CraigRegs
Well-known member
Find .gpx files here (I hope). There are six files with matching .png files showing the route, and with a brief description of each below in this post. The number in the file name is the route mileage. The remainder were offered by other forum members and riff-raff, so I make no warranty whatsoever for those, but they all look to be good starting points. Let me know if that link doesn't work for ya.
Alphabets
Aprox 350 miles
Enjoy an amalgamation of Wisconsin's secondary roads, designated by letters and thus referred to as "alphabet roads." Things to see along the way: The static C-97 Stratofreighter at the Don-Q Inn outside Dodgeville; the Mindoro Cut; Grandad's Bluff scenic overlook; Pikes Peak State Park scenic overlook; Breitbach's overlook and Breitbachs' Country Dining, Iowa's oldest continuously operating restaurant. One word: pie
Beer Tour
Aprox 250 miles
Stops at several breweries and bars of note in Wisconsin and Illinois. Buy souvenirs for later, and ride sober and responsibly.
On the route: Potosi Brewery; the static C-97 Stratofreighter at the Don-Q Inn outside Dodgeville; a bit of culture at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesen; Sprecher's Bar and the Red Mouse bar, haunts of Cycle World and Motor Trend columnist Peter Egan and the Slimy Crud motorcycle gang; New Glarus brewery; Council HIll Station; New Diggings General Store.
Field of Dreams
Aprox 250 miles
The movie was filmed right around Dubuque, and the ball park still exists. See a stretch of Central Ave which served as Terrence Mann's street in Boston; the Airline Inn which served as the motel in Chisolm, MN where Terrence and Ray stayed; Galena's main street which played Chisolm, MN where Ray met Doc Graham; and of course the Field of Dreams itself. After wiping away the cobwebs, go find some pie and twisties. Allow 30-45 min to wait for the Cassville Ferry and to cross the river, then head on to the ApplishusPie stand. (Get it? Baseball and apple pie, although it's too early for apples).
Great River Road North
Aprox 310 miles
Find the best twisties along the west bank of the river to LaCrosse, then drift away from the river to twist on to Wildcat Mountain, and twisties on back to Cassville. Stop at the Potosi Brewery to pick up parking lot refreshments before heading back to the barn.
Great River Road South
Aprox 185 miles
A leisurely route along state highways that allows for plenty of sightseeing along the way. Stop at Julien Dubuque’s grave and pay homage to Iowa's first white settler, and enjoy the nearby Mines of Spain area. Further down the river, Potters Mill, and the lock and dam in Bellevue are worth a look. Cruise south down the Iowa side to the island community of Sabula, then cross over to Savanna, Illinois. Stop in at Frank Fritz Finds in Savanna to see some of the stuff Frank has collected on the History Channel's American Pickers. Then continue south to the north edge of the Quad Cities. Cross back into Iowa to turn north through LeClaire, home of American Pickers. Stop by their Antique Archaeology shop, the Mississippi River Distilling Company, and Buffalo Bill museum. Head north and cross again at Sabula to finish up on the Illinois side.
Motorcycle Museum
Aprox 150 miles
This short route provides plenty of time to tour the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, founded by John Parham, of J&P motorcycle accessories. J&P also has a warehouse and retail operation on the north edge of Anamosa. Take a short hop to Stone City, where Grant Wood found inspiration. You'll find a convincing mockup of the American Gothic house on the west edge of town. Then loop back through Anamosa and ride the sweepers to the Hula Hoop tree (you have to get a photo) and on to Maquoketa Caves State Park. If it's hot, enjoy one of the short hikes to cool caverns. Enjoy the view at the lock and dam at Bellevue, maybe a meal at Potter's Mill before heading back to Dbq.
Great River Road North
Aprox 310 miles
Find the best twisties along the west bank of the river to LaCrosse, then drift away from the river to twist on to Wildcat Mountain, and twisties on back to Cassville. Stop at the Potosi Brewery to pick up parking lot refreshments before heading back to the barn.
Alphabets
Aprox 350 miles
Enjoy an amalgamation of Wisconsin's secondary roads, designated by letters and thus referred to as "alphabet roads." Things to see along the way: The static C-97 Stratofreighter at the Don-Q Inn outside Dodgeville; the Mindoro Cut; Grandad's Bluff scenic overlook; Pikes Peak State Park scenic overlook; Breitbach's overlook and Breitbachs' Country Dining, Iowa's oldest continuously operating restaurant. One word: pie
Beer Tour
Aprox 250 miles
Stops at several breweries and bars of note in Wisconsin and Illinois. Buy souvenirs for later, and ride sober and responsibly.
On the route: Potosi Brewery; the static C-97 Stratofreighter at the Don-Q Inn outside Dodgeville; a bit of culture at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesen; Sprecher's Bar and the Red Mouse bar, haunts of Cycle World and Motor Trend columnist Peter Egan and the Slimy Crud motorcycle gang; New Glarus brewery; Council HIll Station; New Diggings General Store.
Field of Dreams
Aprox 250 miles
The movie was filmed right around Dubuque, and the ball park still exists. See a stretch of Central Ave which served as Terrence Mann's street in Boston; the Airline Inn which served as the motel in Chisolm, MN where Terrence and Ray stayed; Galena's main street which played Chisolm, MN where Ray met Doc Graham; and of course the Field of Dreams itself. After wiping away the cobwebs, go find some pie and twisties. Allow 30-45 min to wait for the Cassville Ferry and to cross the river, then head on to the ApplishusPie stand. (Get it? Baseball and apple pie, although it's too early for apples).
Great River Road North
Aprox 310 miles
Find the best twisties along the west bank of the river to LaCrosse, then drift away from the river to twist on to Wildcat Mountain, and twisties on back to Cassville. Stop at the Potosi Brewery to pick up parking lot refreshments before heading back to the barn.
Great River Road South
Aprox 185 miles
A leisurely route along state highways that allows for plenty of sightseeing along the way. Stop at Julien Dubuque’s grave and pay homage to Iowa's first white settler, and enjoy the nearby Mines of Spain area. Further down the river, Potters Mill, and the lock and dam in Bellevue are worth a look. Cruise south down the Iowa side to the island community of Sabula, then cross over to Savanna, Illinois. Stop in at Frank Fritz Finds in Savanna to see some of the stuff Frank has collected on the History Channel's American Pickers. Then continue south to the north edge of the Quad Cities. Cross back into Iowa to turn north through LeClaire, home of American Pickers. Stop by their Antique Archaeology shop, the Mississippi River Distilling Company, and Buffalo Bill museum. Head north and cross again at Sabula to finish up on the Illinois side.
Motorcycle Museum
Aprox 150 miles
This short route provides plenty of time to tour the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, founded by John Parham, of J&P motorcycle accessories. J&P also has a warehouse and retail operation on the north edge of Anamosa. Take a short hop to Stone City, where Grant Wood found inspiration. You'll find a convincing mockup of the American Gothic house on the west edge of town. Then loop back through Anamosa and ride the sweepers to the Hula Hoop tree (you have to get a photo) and on to Maquoketa Caves State Park. If it's hot, enjoy one of the short hikes to cool caverns. Enjoy the view at the lock and dam at Bellevue, maybe a meal at Potter's Mill before heading back to Dbq.
Great River Road North
Aprox 310 miles
Find the best twisties along the west bank of the river to LaCrosse, then drift away from the river to twist on to Wildcat Mountain, and twisties on back to Cassville. Stop at the Potosi Brewery to pick up parking lot refreshments before heading back to the barn.
