West Bend from Southern Illinois / Backroads

[lbrackr756]

I'll be traveling north from So. IL on the 10th or 11th to the rally; 2 lane highways only as I have a 31 year old R75/6 to ride. It's good for 60 - 65 mph but I don't want to push it anymore than than. Anybody interested in joining me on the journey?

[rebake]

Any rte ideas in mind?I am just off 29 about 7 miles north of 136 in central il.May not be able to get away til the 12,but could offer a cold/hot drink if you are going to be close.:wave

[lbrackr756]

I'll be crossing 136 on Rt. 47 northbound but I'll now definitely be traveling on the 10th.

[King]

Rt 29 and Rt 136? I thought you said Southern Illinois?!

[Slablog]

I'll be coming up that way on the 10th. I'm planning on camping at Kickapoo SP, just off I-74 near Oakwood, on the evening of the 10th and then the next day (11th) riding on up I-74 to p/u IL47 at Mahomet. Should reach the rally site sometime in the afternoon for early registration.

[cheesewhiz]

I suggest taking highway 2 north out of Dixon. This road follows the Rock River and has a few historical sites along the way. The road finally dumps you out just south of Rockford.
Dixon may be a slight detour from "as the crow flies", but what heck?
:thumb

[drswift]

I am coming in from Des Moines. What do you think about cutting north from Clinton at 84 up to Dubuque? I've got the time to meander around souther WI, but if Rt 2 is a better ride I'd take it.

[Morgen]

From Des Moines Consider Hwy 6 just north of 80 from about Newton (SR14) or Malcom (by HWY63) through the Amana colonies (Amish homesteads) to Hwy 151 through Cedar Rapids (so Bypass on Hwy 30 to avoid driving through town) and into DuBuque. You can continue on 151 through most of Wisconsin - taking it almost all the way to the rally site.

151 is mostly 2 lane, and pretty rustic with nice farm and contry scenary. It does not constantly slow down for town traffic, as many 2 lane roads do, so a great compromise between slow and slab.

Stop at Amana Colonies for Amish Tourism and Anamosa (25ish mi past Cedar Rapids) for the Motorcycle Museum which is actually quite good. Amamosa Cafe for Lunch - about 4 blocks down from the Museum. DuBuque also has good stops for lunch once your in town - last exit before you go over the bridge and you should be able to eyeball antique shops and some eateries on (guessing here) White or Jackson streets - I never did mark the street names - just followed my nose to coffee and scones...

Across the bridge into Wisconsion 151 is a very good ride - still very scenic but I think goes to 4 lanes. Depending on your plans you can take it all the way to hwy 16/60 (25 Mi NE of Madison around Columbus) then East about 45 miles to the rally, or go about 10 (scenic) miles out of your way and visit Mischlers BMW in Beaver Dam and take Hwy 33 E about 35 miles through (even more) scenic Horicon Marsh and then So on 45 to the Rally.

The only tricky part is getting through Madsion. 151 will take you through the "scenic" downtown Madsion. Which you might enjoy - great college campus downtown feel - but Traffic is pretty competetive. By-Pass the Urban Tour by following Hwy 12 E then Hwy 39 N.

AS long as your in Wisconsin, you might take a detour around Madison:

North on Hwy 23 at Dodgeville will take you to Spring Green and the House on The Rock (WI Immigration requires you stop) or Taliesien. This is a gateway to some of the best riding in the state. Take any letter road headed NE and stay lost as long as you can or just take HWY 60 E out of Spring Green. This will eventually wind you up in Columbus where you can pick up the 16/60 or Beaver Damn route mentioned above.

Or

Veer South of Madison on Hwy 12, and continue on 12 about 18 miles past Madison (Just before Cambridge) to Hwy 18. Again a nice 2 lane ride - though with a few more towns. Follw 18 about 36 miles to Wales - then N on 83 25 Miles, E on Hwy 60 at Hartford appx 10 miles to SR-P near Jackson, about 5 miles from the Rally Grounds.

I'd probably prefer the North 23 route, and consider a side trip to Merrimac for the Free Ferry (7 minute ride - no you won't need tie downs) or teh Baraboo Circus World Musem (2-3 hour stop). Or just get lost on the letter roads till your tired of hills, valleys, curves and twisties.

Enjoy -

Morgen
2007 Hospitality Co-Chair

[drswift]

Thanks, Morgen. Lots to choose from. I definitely plan to detour around the People's Republic of Madison. The motorcycle museum sounds like a nice break in the travel.

Dave

[calmil]

Your gps has you pointed mostly in the right direction, Morgen, but perhaps with one slightly faulty satellite feed. The Amana colonies is a very interesting trio of German colonies but the Amish people, who are totally different in origins and lifestyle, will be found some 50-60 miles further south and east, in and around the town of Kalona, IA.
Having grown up in the area inhabited by the Amish, I can attest that a vist there is also an interesting trip.

Cal Miller :wave

[jcpuckett]

I'll be crossing 136 on Rt. 47 northbound but I'll now definitely be traveling on the 10th.

lbrackr756

My 12 y/o son, Zack, and I will be headed north very early Wednesday morning from Jackson, MO. Right now I am planning to cross the Mississippi at Chester, IL, head north on 150, then 4 to Springfield, then 29 to Princeton, then 26 to Dixon, then 2 to Rockford.

I'm sure some of you know a better (more interesting and scenic) way. Any advice would be appreciated.

[cheesewhiz]

Depending on how much time one has I would recommend taking 35 north out of Prairie du Chein. This is known as the Great River Road and follows the MissisDrippy River all the way to LaCrosse.
Once in LaCrosse you can check out the "Midoro Cut" or hwy 33 or just about any road in the area. Coulee country, as they call the area is full of interesting back roads and small towns.
Another option would be to SuperSlab it from Lacrosse, if you need to make time, to hwy 60 then across to West Bend.
BTW.
I spent last weekend in the northern Kettle Morain (Just north of West Bend) and the riding is fabulous in that area also.

Good luck and be safe!

Whizzy

:eat

[lbrackr756]

lbrackr756

My 12 y/o son, Zack, and I will be headed north very early Wednesday morning from Jackson, MO. Right now I am planning to cross the Mississippi at Chester, IL, head north on 150, then 4 to Springfield, then 29 to Princeton, then 26 to Dixon, then 2 to Rockford.

I'm sure some of you know a better (more interesting and scenic) way. Any advice would be appreciated.

The IL Rt. 4 to Springfield is fairly pretty and low traffic. I'm starting out 40 miles SW of Chester so Rt. 51 N. to Decatur is my route. Pretty bland but my old scooter isn't comfortable at freeway speeds (just LOVES it at 60mph). Good luck!:wave

[SIBUD]

[Snip}


AS long as your in Wisconsin, you might take a detour around Madison:

North on Hwy 23 at Dodgeville will take you to Spring Green and the House on The Rock (WI Immigration requires you stop) or Taliesien. This is a gateway to some of the best riding in the state. Take any letter road headed NE and stay lost as long as you can or just take HWY 60 E out of Spring Green. This will eventually wind you up in Columbus where you can pick up the 16/60 or Beaver Damn route mentioned above.



I'd probably prefer the North 23 route, and consider a side trip to Merrimac for the Free Ferry (7 minute ride - no you won't need tie downs) or teh Baraboo Circus World Musem (2-3 hour stop). Or just get lost on the letter roads till your tired of hills, valleys, curves and twisties.

Enjoy -

Morgen
2007 Hospitality Co-Chair[/Snig]

Great recommendation. I rode the area this spring during the Slimey Crud Run and the roads, especially the letter ones, are great riding. Little traffic, well paved, lots of turns and twists. Just a great day of riding almost everywhere.

House on the Rock? Well, if they make you stop there.:stick How about I just tell you about it at the Rally and you can give me the $12.50.

Also thumbs up on the ferry.

There are so many great places to ride in Wisconsin.:clap :clap :clap

[cheesewhiz]

[Snip}



There are so many great places to ride in Wisconsin.:clap :clap :clap

BIG up on that!!!!!

We are sooo spoiled here.
:nyah

[mad1150]

If anyone is thinking of taking IL47 north to WI:

I just want to let you know that 47 is very congested around the Chicago suburbs. A better road North is 23 or 251 (Old 51) if it's not too far out of the way.

Those that are using 2, 26, & 29 - Great Roads!

I am leaving La Moille IL early Thursday am taking the backroads, then Rt 72 and 68 to Buffalo Grove to meet a friend. Then we are slabbing it to West Bend :cry

[lbrackr756]

Thanks for the tip! I can jump off 47 on 34 at Yorkville and go west to 23 then north. I assume if I rejoin 47 at Hebron, IL I'll get past most of the congestion. I have the time so a little out of the way won't hurt my journey. Any other suggestions? Thanks again!:wave

[cheesewhiz]

HEADS UP!

For those of you coming from the south, I43 from Beloit to Milwaukee is very bumpy :hungover

If you can stand it to Elkhorn, get off the slab and take hwy 67 north. This stretch of road winds through the southern kettle morain and is a terrific ride.
If you have the time stay on 67 all the way to hwy 33. Turn right (east) and West Bend is just down the road.
:wave

[wezul]

HEADS UP!

For those of you coming from the south, I43 from Beloit to Milwaukee is very bumpy :hungover

If you can stand it to Elkhorn, get off the slab and take hwy 67 north. This stretch of road winds through the southern kettle morain and is a terrific ride.
If you have the time stay on 67 all the way to hwy 33. Turn right (east) and West Bend is just down the road.
:wave

Love that nick, outstanding! :ha :laugh

[mad1150]

After a quick map check, to completely avoid Chi and MIL :

You could just stay on 23 to Walworth WI, go Right on Kenosha Ave which is 67. and per Cheesewhiz, take 67 North to 33 East to West Bend.

If I was not meeting OU812 in Buffalo Grove, that's how I would go. And WHEN! I get to Road America next year, that's how I'll go. Take 67 all the way to Plymouth.:thumb

[lbrackr756]

Thanks but I'm actually headed to Germantown as I come into the area. Things get a little weird at Oconomowoc and 67 goes north when I want to go ene. I'll figure out something with 59 and 83 plus county roads to get me over to Germantown.