pdrstraw
Jun 14th, 2008, 11:57 pm
Always have loved the Iowa Rally, put on by the folks of the Pure Stodge BMW Club each June. I have to admit I was pretty apprehensive about this week's nasty weather and flooding. Family and friends advised us (me and my Michiana BMW Club buddies) against going. But...as of Wednesday evening, the Pure Stodge website still had a "dry fairgrounds in Marengo" update, and we hadn't heard of any problems in the town. We knew Iowa was really hurting. Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Des Moines were all experiencing major flooding. We were hopeful this could still happen.
So...off we went Thursday morning, after checking their website again...a pleasant 400-mile ride that put us into Marengo by late afternoon.
Overnight rains had flooded several streets in Marengo making navigation to the fairgrounds difficult. The fairgrounds were covered with standing water, with very few areas to pitch a tent. The town had lost all power an hour before we arrived with no prediction of when it would be restored. The forecast for the night included more thunderstorms and even tornados. Things looked bleak. Rally organizers were still hopeful, but we decided to cut our losses and do our best to get back east of the Cedar River, which was the scariest area off I80. One rider stayed and found a room in the Amana Colonies area, intent on giving it one more day.
Three of us took off to head east and rode through more rain in the process. We made it to Davenport and over the Mississippi and were relieved until we stopped for some coffee and noticed a boiling black storm right behind us. A tornado warning had been issued for the quad cities area and was heading our way. Back to the slab and at 75 mph, we outran the storm making it half way across Illinois, finding a motel room off the interstate. We had storms still passing through the night, but at least we weren't going to get stranded by floods. We learned that night that I80 closed soon after we left Iowa.
Friday's ride was pleasant with little rain and moderate temps. We rode south to pick up some two laners around Chicago, so the ride was relaxed and free of traffic. I did experience a flat rear tire as I crossed the state line into Indiana on SR10. We found a convenience store and managed to fix my tire with a tire plugger. Anyway...we rode 800 miles and missed the rally. But isn't it all about the ride!?
Our remaining friend left on Friday after a visit to Gina's BMW in Iowa City. He had difficulty finding a road east that wasn't flooded. The interstate was still closed and many state roads were under water as well. He managed to get through at Muscatine and made it back across Illinois without incident.
Pure Stodge never did cancel their rally. They found alternative sites for folks who stayed to pitch their tents. Power was restored in Marengo later Thursday evening. Rain waters were receding on Friday leaving behind muddy grounds. They've had a tough year. Last year's attendance was down, they lost their president in an accident coming back from West Bend, and now this rally's rain/flooding problems. I hope they can recover!
Interestingly enough, their website never was updated, and as of today, still had their "dry fairgrounds" update from earlier in the week posted. I don't think they realize how many people were basing their decision to come on the info on their website! We certainly did.
Anyway...we're home safe and sound with another "ride story" to talk about later. I need to replace my Avons. I've got over 10k miles on this set and I'm not wild about riding for any long distances on a plugged tire. Besides, the ride to Wyoming is next month!
Regards,
So...off we went Thursday morning, after checking their website again...a pleasant 400-mile ride that put us into Marengo by late afternoon.
Overnight rains had flooded several streets in Marengo making navigation to the fairgrounds difficult. The fairgrounds were covered with standing water, with very few areas to pitch a tent. The town had lost all power an hour before we arrived with no prediction of when it would be restored. The forecast for the night included more thunderstorms and even tornados. Things looked bleak. Rally organizers were still hopeful, but we decided to cut our losses and do our best to get back east of the Cedar River, which was the scariest area off I80. One rider stayed and found a room in the Amana Colonies area, intent on giving it one more day.
Three of us took off to head east and rode through more rain in the process. We made it to Davenport and over the Mississippi and were relieved until we stopped for some coffee and noticed a boiling black storm right behind us. A tornado warning had been issued for the quad cities area and was heading our way. Back to the slab and at 75 mph, we outran the storm making it half way across Illinois, finding a motel room off the interstate. We had storms still passing through the night, but at least we weren't going to get stranded by floods. We learned that night that I80 closed soon after we left Iowa.
Friday's ride was pleasant with little rain and moderate temps. We rode south to pick up some two laners around Chicago, so the ride was relaxed and free of traffic. I did experience a flat rear tire as I crossed the state line into Indiana on SR10. We found a convenience store and managed to fix my tire with a tire plugger. Anyway...we rode 800 miles and missed the rally. But isn't it all about the ride!?
Our remaining friend left on Friday after a visit to Gina's BMW in Iowa City. He had difficulty finding a road east that wasn't flooded. The interstate was still closed and many state roads were under water as well. He managed to get through at Muscatine and made it back across Illinois without incident.
Pure Stodge never did cancel their rally. They found alternative sites for folks who stayed to pitch their tents. Power was restored in Marengo later Thursday evening. Rain waters were receding on Friday leaving behind muddy grounds. They've had a tough year. Last year's attendance was down, they lost their president in an accident coming back from West Bend, and now this rally's rain/flooding problems. I hope they can recover!
Interestingly enough, their website never was updated, and as of today, still had their "dry fairgrounds" update from earlier in the week posted. I don't think they realize how many people were basing their decision to come on the info on their website! We certainly did.
Anyway...we're home safe and sound with another "ride story" to talk about later. I need to replace my Avons. I've got over 10k miles on this set and I'm not wild about riding for any long distances on a plugged tire. Besides, the ride to Wyoming is next month!
Regards,