WheatonFJR & Rock River Ride

[blitzer]

Hey Wheaton,

How's it going? Any further thoughts on a Rock River Run later this month if weather holds up?

Griff is a little too far away, but maybe Blindman and some others might be game.

Blitzer

 

[griff]

Hey Wheaton,
How's it going? Any further thoughts on a Rock River Run later this month if weather holds up?

Griff is a little too far away, but maybe Blindman and some others might be game.

Blitzer

Hey - Don't count me out! Let me know when you guys want to go. With luck, I can get around Chitown on 294 pretty quick to meet up with you guys.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Hey Wheaton,
How's it going? Any further thoughts on a Rock River Run later this month if weather holds up?

Griff is a little too far away, but maybe Blindman and some others might be game.

Blitzer

Hey Blitzer,

I'm always up for a little Rock River run...(wish I lived closer to SW WI :huh: )

However, this weekend I'm changing tires and maybe doing a little run out there with wifey and next weekend wifey and I are going to try to do a one nighter out to Mineral Point, WI and surrounding area if the weather is clear. We were supposed to go the weekend after CFO but the all weekend storm kinda put a damper on that.

Therefore, for me these next two weekends are booked.

However, you guys are more than able to get together for a run out there yourselves. This time of year - if the weather is good - ya gotta go, cuz there ain't that many pleasant weekends left for above freezing motorcycling. Me...with no electric gear, I need it in the 40's for me to be comfortable.

You guys have at it and I will join you when I am able...

 

[TriggerT]

If at all possible, I am in. I live in Rockford, so I'm at the top of the route for the Rock River. If you want ideas for where to meet up, I can think about it a little. Where would most of you be coming from? If we are all coming from the North, or are willing to meet on the North end of the route, that makes things even easier for me. (It's all about me, you know)

I will also ask around at work about good roads off of Route 2, since all the guys at work have grown up in this area, and know all the back roads better than I do.

Keep in touch, PM, let's make it happen before the snow flies.

 

[TriggerT]

Keep in mind that from Rockford down to Grand Detour is only about 25-30 miles. Not a really long ride. Depending on how long people would want to go, I have done a route from Rockford down to Rte. 64 via Rte. 2, take 64 over to the Mississippi river, then up to Galena, and then back to Rockford. This takes a good chunk of the day, but you get a real mix of roads. Unfortunetaly, as is the case in most of IL, there are larger chunks of slabbing than most of us like.

The roads out by Galena are great, but the ride to get there sucks.

If it is colder, maybe just a short trip down and up the Rock is all people will want to do. Just some thoughts.

 

[blitzer]

TriggerT,

All right, maybe we can meet up somewhere. I'm in Chicago, Griff is in Indiana by the lake and wheaton is you know where. So maybe a meet up on the south part of the route might work best, then take us up north and around to the Galena area?

The weather is the issue. Next weekend looks colder, so maybe the following weekend might work. We'll just keep an eye on this and maybe we can gather a few more riders til then.

Griff- Glad to see you might be in. Lets let TriggerT do a liitle research on a route and see what happens.

-blitzer

 

[TriggerT]

How does Sunday the 22nd sound? Can any of you give me an idea of how long (miles or hours) you would want to ride after we all meet up?

 

[griff]

How does Sunday the 22nd sound? Can any of you give me an idea of how long (miles or hours) you would want to ride after we all meet up?

The 22nd would work for me. Since I am in Indiana about two hours from Rockford via I-80/294/90, I can be there relatively early. Doesn't really matter to me what we ride.

 

[TriggerT]

I just did a Map quest layout of the route i rode a few weeks ago. it ends up being 200 miles, and about 5 hours. I made several stops when I rode it, and it did take almost all day. Depending on the weather, we might want to have a shorter ride, and longer lunch.

If someone can walk me through how to add a picture from my computer into a thread, I will post the route.

 

[BlindMan]

Right now I've got a commitment on the 22nd, but I'm trying to get it changed so I can join the ride. I'll let you know if things work out.

Scott

 

[blitzer]

TriggerT,

The 22nd sounds good (of course weather permitting.) I think you're right about a shorter ride, especially at this time of the year. We are losing daylight fast and also temperature with it.

What do you think of around 120-150 mi. It may take Griff 2 hrs. to get back to IN and that would push the time and temp. thing for him.

Where would be a good meet up point and what time would work best for everyone?

-blitzer

 

[TriggerT]

If you guys want to do a 120-150 mile ride from say Rockford, I would suggest running out to Galena (150-175 miles round trip from Rockford). Getting there is not bad, but not the best. However, if we are looking for good twisties, good overlooks, and that kind of mileage, it is a better bet than the Rock River.

Again, don't get me wrong about riding the Rock. It is a nice ride, but you are talking 30-35 miles MAX each way.

As far as a place to meet, we could meet in Rockford anywhere, or I would be willing to ride east to some place near WheatonFJR, and then come back west with the group.

Time is completely open for me. I usually leave for work at 4am, so there is no such ting as too early.

 

[TriggerT]

If you guys want a place to meet out this way, I have one in mind that would allow us to make an up to the absolute last minute decision on if we want to ride the Rock River, or go further West to Galena, for a longer day. Otherwise, as I stated previously, I wouldn't mind at all coming East to meet up with some of you, and then coming back west.

I really hope the weather is decent. I haven't ridden the bike is almost a full 48 hours now, and am starting to experience withdrawal. Though the withdrawal is tempered by the snow outside just a little.

 

[blitzer]

Whats your meet up place? This wil be a last minute decision due to failing weather. I'm thinking Rock R. area only for ride.

Its nice right now! But unable to ride right now!

I thought of meeting at intersection of I- 39 and route 72. TriggerT knows area better and may know of a better exact spot there or have a better spot altogether.

Keep an eye on longterm forecast.

Take care,

-blitzer

 

[TriggerT]

Blitzer,

There is NOTHING at the intersection of 72 and 39. I propose that we meet one exit North of 72 off of 39. That is Baxter Road. There is a large Shell truck stop on the N.E. corner of Baxter and 39, that would be a good place to meet up, since you can get something warm to drink there if need be, and we can all top off before starting down the Rock River.

On the way back up you could then take off at 72 if you wanted to save a little time.

Since it is going to be cold, I would think we would want to meet around 10 or 11. It doesn't matter to me, but some people who are thinking about coming from further away might want the sun to start to warm things up a little before having to start out.

So what do you all say? Are you up for one last group ride for the season? 10 or 11 at the N.E. corner of Rte. 39 and Baxter Road. Probably an hour down the Rock, stop for lunch, and then an hour back up. that is if we take our time.

**** it, unless it is snowing, I'm Going.

 

[griff]

Guys - I posted this elsewhere, but I was informed that my presence is requested at a college orientation seminar on Sunday, so I won't be able to make the ride. Have fun. I am going to do something on Saturday - I don't know what.

 

[blitzer]

I am out for this weekend. Some things have come up and I heard it will only be around 50 this sunday.

But I am not putting bike away just yet. One year I rode on Oct 31 or Nov 1 and it was a 75 degree and sunny day!

I like the meet up place. If by any chance we get a warm up for the last weekend in Oct. I would like to try and do this ride.

Keep an eye on weather. Take care.

-blitzer

 

[TriggerT]

Well, I think that covers everyone who had expressed any interest in going for a ride. I think we can officially call the ride for this coming Sunday dead.

Hopefully sometime in the near future.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I know the ride is cancelled and all, but I will be taking a ride this Saturday since my FJR has been neglected for a couple of WEEKS :blink: and it will not be good enough weather to ride 2up. I will be leaving Wheaton at about 8am.

I will head out toward Maple Park & Sycamore on county roads, then head west on the Old State Road then cut north a block to Lindenwood road across I39, then cut north on 251 to Holcomb road. Taking Holcomb road to German Church road near the Byron Nuclear Power Station cooling towers (can't miss 'em).

I will then take German Church road south to IL 38 west then back north on the road that goes along the east side of the Rock River. I will then cross over the river and take IL 2 south to Dixon, taking US 52 east/south to Amboy, IL.

I will then head east out of town on Shaw Road, which runs past a Wind farm generating electricity with LOTS of Huge windmills around 251 & I39. This road changes name to Chicago road and I take it back to roughly US 30 and IL 47, where I take some roads to angle north and east to Wheaton.

This route takes roughly 4 -5 hours if I ride at a good clip. I typically stop in Byron & Amboy.

Anybody is welcome to ride all or part of the route with me.

I ride a silver '04 and have a Maroon/Red Shoei helmet. I will be trying out my new Joe Rocket jacket.