Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events Midwest Rally 09

Ok, there has been a number of threads with what seems like plenty of interest for a midwest rally. I'm going to go ahead and try to put something together.

Location - Galena IL. Northwest corner of Illinois near the Mississippi river. Nice riding, lots of hills, curvy roads, really a pretty area. 3 hrs from Chicago, 5 1/2 hrs from St. Louis, 5 hrs from Minneapolis, 3 hrs from Milwaukee, 6 hrs from Indy, 3 1/2 hrs from Des Moines, 7 1/2 from Detroit, 7 hrs from Topeka. (times according to mapquest, you can get there faster )

Date - July 10, 11, 12.

Accomodations - There is a ski resort with a concrete slide that you go down that is cool. I called and asked about group rates, and it's about $100 bucks a night for 10-15 people, I'm guessing cheaper if more rooms. I stayed there last year and it was great. Views of the Miss. from the room, breakfast buffet included. The rooms have 2 beds, so if everyone splits a room with someone, it's obviously cheaper. <a href="www.chestnutmtn.com" target="_blank">link to chestnut mountain resort</a> . If that's too pricey I can look into some campgrounds.
What do you guys think? Post any feedback/comments/suggestions here. Let's make this happen this year.

its about time someone got a mid summer rally going...

and if i were you look into camping lots of members here camp ..

Ed

I live in northwest Indiana and would love a rally this close,count the wife and me in.

man, I would really love to do this one but I think my son will be in town then... only get so much time with him a year

Hmmm, only 1356mi from Helena. Too close to the Kootenay Raid though.

There are some campsites in the area if that's what everyone wants to do.

Scott,

I'm in, it's on the calendar. I have a brother that lives up near there in Hanover, IL. Very nice road between there and Galena called Blackjack Road. Usually ride it 2 or 3 times to get the feel for it and then another 3 or 4 times so I can tear it up. I think it is about a 13 mile road. It passes right by the ski resort of which I believe you speak - Chestnut Mountain. My nephew is actually working there now to take advantage of the snow boarding perks. I'm thinking I would stay with my bro and meet up with folks. He may or may not have room for some wayward bikers for camping or whatever. I would have to ask him. Is definitely one of the nicest areas in Illinois to ride. I can lend a hand with getting stuff set up if you would like.

Oh yeah, Misisippi Palisades State Park is right near there (closer to Savannah, IL actually). I know there is also a private campground near there as well. Plenty o'camping in the area as well as roach motels galore or even bunches of B&B's for the classier folk in the crowd. Galena is a cool town if not a tourist (or as my brother calls it terrorist) trap. Decent potential for a rally in the area though.

Scott,staying at the resort sounds good,maybe as a group we could catch the last riverboat tour of the day,it would be a nice way to unwind after a long ride along the river.I think you could dicker for a better room rate,they quote 74.50 with a ski lift pass included and summer should be off season rates.

How far is Galena from Rockford,Ill.?

I think some like to camp and some like to be comfy in the ac.

Oh, maybe an hour to an hour and a half.

I was born in Champaign and have a bunch of cousins near Rockford, I may try to talk myself in to this one.

Keith- Thanks Bro, I can use all the help I can get. This is my first time trying to organize something like this, so I'm trying to make it as simple for everyone as possible. You're right, Blackjack road is where the resort is. Ever cross that metal bridge in Savannah going across the river into Iowa? Pucker factor of 10 on that one. Also, Iron horse social club is a cool place to have a beer.

Jack-My preference would be to stay at the hotel too, they have an awesome concrete "alpine slide" that you ride down on some kind of sled with wheels, then take the ski lift back to the top. Anyway, I want to make it as cheap as possible so that we get a good turn out. I'll call and see if I can get the rate down. The 74.50 rate is probably for weekdays right?

As far as camping goes, if that's what everyone wants to do, I think this will be our best bet http://www.palacecampground.com/index.html

UPDATE- Talked to chestnut mountain, no budging on the rate. Seems the summer time is the busy season in the area. I called Grant Hills Motel , which seems to be the cheapest without going to Iowa, or south to Savanna. They will give us a discount with 10 rooms minimum booked. Comes out to $78 per night for one bed, $89 per night for 2 beds, $99 per night for 3 beds, which is a $10 discount from regular.

Also they say they are rider friendly, and have somewhere we can park our bikes in case of rain.

Are there a lot of you who would rather camp? I just figured most people would want a/c, but if i'm wrong please speak up, as I can check other options.

http://www.granthills.com/

Regardless of what is chosen for the accommodations Scott, good for you for setting this up. It's been needed for years now.

me and vicki are looking at this rally... it would be a great trip and a easy one.. we would go thought cananda and use the Lake Express high speed ferry... web page
and it cheap also $81 bucks round trip on a bike....

Yep, definately interested, a midwest ralley is sorely needed. I'll be looking at this thread as it developes, but it's a little early for me to confirm.

Ed- That ferry ride looks cool, I didn't even know it was there! You won't be sorry for skipping past Chicago traffic.

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Ed- That ferry ride looks cool, I didn't even know it was there! You won't be sorry for skipping past Chicago traffic.

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yes i just went through Chicago 2 weeks ago man what a mess..

and there is another one up from that one also but its not a fast farry..

Ed

Scott,

I can talk to my brother up there. I know he used to know the owners out there but I think they sold the joint to new owners so I ain't sure if there is any connection there anymore. Really, moving a bit south to Savannah would not be a horrible thing. Still on the river, close to the Illinois Mississippi Palisades State Park and then just a darn good excuse to ride Blackjack Road into Galena tons. Might also wanna speak with Iron Horse Social Club to see if they would want to set something up with our group. Again, if you need anything to help, let me know.

looks like I might be able to swing this one after all.... stay tuned!

Hope you can make it Dave.

I'm going to plan a ride for saturday into Iowa with the destination being the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa. I figure one route there, different route back. How's that sound?

Keith- I went to that bar last summer, very cool place, definitely on my list as far as stopping points. Ever been to Poopy's? Never been there, just saw the website.

Scott,

I'm also interested in attending. I will monitor the thread for updates. Thanks for setting this up.

Denny

No problem Denny, look forward to seeing you there.

bill..thanks for the heads up..

looks like I need to read better..
but if i do this rally I still mite go this rout...

Ed

Well, poop! It just dawned on me so I checked and this is the weekend of the Nascar race at Chicagoland Speedway. Of course I have already purchased my tix so all I can say is POOP! I guess I will be able to hang Friday and Saturday through the evening. I don't know, maybe leave from there Sunday morning and just ride in to the race and meet up with my folks there after they already scored us a good tailgating spot. We shall see as the time comes.

POOP! I guess I should have checked that. Hope you can still make it. You can always scalp those babies!

I am new to this site. I bought a new 2007 Tiger last summer also have a mint 1976 Bonne. I have been to Galena and it is very nice. I hope to see you there.

don't worry MaddogMike.. if I do this rally I"ll be there on my 2007 tiger..

Ed

If I had the money I'd add a tiger to the stable. Don't worry mike, I'm bringing a couple friends who ride harley's, now they'll be the black sheep.

If I can make it up there, I will probably be coming with a Harley friend, too. He asked if he would be the outcast. I think he likes to be the outcast though

I found a place that has camping and a couple of motel rooms on the same site. The rates are a little cheaper, not much, but every little bit helps. Problem is there are only 7 rooms (4 motel rooms, 3 cabins). Don't know if that will be enough.

I'd like to get a rough idea on how many rooms we will need. If you're coming, or if you're even leaning towards coming, even if it's a possibility, please post if you plan to camp or stay in a motel room. If we don't need a lot of rooms we can move it to this place, if we need like 10-15 rooms we'll do something else.

Don't need any commitments right now, just trying to get an idea.

KaiserSoze - room

I can do either, as long as I have a place to shower. Right now I would say room. How many beds are in each motel room, and how many in the cabins? I don't mind sharing a room, it's more cost efficient anyway.

Scott, the wife and I would preffer a room.

right now we are thinking about this rally and going but we are still not sure.... and we can do both rooms or camp..

Ed

Scott,

I would say that I'm pretty well committed. I would plan to stay in a room. Might check with a buddy to see if he wants to go since the wife is going to pass. He has a V-Star... is he welcome if I tell him that he has to bring a cover for it?