My perspective on the travel distance to Wisconsin.
Yes, for most of the regular attendees, this would be the longest trek to a rally and, yes, it would involve an extra road day on each end of the trip. The distance must be a consideration, but it needn’t be the only consideration nor should it be viewed in an entirely negative light.
Two examples of multi-day trailering trips:
Ex1, our trip from Illinois to Maine (about 1200 miles). We decided to break this into 3 days which gave us an opportunity to take an 80 mile ride in Utica New York on Day 2. Ran into terrible weather on Day 3 or we’d have had plenty of time (and energy) for an afternoon ride in Rockland, ME.
Ex2, Ferret’s InhouseBob’s and my East Coast Ride of Wonder (880 miles Chicago to DC via Cincinnati). This might be more typical of what a Wisconsin rally might look like. This was a “let’s get there” trip out to DC, but was relatively stress free for both days - not crazy-long hours behind the wheel.
Looking back at these two trips, I do not regret taking an extra day (two days, round trip) because we were able to visit a spot on the map that would have added at least one extra day of traveling had we rode the whole way. In the Maine trip, we made the “commute” its own driving trip of a sort - found some points of interests along the route, found some nice places to eat, etc. The ECRW was more utilitarian, but I enjoyed the company on the drive. In both cases, we arrived relaxed and ready for several days of riding motorcycles in new-to-us places.
I was fully employed for both trips, but I will be semi-retired by Rally 2026. That will allow me to get to the Driftless Area a day or two ahead of the group. Many of our regular attendees are already retired and might want to consider making the rally part of a longer tour. They could certainly stay longer to explore Wisconsin, but maybe some would take a few extra days to trailer to the U.P. Of Michigan, or to the Great River Road, or to some other motorcycle destination between Spring Green WI and their home.
Sure, towing a trailer for two or more days is not as fun as riding, but it does not have to be drudgery, either.
Cheryl and I would love to host you all in our “backyard”. We think you will enjoy the roads and we know you will enjoy the area.
Finally, we will host a dinner for early Rally arrivals at a “Wisconsin supper club” (google that). It’s the least we can do for making the long drive to Cheeseland.
Yes, for most of the regular attendees, this would be the longest trek to a rally and, yes, it would involve an extra road day on each end of the trip. The distance must be a consideration, but it needn’t be the only consideration nor should it be viewed in an entirely negative light.
Two examples of multi-day trailering trips:
Ex1, our trip from Illinois to Maine (about 1200 miles). We decided to break this into 3 days which gave us an opportunity to take an 80 mile ride in Utica New York on Day 2. Ran into terrible weather on Day 3 or we’d have had plenty of time (and energy) for an afternoon ride in Rockland, ME.
Ex2, Ferret’s InhouseBob’s and my East Coast Ride of Wonder (880 miles Chicago to DC via Cincinnati). This might be more typical of what a Wisconsin rally might look like. This was a “let’s get there” trip out to DC, but was relatively stress free for both days - not crazy-long hours behind the wheel.
Looking back at these two trips, I do not regret taking an extra day (two days, round trip) because we were able to visit a spot on the map that would have added at least one extra day of traveling had we rode the whole way. In the Maine trip, we made the “commute” its own driving trip of a sort - found some points of interests along the route, found some nice places to eat, etc. The ECRW was more utilitarian, but I enjoyed the company on the drive. In both cases, we arrived relaxed and ready for several days of riding motorcycles in new-to-us places.
I was fully employed for both trips, but I will be semi-retired by Rally 2026. That will allow me to get to the Driftless Area a day or two ahead of the group. Many of our regular attendees are already retired and might want to consider making the rally part of a longer tour. They could certainly stay longer to explore Wisconsin, but maybe some would take a few extra days to trailer to the U.P. Of Michigan, or to the Great River Road, or to some other motorcycle destination between Spring Green WI and their home.
Sure, towing a trailer for two or more days is not as fun as riding, but it does not have to be drudgery, either.
Cheryl and I would love to host you all in our “backyard”. We think you will enjoy the roads and we know you will enjoy the area.
Finally, we will host a dinner for early Rally arrivals at a “Wisconsin supper club” (google that). It’s the least we can do for making the long drive to Cheeseland.