2021 Ride Announcement

In an effort to get closer to the New Normal I'm looking for your feedback on the 2021 Ride.  Let's call it The Ride to New Normal.  I've had casual conversations with Matt and some others about a ride to Iowa to tour The Driftless Area and Loess Scenic Byway among other things.

 

This strawman would be a point-to-point ride with 3 two night stays.  It's likely that all our lodging would be at hotels so there is a fair amount of flexibility is anyone wants to only join some of the segments or forego the ride altogether due to pandemic concerns.  Although, I'm hopeful that won't happen and I think most of us will be vaxed before the launch.

 

I've only just started to take a deeper dive on the ride in the last few days and this is my initial thoughts.

 

Ride to New Normal Map

A couple of notes on the map:

1. Ride times are non-stop
2. Routes are approximate and just for planning

 

Date Options

1. 6/5 - 6/12
2. Late July
3. Early August

 

States:

1. IL
2. WI

3. MN

4. IA

5. SD
6. NE
7. MO

 

Ride Anchors

1. Madison, WI - Potential Layover
2. Decorah, IA - Multi-day (Sat, Sun)
3. Akron / Sioux City, IA - Multi-day (Mon, Tue)
4. Hamburg, IA - Multi-day (Wed, Thur)
5. Burlington, IA - Layover (Fri)

 

Prime Asphalt

1. The Driftless Area  (Decorah area)
1. The Driftless Area is a region in southwestern Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa, and the extreme northwestern corner of Illinois, of the American Midwest. The region escaped the flattening effects of glaciation during the last ice age and is consequently characterized by steep, forested ridges, deeply carved river valleys, and karst geology characterized by spring-fed waterfalls and cold-water trout streams.
2. Loess Scenic Byway (between Akron and Hamburg)
1. Situated along Iowa's western border, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway passes through a unique land formation that is up to 15 miles wide and about 200 miles long from north of Sioux City, Iowa to near St. Joseph, Missouri.
3. Great River Road (On way out and way back home)
1. The Great River Road traces the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles through 10 states, traveling through the Mississippi River Valley’s rich history, vibrant culture and inspiring natural beauty.