Hey I noticed that there are a lot of MN members on the forum! How about a group ride?

I'm thinking August 15th or 16th.

I'm very open to route ideas, but was thinking of SR60 to Wabasha. Lunch in Wabasha, then folks who need to return could and others could go over and do some of the excellent roads Arcadia/Mindoro area in Wisconsin.

Post your route Ideas or alternate dates!

I'm probably in....route really doesn't matter.

Hey I'm in too...open on route as well but the ride to Wabasha is always good (GREAT snowmobiling down that way too btw).

Perhaps meet up at Dulono's for First Thursday on July 2 or Aug 6 as well if anyone interested...

Thanks for initiating this Steve...hope you're recovered from the Great Lakes Challenge by then!

im in Iowa. would like to come ride. anyone free last week in July?

The more the merrier. I am not free the 25 & 26th of July. Or more accurately if I survive my Great Lakes Challenge (http://www.mctourer.com/rides/2009/GreatLakes/) I currently plan on finishing up my rustic road quest that weekend and will be in SE Wisconsin doing 600+ mile days hunting rustics.

anyone free last week in July?

I'm not.....I'm headed out to Dayton, OH (on the bike) on the 30th of July...

This is a great idea! I don't have much time though, as I'm trying to finish a M.S. degree this summer before I take the versys 2-up out to San Francisco! Leaving July 25th.

I'm booked solid for the entire month of July. So Mid August is looking OK?

Mid August is perfect for me. I will be there.

Bring your electrics for the Great Lakes Challenge. It gets cold in Canada. I did it in May of 2002 on a K1200LT and in Canada it never got over 40.


Pete

I live in LaCrosse WI and would love to catch up with the group and ride along.

Garet, All are welcome, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakotas, even non-Versys riders! As I have had no route suggestions I am thinking that my original route idea will stand. Probably meet south of the cities and take MN60 over to Wabasha, lunch there, then do several of the roads on the Wisconsin side south of Wabasha. Should end up near LaCrosse.

Thinking of leaving the cities around 10ish, give folks from the surrounding areas time to get there in the AM. I'll try to post a route map in the near future.

Lunch suggestions? If there are more than 6 of us we should get reservations...

Hey folks, a while back I mentioned that I was organizing a group ride for August and guess what folks its August! So here is the plan:

Saturday August 15th!

1. Leave Cannon Falls Oasis Market at 9:30
2. Dodge crazed sport bike riders along some great roads on the way to...
3. Lunch at Hansen's Hold up (http://www.hansensholdup.com/index.html). (~11:30-12) For those of you not familiar with Hansen's Hold-Up its a nice vegan place that if you ask nicely you can get soy cheese on your garden burger.
4. Dodge sport bike riders further south to the Mindoro Cut!
5. Fuel up in West Salem and head back through the Cut then to points west to...
6. Little baby water crossings on Rustic Road 51
7. Finishing up in Prescott at ~6-7pm

Garmin GPS File here! (http://www.mccaa.com/rider/gtcpt/GTCPT-VersysRide081509.gdb)

Google Maps Directions here! (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=107069235114650451905.0004705b79eee2d88bf49&ll=44.398467,-92.120361&spn=1.711218,3.304138&z=9)

Total mileage on this is ~320. For those with less time or firm behinds you could not do the cut and return from Hansen's and shave off 100 miles. Oh and ignore Google's time estimates, for example the morning run is 109 miles which Google pegs at 4 hours. Believe me this is not a 4 hour run. I have not ridden all of these roads, I do not believe that there is any dirt, other than RR51. If you don't feel like doing water crossings, it is very easy to lop off RR51.

I have also advertised this ride on ADVrider.com so there should be some non-Versyi there.

You need a bike with a fuel range of 170 miles to do this as planed. If you have less than this there is plenty of gas on the ride, but you are on your own finding it.

Please let me know if you plan on attending so if we get a large party I can let Hansen's know.

http://www.mccaa.com/rider/gtcpt/GTCPT-VersysRide081509.png

Ok because its me I have to have a few rules.

1. No Crashing. This will be strictly enforced.
2. This is not a race. Its a nice ride with friends. Get your nuts caught in the spokes and you will be laughed at.
3. No passing slower folks on the right. If you're on your People 50 and the guy on the R6 is being a baby, wait to pass him in an appropriate spot.
4. Ride within your own limits. There are some very technical roads on this run and if you follow that People 50 too close it could make you violate rule #1.
5. I personally am a dry rider, while I drink like a fish, I don't do it when I ride. If you need to drink & ride dont be a fool. Limit yourself; and 17 is not a limit.
6. Be safe and courteous. Ride like a jerk and we will treat you like one.
7. These are well patrolled roads.

Hope to see many folks there.

ps I'm totally lying about Hansen's menu, last time I was there I didn't have to choose between onion rings or fries because there were onion rings on my chili bacon cheese burger!

looks like an awesome route but i am already commited to do my towns ride that day its called the mantorville stage coach ride but please keep me in mind for future mn versys ride and i hope you will all have an excellent ride and make alot of new friends

I'll be there. My wife will be there too on her F650GS. Looks like some great roads!

Thanks for that last note about Hansen's. You scared me at first.

Thanks for that last note about Hansen's. You scared me at first.

He He... Yeah I do stuff like that to see if anyone is paying attention :rolleyes:

my wife makes me eat soy! I will try to make this. I will need to head up the night before. 3 1/2 hr drive from Des Moines. any one in Iowa or Nebraska want to meet up to head up to minn?

my wife makes me eat soy!

Oh dear lord. I hope she's a good woman in other respects.

If you need a bed to crash on let me know. I have a couch in the basement.

mighty kind of you! I probably won't come all the way into minneapolis. unless you have drums and guitars sitiing around!! no that's a motivator!! sorry...my inner drummer took over for a bit. Whats your head count at? Thanks for doing the leg work BTW.

Well I have Rock Band for PS3! I can see if my musician buddies are jamming that night. Rock or folk?

We have 3 from here and 2? From advrider. Probablly got 2 more friends/work. Only been posted a day so I expect a few more. Hoping for 10-15 total.

rock!.. I was in a country band last year...man that was rough on me!!!

We'll I cant find any bands for you Jimmyjam.

I do have about 7 non-versys riders signed up from ADVRider.com (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=492786). You might want to check out the thread if you are curious what the water crossings on Rustic 51 look like.

A few of us will be having breakfast at 8am at Little Oscars about 8.5 miles north of Cannon Falls, in Hampton.


We'll still meet up at Cannon Falls Oasis around 9 for a 9:30 departure.

right On. Thanks

I am a definite maybe for this one....it's all going to depend on how my week goes....

Well that's better than a definite no! Hope you can make it.

I have Friday off next week, so I'm cautiously optimistic that I can get done with what I need to so I can play on Saturday...

Hey guys - I'm totally up for this but....of course my in-laws decide this is the weekend they're coming up from Iowa. Will be a major domestic disturbance if I bolt for the day (yeah, I know, I need to grow a pair but...). I'm holding out hope that Obama does not come thru with the cash for their clunker this week, then I'll be there.

Guys, I'm out on this one.....events beyond my control are about to put my life into overdrive.....

Smurf, I hope all is well. Next time.

All is good....just got some stuff dropped in my lap that has to be done....

Thanks for planning this great ride lonerockz! Susan and I had a workout on those roads. We left the group half way through but kept the route sheets so we can do the second half on our own. Your link to photo tag has us hooked too. Fun stuff!

Hey glad you could make it. Sorry it was a little too curvy for Susan. If you go back and do the return leg I highly recommend the Cty P to Gator pretzel leg. There is a little construction right now, so some gravel on P, but very scenic and lots of twisties.

Pics here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mccaa/sets/72157622049596198/)

The water on RR51 was a little deeper than normal because of all the rain:
http://grovelandclinical.com/GTCPT/Images/39.jpg

Hey Steve - nice meeting you and thanks for putting the ride together. Nice group of people. Wish I could have hung around longer, although it appears you guys got pretty wet on the gravel!

Well not everyone is as paranoid as I about stalling in a stream :eek:

It was good to meet you. To bad you had to take off, before MN60. Very nice road that.

I'll probablly do another one next spring.