May 18th: Illinois-Iowa-SW Wisconsin Cruise
 

Last year I put out the idea of a get-together for members and guests in the Illinois and Iowa areas.

Scrambles and I worked out a route that had plenty of interesting roads and we did a test run of it last year.

Based on interest last year we picked May 11th and May 18th as few if any clubs were doing autocross or other events those days. Unfortunately, I failed to see that the 11th was Mothers day and so the other day that seemed to work back then was May 18th.

So, if anyone is interested, I am up for a nice drive on this coming Sunday.

Here is a google map of the route:
http://goo.gl/maps/5NH4M

The basics are this:

0915 Depart MarengoWestbound via US20.
1130 Arrive Galena IL
1135 Depart Galena IL Westbound via US20.
1155 Arrive Timmerman's Supper Club (up for debate)
7777 Timmerman Drive, East Dubuque, IL 61025
1230 Depart Timmerman's Supper Club for "Scrambles Circle"
1430 Arrive Dubuque IL
Gas/stretch break
1445 Depart Dubuque IL
1600 Arrive Savannah IL
This is the end of the "official" route. We can stop and find food or continue on.

"Chiburbian's route home"
T Depart Savannah
+3:00 Arrive Marengo IL via US30, Rt 2, Sterling, Dixon, Oregon, Byron... It's really a nice route back that takes a bit longer than a straight shot but is much more interesting/enjoyable.

Up for debate is where we have lunch. I found Timmerman's and found that it had plenty of parking and seemed to be spacious enough for us all. It also has a nice view of the River from the overlook.

Also, we can make changes to the route etc. This is just my draft...

Let me know who can come and if you have any ideas.

PM me your email addresses/FB info and I will add you to the event.

Dammit I won't be back from NE in time...

We might do it again in the fall or maybe a different route...

BTW - CB radios and/or Motorola GMRS radios are recommended.

The route looks great, nice job putting that together.

My schedule is open and suspension work has been completed, so I will meet up with the group at Timmerman's or maybe Galena. I actually think I have some Motorala walkies I need to get charged up... Stephen, you haz PM.

subed
I won't know my schedule for a few more days.

Looks like the weather is going to be fantastic, but I'll miss out.

Waiting on my pressure plate...

I haven't had many confirmations, but I plan on going and following the schedule as posted. Send me a PM with your contact info and I will do the same.

By the way, as of right now I have a vacant seat so if you are looking to go and your Miata isn't on the road, let me know. I prefer someone who knows megasquirt because it would be nice to iron out my accel-enrich but I can walk whomever through it while we drive.

Won't be able to make this Steve sorry bud!

I'm going. See ya in Galena.
Come on guys, it's gonna be nice out, get off yer butts and come out and play!

I'm planning on meeting you guys at 1130 in Galena - Any spot picked out?

Well, its down to scrambles and I.

For those that couldnt make it, what were the ussues. My ears are open.

Thinking of calling an audible since it's just Scrambles and I at this point...

Since Scrambles was planning on meeting in Galena, I figure it would be cool to see what roads I can find on the Illinois side. Blackjack Road south out of Galena has some good reviews so I was thinking of going South out of Galena to Savanna (Sabula IA) and then driving North back to Dubuque. Basically do the route backwards, and extend the route north.

https://goo.gl/maps/Xuvqx

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1400382874

From there, weave back South to Timmerman's Supper Club. Timmerman's doesn't open until 5pm so either we need to start a bit later in Galena or we need to find routes that eat up five hours.

Start Point:
McDonalds
957 Gear St
Galena, IL 61036

From Prarie Du Chien to Timmerman's:
https://goo.gl/maps/Hyi1q
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1400382627

I'd love to go, you're starting practically in my back yard, but I have to work over on the navy base this weekend.

That works for me - I'd like to check out some more of the Illinois side. I probably won't stay out for supper though, that's a pretty long haul and I have a few things I need to take care of before the office tomorrow.

Going to go slap on a little ducting around my radiator. Shoot me a text to confirm the meeting time in Galena, I need about 2 hrs notice.

Meet @11am?

11 Works. See you then.

Just an update for everyone who might have been watching this thread - you missed a great time.

Because it was just Scrambles and I we pretty much freelanced. We met in Galena and from there traveled to Dubuque IA and from there picked up 3/52 to Luxemburg IA.

From there we headed North on the West side of the Mississippi river to Prarie Du Chien WI.

We then headed South via 18/35 until we picked up Great River Road. We followed scenic byways all the way back to Dubuque IA. In the time I was tracking We had elevation changes of over 400 feet and max gradients of 9%. Great hilly windy roads.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1400614965

That map was only a section of the drive by the way. We didn't stop to take many pictures, we were mainly driving.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1400613944

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1400613944

Damn, what a great drive. I'm not sure you guys know what you're missing. Here are some pics (not mine) of the southwestern Wisconsin Great River Road:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1400617618

http://www.travelwisconsin.com/uploa...slider-desktop

There were a few motorcycles out, but overall there was very little traffic for a beautiful Sunday afternoon. I'll be going again soon.