Chicago/N. Illinois/S. Wisconsin Fall Drive - Gauging Interest
08-19-2007, 04:43 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Chicago/N. Illinois/S. Wisconsin Fall Drive - Gauging Interest
I'm thinking we should plan a nice fall drive and the at end of September/beginning of October. Has anyone ever driven the stage coach trail? I've heard it's very scenic and has some nice roads. It basically starts outside Rockford in Freeport and takes you on the back roads to Gelena.
Here's some info:
http://www.drivers.com/article/734/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel...ck=3&cset=true
I was going to try and scope out the route, but I don't think I'll have time.
Let me know if anyone would be interested.
Here's some info:
http://www.drivers.com/article/734/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel...ck=3&cset=true
I was going to try and scope out the route, but I don't think I'll have time.
Let me know if anyone would be interested.
08-19-2007, 05:17 PM
#2
Life's Short. Drive Hard.
Ask BigFish or maybe ZRDon for good routes out that way. Best leave-changing is usually in October. We are racing Road America October 13-14. We'd be in - depending on our schedule.
ride, I would be interested. 
08-19-2007, 10:37 PM
#6
Safety Car
08-19-2007, 10:43 PM
#7
Drifting
The Stagecoach Trail is a beautiful road from Warren to Galena. I ride it a couple of times a year from here in Lake Villa (far north suburb of Chicago) on our motorcycle. Lots of curves and elevation changes. In Galena we always eat lunch at Vinny Vanucchis. Very good Italian place. Usually from there we head over to Dubuque and ride up the great river road along the Mississippi river and cross back at Prairie du Chien. The great river road gets prettier farther north towards LaCrosse, but it gets to be too long a ride for one day.
Check to see if there are special events happening in Galena, because it can get crowded on the weekends and hard to find parking.
Watch for LEO on hwy 20, there were a lot there last time I went that way. Traffic on 20 is usually heavy also, but not so on the stagecoach.
I usually take a route that is basically farm roads through Sharon,Wi, S. Beloit,Rock Grove, Il and Winslow, Il to get to Warren. I might see ten cars and a few tractors on the whole trip to Galena.
Hope that helps
Gerry
Check to see if there are special events happening in Galena, because it can get crowded on the weekends and hard to find parking.
Watch for LEO on hwy 20, there were a lot there last time I went that way. Traffic on 20 is usually heavy also, but not so on the stagecoach.
I usually take a route that is basically farm roads through Sharon,Wi, S. Beloit,Rock Grove, Il and Winslow, Il to get to Warren. I might see ten cars and a few tractors on the whole trip to Galena.
Hope that helps
Gerry
08-20-2007, 12:58 AM
#12
Race Director<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/7k-10k.gif" border="0">
(I may be in Memphis for the Forum St Jude's caravan the weekend of Oct 6-7, but other than those two weekends I should be good.)
08-20-2007, 06:26 AM
#13
Safety Car
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Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
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A Galena run would be very nice, but it is pretty far for a one-day cruise. If there is enough interest in a Starved Rock cruise I would be more then happy to start a post, thinking maybe the 1st or 3rd weekend in October. The second weekend has had a drag strip event in years past that a lot of people are always interested in....
08-20-2007, 09:53 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
A Galena run would be very nice, but it is pretty far for a one-day cruise. If there is enough interest in a Starved Rock cruise I would be more then happy to start a post, thinking maybe the 1st or 3rd weekend in October. The second weekend has had a drag strip event in years past that a lot of people are always interested in....
I know it's a long drive for one day, but really not any farther than our Michigan drive and this is on pretty traffic and construction free roads.
What would people rather, a Saturday or a Sunday?
08-20-2007, 09:55 AM
#16
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '06
A Galena run would be very nice, but it is pretty far for a one-day cruise. If there is enough interest in a Starved Rock cruise I would be more then happy to start a post, thinking maybe the 1st or 3rd weekend in October. The second weekend has had a drag strip event in years past that a lot of people are always interested in....
08-20-2007, 09:57 AM
#17
Life's Short. Drive Hard.
Having done cruises to both areas, I would have to vote for Starved Rock. It's at least an hour closer, the backroads are plenty spirited and scenic, and there is lots of space once we get there to park together and hang out. Galena is a looong day, or more of a two-day affair to drive out and also be able to see it all.
08-20-2007, 11:17 AM
#20
Life's Short. Drive Hard.
Frank, how bout posting up a poll for both date and for destination? See what the majority feels like doing. We'd be in for either destination if we can make the selected date. I think it's good we get a jump on it now, summers end is approaching too fast. The only dates we can't make are October 13 and 14. Maybe consider Sunday September 30 as well as the October dates?