Great Roads in Illinois Tour
 

I was talking to Sammy yesterday and I was telling him about some great roads in Illinois that I would like to check out ( I think we are both having Tail of the Dragon withdrawals ) and I thought I would throw it out to the forum to try and organize a group outing.

I was thinking either take a Saturday or Sunday and ride out to either SR71 in Starved Rock or Blackjack Road in Galena :

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/il.html

Blackjack Road is about 2 ½ hours ( 129 miles ) and SR71 is about 2 hours ( 82 miles ) from the Crystal Lake area.

I took a look at my calendar and Sept 29th and 30th are wide open.

Anyone interested ?

Nick

If you get some people, I would be up for that...if you allow Iowan's. Galena is about a 3-4 hour drive for me from Des Moines. I love the Galena area, if there are any golfers, we could play a round at Eagle Ridge Resort......

Hey Nick count me in!

Advance notice rocks. :cool:

I am having TOD withdraw too. Count me in.

I did a great 375 mile drive this past Saturday in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.

I went out west on Rt. 20 (Rockford) towards Stockton, and then took 78 north into Wisconsin. There I picked up Highway K and then snaked up other small farm roads like G, D and W until I connected with 18/51 into Madison. From there I took the main interstate home (90).

It was about a 7 hour run with a few stops for bathroom, fuel and beverages. I was home by 1:00 PM :)

there are some GREAT roads by Galena, not to mention the european look to the place and all the victorian houses and wine tasting ;)
i would like to go as well if everything works out as well w schedule

Im in! but if we are doing great roads in Illinois.....how about that awesome strectch on I90, say from 59 to Congress...do it like at noon on a saturday before a cubs game...we won't move an inch :D

lol... we could have a competetition to see who's Box overheats first.

ill walk thank you :cheers:

Count me in! :D

Sweet ! Looks like so far the following are in :

IowaS
Chills
Bmussatti
Djomlas
Super66
Sammy

Mark your calendars and we can discuss the details as the date gets closer.

Look forward to seeing / meeting ya’ll…

Nick

I think ChicagoLatin has us all beat by a long shot on this one....poor guy....anyone hear what caused his fire? was it the performance mods?

Look forward to it as well...

Alright, guys, I was looking at the schedule and we are about a month away.

So, couple of questions :

Which would work better, Saturday the 29th or Sunday the 30th ?

Which would you prefer, a ride out to Galena or Starved Rock ?

Thanks,

Nick

I think I'm in Indy the 29th.....so not sure I would be able to hang out to long if at all.....the 30th should be good as long as we get somewhere at noon to watch the cowboys!

I could do either day, just need some notice. Also either location will work, but I would prefer Galena...

i can do either one of the days, and location doesn't matter, but my GF loves Galena, so that would maybe be a better location, although i haven't been to starved rock.

Starved Rock will be busy on the weekend, and the roads full of soccer moms and minivans.

I saw we go on Saturday to Galena. I'm acutally up for a 2 day trip out that direction and we could hit some WI roads, too.

Galena sounds good to me! If I had to pick I would prefer the Saturday run so we can get home at whatever time we want and not have to think about work the next day.

You guys are going to be in my back yard! I wish I had free time to meet.
You should check out Rte 2 between Rockford and Byron... there's a couple good golf courses down that way too. If you have never driven that road you should. It's curvy and scenic.
There's a bunch of other roads between northern Il and Wisconsin as well. It's fun to get lost out there with the Boxster once in a while.

Well, it looks like everyone except super66 is in for Saturday ( bmussatti - where are you ? ) and the unanimous choice is Galena...

So here's what I'm thinking - meet at the gas station at the corner of 47 and 20 at 9:00 am Saturday morning.

Take 20W to W Galena Rd ( 6N ) and take Stagecoach Trail all the way to Galena. Stop in Galena for lunch and then head towards 20 - turn right on 4th street and take Blackjack Road to 84N ( Great River Road ) and catch 20 East in Elizabeth back to civilization.

It is about 130 miles ( 2.5 hrs ) each way from the starting point, so if we leave at 9:00 am that should put us in Galena around noon, eat / relax and head out about 1:30 pm - back at the meeting point around 4:30 pm.

Definitely a full day ! I have done both Stagecoach Trail and Blackjack Road on the Harley before, but not in the Boxster.

So, what do you guys think ?

Nick, I am in! We need to checkout CR-K in Wisconsin, just over the boarder, and north of Stockton, IL about 30 minutes.

I think I should be able to do the first round in the morning and catch lunch....I have a show in Indy so I don't think I can stick around for the second half of the day.....so I should be able to do the AM run.....

Well I messed up a bit, probably what I will do since I am coming from the West is meet you in Galena, roll back East towards Chicago with everyone and spend a nice evening in Chicago with my wife and head back on Sunday...

Just keep me posted on the meeting time in Galena....

Sounds like a great itenerary, Nick. I'm definately in!!

sorry guys, but i might be out.
its my GFs birthday that weekend

Wow, you guys are going to start right by me. I should introduce myself. My name is Ken and I'm looking for a Porsche, probally a Boxster. I have always wanted one. Wish I had one so I could join you guys. Know of any that are available?

I just found this site this morning. I'm trying to understand the plus and minus of the different years and features. I test drove one last week that was not right, still liked it.

Tipstall, welcome to the Forum! There are a ton of used Boxsters in the market. Do your research, and you will be OK. Remember to do a PPI (pre purchase inspection).

Now, go get one! You have more the four weeks to get a deal done! :)

You guys are welcome to join us (no charge) the weekend before. I guarantee you will never forget the roads we have included in this tour!!!

http://www.porschepark.org/journal.php?id=50

And if you are near Blackhawk on Sept 28, 29 or 30, you are welcome to join us for FREE track touring. Just show up at the track in a road worthy Porsche!

Details here:

http://www.themilwaukeecup.com/Schedule_20070723.pdf

Or if you want to parade to the track on the 29th:

http://www.porschepark.org/journal.php?id=55

Paul,

That is awesome ! Ever since I saw the post from Tool Pants about "Lunch Laps @ Laguna Seca" I was wondering if there was something like that going on in this area. Count me in for Sunday. Will you be attending ? I am a member of the Chicago Region PCA but it would be nice to know someone from the Milwaukee region at the event.

I have always wanted to drive my Boxster on the track, but concerns about tire and brake wear keep me from doing a DE, so a low speed "tour" around the track sounds just like what the doctor ordered !

Thanks for the head's up, and hope to see you there...

Nick

Hey Nick, I'm up for Sunday at Blackhawk, too. I really like that track.

I'm also a Chicago Region PCA member, so what do I need to do to sign up?

No need to sign up, just show up to sign the release forms at the registration booth at the entrance to the track at least an hour before touring starts.

I will be there Sat and Sun.

Paul, thanks for all of the great info and links! I am really going to try to do the Driving Tour on the 22nd.

Chills and Nick, I'd like to do Blackhawk too. Let's stay posted on this as we get closer to the date.

This is going to be an awesome weekend! I can't wait.

Nick, sorry, dumb question...but in what town does 47 and 20 cross?? Thanks!

I believe it is Starks.

Be carefull at this intersection, it is tricky the way 47, 20, and 72 all converge...

Nick

Nick, where on that map is the gas station?

It's the green building on the SW corner...

Nick

Roger that. Thanks.

I just wanted to bump this up again and see who will still be able to make it this Saturday ?

Those of you that know me are aware that I have a terrible sense of direction, so I would appreciate some help with the navigation of the route ( I have outlined the roads below ).

Paul, I am also still in for Blackhawk on Sunday for the track touring. Please let me know if there are any details I need to consider ( what time do I have to be there to be eligible, do I need a helmet to be on the track, etc. )

Look forward to seeing you all this weekend. Let's hope the weather holds out !

Nick