Chicago Region BMW Motorcycle Owners Assoccrbmw

OK, Campers, here's a cool way to LaCrosse, WI. No interstates. Some of the best roads in the Midwest. We go to LaCrosse on our annual ride. I usually try to do this ride one or two other times during the year as well.

Start point one of the truck stops at the US 20-Marengo Exit off I-90. If you can leave there by 10AM, you'll have time for a nice lunch in New Glarus, WI. We usually stop at "Arrowhead Restaurant". Last time we were there, they sold Citco gas and the big one sold B-P, but they change from time to time. Getting to this truck stop will be the only interstate roads taken on this route. You can take surface streets too, but I'm not going there.

From Citco/Arrowhead, turn right (west) on Rt. 20.

Pass the toll road entrance, then LEFT ON GETTY RD.

LEFT AT TEE to HARMONY RD S.

RIGHT on MELMS RD.

Follow Melms all the way to the end. RIGHT AT TEE on GENOA RD.

Cross over I-90, Straight thru light at Rt. 20. You are now on Business 20.

Left after passing under RR bridge LEFT AT LAWRENCEVILLE RD.

RIGHT ON POPLAR GROVE RD. (1st intersection)

LEFT on HUNTER RD. (after town ofPoplar Grove)

RIGHT on IL 76

Cross state line. 76 becomes WI 140

Left at TEE (US 14) Cross traffic does not stop.

Right on EMERALD GROVE RD (next to antiques/junk?)

After the emerald grove, LEFT ON CR M. Cross traffic probably does not stop...can't remember.

~1 mile, look for giant metal grain bins. LEFT ON EM-H TOWNLINE RD. (Residential...keep speed reasonable)

At 4-lane Rt. 26, look right. There is a gas station. Good place to stop to release used coffee from breakfast.

After stop, go back the way you came on 26 then continue on EM-H Townline Rd. It snakes up the hill on the N. (right) side of 26 a bit past where you entered it. (Sounds weird and is. You'll get it)

EM-H Townline becomes F-J Townline for some reason unknown to me.

RIGHT AT TEE. US-51. Cross traffic does not stop.

LEFT ON M. (This is not a misprint. There is a possibility to turn right on M about 1/2 mile before the left. Don't. Have some faith!)

Right on H. This looks like a TEE.

Left on WI 59 (Tricky!)

Rt. on US 14. Cross traffic does not stop.

Left on WI 92

After Brooklyn and Dayton, WI 92 will turn right...GO STRAIGHT ON W

Left at TEE WI 69. Cross traffic does not stop. Get some gas at BP and WELCOME to NEW GLARUS.

Right on WI 39 (left if you bought gas). Stop at your favorite lunch spot.

THE ROUTE TO THIS POINT MAKES A NICE DAY RIDE. JUST REVERSE AFTER LUNCH AND YOU'RE HOME AT A DECENT HOUR.

OR....

Continue on WI 39 towards Mineral Point...

This is a spectacular road. Scenery is great but you have to watch the road.

When you see WI 78 turn to the right...SLOW DOWN. Over the hill, WI 39 will also turn to the right. DON'T miss this. RIGHT ON RT. 39.

In Hollandale, RIGHT ON MAIN ST.

LEFT ON COMMERCE ST.

LEFT (Surprise!) on 191

STRAIGHT at 5-way stop. (E. SPRING ST.)

Soft RIGHT on WI 23

LEFT AT LIGHT US 18 West

RIGHT on Q

Right at TEE on WI 80 (Cross traffic does not stop.)

Welcome to Highland, WI.

well past Highland, Left at TEE onto 133/80

In Muscoda, Right onto 133/80. Then straight on 80.

Cross Wisconsin River. LEFT ON WI 60

RIGHT ON E

Welcome to BOAZ. Left on 171.

LEFT ON US 61. (Cross Traffic does not stop.) RADAR COP OFTEN ACROSS THE STREET HERE. BE COOL. Nice potty break at roadside rest here. (parking lot)

Immediate right on 171

Wicked Hairpin, then more MC heaven. Then RIGHT AT TEE. WI 35.

Take 35 35 miles(?) into Lacrosse.

Approaching Ferryville, there is nearly always RADAR. Go SLOW.

In Lacrosse, it becomes one way, Merges with US 14, goes under a brewery. When US 14 turns left at a major intersection (Cass St.), GO STRAIGHT, then...

ALTERNATE: 35N for a few miles past Ferryville to 82 Left. This takes you across the Big River and into Iowa. Turn right on the river road and take that into Minnesota and up to the Rt. 14. bridge over to LaCrosse. Turn left on 35, then...

...2 more blocks..don't turn on King St. then....TURN LEFT ON JAY ST.

LOOK for PARKING DECK on right. PARK ON 2nd LEVEL. Holiday Inn lobby is accessible from here. (glass doors on right).

There are many things to do in LaCrosse. There are many fun little spots along the route to stop for eats etc. Stay hydrated. Stop now and then for fun and adventure. There is enough time to get to Holiday Inn before dinner time. Holiday Inn is highly recommended because of its location and the parking deck. There is a Westin across the street with secure but uncovered parking and many other hotels in LaCrosse. Holiday Inn books up for weddings and events during summer months so GET A RESERVATION before you go.

Enjoy!

-TB

Hi Tom.
I am new to the forum.
When are you planning this ride?
Thanks.
Marcelo

Marcelo:

I don't run this ride nor do I lead the club ride. I just lead, sometimes, a small group of very experienced friends and we generally don't leave on the day of the club ride. A lot of people go to this event and there are many smaller groups that go on their own.

I posted this just so people would have it for personal use or to have a good route to Lacrosse. It's not the "official route". In fact, I think the official route may be different from this one in several ways.

The club ride is Memorial Day weekend. Two nights at Holiday Inn, Lacrosse. Leave on Saturday, back on Monday. It will be prominently posted in Chicago Region News. It's an all-day ride to get to Lacrosse this way and it's a ton of fun....can be challenging. 95% of it is beautiful, scenery. Sunday can be spent riding the roads of Lacrosse County and surrounding areas or exploring Lacrosse or sleeping late...Your choice. There is a big dinner at Piggy's restaurant on Sunday night.

You should arrive to any club ride with a full tank of gas, A MAP or GPS in case you get separated from the group, a supply of drinking water and a cell phone...cell service is spotty in this part of Wisconsin. Verison is much better than AT&T in this regard, so if you're thinking of getting one or your contract is expiring, Verison seems to be the best coverage around. (I have no affiliation, but I had ATT and have ridden with Verison users who had covereage in dozens of locations I didn't. Just sayin. If you work for AT&T, sorry. Having cell service is really good if something goes wrong.

Having the above items and being a good rider means you are prepared to find your own way to Lacrosse or home. This gives you much needed confidence and independence from the rest of the group. You should not depend on a group of strangers to find your way. If you feel that you cannot get there alone and the group is too fast or if you are delayed, you will feel a lot of pressure to "catch up" and ride over your head. Never do that. Always ride your own ride.

I think there are new guidelines being put together for club rides. I'm not involved in that. When I feel a ride is unsafe or just un-fun, I leave it. I'm prepared to go alone....Sometimes it's safer. Sometimes it's more fun. On this ride, there's a good chance you'll meet someone on the way anyway.

Oh...There is also a group that camps at a good spot North of Lacrosse. They seem to have fun and spend a bit less money. It just depends on what you want.

Thanks for your detailed answer Tom.
Looking forward to the Memorial Day ride.
Best,
Marcelo

Hi Tom,
Thanks for posting the route. I'll have to plot it out on a map and see how it compares to what I usually use. It sounds like you have found some great roads.