Summer Solstice Ride 6/21

[Bandman]

I am putting together a sort of "ride weekend" in celebration of the Summer Solstice.  Here's the details:

Where:  
Voyager Inn, Reedsburg, WI
1-800-444-4493
All Rooms are $69 a night - they are being held for the "Summer Solstice Ride"
If you are going and will need a room, book soon - you can always cancel

As of 6/4 there have been 5 rooms reserved.  Our block of 12 will come off hold soon so please call for reservations soon.

When:
Friday, 6/20 - meet at Voyager at 3pm for a short "warmup run"
Saturday, 6/21 - early breakfast, kickstands up at 9am in the Voyager parking lot (full day planned route, 300ish twisty miles)
Sunday, 6/22 - 8am breakfast then head home

Cost:
Your room, your food, your beverages, your gas


Looks like there is some interest here.  I'll be posting up details as I get this thing organized - Save the Date!

[RedCBRRider]

Sounds like something I could do.  I'll be watching for future developments.

[mxvet57]

this could be doable.

always looking for a reason to ride s/w chedderland.

like Ben, will watch for developments.

[Condor]

This may be a little too close to the National BUT I think it's doable.

[Bandman]

Excellent!

I'll be adding more details soon.

[bedlamite]

Maybe, I'll know by MDW whether or not I can make it.

[Thunder7]

This has possibilities for me........

[Bandman]

This has possibilities for me........

Nice!

It would be good to continue some of the discussion I recall from a meeting at a certain "chain" coffee shop  

[Thunder7]

Nice!

It would be good to continue some of the discussion I recall from a meeting at a certain "chain" coffee shop  

Very cool, although we covered so many things you'd have to remind me which one!  

[Bandman]

Very cool, although we covered so many things you'd have to remind me which one!  

Exactly!

[Mr. Clean]

For the summer solstice, I will be where the sun never sets.  

[Bandman]

For the summer solstice, I will be where the sun never sets.  

I need to do that ride sometime  

[Thunder7]

I need to do that ride sometime  

And I'll add the obligatory comment regarding something about where the sun DON'T shine!  

[Bandman]

Got a block of rooms on hold at the Voyager.

See first post.

[Thunder7]

CRAP. I just realized that I cant do it. I help out at MCC every year when the Triumph Demo Truck is there for the big demo weekend.

Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap.

[bomber]

Given the Soltice orientation of this gathering, will there be dancing around an oak tree with our faces painted blue?

[jadziadax8]

Given the Soltice orientation of this gathering, will there be dancing around an oak tree with our faces painted blue?

 

Awesome.

[Jeremy Z]

Well, I'm going to go ahead &  commit to this one. Every time I pussyfoot around, the date creeps up, then something else comes up and I forget about it. I'll see if Kate will come with me; it looks to be a good time. I just put in for the vacation day at work.

I like these rides that involve lots of twisty WI roads. You did a good job on the last ride. One suggestion for this one. Yourself and the sweep rider should wear reflective, fluorescent yellow vests. It will keep those people visible to cagers and it will help you keep track of who the last rider is, so no one is left behind.

Northern IL riders: I'd be willing to lead I ride up there on twisty roads from my place at 10:30 AM that Friday morning. My place: 1248 N. Red Oak Cir., 60073. That should give IL folks the opportunity to leave just after rush hour to get to my place. Kickstands up at 10:45. I'll do the route if there is interest.

[Bandman]

Given the Soltice orientation of this gathering, will there be dancing around an oak tree with our faces painted blue?

Does this mean you will be heading up the entertainment committee?

[Bandman]

Well, I'm going to go ahead &  commit to this one. Every time I pussyfoot around, the date creeps up, then something else comes up and I forget about it. I'll see if Kate will come with me; it looks to be a good time.

I like these rides that involve lots of twisty WI roads. You did a good job on the last ride. One suggestion for this one. Yourself and the sweep rider should wear reflective, fluorescent yellow vests. It will keep those people visible to cagers and it will help you keep track of who the last rider is, so no one is left behind.

Cool!

We learned a few things from our LARGE run last month.  There will be a slightly different protocol for the Solstice Ride.  I have been eyeing up a flourescent Olympia vest too.

[Jeremy Z]

I have been eyeing up a flourescent Olympia vest too.

Well, I got a couple nicer zip-up ones from ebay for about $15 ea for my wife and I. I'd be willing to ride sweep if you decide to go with this plan.

[RedCBRRider]

Here is a development.  June 20th vacation day has been scheduled.  

[Strings]

Hmmm... this may be doable for me, ifn y'all don't mind a slow, aging Goldwing along at the tail end...

[RedCBRRider]

Hmmm... this may be doable for me, ifn y'all don't mind a slow, aging Goldwing along at the tail end...

Could always use a good sweep rider.

[mxvet57]

Hmmm... this may be doable for me, ifn y'all don't mind a slow, aging Goldwing along at the tail end...

Waite is this Joe

[Bandman]

Alright,

A block of rooms are on hold at Voyager (see first post) and now we have a route coming together.  Please post up if you are planning on joining us.

We'll be heading northwest out of Reedsburg on the alphabet roads and of course riding Wildcat and Mindoro Cut on our way to Hansen's Hold Up for lunch.  An equally twisty route will follow as we work our way back to Reedsburg.  In all, it will be a 300+ mile day.

Breakfast and dinner suggestions will be coming soon and I will be posting GPS ready files soon.

Stay Tuned...

[mxvet57]

Alright,
Hansen's Hold Up for lunch.  A

i've been by that place a cuple of times but never stoped in. (9:00am)

a guy i work with has been there and says the view from the deck is just beutiful

[RedCBRRider]

Here is another development.  I have my room reserved.  So far Scott and I are the only two that have reserved any rooms.  There is a block of twelve being held for the ride.  There are ten left.  I'm not going to have to chase the Bandman around for two days by myself am I?  Who else is going?

[motocbiker]

Scott, Bill and I are going and have signed up at the Voyager. Are we running the 2007 TWiSTAR route, or a hybrid?

Hansen's was a lot of fun in '07...lot's of muscles cars and other bikes.

Chuck

[Bandman]

Scott, Bill and I are going and have signed up at the Voyager. Are we running the 2007 TWiSTAR route, or a hybrid?

Hansen's was a lot of fun in '07...lot's of muscles cars and other bikes.

Chuck

It will be a hybrid route.  I have the route "out" set up and will be working on the "return" in the next week or so.  I'm pretty excited to be heading up towards Hansen's as there are some nice roads in that area.  Have you been on Alligator Slide road?

[ray916mn]

It will be a hybrid route.  I have the route "out" set up and will be working on the "return" in the next week or so.  I'm pretty excited to be heading up towards Hansen's as there are some nice roads in that area.  Have you been on Alligator Slide road?

You folks need to contact WI-HSTA member, Rod House. He owns, http://www.wheelersbarandgrill.com/home.html and rides these roads multiple times a week. The last report on Alligator Slide was that it was not in good shape. He also makes a mean burger and has motorcycle only camping.

[Ninja Woman]

I might consider joining you since I cannot attend nationals now....

[Bandman]

You folks need to contact WI-HSTA member, Rod House. He owns, http://www.wheelersbarandgrill.com/home.html and rides these roads multiple times a week. The last report on Alligator Slide was that it was not in good shape. He also makes a mean burger and has motorcycle only camping.

Thanks for the info Ray!!!

Looks like I might be able to do a little "road reconnaissance" this next weekend so I will give Rod a call.

[Bandman]

Thought I'd bump this up and post a route teaser.

Here is my preliminary afternoon route back to the Voyager Inn from Hansen's Holdup.  It's 196mi but I figure this is the longest "day" of the year so what the heck.  There are many options to shorten if necessary.

The entire route is on alphabet roads and numbered highways - which are nearly all in pretty good to excellent shape (no gravel / dirt or seriously gnarly pavement scheduled on this ride).

Click the image to download and zoom in.

Sorry, took out the link because the route has changed.  Will post up a new teaser soon.

[Bandman]

Bumpity bump bump

Called the Voyager tonight and so far we have 4 rooms reserved for this event.  There are still 8 rooms on hold so if you were thinking about joining us, you should!

(see first post for lodging details)

[Bikenut]

Was gonna make the ZRX rally out in Colorado but thanks to jury duty getting pushed back a week it looks like I'll be around. Just might make this happen. Rod from Wheelers is a ZRXOA member too.

[Jeremy Z]

(bump)

I just reserved my room. If you haven't done it yet, I'd recommend doing it quick, as they don't seem to have many left.

FYI - The block of rooms held are on the smoking floor, so when you make your reservation, ask them to ionize it first. They don't have any rooms open on the non-smoking floor. (I already checked)

[Bandman]

Re: Smoking floor

They did tell me that the rooms were on the smoking floor but that they were confident that they would be cleaned/ionized and acceptable to all of us who are non-smokers.  We should definitely hold them to their word.

[Mark Milanowski]

Aligator Slide Road !  



The junction of Aligator Slide Road and Pretzel Pass !!!







Don't miss the overlook in Alma

[Bandman]

Nice pics Mark!

[Mark Milanowski]

Ben wanted to know where Aligator slide rode is.

Here it is.

View Larger Map" target="_blank">http://View Larger Map

[Bandman]

I'll have Garmin files available shortly.  PM me if you want the routes.

[motocbiker]

Jeremy...have you figured up a route to Reedsburg?

The last two times I led past the Cheese-curtain I managed to hit both Janesville and Beloit, much to the chagrin of those following. Would be nice to be a follower for a change.

Chuck

[Jeremy Z]

Jeremy...have you figured up a route to Reedsburg?

The last two times I led past the Cheese-curtain I managed to hit both Janesville and Beloit, much to the chagrin of those following. Would be nice to be a follower for a change.

Sometimes, there are just no good options Chuck. I'll figure something out if you don't mind it being last minute. Also, it may involve some interstate in order to miss the towns. But once we get past SE WI, I think we can do better.

It will be low-tech, probably a a simple turn-by-turn list.

Anyone else in IL is welcome to follow. The pace will be 5-10 over the speed limit, a bit more on the 55 mph interstates, just short of peg-scraping in the nice twisties. Of course we'll wait at the turns if we lose anyone.

[Bandman]

I have some very nice sue sheets and Garmin files all set for the ride.  It looks like we will not have to worry much about flooding as we aren't riding in the hard hit areas.

Since everyone will have cue sheets or GPS files, I would like to see us not ride in a large group but consider enjoying the route much like the tradition of TWiSTAR, in small groups or even single riders taking their own pace.

We have designated stops and there is a lunch break where everyone will reconvene.  In addition, we are planning a group destination for dinner for anyone interested.

Let me know if you want files.  A PM or email will work fine.

[RedCBRRider]

Scott, check PMs.  Send me the GPX file please.

[Bandman]

Just a couple days away!

If you are still interested in joining us for the ride, we'll be meeting between 7 and 7:30 for breakfast on Saturday morning at Marty's Steakhouse (which is the restaurant attached to the Voyager Inn).

There will be a rider meeting in the parking lot at 8:45 and we are planning to hit the tarmac at 9am.

Ride Safe!

[coopdway]

Hope to meet you guys at the Holdup, see you there.

[Jeremy Z]

Bad news fellas. I'm out.

I just bought airline tickets to Poland for next month, and the goddamn website charged my debit card twice, (thousdands of dollars, the assholes) and it is wreaking havoc with my bank account. Until the bank gets it worked out, (7-10 days, they tell me) I have no money.

It was already kind of tight, trying to save to go to Poland and doing these rides, but now I just have to repectfully bow out of this ride.

Hope I'll catch y'all on another, less epic ride soon.

[motocbiker]

Sorry you won't be joining us Jeremy.

I have to go to Freeport IL Friday morning before heading north to Reedburg so I wasn't able to "follow" you north across the Cheese-Curtain.

Hope we can catch up elsewhere. In other news Farkle-Mania Denny is working up some kinda com-system on the cheap for group rides like this. Sorry mine won't be available for this weekend.

Ceeya.

[Bandman]

Jeremy - Simply put, that sucks!  I hope everything gets straightened out quickly for you.

Some news on my end as well.  I will be at the Solstice Run this weekend but I won't be making it as early on Friday as I had planned.  Due to some unforeseen complications, I will be rolling into Reedsburg around 7pm.  I'll be ready for a beer and some tire kicking for sure!

[KokomoSam]

I didn't see this thread until now... crazy busy.  I may be a last minute join.  however the smoking room may be a deal breaker.  I will look for other hotels.

Sam

[Cheddarhead]

Any thoughts on a place to meet mid-morning on Saturday?  I can't stay over, as I'm planning to head to Rockford to see my son's Drum Corps perform there...but I can ride the day and do lunch with you folks.  I'll likely slab out from Waukesha early Saturday AM.

Thanks!

Cheddar

[Bandman]

Any thoughts on a place to meet mid-morning on Saturday?  I can't stay over, as I'm planning to head to Rockford to see my son's Drum Corps perform there...but I can ride the day and do lunch with you folks.  I'll likely slab out from Waukesha early Saturday AM.

Thanks!

Cheddar

We aren't pulling out from Voyager Inn until 9am.  You could meet us there if you are up for an 0' dark 30 departure.

Scott

[DavidLSI]

We aren't pulling out from Voyager Inn until 9am.  You could meet us there if you are up for an 0' dark 30 departure.

Scott

I am planning on leaving at 4:00 am to meet you guys for breakfast.  Which shold put me at the Viyager around 7:00/7:15

Of course all plans are subject to change....  

SeeYa
DavidLSI

[Bandman]

We'll be watching for you David!

[RedCBRRider]

I'm meeting Mike soon and we shall start to wander our way to Reedsburg.  Depending on how much we screw around on the way there we should arrive between 4 and 5 PM.

See you guys then.

[Cheddarhead]

I am planning on leaving at 4:00 am to meet you guys for breakfast.  Which shold put me at the Viyager around 7:00/7:15

Of course all plans are subject to change....  

SeeYa
DavidLSI

Which route are you taking, David?  I may try to hook up with you along the way...

Cheddar

[DavidLSI]

Which route are you taking, David?  I may try to hook up with you along the way...

Cheddar

I belive I am going to go on the slab up there.  At that time of the morning it should be ok even if there are lanes closed.

94 to 39 to 90 to 23 is the basic plan....

[Cheddarhead]

I belive I am going to go on the slab up there.  At that time of the morning it should be ok even if there are lanes closed.

94 to 39 to 90 to 23 is the basic plan....

OK.

If we are able to meet...it'll be at the intersection of I-90/39 and I-94.

PM me your mobile #...I'll try to contact you en route.  Otherwise, I'll spend the day chasing the group...which is OK, too...think of it as a "time-delayed" sweep role for me...

Cheddar

[DavidLSI]

OK.

If we are able to meet...it'll be at the intersection of I-90/39 and I-94.

PM me your mobile #...I'll try to contact you en route.  Otherwise, I'll spend the day chasing the group...which is OK, too...think of it as a "time-delayed" sweep role for me...

Cheddar

If I am out by 4 that would put me at that point around 5:30 plus or minus.

Will you just be on the shoulder, waiting by an entrance or off the highway someplace for me to look for you?

I have your cell so I will text you when I take off.

[Cheddarhead]

If I am out by 4 that would put me at that point around 5:30 plus or minus.

Will you just be on the shoulder, waiting by an entrance or off the highway someplace for me to look for you?

I have your cell so I will text you when I take off.

You have my "old" mobile #...just changed jobs, so I'm "between phones" at this time.  I may be able to steal one from a sleeping teen this evening...so PM me your info...

Otherwise, look for the neon yellow vest as you blow past me on the slab...

[DavidLSI]

You have my "old" mobile #...just changed jobs, so I'm "between phones" at this time.  I may be able to steal one from a sleeping teen this evening...so PM me your info...

Otherwise, look for the neon yellow vest as you blow past me on the slab...

you should have a pm already..

[FRZY]

Look out for a BRG Tiger coming up on you  fast

[FRZY]

Thanks for putting this out there bandman    wish I could have finished the return ride but I needed to get home. Good to see some STNers there and as always nice to meet other riders. Even though I don't remember any names as usual. Thanks again!!

As for the ride, the pace was good, kind of a different ride etiquette then I'm use to but good anyway.

My stats for the day, per GPS, for those who care
mileage-554
time-13hrs
not bad  

[RedCBRRider]

Nice day of riding.  I'm back at the hotel after dinner chilling out in the room  I don't know how many miles I had today due to GPS hiccup, but it was about three fiddy.  There is not a straight piece of road out here and they are all good.  I had a blast this weekend.  I'm starting to get that bummed feeling that I always get when the ride is over.

[mxvet57]

I'm starting to get that bummed feeling that I always get when the ride is over.

two words:  coffee meet

[coopdway]

Nice to see some of you guys yesterday, sorry I didn't get to say hello to everyone.  Lauren and I enjoyed lunch, the view as always and a perfect day for riding, with a dash of extra wind.  A safe return home to all.

[Bandman]

Pulled back in around 9:15 and had breakfast locally.

750mi for the weekend  

Thanks to all who came out to play!

[RedCBRRider]

I just got back a little while ago.  I'm unpacking the bike.  Mike and I tried to stay off of the slab as much as possible.  It took us longer to get back because we had our own coffee meet in Cross Plains, and the Rock River proved to be a problem on the way back.  Several roads were still closed.  I'll try to post up some pics later.

[RedCBRRider]

Here are some random pics from the weekend.  This is Mike arriving at the launching pad for the epic adventure.


We rode for a while and stopped at Crossroads Coffee House for some java.


While we were there these guys came by for a visit.


Here's Mary giving us a short Cross Plains history lesson.


Dane County highway F.


Mike wanted to check out Brigham Park.  Here is a view from the park.  You can see all the way to Baraboo.


This place was in Reedsburg just down the road from the hotel.  Mike and I went there to kill some time and shoot some photos Friday night before heading back to the hotel to get ready for Saturday.







The hotel had this Norman Rockwell exhibit going on.





Here is Scott and his wife Sandy at breakfast on Satuday before the ride.  Scott helped plan the ride and lead the group for us old and slow guys.  Thanks Scott.


David came up for the ride on Saturday, but he did not arrive intact.  He lost the lid to his top box on the way.


This guys showed and rode with us.  Good to see him again.


Geared up and ready to ride.


Here is the place we rode to for lunch.  Hansen's Holdup in Arcadia.  By the way, there apparently are no straight roads between Reedsburg and Arcadia.  Way cool!


Lunch on the deck at the Holdup.


A couple of views from the deck.



Here was the worst part of the day.  My GPS crapped out on the ride out.  Mike and FRZY decide to dig into it and try and fix it.



Here is the really amazing thing about it.  They actually did fix it.  It worked great the rest of the time.  The lesson here is, never ride without an engineer and a maintenance guy.  Thanks Mike and Joel.

On the way back Sunday, Mike and I took a flower sniffin' ride back home.  Here is proof.








Along Reeve Road.



It was a great weekend of riding.  Thanks to all who helped put this one together.  See ya at the next one.

[Condor]

Great photos and commentary; wish I could have been there. Too bad David blew his top. At least Ben got to Church......

[mxvet57]

been by Hansen's many a time but it is in the AM and they don't serve breakfast.



looks like some one got left behind


and yes 95 is very twisty

[FZ1 Matt]

I drug my knee once on hwy 95. I was wearing my mesh first gear pants. That wasn't very cool. Awesome pics Ben. How does a whole weekend of riding feel? It's nice to fill up all your luggage eh?

Oh and I think I saw Mike on his black FZ1 today. I think it was btwn11 and noon on i94 maybe?

I went north and rode all of the northern kettle roads today.

[DavidLSI]

I only took my camera at the lunch stop...













This smile was plastered on my face all day.  Ben was not kidding when he said there are no straight roads up there.  Every type of curve is well represented. From the very tight and technical to wide open sweepers.

My tip from this trip to anyone who goes up the area seek out "DD"

SeeYa
DavidLSI

[coopdway]

Ben, David, FZeedom, Ed, great snaps and thanks.

[Bandman]

Awesome pics guys!

I think I had my camera out for maybe 5 pictures - I was just having too much fun riding to stop I guess.

[Fast Eddy]

My tip from this trip to anyone who goes up the area seek out "DD"

I'm always on the lookout for DD's

Ya'll look like you had fun, sorry I couldn't make it.

[HipGnosis]

I had a blast on my limited participation of this event.  If you do it again (and I really hope you do) I'll definitely fully participate.
I left Milw. @ 6:30 to have breakfast in Madison and then meet the SSR riders in Reedsville.  I had some technical difficulty finding my planned breakfast stop... and then hit some traffic just out of Madison.  Then I was hauling along with a car and a truck doing 80 - 85 to make it to Reedsburg in time.  I got to Reedsburg @ 9:03... oh well.
I knew they were going to Hansons Holdup for lunch, so I rode a couple of my fav roads in the area.  I discovered the fun (in that area of WI anyway) of using the GPS feature of route by shortest distance.  Found a GREAT road NW of Sparta.
We met up at Hansons and I had a really good time on the pm route.  Saw a tractor take out a mailbox right outside of Arcadia; and the mail went flying!
I split off the group and headed home late in the afternoon.  I was going into Portage for gas when I hit a detour (Hwy 33).  Following the detour, my gas light came on.   So once I was in Portage, I was looking for a gas station, not the speed limit or my speed.  I pulled into a gas station; saw it was closed and a local PO pulled in behind me... he had me for 10+ over.  I explained the gas situation and he said that quite a few stations closed when the highway closed, gave me a warning on the speed and pointed me to an open station.  
I saw 2 rain cells ahead of me on the way home so I kept going East and South on the cnty highways to keep from catching them. Rode on quite a few wet roads, but didn't ride in the rain!

I'm also falling in love with my bike.  I traded in a Sprint RS late last season on my K12RS.  I really liked the 955, and missed it.  The K came with a comfort screen that really buffetted my head around. I recently got a stock screen (off eBay) and REALLY like the clean air it puts my helmet in!  It also came with old 020 tires.  The front cupped when I was at Deals Gap in April.  I've now got Conti Road Attacks (which I loved on my sprint) on the K.
I'm also learning to ride the K for the bike it is instead of trying to ride it like a Sprint RS...  we're defintely coming together now!

[Bandman]

I had a blast on my limited participation of this event.  If you do it again (and I really hope you do) I'll definitely fully participate.

I hope that this will be an annual activity.  I'm glad you were able to join us.  

[Seeker]

Well, I need to jump in and say THANKS!  I had a really good time this weekend.  Good riding, great company, what could be better...  Anyway, I forgot my camera so with all these great pics, I can show the wife what she missed.

Thanks all.