2012 NCR Rally Info:

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by toy4bob

1 week to go... can't wait!

I was hoping my buddy and my "guest" (Toby) could roll into Savanna in time to head over to the museum with the group doing so, but think we will be a couple hours behind for that... and don't want to be late for the 6:00 meet / greet at Poopys.

So, anyone want to recommend any local shorter routes we could take assuming we have time to kill once we get into the area?

Like Jendesigner suggested... look at the brochure for ideas around Savanna.

Stop and get an Illinois road-map when there. You can get one at the gas-station just down the hill from the Super 8 base-hotel.

If I were you, I would ride up along the river stopping first at the Mississippi Palisades Park to go up to the lookout platform. It is a nice view. Just follow the signs once in the park. (Bald-eagles are often seen from there year-round.)

After that head-on up along the river until you get to US-20 (turn left) and head into Galena. It is an interesting little town locked in time back in the late 1800's. (The ride getting there is nice.) Walk along the streets and pop in to a few of the stores. There are restaurants there as well -- my favorite is the Italian restaurant, Vinnie Venucci's.

President Grant's (General Grant) home is still there in Galena with original furniture and belongings of the Grant's. Nice tour and worth it to me to see.

On your way back... head back out on US-20 East (opposite way you came in)... go through the small town of Elizabeth. Just after Elizabeth look for Derinda Road and turn Right (you can only turn right). Follow this road all the way back to Savanna. (It turns into Scenic Ridge Road without you having to turn... just stay on the road.)

That road is one of my "all-time-favorite" roads to ride on. Great scenery, nice pavement, great sweeping turns up and down the hills and valleys... with a few tighter "twisty" sections as you get closer to Savanna. Again... that road is worth riding even if you don't do anything else.

If you do all that you'll have spent most of the day, depending on how much time you actually spend in Galena. If you only ride through Galena without stopping, the entire ride will only take a few hours.

Be sure to get gas in Savanna before leaving... because you can only get gas there, in Galena, and in Elizabeth. So time your gas with that in mind.

Send me a PM if you need more ideas based on how much time you'll have to ride the area.

[toy4bob]

Thanks guys. Slapped my head about missing the notes on the flyer... thanks Mr Obvious LOL

[glwilson]

7-days and we're off and running!!!

Not sure the doctor is going to sign-off on me riding or not... but we'll deal with it...

Oh yeah... Ray... be sure to bring your rain-gear to keep the rain away!!

[rayski271]

ill have it with me but it hasnt work to keep the rain away lately sure didnt work on the key west ride

[GIBBY]

Summer of '09 a group of friends and I rode Highway 61 from its official northern starting point to its southern ending point in New Orleans. Before the trip I purchased new rain gear as we were traveling over 3,000 miles and expecting to get wet a few times. We did not have a single drop of rain hit us on a 10 day trip and having traveled over 3,000 miles. Best damn $60.00 I have ever spent!

[glwilson]

Fingers are crossed for good weather...

Lord knows, I need some time off...

I am sitting in front of a big screen today watching a complete and deep sell-off of the markets world-wide... Treasuries and gold are the only thing in "green". Gold I can see why... But a 10-year treasury paying a 200-year low yield... That is a mystery to anyone with any lick of common sense. Despite t-bills being a guaranteed loss in today's environment, money is piling into them. And to think... Some of these same people vote! Scary thought...

Like I said... I need to go away for a few days!

[rayski271]

its right around the corner soon very soon

[cbutteris]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Fingers are crossed for good weather...

Lord knows, I need some time off...

I am sitting in front of a big screen today watching a complete and deep sell-off of the markets world-wide... Treasuries and gold are the only thing in "green". Gold I can see why... But a 10-year treasury paying a 200-year low yield... That is a mystery to anyone with any lick of common sense. Despite t-bills being a guaranteed loss in today's environment, money is piling into them. And to think... Some of these same people vote! Scary thought...

Like I said... I need to go away for a few days!

Well the 7-day forecast looks pretty good right now, but you can only trust the 'next day' forecasts, most of the time.

Yeah, the market is fidgety. (and highly automated) Not many safe places to go with cash. Last I checked, a CD it was yielding something like .02%. So let's subtract inflation from .02% and wow, another negative return opportunity!

The only sure way to not lose money right now is to not owe any, I figure. Investment earnings are a hope, and interest payments are a promise!

[biscuitsngravy]

Five days and a wake up! Boy, I need this!
BnG

[elvis]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Like I said... I need to go away for a few days!

Originally Posted by biscuitsngravy

Five days and a wake up! Boy, I need this!
BnG

On one hand, it's good to see I'm not the only one feeling like that, on the other hand, there's nothing good about feeling desperate to escape from work.

7 days to go for us; me and my lady will get some quality time eventually.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by elvis

On one hand, it's good to see I'm not the only one feeling like that, on the other hand, there's nothing good about feeling desperate to escape from work.

7 days to go for us; me and my lady will get some quality time eventually.

I hear you... my need to get away is based on frustration of things I cannot control more than anything.

I am headed-out today for a long, eight-hour ride up into Wisconsin just to relax a bit.

My bike is in the shop getting some needed maintenance done and a shock replaced... so I'll be on the Spyder today. (Teaching my wife how to ride it... so later she can ride the Spyder while I ride my bike.)

It is a fun vehicle to ride though... and is no doubt better than sitting around the house all-day. Besides, it is "easier" on my ailing back than the bike is...

[GIBBY]

Originally Posted by glwilson

I hear you... my need to get away is based on frustration of things I cannot control more than anything.

I am headed-out today for a long, eight-hour ride up into Wisconsin just to relax a bit.

My bike is in the shop getting some needed maintenance done and a shock replaced... so I'll be on the Spyder today. (Teaching my wife how to ride it... so later she can ride the Spyder while I ride my bike.)

It is a fun vehicle to ride though... and is no doubt better than sitting around the house all-day. Besides, it is "easier" on my ailing back than the bike is...

I am also leaving in a few minutes for an all day ride with the TCVR, much of it in Wisconsin. I will put on about 700-800 miles today and tomorrow which will bring me to my 15,000 service. I am excited about the rally and can hardly stand the anticipation.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

I am also leaving in a few minutes for an all day ride with the TCVR, much of it in Wisconsin. I will put on about 700-800 miles today and tomorrow which will bring me to my 15,000 service. I am excited about the rally and can hardly stand the anticipation.

Ride safe... and take note of your routes and such for future reference. I need some input on areas I haven't ridden!

[GIBBY]

Hey Greg, you would have loved the route that we rode today. Most of it was between Nelson and Arcadia, we stopped and had lunch at Hansen's Holdup. Was your kind of riding, as fast as we could go from stop to stop. Did see a Harley Ultra being pulled from the ditch and someone being loaded into and ambulance. Big bummer. Other than that had a great day and put 340 twisted miles on the Vic.

[cbutteris]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

Hey Greg, you would have loved the route that we rode today. Most of it was between Nelson and Arcadia, we stopped and had lunch at Hansen's Holdup. Was your kind of riding, as fast as we could go from stop to stop. Did see a Harley Ultra being pulled from the ditch and someone being loaded into and ambulance. Big bummer. Other than that had a great day and put 340 twisted miles on the Vic.

Aren't Arcadia and Nelson in the same county, or pretty close?

You must have been riding every county road on the map. ?