2026 Rally Location Ideas

[emptysea]

Another attempt at a route map for Wisconsin. Again, this is just an example and again, please look at WI 131 on the west side of the route as the alternative to US61 -- 131 is under construction until November and Google won't let me plot a route using it.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/aQaf1yVpWQ8cJSUZA

Let me know if you can see 111 mile loop and what you think about the roads in terms of ride-ability. Thanks.

[misterprofessionality]

Now this one i can see. Everything seems good one on street view. Looks like an easy, not too long, scenic to ride.

Question: can i just loop this lake all day?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zkaNM6TzX8ak9icc7?g_st=ac

but in all seriousness it looks like the terrain gets more interesting as you go farther north, but lots of the interesting roads have that distinct "not for joyriding" quality. no lines, lots of tar snakes, that sort of thing, though a lot more of them seem to be paved compared to Virginia, or South Carolina, where there's still boatloads of dirt roads.

[emptysea]

Now this one i can see.  Everything seems good one on street view.  Looks like an easy, not too long, scenic to ride.

Question:  can i just loop this lake all day?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zkaNM6TzX8ak9icc7?g_st=ac

but in all seriousness it looks like the terrain gets more interesting as you go farther north, but lots of the interesting roads have that distinct "not for joyriding" quality.  no lines, lots of tar snakes, that sort of thing, though a lot more of them seem to be paved compared to Virginia, or South Carolina, where there's still boatloads of dirt roads.

I like riding around lakes like that, but there are twice as many driveways as their are turns in the road.  LOL   

North and West is better.  Almost all rides will be in those directions, although a little south of the Wisconsin River has a number of interesting county roads (paved).  Also, always check thedate of the street view.  Many are a few years old and WI is pretty good about resurfacing.   Final routes will be pre-ridden to determine pavement quality.  

Look for Wildcat Mountain for a fun little section.

[misterprofessionality]

Ah ok i got it. I can definitely see more potential around Spring Green than New Glarus. it all depends on what the population/traffic situation is on some of these roads.

[emptysea]

Wisconsin Driftless Possible Lodging Options.

I’m still looking, but these two places are possibilities:

Round Barn Lodge

https://roundbarnlodge.com/

They sent me this note on rates/availability. With the 10% discount it seems comparable to Kingsport.

“Our 2026 Rates are available. We could do a 10% off rate for the group.

Weekend Rate Weekday Rate
2 Queens 127.80 118.80
King Fireplace 127.80 118.80
Standard King 109.80 100.80
Family Suite 207.00 189.00

August and September are our most busiest months. When you decide if you would like to go with this, the sooner the better to get your reservations in.”

Spring Green Motel

https://www.springgreenmotel.net/

More basic, but cheaper and we’ve stayed here many times. Clean rooms. Nice gathering place. I have an email out to them but haven’t heard back. I will call them today or tomorrow for more details.

My hope was to find a place with on-site dining or within walking distance of several dining options. These places don’t offer that, but I suspect that this rally will have the highest percentage of tow vehicles for transportation. Still looking for other options — Dodgeville has a few that might be good.

[the Ferret]

Just out of curiosity why would August & Sept be their busiest months? I've always traveled in Sept because school is back in session and that takes a lot of travelers off the road.

[emptysea]

Just out of curiosity why would August & Sept be their busiest months? I've always traveled in Sept because school is back in session and that takes a lot of travelers off the road.

I don't know for sure.  I suspect that the last week of August is a great vacation week for people without kids because of Labor Day.  Also county fairs can be big events in Wisconsin as well as Oktoberfest events (traditionally held in mid-late September). There are not a lot of decent lodging options in the specific area in which I'm looking and that may also contribute to this.

[Redbird]

I would certainly come to a Wisconsin rally. I enjoyed the Kingsport rally!

[emptysea]

I would certainly come to a Wisconsin rally.  I enjoyed the Kingsport rally!

I hope to see you at the next rally, wherever it is held.  

Because of the dearth of lodging options relative to other possible rally locales, I’m going to need as much lead time as possible.  I would like to hear any other nominations within the next couple of weeks with a final poll sometime around 10/1.    If that is not enough time, then Wisconsin is probably off the table.

[misterprofessionality]

That's reasonable. We should always have to sofnotice to get these kinds of things planned. Hurricane Helene delayed my planning severely and it really made me have to pack my schedule to fit it all in between March and August.

On that note I think we're waiting for Amos to present his idea for Murphy NC