’t get me wrong, it has 20 year old bike problems: some of the rubber components needed replacement, it has carburetors (which is a non-issue for me), no ABS or traction control, and the bodywork is no longer available from Triumph (most other parts are still available). 

I rode the Trophy to work this morning, cool temps and a light drizzle. A proper English commute. It felt right at home.

No new bike for me yet but you never know when inspiration will strike.

- Ride North

St Paul summer

Beautiful day to be out and about.

Ride North

South east Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin

Got out for a quick 28 hours last Friday and Saturday.

After work on Friday I rode down to Preston Minnesota to meet Todd and my dad at the Country Trails Inn & Suites. This is a great place to stay if you're in the Preston/ Lanesboro area. It has a pool and hot tub, and is conveniently located next to a bowling alley, liquor store, gas station, and supper club. The area is popular for its trout streams, turkey hunting, paved bicycle paths, camping, and motorcycle roads. Expect to run into all sorts of happy folks eager to share stories of their adventures. 

After a beverage on the hotel “patio” we walked up the hill to the Branding Iron super club for old fashions and steak dinners. Neither the view nor the cocktails disappoint, and the food is good too. Afterwards, we stopped in at the bowling alley bar to check out the local scene. Turns out that WE were the local scene. After one round we called it an early night and pointed our boots back towards the hotel.

the Branding Iron, Preston Minnesota

I had a route planned for the next morning that would take us on a tour of south east Minnesota and spit us out in Lansing Iowa around lunch time. Todd and my dad brought their adventure bikes so a little gravel was in order. The lack of paved roads differentiates the Minnesota and Iowa Driftless area from Wisconsin. Gota keep those milk trucks clean! If you want to explore the valleys of Minnesota, you’ll have to get dirty. 

The usual cast of characters.

First on my list was Ox Cart Trail. It’s the back way into Lanesboro and goes up and over a limestone ridge. The highlight is a one lane section that hugs the cliff face on one side and provides views of downtown Lanesboro on the other. It was also a good warm up for what turned out to be reasonably loose gravel roads. 

From there we hopped on highway 16, a blue ribbon road, and found our way over to highway 43. Forty three winds down into the Root River valley (south branch) following the contours of the land as it goes. In the town of Choice we head east on Fillmore County 13/Huston County15, following the river downstream. 

an "abandoned" church on CR 13, 

tents were pitched on the grounds this weekend

Minnesota 76  from CR 4 to CR 22 is a little piece of heaven which was discussed over coffee at a the Farmhouse Eatery & Gifts in Caledonia. I recommend  the coffee cake. Heading out we found another gravel road (CR 249) that would take us to the big river. The closer you get to the Mississippi the grander the views get, towering bluffs and broad valleys. We even caught two eagles with their talons locked as they fell into the valley below us. 

Bob Ross clouds over 76

We picked up lunch in Lansing before traversing the river and taking Wisconsin 82 over to 131 and Wildcat Mountain, roads we are all very familiar with.

Normal spring water levels in Lansing Iowa, 

time to fetch the trailer.

Todd and my dad were staying in the Dells Saturday night before heading to the Slimy Crud run in the morning, I needed to be back in St Paul that evening. We parted ways in Ontario and I set out to find a nice place for a nap before making the journey home. The park at lake Neshonoc, just east of La Crosse, worked out just fine. 

I took mostly straight roads back to highway 35 (108 to Mindoro is under construction) and followed the river back to Prescott. Around Pepin a powerful front came through blowing leaves and branches all over the road. Rain gear on, I watched the storm and lightning roll across lake Pepin. It was beautiful, if not a little damp. As quickly as the storm came it rolled out again leaving a spectacular sunset in its wake. 

At the bird / drawn bow effigy. Hwy 35 north of Pepin.

Even the rain was good on Saturday.

Hwy 52. St Paul to Preston

Preston to Lansing

Lansing to Ontario and back to St Paul

Friday May 4th 

112 mi. 1:48

5:00 - 7:00 PM

60 and sunny

Saturday May 5th

363 mi. 8:11

9:30 AM - 8:30 PM

70s and sunny with a popup storm in the evening

- Ride North

Rooster's rules of the road
The closer you get to your destination, the harder the rain falls.

Different Rooster.

I need to track one of these down. 

Nothing and everything

Mrs. North: "What do you think about all day with no music in your helmet?"
Mr. North: "You guys. Nothing. Everything. Oh but there IS music, just not a radio."

This was the conversation just prior to setting off for three days in the saddle, two solo days and a ride with my Dad and brother (on his new Honda NC700X).

St Paul to Milwaukee.
Milwaukee to Pine Bluff to Leland to Milwaukee.
Milwaukee to St Paul.

t-5 days

The trip started the Monday before when I rolled the Triumph out only to find a nail in my tire, the first in many years. I was able to plug it and ride into the nearest shop for a replacement. Amid the chaos that is spring time at a dealership, Tousley Motorsports was able to source a RoadSmart II for a good price and install it. I quickly filed that expense under "dues paid" and moved on, happy with my new tire.

Day 1

Saturday started out with a quick mountain bike ride and some grocery shopping with the family. The birds were chirping and the leaves were just starting to pop. The plum trees were in full bloom, standing out against the grey forest. By Monday, the leaves had fully popped and the white blossoms were lost in a sea of fresh green.

On the road by 1:00. 70 degrees and sunny.

First stop, a quick view of lake Pepin and cotton ball clouds. 

Selfie with limestone. 

An ancient sea bed in the middle of the continent.

Alma, WI.

More Mississippi River backwaters.

I met a fellow rider and owner of a new Yamaha from Eau Claire. 

Motorcycle people are good folks.

The Elroy - Sparta trail head.

A pair of proper English gents.

From Alma, I took some of my favorite county roads down to Sparta. County roads E - EE - N - D. That little detour up N is worth every second. I didn't have a ton of time to explore county roads so the remainder of the trip was spent on state highways (71 -33 - 60).

1:00pm - 9:00pm (7h 05m of go time)

352 miles

Day 2.

The sun was starting to shine through the windows when I woke up on my brother's couch. A small dog and child came to visit me in the wee hours of the morning, a rare morning that I get to spend with my nephews. I love those little buggers. Each one is cool and interesting in their own way. After some coffee and catch in the backyard the boys and their mom were off to church.

It was a sunny 45 degrees when my dad pulled up on the Tiger, ready to ride. I think we were all excited to spend the day bombing around Wisconsin together. I'm trying to remember the last time the three of us rode together.

There is a "young family" stage of life were nobody is really sleeping, you're just getting going in your career, and money and time are both tight. It's a special time but being Atlas is both rewarding and relentless. (and let us not forget Mrs. Atlas, the true pillar of our world)  This doesn't leave much in the tank for hobbies or long stints away from home.

The work is good and the ride, triumphant.

I think the new bike had bout 100 miles on it when we set off. My brother has had a handful of bikes over the years and I think he really enjoyed being on two wheels again. His job kept him working crazy shifts and most weekends. Now he's getting three out of every four weekends off and I think he's just starting to figure out what that means. (It's amazing what you can get use to, or not.)

I don't think my dad ever gets off his bike but he's retired and can do things like fly to Texas and rent a BMW. (does anyone have an R1200GT for sale?) He's a great pack leader and it was fun to ride behind him and my brother. He's been riding these roads for decades and took us on great little county  two lane roads. It's good to know a local.

It was a real treat to spend the day chasing my dad and brother around some of their old haunts. We rode at a relaxed pace and the ride was uneventful. All the riders and machines preformed excellently, navigating a small handful of technically challenging curves but mostly state highways and flowing back roads.

Gas.

The justification for this ride was to participate in the Slimey Crud Run outside of Madison, Wisconsin. The ride's motto is ride fast, ride short. (or something like that) We did neither but had fun just the same. It's a loosely organized ride with a start and an end but no route. This year was well attended with bikes from all walks of life. The real treat for me is seeing all the old bikes and the characters that keep them going. There's a real chance that you could get behind an old Norton or Guzzi on a twisty back road.

Crud Run gem #1 at Pine Bluff

The Ride North Crew at Leland, a happy bunch.

Norton Atlas 650

(Has there ever been a better name for a motorcycle?)

CB 750 or 900F 

Something about this bike says, "ride me"

What happened to Connie?!? She's changed.

Leland, WI 

There's a fun little road hiding behind that barn.

Ferry crossing on the Wisconsin river.

You're never too old for your dad to buy you ice cream at the Merrimac ferry crossing.

If this goes south, we have a john boat and some duck decoys.

More ferry.

A rest stop on 60 along the Craw Fish River. 

This is an artesian well and runs 24/7.

We stopped at On The Rocks in Neosho, WI for dinner and to congratulate ourselves on a job well done. The "dining room" hangs out over the Neosho Mill Pond and the Ruben came with a slab of corned beef. It's good to know a local.

6h25m of saddle time 248 miles

Day 3

I spent a little less time with my folks than I'd like but there was a child who would be waiting for me to pick him up from daycare. If I had all day to get there I would have made my way back to The River, but this trip would be made at speed and in a straight line. (41 - 33- 94)

Stopped in at Moe's Dinner for lunch and a rest.

I can ride all day and feel great but four hours on the interstate is exhausting. It's deceptively difficult, things can get monotonous while you're cruising at 75 miles an hour. So, you need to come up with games to keep you on the ball. Now that the limit is 70, you'll have some people driving 85 and others doing 65. (plus wind and trucks and the possibility of deer) It's good to take breaks.

5h00m 320 miles

I made it home safely and with plenty of time for pickup. A full fifteen minutes before I had to be anywhere. 

Triumphant.

- Ride North

Good morning Saint Paul!

7:45 AM, 52F
Pre-rain atmosphere changing over to light rain.
Fresh rain smell.
Short cruise through Lillydale.
Triumph ran well.
Legs and arms stayed dry.

- Ride North

One fine February day

Sixty degrees in February! (remember February?)

If I had half a mind, I'd put the battery in the Triumph and go for a ride. Being the half-brained biker that I am, that's just what I did. The roads north of Stillwater have been on my mind ever since taking the scenic route home from the Pumpkin Express train ride in Osceola, Wisconsin.

That guy was carrying a hockey stick. Love Minnesota.

The Ice Road at Bay Port, MN

Making tracks in February!

The cat likes the way I smell after a ride.

Found an unpublished post from this winter. I'm publishing to a.) brag about riding in winter and b.) remind my self why the Triumph is so filthy. It really needs a bath.

- Ride North

BBBC, Feb 2nd - A special memory

It's seven AM on May 5th. After a long winter of routine, family life, and four doors I'm finally on the road again. The cool morning air is filled with the aroma of damp earth and manure. It enters my helmet at 70 miles an hour, I soak in its complexity. For the first time in a while, I am not needed and there is no where to be. A short list of suggestions are scribbled on an envelope tucked neatly in my breast pocket. I stop when I'm hungry. I consume the landscape on my own terms. I am sharply aware of the juxtaposition of my daily schedule against this new state I find myself in.

- Ride North

Ravenna Trail Run

When it's 50 degrees (10C) and sunny on November 2nd you take the afternoon off and go for a motorcycle ride. This is just what is done when you ride north. It's the equivalent of heading to the local ski hill for a powder day. Make hay while the sun shines as they say.

I took the first road out of town, cruising down to Hastings Minnesota, a not so sleepy river town on the Mississippi. The Vermillion River cuts through town before heading south, parallel to the Old Miss. It's river valley is the northern most remnant of the Driftless Area's limestone and spring water bounty. 

Much of the river from Farmington to Highway 52 is a cold water trout stream, shifting in and out of  cold and cool water status whenever a new groundwater spring wells up into the river. (Cold water streams are the home of trout, pike and smallmouth bass love the cool water, catfish are found in warm water. Warm water streams have big swings in temperature from summer to winter while groundwater keeps a cool water a consistent temperature all year long, they don't freeze up. )

Ecology lesson aside, The Vermillion also topples over the limestone bluffs of the Mississippi River at the Old Mill Park in Hastings. Next time I stop, I'll have to look into the history of the building that sits over the falls. It houses a hydro electric plant and I'm curious if it's still operating.  

Vermillion Falls/ Old Mill Park in Hastings, MN

I took Ravenna Trail south out of Hastings and turned left into the Prairie Island Indian Community, home of a casino, several communities, farming, mining and a nuclear power plant. The Island is a section of high ground between the Vermilion's back waters and the Mississippi with a complex history (see the people's encyclopedia).

Just north of Red Wing I turned inland again, taking the back roads into Welch. The winding roads in and around Welch are Minnesota's northern most sections of bluff country. I often skip them on my way to Wisconsin, so the ride was more like discovering new roads than retracing my steps, a welcome addition.

Dutch Belted: Few hoof and joint problems, they produce milk that is easy to digest and take well to rotational grazing. Known for their longevity and hipster farmer cred. 

And some Scotties, which are cool too.

Cannon River tubing epicenter in Welch, MN, not much activity on November 2nd. 

From Welch, I took the dirt toads west towards Cannon Falls. Most of these roads are polished smooth by the back and forth trips of old school buses dropping off tubers and their coolers up river. It's a beautiful section of Minnesota road, when nobody is there. Tubing the Cannon id fun but get on the river before noon to avoid most of the drinking and shenanigans. Of course, all that is long gone by November.

the Cannon River

Miesville Ravine Park is the home to Trout Brook, a native brook trout stream.

note to self: go fishing. Take picture of a brook trout. Reread "Brook Trout: a Natural History" as punishment for your crimes.

The City of Miesville is home to the Miesville Mudhens, a AAAAaaaaaa league baseball team and the 2016 state champs! www.miesvillemudhens.com/

West of Miesville, new marble sized gravel has been spread across the road, making the conditions closer to riding on ice than sand. I may have broke 20 mph but not for long. My touring tires squirmed under the bike with every change in direction. "Go slow young man" was my mantra.

(Maps by Google, recorded via https://rever.co/)

I also took this opportunity to test drive a new smart phone app, Rever. The base maps were well labeled and it is really easy to start and manage new rides. I'll have to test is out on an all day ride to see how much battery it munches. Overall though, it was not bad. 

Nov 1st | 2:40 | 120 miles

- Ride North