DuQuoin Illinois - GWRRA Southern Illinois Ride In Day Two

Sandy and I were up by 6:45 AM. I don't know what kind of birds dive bombed the hood of the Equinox yesterday or what they had been eating, but my attempt to wash some of the bird crap off yesterday with just water and a cloth resulted in a smeared mess. This morning, I tackled it first with Kawasaki PreWash and then used Honda Spray Polish with two cloths to make it look presentable.

The Weather Network said that it would start raining at 9:00 AM and stop an hour later. There were two group rides scheduled to leave the GWRRA Southern Illinois Ride In at 10:00 and we wanted to be on one of them, so we rode the bike down the street to McDonald's. At 8:00 AM sharp, we watched a heavy downpour through the restaurant window.

Looking at the sky and radar, as soon as the rain eased up we took the bike back to the hotel and then drove the Equinox to the fairgrounds. The sun came out at 8:20 for a moment and then it started raining again.

Registration underway

The mood was quiet

People worked on their "find a friend" sheets

Try to find people who fit the descriptions in the blocks

Do you match any of these??

The rides left over an hour late. The first was a lunch ride while the second went to Flamm Orchards. We chose to stay back and get to know some of the non-riders. Around lunch time, Sandy and I drove to Carbondale and had lunch at Arby's. We returned in time for a presentation by Sgt. Joey Watson of the Illinois State Police. The lunch ride was not so lucky.

Sgt. Christopher "Joey" Watson, ISP

ISP still used Milwaukee iron

Sgt. Joey was no stranger to the GWRRA. Today's demonstration covered two techniques. They were both cornering related since ISP stats show the majority of single bike wrecks result from failure to negotiate a curve.

The first skill was trail braking, where the operator uses both front brake and throttle simultaneously to enhance control in corners. It was pointed out that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation does not teach this technique. Joey suggested practicing in a straight line first and demonstrated. Observers were able to see headlight dip gradually as the front brake engaged and then rise as it was released.

Eager observers

Getting ready

Watch the headlight

Gradually dip

The second message was about body angle. The more vertical the body, the less vertical the bike resulting in reduced ground clearance. He took the same corner at the same speed four times.

"Nervous Nellie" body upright

Body neutral looks pretty typical

Upper body leans in causing bike to be more upright

Hanging off gives most clearance

The trail braking gave me something to think about. I do it sometimes but not as often as Sgt. Joey suggested was right. He asked if I could send him the above photos.

After the demos, everyone went back to the pavilion to await supper. It consisted of hot dogs, really tasty brats and mild chili followed by desserts.

Carlene, Reed and Steve

Willie deep in discussion

Don operating the grill

Soon

Carlene making sure all is running well

GWRRA Illinois Chapter Q

There was a light parade. A number of bikes made several circuits of the campground and then everyone voted for their favourite.

There were some very nice light displays. However, in a moment of I don't know what, Mike C won the people's choice. Here he was holding his one non-OEM LED flashlight over his head.

Yea, Mikey

Dirty bingo was like a cross between regular Bingo and a really warped version of Dirty Santa. Actually, it was nothing like regular Bingo. People pick prizes. People steal prizes. People steal prizes back. At the end, people who were lucky enough to keep prizes opened them.

Sandy is doing OK for now

Our table mates

Sandy managed to win a bacon press. We will either have to start cooking bacon at home or give it to son-in-law Mike.

When Dirty Bingo adjourned, everyone headed down to Ye Olde Country Store to celebrate Bob's final few days in the ice cream business. That flavour I could not remember yesterday was Caramel Collision. I will be doing penance for that for a while. Both last night and again tonight.

After we dropped Willie and Carlene at the fairgrounds, we returned to the hotel where I skipped my photo and blog chores and went straight to bed.

DuQuoin Illinois - GWRRA Southern Illinois Ride In - Day One

Sandy and I weren't up until 8:00 AM. There was nothing major going on at the Ride In this morning, so we went down to the lobby for a continental breakfast. Then we returned to the room where I sat my butt down at the computer and did not get up until I had finished posting all our receipts and writing four days of outstanding blog posts. I got done that about 2:00 PM.

All caught up for the moment, we took the car over to the fairgrounds and picked up our registration package. We then hung around in the registration tent with a few other folks until it was time to go to supper.

 These are pretty trees

 The campground is filling up

 Registration is open

 Trying to get some names on the Make A Friend sheet

 Friendly times

Willie eventually got back from taking his mother to her doctor. He and Carlene decided we should go for supper at Kalin's Cafe downtown about 5:00 because we wanted to get ice cream at Ye Olde Country Store afterwards. they had to be back at the campground by 7:00 for Wingo (like Bingo but with motorcycle related names).

 Willie explaining the doctor process to Charlie, Sandy and Carlene

Our Equinox was parked in an open field away from any wires or poles and yet what had to be several birds used our hood for target practice. What a mess. I cleaned some off and will use the cleaning compounds I never use on the bike in the morning.

On the way to the restaurant, I stopped by the hotel room to pick up my phone. I could not find it. Eventually, Willie phoned and Sandy found it blending into the bedspread.

What can I say about Kalin's Cafe? Like Lambert's, they have no concept of portion size. Sandy ordered a mushroom Swiss burger. I asked for a double mushroom Swiss burger with steak fries. I know, I have no willpower. The burger was one of the best I have ever had but I had no idea it would be that big. Two patties made up a monstrous quality of meat and it took everything I had to finish. But finish I did.

 The Kalin's Krowd

 My double mushroom Swiss burger and fries

After finishing, paying and inviting the cute server to the fairground for breakfast, we headed down the street to Ye Olde Country Store. We have come here for ice cream every time we have been in DuQuoin. If you haven't been here yet, don't get your hopes up. After trying unsuccessfully to sell the business, Bob will be closing down for good on Sunday.

We all had one (generous) scoop in a dish. I had what sandy had, a caramel something with chunks of chocolate in it. I know I'm really going to pay but it was sooo good. We'll be back tomorrow for another round. Thanks for the treat, Willie.

 We really enjoyed the ice cream

 That looked interesting

We headed back to the campground where Willie and Carlene got the Wingo game going. The cards have motorcycle related words on them which the caller draws from a box and shouts out. Other than not being numbers, it was exactly like Bingo.

 Ready  the games

 Willie, 50/50 salesman extraordinaire

 Willie calling Wingo

People intently waiting for the winning word

After the sun had set, Sandy and I decided to head back to the room. By 9:15, I had the bills posted, photos sorted and uploaded and story finished. Time for bed because tomorrow, we ride.