Midwest trip reccomendations?

[Briantime]

A friend and I were planning on taking the Great River Road from Illinois down to Memphis and back in about 3 weeks.

From reports of the flooding, it seems like we may have to pick somewhere else to go :(

Any suggestions for a 5 day round trip from the Chicago area? Last year we did the Lake Superior Circle Tour which was great. We have already done the Lake Michigan Circle Tour...

Other than that we have a prettly open slate. Ideally, not too too many mile so we spend all of our time humping from one place top the next...

Your suggestions are appreciated.

[bigbear]

In five days you could maybe do one lap around Chicago :D

Three of us did a five day trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of years ago.

1st day out and last day home were about 550 miles of slab. Other three days we took out time doing back roads etc in MaryLand, Virginia, North Carolina & Tennessee. Might be a little drier than Mississippi but not sure how the Ohio river and south central Indiana are doing.

Roy

[Briantime]

In five days you could maybe do one lap around Chicago :D

Three of us did a five day trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of years ago.

1st day out and last day home were about 550 miles of slab. Other three days we took out time doing back roads etc in MaryLand, Virginia, North Carolina & Tennessee. Might be a little drier than Mississippi but not sure how the Ohio river and south central Indiana are doing.

Roy

I looked up the Blue Ridge Parkway and it looks like some nice riding. I am hoping for something a bit nearer as that is too much super slab time for my liking. If we had more time, I think taking a more scenic route to the parkway would be a really nice ride...

[STARFIGHTER]

Missouri Ozarks are peretty nice riding...................

[njl4]

Have you thought about West virginia great 2 lane roads through the mountains. Try taking the super slab 80 across to Ohio and then bail off and star heading south east through the back roads and cross into West virginia once there you find some some of the best riding east of the Mississippi take a loop through the state and you'll be hooked. I'm heading back there for a 1 week tour in 2 more weeks and can't wait. Cut through the state last year going to Deal's Gap and it was every bit as good as riding the dragon and not as faror as much traffic. Check out http://www.motorcycleroads.us/wv.html Great web site for all the roads in west virginia and any other state you would like to ride in. Good Luck and ride safe

[Ghost55]

I second Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks, very good riding both states. Just came back from Eureka Springs, Ar, very good riding in that area, and popular with bikers, but not crowded with them.

[Ron_Kendall]

I just got back last Fri. from riding around the Northwest section of Ark. The roads are great & I saw very few other riders. If you go there, stop by www.cyclegadgets.com (http://www.cyclegadgets.com) near Eureka Springs, AR.

You could always go north on the Mississippi River, no flooding that I have heard of north of Dubuque.

[Briantime]

Thank you all for your help. We met yesterday to discuss alternatives as I closely monitor the Great River Road web site for closures.

Has anyone take IL 78 to cut through Illinois? We are thinking about using this as an alternative to the river road. My Harley atlas indicates this as a scenic route, but practicle experience from someone here would be great. :)