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590: the movie

 Finally... as promised.. The film: 590

 This was the first major testing of my new-ish helmet cam. Over all it works pretty well, but as you'll see it can sometimes be pretty shaky & hard to aim.. you don't always record what you're looking at but rather what the top of your head is looking at..    Future testing should find the camera mounted to various places on the bike, & I've just implemented the technology to allow recording of voice-over commentary directly from my in-helmet microphone...   Enjoy!

Three states and 590 miles

Alright, way too far overdue, but finally there'a ride report to be posted! This one encompassed three states, two days and 590 miles. I've come to learn that going for a "ride" when living in Chicago almost certainly means an overnighter. Here's an overview of the route...
... And if you want to get in there & check it out further, here's a link to the Route Map!

More commentary to come later, but in the meantime, here's some photos....

 When mapping out the route beforehand, I thought it 'd be cool to take the ferry from Iowa over the Mississippi to Cassville, Wi.  The ferry route is shown on Google maps, and even on the paper Wisconsin map, but in person there's not much to it other than a paper sign stapled to a telephone pole and a 2 mile dirt road leading to the river..

 Apparently it's substantial enough to warrant it's own street sign and address, though..  And yes, there was actually a ferry in operation.. stay tuned for the movie to see it in action..

 The intention was to make it as far north as La Crosse, as I had heard it was a cool place to stay over, and right in the middle of the best riding in Wisconsin.  In true fashion, though, it became apparent pretty early on that the stopping point would not be quite that far. Instead the events unfolded as they may and eventually pointed to McGregor, Iowa... a cool little town with a newly-opened micro brewery!

 I had heard of the Alexander Hotel from a receptionist of another hotel and hoped that it would be a cool place..  that, it certainly was but they had recently stopped renting rooms to begin renovation of the building... next time for sure..

  It was the kind of town you could imagine 500 Harleys lining the streets of, and while there were plenty of bikes out that weekend, mine was the only GS in McGregor..

 Not many photos of the second day's ride, but as mentioned, there will be a movie.. 

The route was plotted using strictly farm roads, which in Wisconsin, are labeled with letters..  It weaved back and forth quite a bit but eventually met with the first day's route and the route home..   There were a few twisties thrown in there (it reminded me of riding through Ohio's Amish country), but I suspect that the entertainment value of these roads only increases as you continue north along the Mississippi..  something to shoot for next time!