Labor Day Weekend Ride

[glwilson]

I'll throw this out just in case anyone can or would like to join-in.

I am riding (2-up) on Labor Day Weekend on Saturday September 5th (I think that's the date of that weekend) headed toward La Crosse, WI. where I will stay overnight and then head back south on the Minnesota/Iowa side of the Mississippi River to the Galena, IL area.

I haven't decided if I am going to make it a 3-day ride or not yet. If I do, Sunday will be spent riding some great roads in between La Crosse and Prairie du Chien, WI to and from the river bluffs on some of the best roads in the Midwest. (If you haven't ever ridden these roads... you need to take the time to do so sometime.)

I will provide the details of the ride to anyone that is interested.

Whether this is a 2-day or 3-day ride... it still involves some great roads and beautiful scenery. Definitely one of my favorite rides -- bar-none.

If I decide to make it a 3-day ride and you cannot do the same... you certainly can head back on Sunday. I'll let you know my preferred route so you'll have a great ride to include some "must-see" stops along the way.

Anyway... short notice... but let me know on this thread or send me a PM.

Greg

[stretch]

I am thinking about trying to make part of this trip. Probably Sat and Sun. Are any of you other "central Illinois guys" interested. Sounds like a good ride.

Scion? Roadman? Meat?

We could ride up Greg's way together if you are interested.

Tim

[gofs99]

I am considering it. The ankle is healing really well and the bike is running, minus a few parts. I would love to get out and ride again.

[01nomad]

I done the River Road loop last Sat. up to La Crosse on the Wisc. side and back down the Minn. and Iowa side to the Cassville Ferry and back up to Prarie du Chien. I just ran the marked GreatRiver Road and didn't explore much. I screwed up by going North on Wisc. side and about froze to death riding in the shade because the sun was hidden by the rocks/hills and trees. It might be OK to go that way during the hot weather but not when the temp. was 60*. We done it easily running from Boscobel and returned to Boscobel. I'm sure if you stopped at Cabela's you can add an extra day to that. I'm not sure what time we left Boscobel but somewhere around 8 or 9AM and we ate lunch at 2PM at the McGreggor Marina and then off to the Ferry. The Ferry runs weekends only after Sept. 7, Labor Day until Nov. something.
Driving Directions
Link:
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...+Wisconsin+to: New+Albin,+IA+to:Lansing,+IA+to:Harpers+Ferry,+IA+ to:Great+River+Rd+to:Guttenberg,+IA+to:Cassville,+ WI+to:Glen+Haven,+WI+ to:Bagley,+WI+to:Wyalusing,+WI+to:Boscobel,+WI&geo code=%3B%3BFYaDnAId3dmP-g%3B%3B%3B%3BFS-9jwIdQLeQ-g%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B&h l=en&mra=ls&via=6&sll=42.983051,-91.106186&sspn=0.131608,0.22007&ie=UTF8&ll=43.5465 57,-91.238708&spn=1.043159,1.760559&z= 9>
I think Chuckster got this off his TomTom, Don't know! Might be a Google thing?

[glwilson]

You guys... let me know soon as I am making some plans as you read this.

A couple of my neighbors may come along -- at least they expressed interest.

gofs; glad to hear you are healing-up some.

01Nomad; I do know what you mean about riding the eastern side of the "Miss" in the mornings -- no sun on that side this late in the year. Depending on the plans, I may be riding up through Wisconsin at a Northwesterly angle to get to La Crosse. I have done that ride and it is good way to go.

Regarding Boscobel... the routes on county roads south of the Wisconsin River also provide a great ride with a few more twisties than running along the north-side of the river. It takes a lot longer though than the north-side.

I have put together several maps that I will be posting on the Rally Ride thread for next year's rally.

Thanks for the map below 01Nomad. That is the typical route and is a great one to take. If anyone wants to look at it -- just cut and paste in your browser. (I removed a couple symbols from the link so that it will work if you cut-n-paste it from below.)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...u+chien,+wi+to:La+Crosse,+Wisconsin+to: New+Albin,+IA+to:Lansing,+IA+to:Harpers+Ferry,+IA+ to:Great+River+Rd+to:Guttenberg,+IA+to:Cassville,+ WI+to:Glen+Haven,+WI + to:Bagley,+WI+to:Wyalusing,+WI+to:Boscobel,+WI&geo code=%3B%3BFYaDnAId3dmP-g%3B%3B%3B%3BFS-9jwIdQLeQ-g%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B& h l=en&mra=ls&via=6&sll=42.983051,-91.106186&sspn=0.131608,0.22007&ie=UTF8&ll=43.5465 57,-91.238708&spn=1.043159,1.760559&z = 9

[stretch]

Hey Greg,

How did your trip go?

[glwilson]

The 2-day ride was absolutely fantastic. I took a few different roads than I normally do just to see how they looked.

They were mostly roads leading to and from the Mississippi River bluffs. I found some absolutely great roads to ride beyond the "main-trail".

I had been working on mapping the area for some time now; which is why I wanted to include these additional roads. Glad I did.

I'll tell you... the ride routes I am putting together for next year's July rally will include some great roads to include twisties; sweeping-curves; and rolling-roads -- all while climbing and descending various elevations. That is not even mentioning the views in that area on some of these roads.

To imagine this area's roads... just take the Galena area times 5 and then add steroids. I am not joking. When you get to Galena from the flat-lands you think you've seen great vistas and roads; but the further up you go along the river everything just keeps getting better and better. I have ridden this loop-trip quite a few times and it still remains one of my favorite.

Anyway... as you can tell... I'm still pumped-up from the ride. I wish I could ride that area a lot more than just a couple times a year.

You should have been there!!!!! :)

Everyone in this region should have been there!!!!

[stretch]

Sounds great! I wish I was there. I will make it next time. Glad you had a great time.

[baddad]

Glad to hear you had a great ride.