Wild Hair Ride

[gbw]

As fate would have it, I ended up with the whole weekend to myself this weekend. I got a wild hair to spend all day Saturday on the bike (not the GS but my 08 V-Strom).

Late Friday night I cooked up a plan, then modified it six or seven times. Of course nothing ever works out as planned and I didn't get a way from the house until 11am Saturday morning. My modified plan is shown below.

http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=42.161368,-89.546814&spn=0.997601,2.801514&z=9

This is a 7 or 8 hour ride from my place in the NW suburbs of Chicago to Dubuque (on the slab), then IA-52 South (the adventure? I don't know...never been on it...part of the reason I wanted to do it) to Savanna IL, then home (on the slab). I had high expectations for IA-52 since I knew both the slab segments of ride would be nothing to write about.

I wanted to find some twisty fun roads for my adventure. IA-52 looked ok on Google maps, but if you zoom in on the area just south of Dubuque, there are some roads between 52 and the Mississippi River. They looked interesting so I mapped them out and decided I would use them. I got a little more than I bargained for.

The ride out to Dubuque was about what I expected...slab. I was hungry by the time I got there and started looking for someplace interesting. Perhaps overlooking the river. What I found was the Ice Harbor Galley. Not exactly "on" the river, but close. Right next to the casino. So, I had a pretty good burger at the only floating restaurant in Dubuque.



After lunch I hit 52 South in anticipation of my adventure. A few miles later I found my left turn onto Old Massey Rd. This carried me closer to the river and offered some nice views. And, I got some of what I was looking for. Several miles of rolling twisties like I've seen during the Brown County and Fennimore Rallies.

[gbw]

The adventure continues

So I'm just blasting along enjoying myself. Even scared myself a couple of times just having too much fun. Then, all of a sudden, this...



In case you can't read the sign, it says, "Pavement Ends". I almost turned around, but I thought...I am on a V-Strom. This thing is supposed to be good on gravel roads and such. Not that it has ever been on one and not that I've ever really ridden much on them. What the heck! So off I go.

For the next 20 miles or so I enjoyed the same rolling twisties as before, except now on gravel. I took it pretty easy and had a freekin' ball. The bike was squirming around under me, and sometimes I'd goose it in the corners and slide around a little, but in general I was pretty tame.

The road wound past a bunch of farms that had great views of the river and the rolling countryside. The scenery in the shot below was magnificent, but my camera failed to capture the majesty (note how I blame the camera and not my skill )

[gbw]

and continues

So, I'm blasting along, enjoying my little off road adventure, when I come to this...



In case you can't read the sign, it says, "Gravel Ends". Oh my. This is an intersection. To the right is a gravel road that I'm sure leads safely back to 52. However, I started out looking for an adventure...so what the heck...go for it.

Parts of this road were pretty rough. Some steep ascents and descents and some parts heavily rutted. The Vee did great. Nothing slowed me down at all. As a reward for continuing on the dirt road I was treated to miles and miles of beautiful views. Made me want to buy a farm in the middle of a twisty dirt road. Wonder what my wife would think about that? Not much I'm sure.

I didn't take any pics during this part of the trip. Mostly because I was having too much fun to stop.

20 miles or so later the road turned back to pavement, then I bumped into 52. I headed south and enjoyed the highway speeds for a while but with the added benefit of scenery. It was a very pleasant ride. The weather was warm but not hot and the tree canopy provided a nice bit of shade.

Another 40 or so miles south of Bellevue IA, Hwy 52 turns right toward Illinois. This is a very interesting little part of the ride. You cross a little bridge into the town of Sabula...a quaint old small town right out in the Mississippi River. Then you ride a long straight bridge over Sheepshead Bay which is very pretty. Then a quick run over a steel deck bridge (don't look down...you can see right thru the bridge!) and your in Savanna.

I took a little break in Savanna and watch people in speed boats enjoying themselves. Here is a shot of the bridge just after I crossed over.



Savanna seems like a neat little town. I'd might like to spend more time here, but it seems like the main industry is bars catering to the cruiser crowd. TONs of HD iron up and down both sides of the road and every bar PACKED! Glad I wasn't around at closing time

After Savanna the ride home was what I expected. Lots of the long, straight roads we are best known for in Illinois. The backroads from Savanna to Dixon were nice...except for the smell of cows.

All in all I had a great day. Rode about 350 miles or so, had a burger on a floating restaurant, and took the path less paved for a while. Adventure accomplished! I enjoyed the "off road" part so much that I might start looking for more unpaved roads.

[marvinsc]

Sounds like a great day Greg, not sure I would have braved the gravel and dirt on my hunk of iron but You had the right tool for the job.

[yasser]

Sounds like a great ride - thanks for sharing. If you cross the Mississippi again and turn south let me know. It sound like with the roads you tackle I Will would have to take my XL.

[Redman]

Hey, Greg,

Good to see that you are enjoying the Vee.

You and I post GS Stories:
- at about the same time.
- both had day to self, and both headout on a several hour ride.
- both venturing on unfamiliar roads, just pick an intersting looking road on the map.
- both go on unpaved roads
- but thereafter the story differers.
You go 40 miles.
I didn't make it much more than 40 feet.

Thanks for posting. And thanks for the pictures.

[skreemer]

Dang a short jaunt up 84 on the illinois side or up 52 on the iowa side from Savanna and you'd be in Dubuque. I'd be up to entertain / show off some roads for a few hours.

[Joe Nardy]

Was this Greg's private party?

Thanks,
Joe

[gbw]

Dang a short jaunt up 84 on the illinois side or up 52 on the iowa side from Savanna and you'd be in Dubuque. I'd be up to entertain / show off some roads for a few hours.

I actually rode out to Dubuque first, then went south. Would love to have hooked up since I don't know the area very well. There just wasn't much time to plan...just jump on the bike and go.

[gbw]

Was this Greg's private party?

Thanks,
Joe

HA! Well, thats what it turned out to be. I actually started posting about this late Friday night, once it dawned on me that I could spend all day on the bike.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=147262

I didn't get much response, but I knew the notice was very short. I should have called you but it was late and I was planning an early start. Next time I'll make a better effort to round up the gang.

[skreemer]

Also next time if you want a lazy ride try route 2 along the illinois river...

[Joe Nardy]

Also next time if you want a lazy ride try route 2 along the illinois river...

Rock river???

[skreemer]

Rock river???

umm yeah yeah... Illinois Route 2... following Rock River...

As much as I like to travel and my little group let's me navigate I was never one for remembering names of places.... It's a wonder I can make it anywhere to someplace I haven't been before.

[gbw]

umm yeah yeah... Illinois Route 2... following Rock River...

Yeah, thats a nice little run (well...for around here anyway). I actually ran that south from Rockford to Dixon on Friday afternoon/evening. Part of why I didn't start planning my Saturday adventure until late Friday night!