Does anyone have ideas for some good riding along South western illinois going North into Western Wisconsin? Need to be in the area over July 4.

 

Hey Dan something I have been mulling over is The Great River Rd. I have no experience with it personally. However nevada72 documented a trip to the Ozarks from WI and I believe that he took this route. Check it out. I know there are lots of beautiful roads along the miss in IL, IA, and WI. I recommend riding up to Prarie Du Chein, WI great river town.

 

ok, thanks glider

 

Just stay close to the river all the way!!

 

I agree with Great River road. Be sure to stop at Poopy's in Savanna.

http://poopys.com/

Stay near the river, if you stray too far east you'll see nothing but corn.

 

Thanks for the mention.

Here's the link - https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...nd-ozarks.html

I will add that it's not the best or most comprehensive road report out there on the GRR. I make it pretty clear that we lost interest once we got to Rock Island. Not that it was ever a bad ride. It was just that we knew we had some excellent riding ahead of us in the Ozarks and the GRR is really not along the river all that often. Some people love it. To us it was like riding in the Wisconsin farm areas, which we get plenty of. That said, there were some nice stretches we enjoyed.

 

Get up North of the Ouad Cities! You will enjoy the ride!! I live on the GRR here and it is corn and beans!! 70 miles North you can get into some great riding the farther North you go!! Both sides of the river! Don't worry about thee.GRR!!!!!!! Get a map and stay close to the river on either side ! Galena Ill. has a bunch of shops , and is a old town ! Has a H/D shop! Up to Praire Du and you have a Cabela's! LaCrosse has a H/D shop!! You can also cross the bridge in LaCrosse and be in Minn.! I'll be up there myself in a couple weeks! Got a 1 room school house I went to, I want to get some pics of!!

 

Although GRR has a lot of signs showing the route it was pretty hard to follow through East St. Louis. 100 north of Alton is great till GRR splits off onto 96. 96 gets interesting from Hamilton to Nauvoo. There's a good stretch of GRR from New Boston to Andalusia.If it was me I would circle around the Quad Cities on 280 to 80 and pick up GRR in Rapids City on 84. GRR is pretty boring from Fulton to Savanna. GRR isn't bad going North of Savanna, but I would suggest going up Clay street in Savanna onto Scenic Ridge Road which turns into Derinda Center Road and comes out near Elizabeth and 20. Lots of curves, elevation changes and scenery! Take 20 into Galena, then Wisconsin or cross the river and take GRR north of Dubuque, can't go wrong with either choice.

 

I can't believe nobody's mentioned blackjack rd. between galeana and hanover. It's the best road in il and I'd say for being on a cruiser it's better then the tail of the dragon. 14+ miles of twisties and elevation changes. I make the the day trip just to ride it and then stop at Poopy's for some chicken fingers.

 

you can go grr or you can run up 67 then get on 280 to 80 take 84 to rapid city and ride 84 all the way up to blackjack road. pass poopies to galena. part of the grr once you get around the quad cites kinda suck especially around loud thunder. but its not that long of a streach. i personally would take 67 once you get to burlington. it will drop you in milan and its about 2 miles to 280 once in milan. 67 was repaved 3 years ago (by me lol ). its got some nice hills and turns. and it will also give you more towns with fuel and food options then the grr will for the burlington to the qc part of it.