School me on Southern WI

[TTaM]

So I live in Minneapolis and my brothers live in Chicago. We've been talking about meeting up the weekend before the 4th of July and exploring southern WI, since its a middle ground.

Any areas/roads/cities/brew pubs you recommend hitting up? How about campsites/hotels?

The plan is to meet somewhere Fri night, ride all day Sat, then have a good ride home (I'll be headed to Chicago afterwards).

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

[TTaM]

Or heck, northern WI too, just want a reasonable ride home on Sunday before the deer come out.

[caasland]

Good hotel and pub in southern Wisconsin would be in New Glarus. Swissaire hotel, a 5 min walk from the Glarner Stube, the best place to eat german food and sample New Glarus beer.

Good campground: Wildcat Mtn state park.

Another good brewpub in good riding country is the Potosi Brewing Co. in Potosi, WI. Right next to is the American Breweriana Museum.

If you happen to stay in Madison, I'm partial to the Dane Brewing Co.'s Black Earth Porter, and if you're lucky (it is the right time of year ...) they'll have Ned's Red on tap. Any hotel within walking distance will do (Hilton, Hyatt, Best Western). Don't forget to hit State Street.

[mxvet57]

Pick any letter in the alphabet and enjoy.

[Cheddarhead]

Pick any letter in the alphabet and enjoy.

+1.

From La Crosse south to the border...from Iowa's C9Y east across the river east to Madison...the riding is all good.  Kettles and Moraines...carved by the glaciers and lots of smiles per hour!

[County Tar]

Prairie du Chien would be a good place to meet, but the motels are expensive and full this time of year.  Probably better to stay inland, off the River.  All roads are good.

[Oddball]

I recommend The Grumpy Troll 105 South 2nd Street  Mount Horeb, WI 53572.  You have to try really hard to find a bad road in SW Wisconsin.  For camping Governor Dodge State Park is really nice.

[ninjaridaz]

+1 on the Grumpy Troll.

[bluepoof]

New Glarus beer

 

[Fourstring]

Good hotel and pub in southern Wisconsin would be in New Glarus. Swissaire hotel, a 5 min walk from the Glarner Stube, the best place to eat german food and sample New Glarus beer.

Stayed at Swissaire once and liked it.    Black Earth also has a bar that does drunken whiffleball and broadcasts all the Moto GP races; also highly recommended.

That said, Madison is an amazing city with great riding in all directions.  You can't miss.

[ray916mn]

Classic route we use to get to the southwestern part of WI you're planning on meeting your brothers in is:

From Nelson, WI (60 miles southeast of Minneapolis).

South 35
Left on E
Left on 95
Right on T
Right on D
Right on DD
Right on V/VV
Left on T
Right on 108 (Mindoro Cut)
Left on Old 16
Left on 16
Right on 162
Right on II
Left on I
Left on 33
Right on G
Left on P
Left on 131
Right on 33 (Wild Cat Mountain)
Right on V
Right on P
Left on S
Left on 131
Right on U
Right on F

This gets you to just east of Westport which is on the northside of the Wisconsin River halfway between Boscobel and Blue River in roughly 200 miles from Nelson. Mt Horeb is another 60 or so miles away.

[JimWilliamson]

Alphabet soup ride



Mississippi River to the west
I-90 to the east and north-ish
Illinois border to the south

Most small roads will be paved (chip-sealed) in Wisconsin. Cross the Illinois state line and you'll often find gravel greeting you at the state line.

No great recommendation - just look at a map for a small squiggly and enjoy.

[TTaM]

Classic route we use to get to the southwestern part of WI you're planning on meeting your brothers in is:

From Nelson, WI (60 miles southeast of Minneapolis).

South 35
Left on E
Left on 95
Right on T
Right on D
Right on DD
Right on V/VV
Left on T
Right on 108 (Mindoro Cut)
Left on Old 16
Left on 16
Right on 162
Right on II
Left on I
Left on 33
Right on G
Left on P
Left on 131
Right on 33 (Wild Cat Mountain)
Right on V
Right on P
Left on S
Left on 131
Right on U
Right on F

This gets you to just east of Westport which is on the northside of the Wisconsin River halfway between Boscobel and Blue River in roughly 200 miles from Nelson. Mt Horeb is another 60 or so miles away.

This is perfect, I have all day Fri to ride down

[bomber]

Take the advice wrt lodging seriously -- finding randomly available rooms or campsites within 10 miles of any body of water that time of year (lake, river, puddle at a car wash) is almost nil . . . . .

If interested, drop me a PM with your email, and I'll send you some GPX files that should keep you entertained ;-}

[caasland]

BTW .. in Monroe, WI (south of New Glarus) is Minhas Brewery. Their claim to fame is Augsburger and Huber Bock which we drank when we couldn't afford the good stuff. At $11/case it was OK. But now they mostly brew swill for the canadian market, like Berghof, energy drinks etc. We took a tour of the brewery. It was kind of disgusting and damp and falling apart - in a bad way, not a good way (like Cantillon).

Just to give you an idea .. the tour guide said they have excellent beer because they use "the best hops extract" and held up a can of it. Extract has it's place .. but yuck.

Don't waste your time there - go tour the new big and clean and shiny New Glarus brewery instead.

[County Tar]

Take the advice wrt lodging seriously -- finding randomly available rooms or campsites within 10 miles of any body of water that time of year (lake, river, puddle at a car wash) is almost nil . . . . .

If interested, drop me a PM with your email, and I'll send you some GPX files that should keep you entertained ;-}

Is the general tent camping area at Lake Joy a possibility?  That would be about halfway.

I have made the mistake of searching for a motel more than once in the general area.  The last time I struck out in Prairie du Chien, Guttenberg and the entire metro area of Dubuque.  Finally found a mom and pop in Strawberry Point, IA about 11 p.m.  I should know better by now.

[bomber]

http://www.lakejoy.com/currentsiteavailability.html

;-}

BTW, there are a couple of really ice eateries in Mineral Point.

[spd2918]

We hosted a COG national out of Tomah.  Send me your email address and I'll drop some GPX files on you.

[motormike]

http://www.lakejoy.com/currentsiteavailability.html

;-}

BTW, there are a couple of really ice eateries in Mineral Point.

And now I know where the "Sea of Joy" in the GPS line of your profile is located.  

[bomber]

And now I know where the "Sea of Joy" in the GPS line of your profile is located.  

LOL . . . . ..

[Gary B.]

Can't go wrong nearly anywhere in SW Wisconsin. All the suggestions here are spot-on. Bring a camera. Also, let me add the Mindoro cut (HWY 108), Hwy 33 through Wildcat Mountain State Park, and HWY 171 east of 35.

[bucktownbilly]

http://www.lakejoy.com/currentsiteavailability.html

;-}

BTW, there are a couple of really ice eateries in Mineral Point.

Heading to Mineral Point Saturday night on the bike, do tell on eateries

[bomber]

one is called "Four" -- on Commerce Street (Main North/South drag) -- nice outside seating, if weather permits . . . . the joint is nice enough to make points with the distaff riders, if any.

there's a nice brew pub with good chow directly across the street, as well . . . .

there's a joint that serves traditional Welsh food along with normal diner fare (Red Rooster on High Street). We ate there, and were underwhelmed, but other diners were raving about the chow, so who knows . . . .

good riding in the area -- enjoy!

[sharkette]

Classic route we use to get to the southwestern part of WI you're planning on meeting your brothers in is:

From Nelson, WI (60 miles southeast of Minneapolis).

South 35
Left on E
Left on 95
Right on T
Right on D
Right on DD
Right on V/VV
Left on T
Right on 108 (Mindoro Cut)
Left on Old 16
Left on 16
Right on 162
Right on II
Left on I
Left on 33
Right on G
Left on P
Left on 131
Right on 33 (Wild Cat Mountain)
Right on V
Right on P
Left on S
Left on 131
Right on U
Right on F

This gets you to just east of Westport which is on the northside of the Wisconsin River halfway between Boscobel and Blue River in roughly 200 miles from Nelson. Mt Horeb is another 60 or so miles away.

 

[Gary B.]

Coon Valley area is awesome as well, if ya like it tight and twisty.

[bucktownbilly]

one is called "Four" -- on Commerce Street (Main North/South drag) -- nice outside seating, if weather permits . . . . the joint is nice enough to make points with the distaff riders, if any.

there's a nice brew pub with good chow directly across the street, as well . . . .

there's a joint that serves traditional Welsh food along with normal diner fare (Red Rooster on High Street). We ate there, and were underwhelmed, but other diners were raving about the chow, so who knows . . . .

good riding in the area -- enjoy!

Never made it to Mineral Point.  After hitting up Baumgartners for a beer and cup of chili, ended up crashing in New Glarus.  Wow, The Glarner Stube was unreal!  Had the scallops and just awesome.  Washed them down with several Spotted Cows

Made my way to the Mississippi the next day and had a burger at Pete's Hamburgers.  First time, good stuff, even if the wait is long. Savanna was next up but only marginal food at Poopies.  Dodged rain drops home after that.

[TTaM]

Alright, our plans have changed a bit

no camping.

We've got the room in Madison on Fri night

Where's a good town to stop Saturday? New Glarus is no longer available. The Swiss Aire was completely rented out by a motorcycle club, and the other hotel in town wants $200 a night.

We might just end up in Madison again

[caasland]

I guess you can shoot for something along the WI river, from the southern border to as far north as Stockholm or Maiden Rock .. you'll find good roads in the driftless area.

Come to think of it, something downtown La Crosse wouldn't be bad. Then you'll get to ride 33 through Wildcat Mountain and many other roads, and there's no lack of night life in LaX.

[TTaM]

I like the La Crosse idea. The biggest issue would be my one buddy that is coming from Chicago, who is new to the whole "sport touring" gig. The Sunday ride home might be a bit much for him (300 miles slabbing it), but I bet he could be convinced.

[mxvet57]

I like the La Crosse idea.

The Super8 in LaCross is a very good motel. I've stayed there many-a-times and not one complant.

[vwtom]

Alright, our plans have changed a bit

no camping.

We've got the room in Madison on Fri night

Where's a good town to stop Saturday? New Glarus is no longer available. The Swiss Aire was completely rented out by a motorcycle club, and the other hotel in town wants $200 a night.

We might just end up in Madison again

We've stayed at the sands inn before in Boscobel (http://sandsmotelboscobel.com/) - a slight dive, but always clean.

[TTaM]

We decided to gamble and will be staying the second night at the Canfield Hotel in Dubuque. The reviews run from cool, with lots of charm to horrifiying.

Should be interesting.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g37853-d1103845-Reviews-Canfield_Hotel-Dubuque_Iowa.html

[Fourstring]

When I stay in Madison, I usually contact the college and rent out a dorm suite for the night.  Way cheaper, roomier, and quieter than a hotel, plus you're right on the main drag by all the action.

University Apartments and Eagle's Wing
Phone:  608.262.3407
Fax:  608.265.5302
Email: universityapartments@housing.wisc.edu
Office Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays  7:45 am-5:45 pm
Wednesdays 7:45 am-7:45 pm
Saturdays 9:30am-12:30 pm

[bomber]

When I stay in Madison, I usually contact the college and rent out a dorm suite for the night.  Way cheaper, roomier, and quieter than a hotel, plus you're right on the main drag by all the action.

Things have changed since I went to school.

[jadziadax8]

Things have changed since I went to school.

It's summer right now.

[TTaM]

We got the Hilton for $50 a night. That's cheap enough, and I don't have to share a bathroom with everyone on the floor.

[County Tar]

We decided to gamble and will be staying the second night at the Canfield Hotel in Dubuque. The reviews run from cool, with lots of charm to horrifiying.

Should be interesting.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g37853-d1103845-Reviews-Canfield_Hotel-Dubuque_Iowa.html

I looked at the Canfield once.  Bike security seemed a problem due to its location and clientele.

Spent a night at the old Alma Hotel a few years ago.  I think it was $16 or $19.  Bath down the hall.  Lots of noise and smoke from the bar below.  Nice old steam radiator to put the magnetic tank bag on.  Deep valley bed.  Loud trains every 10-15 minutes all night long.  You gotta like trains.  

[TTaM]

I looked at the Canfield once.  Bike security seemed a problem due to its location and clientele.

Spent a night at the old Alma Hotel a few years ago.  I think it was $16 or $19.  Bath down the hall.  Lots of noise and smoke from the bar below.  Nice old steam radiator to put the magnetic tank bag on.  Deep valley bed.  Loud trains every 10-15 minutes all night long.  You gotta like trains.  

The parking risk is all part of the adventure. I'm not too worried. Then again, I'm not there yet

[bomber]

It's summer right now.

That explains the heat and stuff ;-}

[mxvet57]

That explains the heat and stuff ;-}

And that sun thing.

[bucktownbilly]

The parking risk is all part of the adventure. I'm not too worried. Then again, I'm not there yet

I want a review.

[falconati]

We got the Hilton for $50 a night. That's cheap enough, and I don't have to share a bathroom with everyone on the floor.

Holy shit, the Hilton Monona Terrace?  That's the best hotel in Madison - you either get a view of the capitol at night, or a view of the lake.  Either is great!  You have to pay for parking if you use the garage; it's not a ridiculous amount but you can park safely on the street for free (if you can find space).

[TTaM]

Holy shit, the Hilton Monona Terrace?  That's the best hotel in Madison - you either get a view of the capitol at night, or a view of the lake.  Either is great!  You have to pay for parking if you use the garage; it's not a ridiculous amount but you can park safely on the street for free (if you can find space).

Yea, that's the one. Hotwire FTW. They charge $13 to park and won't let more than 1 bike fill a spot. We'll be seeking out street parking.

[bomber]

Yea, that's the one. Hotwire FTW. They charge $13 to park and won't let more than 1 bike fill a spot. We'll be seeking out street parking.

Parts of Madison really wants to be New York ;-}

It's a great joint, though!