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)
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)