Over the next few weeks I'll also try to add as many new routes as I can.
The Root River Loop (146 miles)
Variation to the Root River Loop (198 miles)
This is a pretty relaxed ride route with mostly wide sweepers and some occassional twisties with great scenery. The route initially heads north on MN-61 for a few miles to make a small loop back towards La Crescent. The highlight is Winona County Rd 1 which runs along the bluff overlooking La Crosse & the Mississippi River. The views are spectacular & there's at least one scenic overlook so you can pull off the road for a better look. From there you head south to pick up MN Hwy-16 & follow the beautiful Root River, a most enjoyable road. Lanesboro, MN is a great place for a rest stop with plenty of places to eat. Then on to Harmony & then east back to La Crosse. Or you can head down to Waukon, IA for an added extension into Iowa.
The Great River Road (314 miles)
This has it all. The river, Wisconsin bluff country & great roads. The highlight will be Wildcat Mountain. Here's a short <a href=" target="_blank">video</a> I made last fall while with other forum members. Also, if your time permits, Galena, IL is not too much farther to the south and is another great place to take in.
Mindoro, Arcadia, Durand, Wabasha (289 miles)
This is all good, notably Hwy 95 heading west out of Arcadia. It starts out fairly straight & flat then you hit this little <a href=" target="_blank">gem.</a> When you get to the top of this set of twisties look for <a href="http://www.hansensholdup.com/" target="_blank">Hansen's</a> on the left side of the road...you can't miss it, they have great burgers & great views. From there to Fountain City, are about 15 miles of some of the best sweepers around & the road surface is just about perfect too. The next stop will be the <a href="http://www.city-data.../picc49921.php" target="_blank">Buena Vista Park</a> on the buff overlooking the River & Alma. The route continues with more beatiful bluff country.
Destination: House on the Rock (248 miles)
The first part of the of this trip you'll find great "alphabet" roads to explore, so don't feel obligated to stay on the designated route. Like I said in the title, the destination is to <a href="http://thehouseonthe...Directions.htm" target="_blank">here.</a> After that you can either follow the route on the map back to La Crosse or find a different way. The roads are pretty much all good.
"Sconie Highlights (252 miles)
Route courtesy of DaJuice
Attractions include:
1. Grandad's Bluff just outside of Lacrosse.
2. Applicious Pie Depot. Seriously no pie shop has beat Applicious for me. Wide selection and only open for the apple season. Fresh apples and other fruit pies. Other creme pies that overwhelm. Fresh actual apple and cherry juice, too.
Updated directions:
Applicious Pie Depot is 1.2 miles west of Rolling Ground, WI (which is basically just the intersection of 171 and 61 and not much of a town). It's the first place on the south side of the road traveling west from Hwy 61. It has a looped driveway. There's a road that trails to the south, coincidentally named "Old 61" just before it. If going counter-clockwise on the loop, it's about 4 miles from Gays Mills on 171 and would be on the right side of the road. You'd be passing through all of the pretty apple orchards (Iowa-license-plated car infestations) on the hills to end up at the Depot -- kind of a nice build-up. 3. Leland is the end point of the Slimey Crud Run, which will be a week after your rally. Stop in at the bar on the east side of the main street through town for a Sprecher Root Beer on tap. Talk to Junior about the guns he has for sale in the bar.
Updated info. on lunch stops along the route:
Lunch is an issue on that route. I don't think Junior's pub sells much on food, but I'll check on it. He might have cheese sandwiches, or something. There is a big deficiency between Richland Center all the way to Baraboo or Reedsburg on good chow stops. Reedsburg, however, is full of them. Baraboo is sort of a screwed up town, but with a GPS, the Culvers or A&W would be findable. Reedsburg has a great little cafe (the Greenwood Cafe), as well as a few big-box stops. It would be a late meal, though, which can be an issue for some. But if their appetite were properly spoiled by the Pie Depot, it would be less of a problem.
4. Dr. Evermore's Forevertron. Just North of where County C hits Hwy 12, this is a must-see metal sculpture of some welder's insanity.
5. North Freedom has a train museum on the west side of town. Usually a pretty nice collection of old engines and cars. The beauty is that you don't even have to dismount to really enjoy it. You can ride around the gravel yard and see enough to take pics and move on. A quick 'check it out' and go.
6. 136 on the North side of Rock Springs is a gorgeous spot with an actual fresh-water spring. You can fill up bottles if you're thirsty, and go a little farther and enjoy the stretch that looks like someone transplanted a square mile of Colorado into WI.
7. Wildcat Mtn.
Follow The River (238 miles)
Take a relaxing ride north along the Mississippi. You're never too far from the next coffee stop, ice cream shop, restaurant or scenic overlook. Just beyond Bay City, WI take Hwy 63 south to Red Wing then pick up Hwy 61 to Frontenac & take a right on Italia Ave. (It's the first right you can make just on the north edge of town.) From there you'll take in some of the Minnesota bluff country as well as some the rolling farm lands. When you get to Hwy 60 head east back towards the river. This section of Hwy 60 is one of my favorites...it's just not long enough. When you get back to Hwy 61 head south again & make your way back to La Crosse with a couple side excursions if you're in the mood.
County Roads Part 1 (115 miles)
County Roads Part 2 (111 miles)
Something new...
National Motorcycle Museum (315 miles)
This excursion will more than likely take up a full day, but I know some of you would be up for more of a distance ride. I've suggested a route, but how you get to the <a href="http://www.nationalmcmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Museum</a> and back is really up to you.
Not sure how many gambler's there are, but if you feel the need to ride & visit a casino here's three destinations that may give you some fun:
The Ho-Chunk Casinos Majestic Pines Casino, Rainbow Casino & Whitetail Crossing Casino (215 miles)
Diamond Jo Casino (263 miles)
Treasure Island Casino (214 miles)
Rusric Roads & Alphabets (204 miles)
This is a different take on some of the roads already mentioned in a couple of the routes, but I thought I would throw in a few of Wisconsin's Rustic Roads into the mix, specifically R64 R56 R26
Thanks for the idea Rick.
