2026 Rally Location Ideas

[pdedse]

Per request, we are starting a new sticky (or pinned) thread on ideas for 2026 CB1100 rally location suggestions / ideas.  I suspect the request is for ideas for another "east" rally, but let's leave this open for the moment.  Should south and/or west locations come up and it looks like one will pan out, we can create another thread for that possibility.  But it seems to me that any and all locations are of interest for the moment.

Topeka, Kansas anyone?  

I jest...I was born there.

[rdprdp01]

For what it is worth, I have two nominations: Pleasanton, CA and Austin, TX. I have a base of operation in both locations.

Pro's: Fantastic rides (urban and rural). Mature motorcycle infrastructure (roads, dealerships, etc.). I can leverage my business contacts to reduce lodging expenses. I would gladly receive any motorcycle someone wanted to ship and arrange for it to be returned. For anyone planning to fly, Southwest flies into the Oakland and Austin International Airports. It is like riding a bus at 35,000 ft, but it is less expensive and flexible than traditional airlines.

Con's: Most Members will have to cross a country to participate, requiring motorcycles to be trailered or shipped more likely than not. Even with my insider knowledge and contacts, California and Texas are are more expensive and logistically complex.

P.S. I do like Kansas.

[misterprofessionality]

Thanks Pdedse

On the eastern side of things, ill use this here space to make my case for far eastern Kentucky.  Pikeville to be exact.  The reason I wanted to make this case is because i got a vague idea for it earlier during Rally week, but when i really sat down and thought it through it was so easy to plan that i couldnt help but conclude it was the perfect idea.

Ok, the short version is ive found the following Pros in Pikeville:

The size of the town is small and thus easy to exit. 

Lodging currently appears to be much cheaper than Kingsport.

Fun and exciting roads are found IMMEDIATELY upon exiting the town.  No highway treks to get to the good stuff. Furthermore, folks that arent necessarily feeling a 150 mile day will have much easier access to just hopping out of town about 50 or 60 miles to have the full mountain riding experience. 

Routes are much more fun-dense and less broken up between different travel sections. This means you can have just as much fun in fewer miles, thus conserving energy.

Its far enough from Berea and Kingsport and Summersville that routes from either location would not be repeated. 

Points of interest are also pretty dense around there. 

Food in Pikeville seems predictable and good, if limited.

Other than that i have developed 5 unique riding routes after only one hour of research....imagine what we could do if somebody did some real dedicated research.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nynrzPoPVZpDD4Ry7?g_st=ac

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LGNWLNcrpJdDaqX26?g_st=ac

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HVmYiqBUGBJM2yJr6?g_st=ac

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rZh7CaqeudoqXR3T9?g_st=ac

https://maps.app.goo.gl/RHGXYyrTWDVRg5sFA?g_st

Consulting some of the "cartoon" ride maps on the internet give you another idea of hust how fun-dense this area really is.  Find Pikeville on this map and look at its immediate area.  Its stunning! 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bkc7q42rn...8&e=3&dl=0

Anyway let me know what you think everybody.  The Berea Rally was a good time according to those that attended but what im proposing is a completely new experience.

[pdedse]

Thanks Pdedse

On the eastern side of things, ill use this here space to make my case for far eastern Kentucky.  Pikeville to be exact.  ...

Hmmm...well, I do have an ol' friend from childhood that lives in Kentucky...haven't seen him since I got married 34 years ago.

[emptysea]

I like the Pikeville idea. I would only suggest that we not worry too much about repeating roads from other rallies. Good roads are worth multiple looks.

I will submit for discussion the Driftless Area of Wisconsin and Northwest Arkansas in an upcoming post when I have access to a computer. (Typing this on my iPhone is a PITA).

Also, I was not drunk when I offered to organize or help organize the 2026 rally regardless of location.

[misterprofessionality]

And i also meant it when i said if i can plan a 4 day weekend to go to the rally area during the early part of next year to help vet roads and scout locations, i certainly will! If we arent doing one in somebodys personal back yard then i think perhaps it takes a village.

[emptysea]

Eureka Springs, AR

Pros
-Some of the best motorcycling roads in the country.
-Eureka Springs is a quirky cool town with plenty to do off bike.
-I've ridden there on three different occasions
-I still have about 10 planned routes on file from the original Arkansas rally -- all of which were planned by a local rider, the late, but super-fast when he was living, physicsteacher from this forum.
-Dozens of lodging choices. I would recommend the Best Western my group went to over the place where the rally was held.

Cons
-Pretty likely that no one will attend.

---

Driftless Area of Wisconsin

Pros
- The land that Peter Egan made famous. Many of his best stories in Cycle World are about riding in SW Wisconsin. The somewhat famous Slimey Crud Cafe Racer Run is held here the first Sundays of May and October.
- Would probably base out of New Glarus, WI which is a lovely German town with nice hotels, restaurants (not limited to German food, either) and a locally famous brewery.
- Good riding right out of the front door. A note on this though: there are topographical bumps in the landscape, some of which are called "mountains" but they are not. It is called the Driftless Area because it was untouched by the glaciers so instead of the landscape being flattened by glacial drift, steep bluffs, rugged hills (some of which are called drumlins) and narrow valleys are the geography of the area. The road conditions are good, sometimes great, and they pose enough of a challenge to keep things interesting.
- More on the roads and riding: I'd probably plan one, maybe two, rides that go west to the Mississippi River. Those would be longer day so, I'd have alternative rides that are shorter with varying degree of difficulty. I'd also like to have multiple route options so to keep the group size down for each. Note: none of the roads will be as challenging as the mountain roads in the Appalachians or the Smokies, but they will be fun. Most will be county roads ("Alphabet Roads" to locals) which are generally in better shape than the state highways.
- I figure on having a number of "ride to" days where we visit some point of interest or another. There's a lot of fun places to go and things to see in Wisconsin so I'd survey the attendees on what "excursions" they might like to take during the week.
- Really good chance that I'd arrange a ride to a state park where friends of mine would be waiting to grill you up a burger or a brat (adulterated to your desire) - A moto-picnic if you will.
- I have the local knowledge needed to be sure that the routes are good.
- There may be a ride report or two that has pictures from the Driftless Area to give you a better idea. I can also post a few route maps here if there's enough interest to warrant my effort in doing so.

Cons
- Pretty likely that no one will attend.
- No switchbacks (OK, there's one, but it's pretty far away from the hotel)

[misterprofessionality]

Though they have the same Con, i do think its way more severe for Arkansas. New Glarus WI is much closer to the majority of repeat attendees than Eureka Springs in almost every case except for those of us that are far south, and even then I think I'd rather go to Wisconsin for the personal touch, and for the fact that i vould expect more people to show up.

Between the two, WI wins in my book. What so you think about the time of year though?? That is a far far higher latitude than most everywhere weve been in late august. Is it gonna get too cold?

[emptysea]

Great points. Each prospective attendee should calculate the mileage from his/her home to Eureka Springs and to New Glarus to see if the distance difference is of consequence. I was surprised to find out that Asheville NC is almost exactly the same distance from each place.

High temps in SW Wisco in late August/early September should be in the lower 80s. Overnights will likely be in the 50s or 60s. Never know when a hot or cold snap could roll in of course. Arkansas will probably be pretty hot (or perfect if you’re The Ferret).

[the Ferret]

I've been hoping for a rally in the Driftless area for a few years, ever since I got a chance to ride thru there in 2022 while working on completing my quest to ride all of the lower 48. However, I realize how far this would be for a lot of our recurring rally members. Heck, it's pretty far from me, although I'd bet offroad would give me a lift if I rode the 5 1/2 hours to his house lol. Its a shame really because the area is really a lot of fun to ride in, and a lot different from the areas we normally rally in.