Driftless Area Ride - Oct 21 & 22

[sstodvictory]

The color peak of the Mississippi River valley and upland regions North of Mt. Carol, Illinois will probably be mid-October. The Driftless Area ride will be a long-day affair requiring probably 7-8 hours in the saddle......9 hours including brief stops.

The ride will begin at Douglas & Frye in Sterling IL, proceed to Mt. Carol, and then on backroads through the countryside to Prairie du Chien WI. We'll cross the Mississippi to McGregor, IA, take backroads to Dubuque, then cross to Galena, IL and follow a different route back to Mt. Carol. No road will be covered twice for most of the route. You will see the best that the upper midwest has to offer on this ride.

The Driftless Area is the name assigned by geologists to the four-states corner region of IL, WI, MN and IA. It is called "Driftless" because, unlike the surrounding areas of the upper midwest, it was completely missed by the multiple glaciations of the past due to its higher elevation. The Driftless Area represents what most of IL would look like had the glaciers not buried everything with outwash and till. Of course it also represents great riding.

I would suggest an early start - 8 AM or 9 AM at the latest.

Anyone up for it? Saturday or Sunday?

Steve

[sstodvictory]

On second thought, I kind of suspect the color peak might pass before October 14, but it should still be scenic, no?

Steve

[daveltb]

Sounds like a great day Steve. Lets hope for good weather. 15th works better for me.

[vic767]

Steve,

I've been wanting to do a ride like this for the last few years. Unfortunately that weekend doesn't work for me. (The wife's birthday is the 15th)

How about doing it the weekend prior and make it a leave Saturday, return Sunday affair? There's bound to be some reasonable hotel/motels up that way. That way we could take our time and maybe leave a bit later on Saturday.

Mark M.

[sstodvictory]

That is a bummer Mark. I'm riding Southern Indiana Oct 7&8, so for me that weekend is out. There's no reason why it couldn't be scheduled then anyway if that's what works for folks.

Alternatively it could be moved up to this weekend, Sept. 30 & Oct. 1. The two-day thing works for me, and we could farther North a bit with no problem.

Others?

Steve

[SIDECAR]

The only weekend that I could do a two day would be the 23rd & 24th. The 23rd is the IVR fall ride date. I wonder if the other chapters would want to make the Fall ride a 2 day event. I think it would be cool . We would not be able to leave D & F until about 11 or 12 to give time for riders to get there from the Chicago area.
What do ya think??
Tim T...sidecar

[sstodvictory]

You mean Sat & Sun October 21 & 22 don't you Tim?

I could do it that weekend. A late departure would work well for an overnighter in Prairie du Chien. It might leave time on Sunday to add a few roads and still allow the other chapters to reach home in daylight.

Steve

[vic767]

The weekend of the 21st & 22nd would work for me too. I don't know how everyone would feel about making the IVR ride an overnighter, but I'm up for it.

Mark M.

[SIDECAR]

Ya, I was looking at the wrong month .

[daveltb]

It could be a good time. Right now I couldn't say yes for sure but I'm interested.

[sstodvictory]

So we seem to have some momentum building for an overnighter Oct 21 & 22. Mark, Tim and I can do it, Dave is a maybe, and Kozy seems intrigued.

If we commit to that date then I'll have an oportunity to time the route, prospect a short putt on the Wisconsin side for Sunday, find our lodging, etc.

Steve

[vic767]

I did some checking last night and it looks like hotel/motel rooms are getting scarce around Prairie Du Chien. We might need to consider extending the trip up to La Crosse.

[frostebyte]

Hi fellas been awhile ! My v92c sprung a leak ( head and base gaskets ) and was down for over a month .
Anyhow all is well now and im ready to go on this 2 day . I made a similar trip to iowa on my harley a few weeks back .
This would be a good test run for the ol vic which is running sweet now especialy with the addition of a power commander !
I hope to hook up with yas again . I was along for the charity ride to starved rock . Blew out the head gaskets on that
one. keep me posted if you can .

hope to ride with yas again

frostebyte

[sstodvictory]

Lodging near the river fills up this time of the year because of touring to see the color change.

A bit away from the river but closer than La Crosse, there are motels in Soldiers Grove, Readstown, La Farge and Viroqua. The route would follow Kickapoo Creek, North from the Wisconsin River through Gays Mills on State Hwy 131. That road is a nice putt!

Click for map & motels

Steve

[sstodvictory]

I've called a bunch of motels in the areas mentioned in my previous post. Assuming as many as 7 rooms might be needed, if some more people indicate they're going, there are a half dozen motels that have the space left at this time. They are filling up fast because of people touring, and from bow hunters.

To do this overnighter I think it may be necessary to reserve a block of rooms somewhere asap, then cancel as needed if we don't need all of them. I'm a little worried about lodging otherwise.

At this time I'm assuming this ride is on for Oct 21 & 22. To make sure we don't get left without lodging, I'm thinking I'll drive up there this Saturday, check them out in person and then reserve a block of rooms in a motel thats clean and has good beds. Anyone think this is a bad idea?

I'll be staying at the Rock Falls Holiday Inn tomorrow evening and drive up and return on Saturday. I can haul one passenger in my car and anyone that wants to come with is welcome. I'll leave the motel at 8 AM.

Steve