Question about 105th

[Rocker]

I see the 105th is scheduled for 4 days. Is this like many rallies a couple of days is more than enough time to spend there or does it take the 4 days to see and do all there is?

[Rocker]

Any help would be appreciated. Would like to plan this trip, but don't want to book it for four days if less is enough.

[Buddha4]

It would be easiers to check out earlier than try to make the reservations at the last minute. At Ride the Rockies this year they had a genral suggestions for ride routes but other than that is was on your own.

[mikej]

I imagine they'll have different things planned for each day, different bands, different presentations. Write and ask them what they have planned. Locally you should have the new museum to see, and the five local plants/facilities to visit (Juneau ave, Capitol dr, Pilgrim road, Franklin distribution center, Buell in East troy), plus the local tent & vendor city, plus local events put on by local places like http://www.mustangshellys.com/home/index2.asp , plus the local dealerships that will probably have stuff going on as well.

Based on what I've seen in the past here you could hit most of the stuff if you're just checking things off of a checklist in two days, three days and you won't be rushed, 4 days and you'll be ready to head home. Just depends on if you are ride oriented or event oriented, if you want to check out the local roads like Holy Hill and the Kettle Morraine and the region east and southeast of Madison. There's also a couple of "aftermarket" companies out around Madison like S&S and Pingle and a few others who might also have some things planned for folks who get out that way.

[Rocker]

Originally Posted by mikej

I imagine they'll have different things planned for each day, different bands, different presentations. Write and ask them what they have planned. Locally you should have the new museum to see, and the five local plants/facilities to visit (Juneau ave, Capitol dr, Pilgrim road, Franklin distribution center, Buell in East troy), plus the local tent & vendor city, plus local events put on by local places like http://www.mustangshellys.com/home/index2.asp , plus the local dealerships that will probably have stuff going on as well.

Based on what I've seen in the past here you could hit most of the stuff if you're just checking things off of a checklist in two days, three days and you won't be rushed, 4 days and you'll be ready to head home. Just depends on if you are ride oriented or event oriented, if you want to check out the local roads like Holy Hill and the Kettle Morraine and the region east and southeast of Madison. There's also a couple of "aftermarket" companies out around Madison like S&S and Pingle and a few others who might also have some things planned for folks who get out that way.

Thanks for the replay. Great info. Thought I would schedule for 2 days but now sounds like 3 days will be fine. Actually I'm more ride oriented but sounds like there is riding locally if we get bored with the events.

Living in Washington State it is about 1800 miles one way. Think I'll put the wife on a plane out there and then will take our time riding home.

[Mr-Jester]

There are really two seprate events going on in Milwaukee during the 4-days there. The first day/day and half is the HOG 25th celebration. The remaining time is the Harley-Davidson 105th celebration. Note!!!! They are taking places at different venues and require different tickets.

[bikernut]

stay home....milwaukee sucks...unless you like shootings and robbery...then come on down

[sonoffatboy]

Originally Posted by bikernut

stay home....milwaukee sucks

spoken like a true milwaukee'n ..yer just pissed cause they'll increase the prices for booze and such during the 105th!

[bikernut]

Originally Posted by sonoffatboy

spoken like a true milwaukee'n ..yer just pissed cause they'll increase the prices for booze and such during the 105th!

well.....ya!!!!!!!!!

[eprenzlow]

Originally Posted by sonoffatboy

spoken like a true milwaukee'n ..yer just pissed cause they'll increase the prices for booze and such during the 105th!

Prices won't change at National Liquor Bar or Hoolie's.

[tomv]

if its anything like the 100th you wont be able to see 1/2 the crap going on in 4 days. there were events taking place in so mnay places you had to pick and choose where you wanted to be and what you wanted to see.

[JohnT]

Wonder what they'll do for the 106th next year?

[eprenzlow]

Iron Horse will gear its boutique service toward bikers, business travelers
By TOM DAYKIN

Posted: Sept. 27, 2007

Starting next summer, Milwaukee visitors can hang their hats - and their motorcycle helmets - at a new hotel that seeks to meld hot chrome with cool class.

Developer Tim Dixon is converting the former warehouse at 500 W. Florida St., a short distance from the new Harley-Davidson Museum and businesses such as Rockwell Automation Inc.

The Iron Horse Hotel, which bills itself as the first boutique hotel geared toward both motorcycle enthusiasts and business travelers, will open by June in the Walker's Point neighborhood.

The 102-room hotel will be about three blocks south of the future Harley-Davidson Museum, which is scheduled to open next summer.

The $22 million Iron Horse will not be a motorcycle-themed hotel, said developer Tim Dixon.

The Harley logo isn't stamped on the bed sheets, Peter Fonda isn't manning the front desk, and the throaty growl of a V-Twin engine isn't piped into the lobby.

Instead, the hotel, which Dixon is creating within a former warehouse at 500 W. Florida St., will offer a mix of high-end amenities, along with biker-friendly features.

The idea is to draw both affluent bikers and business travelers who want to stay at a cool, edgy - yet luxurious - hotel.

The Iron Horse will be a place where guests can feel comfortable striding through the lobby decked in business suits and wing tips, or leather jackets, jeans and boots, Dixon said.

"It's going to be great for people-watching," said Dixon, himself a motorcycle rider.

Boot benches
The Iron Horse's design will reflect that mix, with furnishings both sophisticated and durable, Dixon said.

Guest rooms will include shelves for helmets and strong hooks that can handle the weight of leather jackets, he said. There will be benches on which to sit while removing boots. And the bathroom showers will be oversize.

"The typical rider is larger than the average bear," said Brigette Breitenbach, who operates Breitenbach Weiss Inc., a marketing communications firm working for Dixon.

The Iron Horse will include an on-site bike wash and covered motorcycle parking. A hotel shop will sell rider accessories, and motorcycle maintenance kits will be available to guests.

The loft-style rooms will be large, around 450 square feet, Breitenbach said. The average daily room rate will be $139, which is expected to rise after the first year of operation, Dixon said.

Conversion work begins
Dixon is renovating a six-story building with about 96,000 square feet. An investors group led by Dixon bought the 100-year-old building for $1.9 million in March, according to assessment records.

The Common Council agreed this week to provide $275,000 in city funds to make street improvements in conjunction with the project. Dixon said he's secured a construction loan from Johnson Bank, and he already has gutted the building to prepare for the conversion work, scheduled to begin Monday.

The location, along with being close to the Harley museum, is within short drives of the Midwest Airlines Center, Potawatomi Bingo Casino and Rockwell Automation Inc.'s headquarters.

All are expected to generate business for the Iron Horse, which will be managed by Miami-based Desires Hotels.

Lure to the city
Along with providing a new boutique hotel, the Iron Horse "will be a lure to the city, enhancing our reputation as a desirable visitor destination," according to a statement from Doug Neilson, Visit Milwaukee president and chief executive officer.

But the Iron Horse, which will include a restaurant, lobby lounge, pool and fitness room, may not appeal to some bikers, said Harley enthusiast Fern Shupeck.

Shupeck and her husband frequently take overnight trips on their motorcycles. They prefer staying at inexpensive, small "ma and pa" motels, where it's easier to connect with people, said Shupeck, executive director of the Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

Richard Jungen, Harley owner and chief executive officer of CSMC Inc., corporate parent of Central States Mortgage Co., believes Iron Horse will draw a lot of bikers. Jungen said riders will especially appreciate the on-site bike wash and covered parking.

"You get rainy mornings, it's especially nice to start out with a dry seat," Jungen said.

[kwas]

Good luck finding a room. Evidently, Harley booked the vast majority of them and is holding on to them. I called wanting one room for one nite.......and was told to call MoCo for a room. Four hotels, same answer at each. Gave up calling.

[rubble11]

Yeah stay home.

Do you want to wait hours just to get into the H-D Museum? - if you get in.
All the good riding in Wisconsin is west-southwest of Madison or up north.

Save some money and hassle. Plan your own trip a week later and just stop by to see the Museum, unless of course you love crowds and tons of traffic.

elginweather.com