DAY NINE - A Tour of the Shores Lake Michgan

Ah the last full day in Wisconsin. The weather was absolutely perfect, the festival was winding down and a lot of people were beginning to pack up and leave for their homes. During their stay in the lovely Midwest Thrivette met so many interesting people and today was no different. Over the last few days the girls have been bonding with a gentleman from Virginia and today he introduced them to his special friend Animal. Animal travels with him all the time. Thrivette said she wants to be like Animal and do more traveling!!

Since, the festivals were winding down and the weather was perfect Sher and Bif decided to take a tour along the shores of Lake Michigan. This is Biff old stomping grounds. They followed the rolling hills on the edge of the Kettle Moraine, vroomed past beautiful lakes, and beautiful lush landscape. the drove about 75 miles north to a city called Manitowoc where Bif use to live and graduated high school. She had not been back since 1981! And she could still find her way around the scenic city. Manitowoc is situated right on Lake Michigan and is famous for it's Maritime history and the ferry the goes between Michigan and Wisconsin. And of course, Manitowoc has a HD dealership where Thrivette met a new friend... a pig...oh we mean a hog.

Tomorrow is the start of the journey westward!!!

DAY EIGHT- THE PARADE and Some X-rated Activities for Thrivette

The big adventure of the day was the HUGE......HUMUNGEOUS........GIGANTIC.........
motorcycle parade. This was like no other parade, 4.5 miles of 100,000s of people and some 7,500 motorcycles!!! It was absolutely unreal!!! (Check out a news websites http://www.wisn.com/ to look at better parade picture.)

The trekking trio and the chicken got up early and mounted their bikes and were at Miller Park by 6:30am. Even by that early hour thousands of bikes had arrived and were lining up for the parade. As the four "chicks"rode into the staging area it was incredibly well organized with many people were there directing the riders. Our ever so cautious Biffy was actually told to go slower...... hmm....... maybe they wanted her to walk her bike... Since lots of people would be waiting around the organizers did have food vendors in the staging area...but the choices were limited.....Brats (Bratwurst for you non Midwesterners) and Beer......Brats and beer - yumm the perfect Midwestern breakfast.

About 20 minutes before the ride was to begin Biffy and Sheri decided to powder their noses one last time...never knowing how long they'd be in the parade. And one would think that that kind of task was simple....Wrong...... The challenge was first making it through the sea of bikes to the line of many, many lovely blue porta potties. And that challenge was simple in comparison what Sheri and Bif had to do upon completion of the nose powdering. They now had to find two, tiny little bikes hidden in chasm of bikes. Even though Sheri and Bif think they have big bikes, the bikes here are huge!! Sheri and Biffs bikes are kind like nice little girly scooters in comparison to many of the bikes here. So, finding those little scooters in a sea of monster bikes was a challenge. Oh joy, the duo had an AH HA moment (as Oprah would say) they realized their was something distinct about Super Sheri's bike. tied to her antenna was a lovely little blue glove left there by their favorite mechanics Mark & Tim and Bachmans Cycles!!! Those mechanics are helpful souls aren't they - always thinking. Yea that blue glove really was handy.

Once they found their scooters, the bikers were allowed to leave the staging area two by two. As they merged onto the streets of Milwaukee they were greeted by cheering fans ...thousands and thousands and thousands of them. People packed the streets, were on top of buildings and hanging from balconies. This was a much bigger parade than the SF pride parade!!! It was WILD.

Following the parade the four chicks left the Summerfest grounds for another event site at one of the local HD dealers. There was a huge party and out of all the dealer parties this is the one that Thrivette had the most fun at because she got to experience the well ummm seeder side of the biker lifestyle,including getting felt up by a real live stripper! and being involved with some kind of bong contest!!! Now, children cover your eyes - this is an adult only adventure. The pictures speak for themselves.

Following the risque event the four chicks decided to mellow out a bit. Ginger had had enough and decided to go back to the hotel to relax. Bif was experiencing a bit of thrift store withdrawal. So, off they went to a consignment store and to the ever popular Lands End Outlet (yea Teri - one of your favorite stores). Of course Bif found lots of bargains......they will be shipping many things home....can't fit all those bargains on the bike...hmm so will the shipping costs outweigh the bargain prices......And at each of the stores the staff chatted the girls up about what it was like to be in the parade and about biking. Can you believe it ..even in the consignment store they were incredibly nice to bikers....Gotta love these Milwaukians!!!

And to top this fabulous day off. Sheri and Bif had dinner with Bifs dad. Oh yea, just like in college, when they went to dads house they brought along their laundry and did it at dads house. And Biffs dad, the ever helpful dadio made something special for the girls...their own portable little bottle of windex!!! Isn't he precious.

One last note.... A special message to our "BIG F%#King Ray of Sunshine" don't worry we have not forgotten about you. Remember, in an earlier post we mentioned that we were the motorcycle version of Charlies Angles and you are our Charlie helping us get through this "mission." Check out this...we are Harley Angles. So, Charlie call us with our next mission!!

DAY SEVEN: The Festival-Double WOOOOWZER

Where in the world would you find a couple hundred thousand Harley Davidson motorcycles - Milwaukee's picturesque lakefront and throughout the city. Bikers really have taken over the entire city. Everywhere the trekking trio went today there were many, many, many, many bikes.


Lake Michigan




Contemporary Art
Museum @ Lake front

So often bikers are not welcomed and perceived to be some lifeforms lower than a slug. Well, Milwaukians are much more savvy than holding on to such ugly stereotypes. They have truly rolled out the red carpet for Biffy and all the other bikers. Everywhere they go there are signs welcoming the bikers, people standing on the overpasses wave at all the bikers and everyone, from the hotel staff, to the gas station attendees, to people in the grocery store, to the restaurants greet us all with huge smiles and engage in conversations about biking. They have been sooooo cool!!! What an amazing experience - how can Bif even explain the joy of being so welcomed and being part of this tremendous event!!! This is a once in a lifetime experience....one the most memorable and fabulous that Bif and Thrivette have ever experienced!!!


Although, the trio has been seeing more women bikers, they have yet to see another group of only women.........Thankfully, HD is really encouraging women to get into the sport and had a whole Pavilion dedicated to women. Most of the events focused on things like how to deal with helmet hair, how to eat right on the road and helping new riders (or women considering becoming riders) learn some basic techniques. Some day, when there are more and more women riders maybe HD will have more seminars and information for skilled riders.




And we have yet to meet another rubber chicken....but today Thrivette met the human Chickenman Notice how Thrivette is bowing her head in honor of meeting the chicken man. This big burly Harley rider loved meeting the rubber poultry. His CB handle is the chicken man and his grand kids call him "grandpa chicken." Today, not only did the girls feel so welcomed by Milwaukians - Thrivette observed that "hard core, tough" Harley guys seem to be fascinated with rubber chickens...interesting connection.....Harley guys reallyy are big sweethearts underneath all that "toughness."










Thrivette had a big day today. She started the day by going on a tour of one of the Harley factories. When they go to the factory the trio had to park their bikes way behind the factory. Thankfully, Thrivette met a very special golf cart diver, named Stanley, who gave them all a ride from the bikes to the factory. Stanley made Thrivette cluck with giggles when he said "usually you see the hogs chasing the chicks but Thrivette seems to be chasing the hogs." Thrivettte enjoyed the tour and learning about twin cam engines.

In addition, to these two characters Thrivette met up with southern gentleman she met in LaCrosse. She also met riders from all over the world, including: Italy, UK, Germany and France. These bikers rent bikes while in Milwaukee or the went to the lengths of shipping their bikes!!!!







At the event, Thrivette and Bif were really fascinated by the police stunt riders. HOLY BOLOGNA can those guys ride. They can whip those bikes around in really tight circles and at incredibly fast speeds. As they zipped those bikes around in ways that just plain shouldn't be possible a gentleman next to Biff captured the feeling of the moment by saying "Holy Crap" in absolute amazement. Now, Biffy really knows how much more she needs to work on increasing her skills.

Thrivette has been so thankful to have been freed from her office that today she felt very generous and "gave back." HD is big supporter of the Muscular Distrophy Association and Thrivette was compelled to support them and by a raffle ticket.

One last note for today - when the trio was going back to the hotel they got a bit lost. Bif was a passenger with Super Sheri and Bif was seen on the back of bike while going down the road pulling out her blackberry and pulling up mapquest to figure out how to get "unlost." So, one can search the Internet almost anywhere...even on the back of a bike.

Stay tuned tommrow for highlights of the parade from the ThrivetteCam...........

Day Six - Milwaukee WOWZER

This morning the trekking trio awoke to rain, rain and more rain. As they ate breakfast they intently watched the weather and it appeared that the rain was not going to let up. But have no fear......rain gear is here!! They packed up the bikes, strapped everything in, tightly bungeed it on and cover their gear and themselves with the ever so important rain gear. And off they went on their final 70 mile trek from Madison to Milwaukee. Fortunately, for the short hour long ride the weather held out and the trekking trio stayed dry. Then about about 9:00am....the trekking trio arrived....they arrived........HOLY BOLOGNA.....they really, really made it all way to Milwaukee.

Once they got settled in their room they were off the their first HD 105 aniversary events.Thousands of bikes, lots of people...lots of stuff to do. Thrivette was so excited now she'd be able to experience the true biker lifestyle....oh to be a biker "chick." Bikes, rock music, beer, tattoos, piercings......oh so much to experience.

And of course the trio and the chicken are meeting mighty interesting people. Like the dreadlocks boy who wanted to chock Thrivette, the couple from Chicago who trailered their bike.....oh that 90 miles from Chicago to Milwaukee is such a hard ride....whimps...

More tales latter.

And MC check this out....people in the biker world love to "Talk Like a Pirate" Ay matey..

And a special note to our favorite mechanics...Mark and Tim....your lovely shop model Mona....has competition, check this lady out....gotta love biker fashion.

DAY FIVE - 2285 miles Hanging Out In Madison

Thrivette Gets a New Perspective

This morning Thrivette decided to make a special request of the trekking trio. As much as she has enjoyed being strapped on the back of Biffys bike, Thrivette thought it might be fun to ride facing forward on Super Sheri's bike!! And ooooo what a special experience it was being able to see the world as she entered it vs as she exited it!!

Today, the trekking trio decided to go for a tour of Wisconsin's great capital Madison WI. They started out the journey with a late breakfast and a visit to the OnAlaska HD store. As they arrived they were greeted with a couple hundred other motorcycles - all of whom were on the same pilgrimage to 105 HD event in Milwaukee. The bulk of those bike took off en mass roaring through the streets of OnAlaska/LaCrosse Wisconsin. The trio did a little shopping before they left the dealership.

Biffy was very thankful that this morning the weather was a bit warmer so she didn't have to be electrified by putting on her extra layers of heated gear. Although that gear is "sweet" and most defiantly is a welcome addition on chilly rides. As the trio left, it was warm but overcast. they filled up with gas one last time and knew that today's' ride would be a short 150mile trek to Biffy's college town- Madison Wisconsin. The trio and the chicken breathed in the clean Wisconsin air and were headed for Madison.

It was a beautiful ride through Wisconsin. This was the Mississippi valley area and the Wisconsin Dells. For those of you not familiar with Wisconsin - the reason it is so lovely is in part due to the work of the glaciers millions of years ago. And those glaciers did an indescribably beautiful job of craving out the land in this part of the state. The beautiful cliffs, the Wisconsin river, gently rolling hills and the incredibly lush land were..beautiful.

Bif was enjoying such beauty as she glided down the road, and as usual, listening to npr recapped the most exciting moments of the democratic convention and sipping yummy coffee. Biffy began to notice that even the names of the stores were different here in the Midwest. As many Targets as they saw they also saw Shopkos! Instead of Pete's Coffee in the Midwest they have Sapp Brothers coffee.....yes....Sapp Brothers. Biffy hasn't dared try the Sapp brothers concoctions ..yet. And many of the 7-11 like gas/food shops were named Kum & Go. Oh..now....Biff wasn't kidding...that really is the name of a chain of stores......hmmmm Midwesterners certainly do have curious names for things....

The trio stopped in for a little break in Mauston Wisconsin. At the stop they met two couples who were traveling together whom hailed from New York state. The men were riding and the women were passengers. As they all chatted two other bikes rolled in one of whom, FINALLY....was another woman rider!! The duo was traveling from Oregon state. At the Mauston HD dealership they had the most creative use of high heeled shoes ..ever....The planted catus plants in them!!! Now that is the only useful thing to do with high heels.

And once again the trio experienced the niceness of Wisconsinites. Sheri had go into a store to look some things up on her blackberry and look at the road map. Sheri accidental left the map in the store and a gentleman saw it and saw Biffy and asked if that guide may be hers....he made sure the trekking trio had their maps....that was very nice.....

Then onward to Madison the trio went. Biffy showed off her former home. The first thing they did was stop at the HD dealership where they were greeted by a couple thousands bikes!!! The heard that had left LaCrosse early in the morning had arrived in Madison and were now greeted by thousands more bikes. Bikers are taking over Wisconsin.......The trio took extra special care of Thrivette and covered her ears - as the thousands of bikes roared out of the dealership on their journey to Milwaukee. That many bikes made just a wee bit of noise...and the earth seemed to be shaking a bit too....Wisconsin is not earthquake land.......What a powerful site to see, hear and feel that many bikes......Wow...now, what will it be like when the trio and the chicken are joined by hundreds of thousand bikes in Milwaukee.....The excitement is building!!!

After that experience, Biffy showed off her college town. They went down to the famous State Street that runs between capitol and the University of Wisconsin. They gabbed some famous Bascom ice cream (it is too...much better than that hippy dippy stuff from Berkely that Ok kyun ravs so much about), and headed to the Memorial Union Terrace. This in one of Bif's favorite spots in the world. They relaxed eating their ice cream and watched the sail boats. They also witnessed a very crafty little squirrel. he was up in one of the huge oaks trees and was throwing things down at the students sitting on the Terrace. He had pretty darn good aim, and made contact with a few students and with their computers. Funny how Mr. Squirrel left the trekking trio alone.......

Madison has been quite an adventure......especially for Thrivette.... once again she met many interesting friends......including singing feet, clowns and a robot...Wisconsin is a colorful state now isn't it.

CAN YOU NAME THIS FAMOUS WISCONSINITE?

Off to bed before the big day....our arrival in Milwaukee...OH BOY!!! And llok for the trekking trio and the chicken in the big HD parade on Saturday. Out of the hundred of thousands bikes that will be in Milwaukee only 7,500 were choosen to be in the parade..and all three of our bikes got passes...Yippeeee....

DAY FOUR - 2115miles, 503 today - We're HOME!!!

The Ride - Lincoln NE to LaCrosse WI

Today the blog is starting out about the ride...After all yesterdays excitement Thrivette needed to have quiet day just observing the world from the back of Biffys bike......with one exception we'll get to latter.

Given our good fortune with the weather, the bikes and our personal endurance - this morning we arose and realized we were way ahead of schedule. Therefore, we could play a little and take a side trip. We looked at maps and decided to take a jaunt north through Iowa, to Minnesota and finally arriving in LaCrosse WI.

This journey is one that is being taken by thousands of people from all over the world. Back in Salt Lake City we met our first, fellow HD 105 trekers. At our hotel we met two men who were traveling together, and at a pit stop we met three gentlemen who - ironically were from Lodi CA - where Sheri grew up. This morning we met a sweet gentle man from Texas, And tonight when we pulled into our hotel we we greeted by five charming men from Alabama,Virgina,Florida and Georgia. See picture at side..funny how big tough harely guys seem to love to pose with Thrivette. And yesterday at one of our pitstops we were told about a group that stopped there the day before who were from Brazille. Each group we've met all chatted about how long we were going to ride each day, what routes we were taking and how our bikes were holding up. The biking community is family....weird, diverse, yet family. At each stop we are meeting more and more "relatives" we never knew we had. We may not share "blood" but we share the spirit of the road and the love of HD.

But this trekking trio is a bit different....unique......not only are we traveling with a lovely rubber chicken......we are three women.....We are all over 45 years old, professional, and we are riding together with no men.......We have met a few other women who also are on this trek to Mecca.....but only one other woman was a rider....and she was with her husband.......

We are like the motorcycle version of Charlies Angles. The three of us are out to conquer this journey together. And our "Charlie" is named Teri...who is connected to us every minute of the ride. And thank goodness for technology, as Teri is virtually connected all day long. We send emails, and texts at every stop and talk with "Charlie" every night.

Talk about women's empowerment......we don't need a silly weekend retreat...we just need to hop on our bikes and travel across country. We are empowered and powerful women........Biffy can hardly believe what this trio has accomplished!!!

And today's ride literally brought tears to our, usually goofy and quirky Biffy. Biffy has come home. Thomas Wolff may believe You Can't Go Home Again but Bif knows differently. As the trio trekked through the end of the flat plains of NE they crossed into Iowa....Iowa...so close to Wisconsin...where Biffy was born and raised. And we pasted very close to Siox City Iowa where super Sheri was born.

The land migrated from the plains into the gentle rolling hills, huge green lush trees and lakes and rivers. And the sky was such a beautiful crisp blue withbig puffy fairweather clouds. No smog ot fire in the air here. Biffy knew this land....this was all so very familiar.

As they continued through the day Biffy saw so many familiar sites....that she hadn't seen in years. On the sides of the were the beautiful delicate blue chicory flowers, the delicate queen Ann's lace and horse tail grass. Some people consider them road side weeds but Biff remember their beauty. All these "weeds" lining the side of the road and further were the amazing views of the miles and miles of corn fields, the beautiful streams and huge lush green trees. And as the trio came into Wisconsin the land changed into the limestone cliffs, sumac trees and of course....the spectacular Mississippi River.....What a view, what an incredible site to see....And all of this is Biffy's homeland.......This is land to be cherished and Biffy feels incredibly fortunate to be from this part of the country.

As idealic as this may sound, ther is one huge difference...And we mean huge....BUGS, BUGS and more bugs. They grow them huge here in the midwest and the traveling trio got know that fact all that too well because......many of those huge bugs splatted on the trio's faces....YUCK and double YUCK....Bug guts...ickky poo.....And poor, poor Biffys Sparkley Bike (SB), she is just not as sparkely as she was when she left California....she is a little dingy now with the road dirt and the yucky bugs.....and of course the reimants of that little diet coke incident.

Thankfully, our lovely Thrivette was on the back of the bike avoiding all the icky bugs. Oh gees.....

Talking about being in the Midwest, we must chat about the people. Midwesterners are just plain some kindest people in the entire world. They are just plain are nice. The first thing the traveling trio noted about the people was that the further we got into the Midwest - Thrivette was gaining a bigger and bigger fan club. Vehicle after vehicle past by the trio with grand smiles, waves and even a few elbows flapping....like a chicken. And everyone we met ....are just plain nice and always offering to go the extra mile to help in any way.

At one Starbucks stop a lady was chatting with the trio and share some very important information. "You know, you girls can go a little faster on the road between 4pm and 7pm. Because at that time the state troopers take a long supper break (or dinner for non-midwesterns) and after 11pm you'll be fine cause the troopers are in bed by then." Now, that was certainly important info for the trio to ponder.......

Ok so we know you are all waiting for the Thrivette story of the day......OMG Thrivette got to commune with SPAM...Yes, really SPAM. The traveing trio we riding along on hiway 90 through MN. When all of a sudden they girls were approaching Austin MN and if you don't know what Austin is famous for you are clearly not a hip soul.........Austin is the home of the International SPAM Museum!!!! And yes Thrivette and the motorcylces had a lovely time comuning with real "hogs."


Peace Out,
Biff and her play mates

Thrivette - the Fashion Diva

DAY 3 - 374 Miles today ... 1612 miles total
Thrivette Gets A Fashion Consultant

Today the trekking trio plus the chicken decided to take it easy and poke around a bit in Nebraska. They made fabulous progress and Thrivette reminded the girls that this is her first time out in the real world and as much fun as it has been to be on the bikes she'd like to experience a few other things in life. So, the trekking trio obliged the chickens wishes. Thrivette had a fulfilling day of meeting new people, having new adventures and most importantly meeting with a fashion consultant. Below are a series of pictures documenting the day!

THRIVETTE'S FASHION CONSULTANT

Isn't it every girls dream to have her own personal fashion consultant? Today, our lovely Thrivette met the ever so charming Michelle at the North Platte Harley Davidson store in Nebraska. Michelle took special care of Thrivette and helped her get the most flattering and fashionable clothes. Michelle took extra special care of her client,even making sure she got fabulous t-shirt saying "Harley Chick." And look at these results.....now this outfit would certainly meet the Stacy and Clinton of What Not to Wear. Look at the results....isn't she stunning.

THRIVETTE MAKES NEW FRIENDS
Look at some of Thrivettes other new friends...she is a popular girl in the Midwest. Seemed people in the West did not take to well to rubber chickens....or her guardians....But those Midwesterners are a happy, jolly lot and seem to be quite enamored with rubber chickensBig "tough" Harley Employees chumming it up with Thrivettte

Nick the very charming Cracker Barrell Waiter loves serving chicken......

THRIVETTE'S DAY OF ADVENTURES These are just a few pictures......

PINBALL ANYONE? ****************SHARP ANTELORS ******************CAMP FIRES

Pretty flowers ******************Chicken SPAs +**************A little Reading while on road

Oh Yea - The Ride
It was wonderful leaving the west and journeying into the Midwest. The green and trees abound!! Cornfields went on for as far as the eye could see. Yet, this rather flat land lead to just wee bit of wind. Biffy almost lost her helmet and Ginger decided sleeping will riding was a good trick......hmmmm

Peace out
Bif, Sheri and the chicken

Day Two -Thrivette Finds a Friend

561 Miles later we've arrived in Sidney NE

Yup that means we have travel 1238 miles in total!!Ya babee that is aheck of a lot of riding.

The big,big,big new of the day is that our beloved Thrivette met a long lost relative. It was a moment us moment when Thrivettee spotted her relative...another rubber chicken.....hanging from the side of a huge semi-truck!!! Interestingly, that truck was from a beef processing house.... Thrivette did start clucking away when she saw her relative and her feathers were a bit ruffled when she realized she could only see the bottom half of her newly found relative......and that the head of that chicken was stuck in the door of the truck...possible chocking her relative. Thrivette felt such mixed reactions...she was so excited to see another of her kind yet to frightened to ponder if "Clucky" her new relative was being choked to death by an evil beef processing truck......If they could "process" beef what forever could they do to rubber chickens.

So...about the ride.... The sites were beautiful as usual. This is an amazing way to see the country. Today, we rode through many, many mountains as we traveled through Utah and Wyoming. It is hard to describe the beauty of the changing terrain and what it is like to glide through the mountains on our bikes.The peace and incredible empowerment of riding complimented by experiencing the beauty of nature is more than words can describe.

In the morning Gingers was having trouble with her eyes and we needed to stop and get some eye drops in Rocksprings WY. We pulled off the highway to find a KMart. And right around the corner was a Harley Davidson store!! The trekking trio was please as we zoomed to the store. Sadly it was closed for another two hours. Curiously...the name of this Harley store was Flaming George's Harley Davidson.....Hmmmm so a flaming George in the middle of WY...who would have known......Michael C....do you know him???

A bit latter, we did run into our first adverse weather. Being an old girl scout Bif was of course not deterred by a little weather - for she was prepared. Complete with long johns, sweatshirt, heated gloves and vest, padded jacket and the all essential rain suit. Bif was ready for any type of weather. Yet, Thrivette and her fellow travelers were rather concerned if Bif could actually move in soo much gear. Biff had no fear she could move....but oppsy.....where was that key now.......Oh crap......it was in the first layer of clothing.....So there Bif was unzipping oh maybe five of six layers to get to that key to be able to start the bike.....Damm keys.......

For a good 100 miles or so we were watching a hugh lightening storm. Thankfully we got caught in very little of it. And once we were past it, we had spectacular view of Wyoming mountains....complete with a hugh rainbow......What could have been more amazing......

The only thing missing from this dream trip is our good friend Teri - we wouldn't be here if it weren't for her. She is with us every mile in our thoughts and prayers.

Here are a few stories that will be upcoming:

* The story of the blue rubber hand

* Ginger wondering if shredded wheat is "bran or wheat"

* Biffys dad making sure he is with her on the trip

* Beds biting Ginger

Peace out world ...off to bed