I recently traded my 2011 Soft Tail Deluxe, a small bike, for a 2012 Harley Road Glide, a big touring bike. The seat is low and I can handle this one easily. With metallic red paint and lots of chrome, she looks good.
Yesterday, I was buying gas and a man came up and exclaimed, “So, you just got a brand new one, eh?”. I thanked him and told him it was 9 years old. He couldn’t stop staring at it. Loved the compliment, I always keep my bikes clean and polished.
Today, I decided I wanted to explore the Loess Hills. These are steep hills of fine dirt deposited over many eons by wind erosion along the Missouri River for a few hundred miles. They are tall and very steep. I studied different areas and some have paved roads and others don’t. I don’t want to take a huge touring bike on a dirt road, so I found traces of the Lincoln Highway, one of the first major highways. I discovered that it ran north out of Council Bluffs, Iowa through Crescent Iowa on up to Highway 30, which runs back into Nebraska.
I would be hungry, so I googled bars in Crescent. I hit the mother lode of dive biker bars. There were several in the little town and one had 5 star reviews on their burgers. I filled with fuel and took off for Crescent, about 65 miles away, mostly interstate. But wait, I have to get off in Council Bluffs and then find the old Lincoln Highway. I had a nice initial ride at 80 mph. This Harley loves to run. She cruises like a Tomahawk missile with no strain on her big V-twin engine. She has a nice suspension, great tunes through the headset and a comfy seat. I was almost disappointed to find the exit so soon. I rode from memory after studying the maps before hand. She doesn’t have navigation, but I winged it just fine. I got on the old Lincoln Highway and it was packed with motorcycles. This is a twisty road with lots of interesting scenery.
I soon find myself in Crescent and stumble right into the Biker Bar, complete with a parking lot full of bikes. What a great sign. I had to park on gravel, but with the low seat, I had no real issues. Like many small bars, they had a lot of cute signs. I ordered a cheeseburger and it was true to the ratings, a super small town bar burger. It was no lightweight, tipping the scales at a full half pound of Nebraska beef.
I ate slow and savored every bite, then back on my bike to continue my exploration of the “Old Lincoln Highway”. Right where I would be turning off was a block of bikes parked outside Papa Joe’s bar. Must be something good going on here, so I stopped. My bike fit right in with all the others and I went inside. They must have a large immigrant populace, as I saw a sign about another language they don’t speak. I didn’t really understand, but the sign was interesting, so here it is.
I finished my ride by taking highway 30, which continues the Lincoln Highway and rode back home. Great day of riding, about 200 miles and some enjoyable experiences.