I wanted to start this as a thread because several people have asked me for this route already. It was developed over 5 years of motorcycle trips to La Crosse, WI. I think it's pretty special.
A word of caution: There are some uphill stops. If you can't handle your stick shift under those conditions, better not try this. There are one or two ground clearnce challenges. Lowered race cars will probably not like this route. All the roads are not perfectly smooth, so if you can leave your 19's at home, do that. It's only ridiculous in a few spots and speeds should be reasonable through them.
I'll assume the driver is leaving from downtown...
Catch I-90 West (Kennedy X-Way to NW Toll Road)
Get off at the Belvidere Exit just BEFORE Belvidere Oasis and toll. This will put you on Business 20. Turn right (North) at the end of this exit. There is a little mall at the next turn to the right with a Starbucks if you need a break and there is fuel nearby on Rt. 20.
This will be the end of interstate travel until you come home.
NOTE: If you stop at this mall on the corner, Note your direction of travel. You are at the corner of "US 20" an E-W road here and "Business US 20", which goes N-S) Business 20 is also called "Belvidere/Genoa Rd." so that might help you.
Travelling N. on Business 20, (Belvidere/Genoa Rd.) Look for a stop light named Lawrence Rd.
TURN LEFT ON LAWRENCE RD.
Then turn right (north) at the first intersetion..(1/4 mile?- Stop sign or light). This is, or will become, Poplar Grove Rd.
Follow Poplar Grove Rd. for many miles, through the town of Poplar Grove and just keep going until its quality decays. When you're not happy with continuing, turn left (West) at nearest cross road (Davis School Rd. comes to mind but it's not important which one you choose).
Take your chosen East-West road to Hwy 76 (stop sign).
TURN RIGHT ON WI 76 (North)
Follow 76 (patrolled) into Wisconsin. Route number will become WI 140. Take WI 140 (also patrolled) to its end.
Turn left (W) on US 14.
Travel 1/2 mile into Emerald Grove, WI. Note the antique/junk shop on the right.
TURN RIGHT ON EMERALD GROVE RD, which is immediately after the junk shop. Admire the rusted remains of two Renault Dauphines as you make this turn.
Follow Emerald Grove Road (N) to County M (NW). It's a stop sign (cross traffic does not stop) and it's a bit diagonal.
TURN LEFT ON TO COUNTY M towards Milton, WI,
...but before you enter Milton, turn left just before the giant aluminum grain bins on the right. (You'll get it...They're huge.)
TURN LEFT ON "M-H TOWNLINE ROAD"
Follow M-H Townline Rd. Until you come to Rt. 26, a 4-lane. Notice that our road continues accross the 4-lane and up to the left a bit. It winds up a neat little hill. Also notice a B-P station about 1/4 mile down to your right...this is a good optional quick stop if you want it.
So cross the road and follow Townline some more. The stop is optional.
Townline will end at US. 51. Turn right.
Shortly on US 51, you'll see a sign for County Rd. M to the right. KEEP GOING STRAIGHT.
In another mile or so, M will go left. TAKE M to the LEFT.
Experience Indianford, WI. Home of a couple wild taverns and some fishing fanatics. It relaxes me just to know this place exists. Continue West on M. To the next small river town...Fulton.
In Fulton, M will come to a Tee and turn left...however, you will TURN RIGHT here on H.
Take H a mile or so to WI 59...It's an odd intersection.
TURN LEFT (West) (South???) on WI 59. You'll be heading West.
Take 59 W until it starts a sweeping turn to the left. That will be Union Rd. You want to TURN RIGHT on Union Rd. while 59 sweeps left. (If you miss this, just keep going to Rt. 14 and turn right on 14).
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If you don't miss this, go N. on Union Rd. a mile to Holt Rd. Turn left.
Take Holt 1 mile or so to Rt. 14. Turn right.
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Either way, you are now headed N. on US 14.
TURN LEFT ON WI 92 and head for Brooklyn, WI.
Know that you are within a few miles of the home and super-garages of my favorite automotive writer, Peter Egan (Road & Track + Cycle World). I won't say where, but it's close. Also note that the roads and scenery will start to get nicer after Brooklyn.
Follow 92 through Dayton, WI. Just after Dayton, there will be a 3 way stop and 92 will turn to the right. GO STRAIGHT here on W.
Follow W until it ends at WI 69. Welcome to New Glarus.
Make a left and then right at the light into town. (or stop for gas at BP and then do this.
Our favorite spot here is called the Glarne Stube Cross the tracks, don't turn on the first street, "Railroad St." DO TURN RIGHT on the NEXT St., 1st St. Glarne Stube is down 1/2 block on the right so PARK where you can.
Glarne Stube has a great bar, great food and the Midwest's largest urinal. What's not to like?
Say hi to Bartender Steve.
We often break down and have lunch here, It's great, but we've recently discovered an even better place down the road another 30 miles or so in Mineral Point...It's an unforgettable 30 miles, so take a break of some sort now...maybe just a bowl of soup and a beverage here or at one of the other attractions in New Glarus.
OK, enough with the Swiss Village... on to Mineral Point. Head back to WI 39, but not the way you came, take it WEST out of town. This road was a little beat up last time I travelled it, but it is a classic. Enjoy the view. Enjoy the road and screw the speed limit. Do watch speed when you get to a town. They patrol on busy weekends near towns but pretty much on your own on the rural roads.
NOTE: Cell service is sketchy here and emergency service is slow. That means you're also pretty much on your own if you put the car in a ditch, so use your head.
There is a right turn for Rt. 78. When you see this, don't turn there, but now be on guard for the next turn.
Rt. 39 will come next very soon. TURN RIGHT TO FOLLOW RT 39. It's easy to miss at warp speed...just slow down at the 78 turn and watch for it.
Continue on 39 through Hollandale and on to Mineral Point.
39 will come to a Tee and right turn. Just follow it.
Then 39 will come into Mineral Point and go right up a hill (right turn no stop)...TURN LEFT THERE. It's Commerce St.
TURN LEFT ON COMMERCE ST.
Up a ways, there are some bars, hotels and restaurants. The one you want is Brewery Creek Inn. The food is amazing. They have rooms and there is a new hotel behind it...different owner. It looks good too but I've not tried it. This area is great. All the bar/restaurants have great food and drink here and it's scenic and safe. Good spot for checking in and exploring local roads and attractions.
or....On to La Crosse:
After a fantastic lunch, follow Commerce St. back to 39 and continue on 39 West. It will go up the hill, turn left and then turn right in a few blocks. Once you get out of town, it gets good again. Watch your speed in this town all the way until speed zone is gone.
Follow WI 39 through Linden, WI, and up to US 18.
Turn right on 18. (East).
Go through the town of Edmund and then after, look for Sinbad Rd. to the left. Turn LEFT on SINBAD RD.
Go a mile or 3 to UNION VALLEY Rd. TURN LEFT on UNION VALLEY RD.
Near what looks like the end of Union Valley, it will look like a dead end with a dirt road going on ahead. Find the right turn....still Union Valley Rd. Go slow and enjoy this.
Go straight at the up-hill, 3-way intersection. Don't turn right.
Follow this to Stephens Rd. Turn right.
Follow Stephens to Tee at WI 80. Turn right.
Enter the town of Highland. Go straight at the stop sign at bottom of hill (BP Station here). This is called "Diagonal St."
Follow Diagonal St. through a few stop signs and do the natural thing. You'll find yourself on County Q headed West out of town. Follow Q.
Note: There is a 90 degree turn to the right then a hill. Over this hill is a hidden 90 degree left. Pay attention.
You'll go through a series of these 90 degree turns then the road will get VERY interesting. Have fun, be courteous to the locals.
Q ends at G. Turn LEFT on G. (Are we having fun yet?)
One mile or so Left on M.
M turns right and follows T. Stay on M.
In another mile or so, M and T separate. This time, take RIGHT on T.
Follow T into the town of Blue River, WI. Then cross the Wisconsin River to intersection with WI 60.
Continue Straight on County X.
Warning: X has some over the blind rise turns. Watch the turn signs and the rises.
Follow X to Rt. 171. Turn left.
171 to US. 61. turn left then shortly right on 171 again.
Follow 171 all the way to the Mississippi River. This is such a fabulous road.
Right on Great River Rd., WI 35.
Go slow in Ferryville. I think the
radar cops have a contest.
SERENE PEOPLE DESIRING A STRAIGHT ROAD AFTER ALL THIS:
Drive serenely the rest of the way up the river road to La Crosse (no directions needed until Lacrosse.)
In La Crosse, 35 blends with US 14 and US 61. It splits into a one-way street. Just follow the main road until there is a big intersetion for 14 to the left. Go STRAIGHT past the 14 turn off. Look for Jay St. in two blocks.
TURN LEFT ON Jay St.
Look for parking deck entrance and go in to second leve (see pedestrian bridge for Holiday Inn. Park. Bring your stuff. Check in.
FOR THE REST OF US:
or turn left on WI 82 and go across the river into Iowa. (I like this way.)
Over the steel bridge, turn right on IA 26.
Follow 26 into Brownsville. Look for a watering hole called "Top o' the Rock" on the left up the hill. You'll see beer signs and may have to pass it and turn left on the back entrance. Nice little resorty spot with a spectacular veiw across the river.
Continue on 26 until it Tees against IA 16. TURN RIGHT on IA 16.
16 goes into La Cresent. Make a RIGHT on US 14 (big stop-light) and go back to Wisconsin.
At this point, you're in La Crosse. As you come down the bridge, turn left on US 61 (same road as the Serene People will be on).
Look for Jay St. Turn LEFT on JAY St.
Enter Parking deck on right. Go to second level and park near pedestrian bridge to Holiday INN. Bring your stuff. Check in.
You DID IT!
This is a full day of great driving or, if you stay over in Mineral Point, you can dawdle and goof around as you see fit. Reservations are necessary at the Holiday Inn in La Crosse. This is a huge wedding location also there are summer sport events that get booked in this town and take all the rooms, so call before you go. Make sure you have a room or go accross the river and North to Winnona, MN, a nice 30 miles. Downtown La Crosse is better if you have a room.
The river is in front of the hotel about 1 block. There is also a Hyatt here that you can try if the Holiday is booked. I like the Holiday because of the parking deck. Hyatt has rooms that overlook the river. Parking is roped there but open to the sun and elements.
On the river a little North, walking distance, is The Freight House....A great restaurant and night spot with live music on Saturdays. A little South on the river (nearer the big bridge, is Piggy's, another equally great restaurant.
Directly North of the Holiday is an ice cream parlor. Continue on Pearl Street, for several college bars, a coffee shop and, at the last corner, a bar with about 70 zillion beer varieties.
Leave your car a little dirty for once and just relax.
There is a good indoor pool with hot tub at the Holiday and, I'm sure, also at the Hyatt along with exercize rooms in each. This could easily be a three or four day weekend for a group of Cayman pilots and their S.O.s
The county roads in La Crosse County are just amazing. I don't think there's a bad one to be found. Get a local map and find Midora Gap a little north of town near Midora, WI. for some real twisties. Many people turn around and do it again.
On Sunday, there is a barbeque chicken event at the Rockton Bar in Rockton, WI. It's pretty motorcycle-centric, but you can park cars in the front lot or even off the road in front without incurring any wrath. They are nice people and it's a very fun thing. Ground clearance may be a problem at this place, so try and park on the street. This is near Wildcat Mountain where there are more severe twisties.
To get to Rockton from LaCrosse, I'd suggest finding County P and taking it as long as you can. It's great and will get you there without a lot of route changes and missed turns.
GPS is very helpful but bring a good Wisconsin map too. Also consider buying a more detailed map at a local gas station to get a feel for things.
Hope someone actually tries this...at least to Mineral Point. The roads get better as you get closer to La Crosse. Enjoy!!!
-Six
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