Bak BMW Victory KTM Open House

The Bak BMW Open House was Saturday, March 28th. The weather was cool, but they still did the demo rides. I didn't signup for a ride this year, but everyone said they were a lot of fun. Beemer was there greeting everyone as she does so well. Jim J. lead the rides. The pulled pork sandwhiches were also great.

Beemer, the Bak Shop Cat, and Al
seemed to like the new F650GS

Saturday Morning Breakfast

The Big Sioux Riders has been meeting Saturday mornings at 8 AM (or so) for breakfast for several years now. We recently tried Kim's Homestyle Cafe at 6th and Pearl St. across from the Federal Building in Sioux City. The food's good, the cost is very good, and portions are too good. Paul B and Kim grew up next door to each other as kids. Kim's entire family seems to work at the Resturant. They treat our group really well and hearing stories about Paul's childhood is simply a bonus. Saturday, March 21st we had our best turn out in some time. Below is a photo of some of bikes that were there when L and I got there. I had to go to Ames later that day, but six of the folks (Jim J, Stan S, Chuck S, Al A, Loyd A and Randy R) went for a ride after wards down in the Loess Hills and Al told me later it was one of those riding days you just dream about - perfect. They road about 280 miles. Too bad I missed it, hope we have another soon.

HID lights and a Ride to Niobrara

I spent Saturday working with Chuck and Al to get HID lights in my GSA (“Pig” – You have to say it like Farmer Hogget in “Babe”). The lights are in now (cool) and but it looks like I’m going to need a new windscreen because the old one is shot. I remember when Randy, Pig’s prior owner, flipped her on muddy road during a training class. Kind of wonder if this is the same windshield or did Randy replace it before he went to Alaska and then broke that one too? Inquiring minds want to know, but its not important. Hopefully I can find a cheap, newer looking one on eBay.

I also found the auxiliary plug on the dash was not wired very well and fused the wrong way (ground was fused) so we replaced that with a watertight inline fuse while we were in there. We finished up about 4 PM on Saturday and we were all beat. Hopefully we’ll have time to do Al’s LT in the next week or two. I also have a set to place in Strom.

Spring must be here because Sunday (March 15th) was an even more glorious day then Saturday. After calling Shannon to tell him some of great jokes I heard on Prairie Home Companion that morning, I rolled out the K bike (“Dagmar”), checked her over, filled her tires. and started getting my things together. I wasn’t able to find a couple of things, but by 2 PM I figured I better get rolling and forget about the missing stuff for now. I was off to get a cheese or elk burger in Niobrara at the Two Rivers Saloon.

It was nice to be out on the road again, but able 20 miles into the ride near Ponca, NE I realized the error of my plan - riding Dagmar when I intend to sell her was not very forward thinking! The bike still handles great on the long hauls, and one cannot get that her solid planted feeling on the GSA or Strom. I’m really going to miss this gal and am having second thoughts about selling her again. I refilled in Crofton, NE… all the $4/gallon gas from early last fall was gone and I put in some fresh $1.69/gallon gas… for a total of $8.75, wow.

I got to the Two Rivers Saloon in Niobrara about 4 PM and went inside. Strangely Pat, the old owner, was back running the bar. When I asked what happened to Eddie, Pat grumbled something. He said they had a lot of dirty dishes in back and if I really wanted something to eat he was going to have to wash them up and asked if I really wanted a cheese burger. I said the main reason I was there was just to get out for a ride and that a draw of Fat Tire beer would do the trick. Pat kept peering at me from behind the bar, and I have the distinct feeling that he didn’t really want to be there. Wonder what happened to Eddie, the guy Pat sold the bar to last fall? There were about a dozen locals drinking heavly at the bar and the Fat Tire beer was excellent. I rode out of Niobrara about 4:30 and arrived in Sioux City shortly after 6 PM. I rinsed the salt off Dagmar and put her back away.

Trek to Bob's Bar in Martinsburg, Nebraska

Saturday, March 7th was the bi-annual Sioux Falls Autobahn Club ride to Bob's Bar in Martinsburg, Nebraska. It was about 32 degrees in Sioux City and the forecast was 100% rain so everyone decide that 4 wheels beat 2 wheels with ice in mind. Shannon drove and Leta went with us. We left Sioux City and got to Martinsburg about 1:30 PM and the Dale and Gary from Sioux Falls/Canton were already there with a pitcher of beer getting an early start. Bob's is a famous dive which serves some rather well know sized portions. No one was hungry when we pushed back the chairs at about 4 PM and left. It was a nice way to spend a crappy weather day, but just maybe not that healthy.

Dale and Shannon getting down to business

Leta and Gary thinking about cholesterol levels.

Shannon, Dale, Gary, and Leta outside the bar afterward.