Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events 2012 Midwest Rally *official thread*

Hey guys, I'm trying to put something together for lodging at the rally this year, so I'm gonna need an idea of how many people will be there.
DATE: July 5,6,7,8
LOCATION: Near La Crosse, WI

I know La Crosse is a little further of a ride for a lot of you, but from what research I've done, you will be greatly rewarded with some fantastic riding and scenery. I'm trying to put something together with a rental property that will save us some money over a hotel, and will be a much cooler place to stay. There is a 20x50 garage we can all park in as well as a "bike wash area". I'm posting a link to the place I'm looking at, so you can read the description yourself. I'm super excited about the prospect of using this place. A lot hinges on how many of us there are, and I know it's really early, but I need to at least get some kind of idea. Thanks everyone for letting me know asap on this!


Link to rental property

I am a definite maybe. Like I said in the other thread, Angela is going to China for a couple weeks this summer and I don't know exactly when, but she did say the other day that I might be alone for the 4th of July... I would like to make the trip again for sure.

I am planning on going.

thanks for the dates the wife will put them in at work and see what happens.....as of right now we are a maybe as for the Condo if we do go..sorry but we will pass..... we will look for a hotel close by..

Ed & Vicki

Scott, I'm glad you started putting this together this early. Makes planning much easier. I'll be there for sure.

John

John and Micah - I know you guys live relatively close to the area, are you planning to stay with the group at the hotel/lodge, or are you gonna commute?

Lacrosse a couple 3 hours away, so I would be staying. Plus, I assume that will be drinking after riding, another good reason to stay.

Scott, what's the game plan. You looking to get 12 or so riders to spilt the 3 condos for three nights?
Hmmmm

Scott,Diane would like to know about privasy issuse,IE, would she have to share a bathroom or dose each bedroom have it's own? I would like toknow how much farter this is than Timmbermans hotel for trip planning purposes?

Here's my plan. There are 3 condos with 2br and 2 bath. If for example, my wife and I are in one condo with another couple, we would each have our own bedroom and our own bathroom, as well as a living room area. At $150 a night per condo, that comes out to $75 per couple per night, which is about the same as I'm going to pay at a hotel. For the guys riding solo, they could stay 4 or 6 people in the third condo and would pay 25-35 or so bucks a night. They would have to share 2 bathrooms, but usually guys end up splitting hotel rooms anyway, so I don't think that will be an issue. If we get all 3 condos we have use of a caboose which has 2 singles and 1 double bed and 1 bathroom adjacent, which would lower the price even more. I was told that if we have all 3 condos rented, we would have use of a "captain's suite" which is another centrally located bedroom with it's own master bath attached. I was thinking this may be a good spot for Jack and Diane, or Ed and Vicki. We will also have use of a huge kitchen and meeting area, so if we wanted to cook a big meal or two, instead of going out to eat, that may save some $ also. In said meeting room we can play movies also if we wanted to. The owners of the place are bikers too, and said they would be happy to lead us around and show us the area if we wanted. They are also sending me some maps. If some of you are wanting to stay in a hotel instead, or if we have an overflow of people, there is a hotel about 3 blocks away (walking distance). She said they let members of the group that are staying in the hotel still keep their bikes in the garage.
At timmermans I usually block off 10 rooms, and last year we didn't even fill those. Ideally I would love for there to be anywhere between 12 to 20 people staying at the lodge, obviously the more the merrier. Privacy is important especially for those of us bringing our significant others, I truly don't think that will be an issue. Those of us wanting more privacy may pay a little more, but no more than we would at a hotel anyway.

So what do you think?

Scott,
The place sounds great. I'll see you there!!! I'm really looking forward to it, seeing you all, and hate I had to miss last year. It would be awesome to have run of the whole place.

Good news Chris! Glad you're back in the mix!

Haha! Yeah, that's the only reason my wife goes!

I'm comeing just to see Christopher's new ride,Diane calls first dibbs on the captain's suits LOL

Scott,
I'll be staying with the group. The ride daily ride from Dubuque would take some of the fun out of the rally. I have no problem splitting a 2 or 3 bedroom condo with anyone. If the condo fills up, the hotel would be OK too.

John

Sounds good John and Jack.

I reserved all 3 condos for the 5th, 6th, and 7th of July. I'm planning to get there on thursday. I'm not sure how many will be coming thursday, so if we don't fill all 3 we'll make adjustments as needed.

Scott give us an address for my GPS,we'll be over on Tursday unless the rooms would be available on the 4th.

206 Bekkedahl St Westby, WI 54667

Jack, I'm sure they would make one available for you on the 4th, if you want to call and ask. The owner's name is Ruth, number is 608-606-2866.

Thanks Scott I'll check with her.

My Brother-in-law lives in La Crosse and he and I ride the area a lot. There are many great rides through the bluffs and in the area in general.

I'll check with my BIL, but will likely be there.

Put me down as a definite maybe too. I may be making a change in employers in the next week or so & may not be able to attend (sic: no vacation days available w/ new employer). But, if that connection falls thru I'll be there!!!

Chris? You still thinkin about meeting up in IA to share the road into WI? (See my post on the "Unofficial 2012 Midwest BA Thread).

Sounds good guys, hope you can make it.

I have spent some time riding that area and I have pencilled out 3 different routes that I think would be fairly representive of the area and offer a selection of either challenging back roads with plenty of hills and twisties. Or more leisurely touring of the northern Mississippi.
if there is interest I can post the routes for discussion and we can alter them as needed. Or go a differnt way altogether.

I'm all ears. I'd like to hit the Mindoro cut, maybe SR33 through wildcat mtn. Again open to all suggestions because I'm just going by what I've seen on various websites, you having first hand knowledge is priceless.

1 – Very interesting ride all Wisconsin - under 180 miles but plan on 5 hours.
Westby north on SR 27 to Cashton, then SR 33 west to SR 162 north, take CR II (left) to CR I (left) to SR 33 (make a left then a quick right) onto SR 162 south to Coon Valley, stay on 162 to SR 35 on the Mississippi river, go south to Genoa. Take SR 56 east to Viroqua to SR 82 north, turn left onto SR 33 and go west over Wild Cat Mountain and into Ontario, turn left onto SR 131 south to La Farge then turn right onto SR 82 west back to Viroqua and then a right turn north on SR 14 back to Westby.

2 – Easy ride – Great River Road north – 2 states – 260 miles, 6 hours – all day ride
Westby take SR 14 west until it joins SR 35 (great river road) north, cross the river going through La Crescent and onto Minnesota hwy 61 go north to Red Wing and loop around onto hwy 63 across the Mississippi and back into Wisconsin. Take SR 35 south to Onalaska (or divert a bit east to take the Mindoro cut ) and onto I-90 east. Take the SR 162 exit at Bangor, ride south to meet SR 33, go east on SR 33 to Cashton and then south on SR 14 back to Westby)

3 - Easy tour of river – 3 states – 240 miles, 6 hours – all day ride.
Westby take SR 27 south/west to Prairie Du Chien, cross the Mississippi into Iowa the head north on SR 76 (great river road). Stay on GRR north (hwy X52) to just before La Crescent, MN. Turn left/west onto SR 16 to Rushford, and then take SR 43 North to I 90 east. (Option here, take 43 north thru the bluffs to Winona. Or, ride down I-90 (very scenic) back thru La Crosse)
Then; onto I-90 east. Take the SR 162 exit at Bangor, ride south to meet SR 33, go east on SR 33 to Cashton and then south on SR 14 back to Westby.

just throwing these out there

OK as of right now me and Vicki are in and making plans to be there.. we still need to figure out the room situation ..our own room and bath..but it looks like that will work both ways...condo or hotel ...

and on to the rides...remember to plan for stops and photo stops

Ed&vicki

Cool, hope it's a nice ride out for you guys. I will definitely add some stops to whatever routes we decide on. You guys gonna ferry it across lake Michigan again?

not this time..but we will be out early we will be staying with her family over the 4th of July in Brussels, WI then ride down to the rally on the 5th ..

Ed & Vicki

I'm currently saying I'll be there... but it is right after my anniversary so ...... well I better get her a great gift.

Bring her along! Nice romantic getaway in sw wisconsin!

Be cool to see all you guys make it again this year, hope it works out for all of you.

Oops, I haven't logged in for 2-3 weeks... count me in, Scott. I can come on Thursday or Friday.