Stillwater MN ?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 11
From: USA
Stillwater MN ?
My riding group does an annual ride the last weekend in August every year.
We have done Sturgis 3 times, LaCross 3 times and Duluth once. 2014 it's my turn to organize the trip and am wondering about Stillwater Minnesota.
Wife and I are talking about making a recon run in June to check the place out. Wondering if anyone knows of any good scenic routes in and around Stillwater.
We always head out on Friday, do day runs Sat and Sun and return home on Monday. Day runs we like to keep in that 200 mi range.
Any input would be greatly appreaciated.
We have done Sturgis 3 times, LaCross 3 times and Duluth once. 2014 it's my turn to organize the trip and am wondering about Stillwater Minnesota.
Wife and I are talking about making a recon run in June to check the place out. Wondering if anyone knows of any good scenic routes in and around Stillwater.
We always head out on Friday, do day runs Sat and Sun and return home on Monday. Day runs we like to keep in that 200 mi range.
Any input would be greatly appreaciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 723
Likes: 5
From: Grand Rapids MN
Stillwater can be jammed up with tourists from the twin cities. It is fun but, can be jammed up like a parking lot at times. Go north up to st croix falls then cross over into Wisconsin and ride 35 south. Great scenery and fun little towns to stop in. Go south on 35 as far as you would like, there are many opportunities to cross back over into Minnesota. Lake Pepin is great, Nelson (great ice cream and or wine stop). Take 61 north or south for additional river riding. We have always had a blast exploring that area. Have fun!
Maybe its cause i only live 30 minutes north, but I dont think of Stillwater as a must see place, blink and your past, hit it the wrong time and your sitting in rush hour. Also on the hour the lift brige goes up and stops everything for 5 minutes. But if you do make it there and like ice cream, you have to stop at Nelsons. Its just west of DT stillwater up the big hill. http://www.nelsonsicecream.biz/
Stillwater is having a motorcycle battle right now with NOISE. So keep it down and you will be alright.
http://stillwater.patch.com/groups/p...ed-enforcement
I like to ride the river roads, either MN or Wis, (prefer WIS, better roads) I have Buena Vista Park in Alma, WI on my next go to list. Maybe run the river till Stillwater then turn northeast on Wis 64 to New Richmond and then north on Wis highway 65, Careful as there are blind hills and corners that will slow you down as low as 15 mph (90 degree corners). Great road. Take that north to Highway 8 and you can head east to turtle lake casino, good food, place to crash. From there the roads are endless, do a little more research, im sure you can find a route home.
Stillwater is having a motorcycle battle right now with NOISE. So keep it down and you will be alright.
http://stillwater.patch.com/groups/p...ed-enforcement
I like to ride the river roads, either MN or Wis, (prefer WIS, better roads) I have Buena Vista Park in Alma, WI on my next go to list. Maybe run the river till Stillwater then turn northeast on Wis 64 to New Richmond and then north on Wis highway 65, Careful as there are blind hills and corners that will slow you down as low as 15 mph (90 degree corners). Great road. Take that north to Highway 8 and you can head east to turtle lake casino, good food, place to crash. From there the roads are endless, do a little more research, im sure you can find a route home.
Just seen your from SD, Im trying to plan a Black hills trip this summer, any pointers?
Already on my list is Custer, needles hwy, mt rushmore, black hills, and maybe venture to Yellowstone one day.
Already on my list is Custer, needles hwy, mt rushmore, black hills, and maybe venture to Yellowstone one day.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 11
From: USA
Thanks for the reply ! I think wife and I will do a recon run early in the season and then decide between Stillwater or LaCross again. Where ever we go it's kinda like a "base camp" anyway because we ride away from it each day and just return by dark.
Never been to Black Hills ? First consideration is accomadations, camping or motel. Start looking early as they fill up fast and during the season they are expensive, especially during the Sturgis Rally. A lot of people travel in groups and rent a cabin splitting the cost 5 or 6 ways. It's not uncommon to see motel rates hit $300 per night during the peak, but look around and look early.
All the roads you listed are must see. Iron Mountain Road is certainly the motorcycle challenging even though it is only 17 miles.
http://ironmountainroad.com/
Needles hiway is a must, Vanocker Canyon is my favourite. SoDak dept of tourism puts out some great maps of the area. A ride from anywhere in The Hills out to Devils Tower is a great day trip.
http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/ho...s/devils-tower
Almost everyone passes up the Badlands loop on the way out and they are really missing out. The Badlands are one awesome sight and everybody should see it.
Yellowstone National Park is about 500 miles from Rapid City so it's a day out and a day back.
Gas stations west of Chamberlain can get abit sparse. I fill in Chamberlain and I can make it to Wall, between those two there's not much but there are some.
Enjoy your trip, if you stop in Sioux Falls give me a shout.
Never been to Black Hills ? First consideration is accomadations, camping or motel. Start looking early as they fill up fast and during the season they are expensive, especially during the Sturgis Rally. A lot of people travel in groups and rent a cabin splitting the cost 5 or 6 ways. It's not uncommon to see motel rates hit $300 per night during the peak, but look around and look early.
All the roads you listed are must see. Iron Mountain Road is certainly the motorcycle challenging even though it is only 17 miles.
http://ironmountainroad.com/
Needles hiway is a must, Vanocker Canyon is my favourite. SoDak dept of tourism puts out some great maps of the area. A ride from anywhere in The Hills out to Devils Tower is a great day trip.
http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/ho...s/devils-tower
Almost everyone passes up the Badlands loop on the way out and they are really missing out. The Badlands are one awesome sight and everybody should see it.
Yellowstone National Park is about 500 miles from Rapid City so it's a day out and a day back.
Gas stations west of Chamberlain can get abit sparse. I fill in Chamberlain and I can make it to Wall, between those two there's not much but there are some.
Enjoy your trip, if you stop in Sioux Falls give me a shout.
Last edited by 472viper; Jan 15, 2014 at 07:26 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1,871
From: Minnesota
472 - In addition to the previous comments, you may want to check out Highway 7 if you go south. Look for the town of Welch between Cannon Falls and Red Wing.
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/32...sties-Run.html
To the North, I would be sure to take Highway 8 into Taylor's Falls, once you get into Wisconsin we usually just pick a back road and try it out - you never know what you will find...
14 FLHX - Hi neighbor (I am about 10 miles east of Forest Lake) and hoping to get out to the Black Hills this summer too. I made the trip 22 years ago on the bike and several trips in the car since. Stayed in Deadwood last time and that worked out great. If you go to Yellowstone, be sure to go through Red Lodge and Beartooth Pass.
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/32...sties-Run.html
To the North, I would be sure to take Highway 8 into Taylor's Falls, once you get into Wisconsin we usually just pick a back road and try it out - you never know what you will find...
14 FLHX - Hi neighbor (I am about 10 miles east of Forest Lake) and hoping to get out to the Black Hills this summer too. I made the trip 22 years ago on the bike and several trips in the car since. Stayed in Deadwood last time and that worked out great. If you go to Yellowstone, be sure to go through Red Lodge and Beartooth Pass.
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4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 8
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From: Twin Cities, mn
check out this link http://www.floodrun.net/index.php/the-flood-run/ theres a map halfway down the page that shows the routes up/down the river. stillwater is cool dont get me wrong, but like 14 flhx there isnt a whole lot there. Last summer we rode from Lino Lakes-stillwater-wabasha mn, then cut over into wisco on 35 and rode that back up to hudson. Roughly 250 miles but we were starting about a half hour northwest of stillwater. My favorite ride i've done so far in my one season of riding, and the wisco side definitely had better roads including a lot of farm back roads that bring you back to 35. hope this helps!
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 878
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From: Farmington, MN
You'll find MUCH better riding out of LaCrosse than you will Stillwater. Not to mention Stillwater doesn't exactly embrace motorcycles to begin with.
14 FLHX - Hi neighbor (I am about 10 miles east of Forest Lake) and hoping to get out to the Black Hills this summer too. I made the trip 22 years ago on the bike and several trips in the car since. Stayed in Deadwood last time and that worked out great. If you go to Yellowstone, be sure to go through Red Lodge and Beartooth Pass.
If your looking for a riding partner, look me up.
Looking at your signature pic, it looks like you bought it at Zylstras?
Last edited by 14 FLHX; Mar 7, 2014 at 10:51 AM.