Eastern Iowa

[Ardy]

GF and I were looking for somewhere to go this weekend that's not to far away and decided on Eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River. Plan on I-80 to the Quad Cities on Saturday then Sunday, Monday working our way back home, Council Bluffs. She says South from there and I say North.  Anyone who rides in that area that has any suggestions I would appreciate it. Food, lodging, scenery stuff to do....?

[bouncingVman]

Go north... in my opinion. It really starts to get interesting near Dubuque and all the way up to Redwing, MN and beyond.

HTH
-Todd

[Norskie]

North of Dubuque on the Great River Road is Balltown.  It has a biker friendly eating place.  Scenery is fantastic.  We ride there several times a year.  It's 100 miles from us so makes a nice lunch run.  We plan on going there on Labor Day if weather is descent.  Should be many bikers there from IL, IA, MN, WI.  It's an interesting place.  Had been in business for 150 years and burned down Christmas Eve of 2007.  Rebuilt and opened in June of 2008 and burned down again in October 2008.  Rebuilt and opened August 1, 2009.

[tdkkart]

 Was just in BallTown Sunday, the resturant is up and running full steam, food was good, lot's of bikes, great service and everyone is friendly.

From I80, take Hwy67 north along the river, follow it all the way to Sabula where it will will turn into Hwy 52 to Dubuque. Follow 521 through town till you get to Sageville. In Sageville ther is right turn with an Amoco C-store on the corner, take the right to County Rd C9Y which will take you north to Balltown and beyond. Any place you come to a stop sign just take a right and you'll be fine.

If you get to Guttenburg, as you come into town from the south stop at the overlook at the top of the hill for a bit and then continue into town. On the edge of town take a right just before the Casey's C-store, this street will take you though downtown and along the river.

If you have time, when you pass through Sabula Ia jump across the river to Savannah Ill, there is a very nice scenic overlook at the Palisades park a couple miles north of Savannah. Actually, the east sid eof the river isn't a bad ride from Savanna up to Dubuque either.

Either side of the river is good north of McGregor/Marquette also if you get that far.

[Hossamania]

Thursday, Friday and Saturday is the Antique Motorcycle Club of America swap meet and bike show in Davenport at the fairgrounds. Friday night is antique bike races on the 1/2 mile dirt track- Helluva show! Swap meet is the largest or 2nd largest in the states, a lot of rare and beautiful bikes.
Just an idea.

[Ardy]

You guys that live in that area don't know how lucky you have it. That is some beautiful country!! I'm guessing that when the leaves start changing the views are spectacular. We ended up going north from the git-go...spent the first night in Albert Lea east to La Crosse and then south. A couple of places we found just wandering, the road from Preston Mn along the Root River and the Yellow River State Forest in Iowa. (Took a nap under some trees at the forest.) We took the Great River Road in WI.,crossed over the river at Lansing and followed just the green signs south. We made it to Balltown and Breitbach's Country Dining. Buffet for $12.95!! Goooood chicken, short walk to the overlook. Lots of bikes, a few Corvettes and a family that sat next to us with IROC Z's. We stopped at JP's in Anamossa and the Amana Colony on the way home. Lots of riding and a good RIO makes for a great time. Thanks for the suggestions.

BTW, what's with all the Garage Sales? Seems like everywhere we went, GARAGE SALES! Even a Flea Market in Guttenberg and a ton of GARAGE SALES.

[bouncingVman]

Yep... I'd say you hit the really nice riding. The Wisconsin side of the river is nice too, but usually more traffic. I was just up there a few weeks ago. Found a private campground on top of a bluff overlooking a creek. Beautiful log cabins with everything but food furnished. The campground caters to horseback riders. The place was run on the "honor system." Saw some workers show up in the morning to clean cabins and stables, but that was about it. Only bad thing was about 6 miles of really curvy, loose gravel roads to get there.

The garage sales and flea markets will be popping up more and more along there especially when people start making their weekend color runs this fall. That area is known to have a lot of antique shops and so forth.

[Dresser]

Try southeastern Iowa sometime. Mount Pleasant has the Old Threshers reunion. The is an area called the "Villages of Van Buren" that has souvineer shops, antique stores and eating places that take you back to rural America. On top of that I've got quite a few relatives still living there. Help support them or they'll want to come live with me!