Governor brings Harley ride to Onalaska

Every summer, Gov. Scott Walker takes a ride through Wisconsin on his Harley Davidson, bringing a few dozen with him.

The two-day trip this summer included a lunch-time stop in Onalaska at David Reay’s Modern Diner + Tavern on Sunday.

Walker pointed out that this year marks the 115th anniversary of Harley Davidson. And, even though the company has decided to move more production out of the U.S., he said he wants to see Harley continue to be strong in Wisconsin.

Walker says it’s not hard to get in on the ride — most people simply ask — but the hard part seems to be limiting the number of cycle riders who want to join the journey.

“Once upon a time, I think that first year, I put up on the internet but, you get to the point, where if you get any more bikes than this,” Walker said. “You start out about 100 bikers. If you get any more than that, even that is a little pushing it. You wanna make sure it’s a safe ride.”

The governor’s two-day trip began at Menomonie and included an overnight at Mondovi.

“The only challenge you get is a lot of those curves,” Walker said, “I find the closer I get to the river, the more my head is drawn that way and I gotta remind myself, ‘Look back, look back.’

“Just because it’s so majestic out there.”

After going through La Crosse County, Walker and his group also got to Prairie du Chien and Mineral Point.