I've already contacted a few from each state to get some ideas but this is the plan. If a date can be agreed upon.
Wisconsin and Minnesota riders would meet in La Crosse, WI.
Iowa and Illinois riders would meet in Dubuque, IA.
Now each "group" can figure out their own details, but the original idea was for everyone to then meet in Praire Du Chien, WI. About a 1+ hour ride.
If we want a longer ride, IA & IL could meet in Davenport and we all meet in Dubuque. About 2+ hours.
My route plan was just to hug the Mississippi the whole way but am open to other roads.
So, what needs to be figured out is a date, (Sept 16,17,18) ?
If we want this to be a one or two day deal. Maybe the groups meet in their start city and ride and hang. Then make the run to the end city(?) on day two and ride and hang. ( my personal preference )
I am posting this in all four state forums and the main page.
Basically anything that is along the river would be great in the early fall. I am having difficulty working out all the components to this that would include as many riders for as long as possible. i will say that there are ways to go on both side of the river from Minneapolis to the Quad Cities. Lots of great stops and spots like.....
In Minnesota-Winona, Lake City, Redwing
In Wisconsin-La Crosse, Prarie Du Chien, Alma, Elsworth
In Iowa- New Albin, Dubuque, Davenport
you guys can obviuosly fill in more places.
Perhaps one meeting spot like Prarie Du Chien for everyone and then up one side of the river and down the other. That way if you can only join for part, we would be in the area for at least some of the time. Likewise if the group was closer to your home part way through the ride and you needed to peel off, you could.
There are a lot of logistics to work out trying to work 4 states into this trying to give eveyone a piece of it. Perhaps a longer ride like north from Prarie to Lake City, then south to La Crosse, the next day to Quad Cities, and back to Prarie, then stay or go if you want.
Just a few ideas.
Basically anything that is along the river would be great in the early fall. I am having difficulty working out all the components to this that would include as many riders for as long as possible. i will say that there are ways to go on both side of the river from Minneapolis to the Quad Cities. Lots of great stops and spots like.....
In Minnesota-Winona, Lake City, Redwing
In Wisconsin-La Crosse, Prarie Du Chien, Alma, Elsworth
In Iowa- New Albin, Dubuque, Davenport
you guys can obviuosly fill in more places.
Perhaps one meeting spot like Prarie Du Chien for everyone and then up one side of the river and down the other. That way if you can only join for part, we would be in the area for at least some of the time. Likewise if the group was closer to your home part way through the ride and you needed to peel off, you could.
There are a lot of logistics to work out trying to work 4 states into this trying to give eveyone a piece of it. Perhaps a longer ride like north from Prarie to Lake City, then south to La Crosse, the next day to Quad Cities, and back to Prarie, then stay or go if you want.
Just a few ideas.
That would be a great grand meeting place. Do we have a date yet?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Spyder Owner Since June '08 & April '12
Sorry we can't make it Sept 16, 17, 18
We can make any other weekend in Sept or Oct work.
Flexible to route along Mississippi.
Thanks for planning this, great idea!
I would love to join you guys, but have commitment on 9/17 that I really should not cancel. Have a great and safe ride, I will catch the 2nd 4 state ride!
Not to try and start controversy or anything but there is a little bit of talk about doing this in early October. If you have prefered dates, please post them. I believe the plan is to try and do a majority rules kind of thing.
When your trying to coordinate a ryde over 4 states, with this many people, you will never find a date that works for everyone. John has done a good job getting the ball rolling, I say if the date is ok with most on 9/17, go for it. Those of us that cannot make that date will make the next ride. Just my 2 cents.
When your trying to coordinate a ryde over 4 states, with this many people, you will never find a date that works for everyone. John has done a good job getting the ball rolling, I say if the date is ok with most on 9/17, go for it. Those of us that cannot make that date will make the next ride. Just my 2 cents.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Spyder Owner Since June '08 & April '12
IA/IL riders will be meeting at the Shell station off of I-80 and Brady street in Davenport on Saturday September 17th at 9:30. They will leave by 9:50 and take the Great River Road north to Dubuque.
WI/MN riders will meet in La Crosse. Paula and a few others are riding to LaX on friday. I too will probably do that. On Saturday we will meet Troy and everyone at the La Crosse Family Restaurant for breakfast and hit the road around 9:30/10:00. We will be taking 35 to Prairie Du Chien. Cross over to IA and take the Great River Rd (56-52-9) to Dubuque.
Jeff (jjw SpyderRider) will meet us ALL in Dubuque. He will also be riding up to LaX to spend the night. Here should be more than enough riders heading that way for him to hook up with.
Houlihans -1801 Greyhound Park Drive, Dubuque, IA 52001 will be out meeting place. We should meet there by 1:00 at the latest. I would like the groups to take their time. Make a few more stops than you normally would and just enjoy the ride.
If the start times are too early for some of you further away riders, let me know. We can always leave a little later. PM me if you have any other questions.
If you need to reach me during this trip call my cell @ 920-915-9301
You guys/gals arn't helping me represent our fine state. Only 2 riders from WI. I know there isnt a Packer game. And watching the Badgers beat the snot out of No. IL won't be fun to watch. And the Brewers don't play til 7pm. So there is no excuse for not riding this saturday. If you're gonna ride, it might as well be with us.
I know a few of you are planning on making the Oct 15th date. But I know there are more riders out there.
In La Crosse can't wait till tomorrow. Took some awesome back roads from Mautson to La Crosse. G to FF to 33. If your ever in the area, I highly recommend it.
There wasn't a lot of spyders but the quality was awesome. Road with old friends, Jeff,Troy,Harry and new friends Wayne & Deb. All 4 states were represented. A lot of fun and a lot of miles. My spyder said 675 miles and 13 hours. I'm pooped.
Thanks John for setting up the ride . It was a long day with 500 miles for me but with the cold and rain for Sunday it was a choice to cut the ride short or push and do the whole ride in one day. Got two states in now, had a good time with old and new friends and a lot of good sites. Here are a few photos, I will post more later and on Spydertimes.
RT-S: HMT brake light, mud flap lights/turn signals, Trailer hitch, Garmin 660 GPS, Ride-On, Travel cover, LED Mirror turn signals, LED trunk lighting, RGB ground effect lighting, BajRon anti-sway bar, to be continued ......
WI,MN,IA,IL Ride
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Originally Posted by TLesky
That would be a great grand meeting place. Do we have a date yet?
. It looks like a 4-1/2 hour ride for me to Prairie du chien. I'll try to bring some other riders from the area.
my weekend off in sept is the following weekend... bummer!
Lovin' my Spyder!
I am up for as many as folks want to do. 
I'm pooped. 
