2017 Rally - Illinois

Update - 2017 Fall Rally Planning

Please note that our shirts for Fall Rally will be available in NEON PINK and ELECTRIC BLUE. We have two size charts, one for LADIES and UNISEX chart. Take note the ladies shirts have a slight V-neck.

The price will be $16.00 for short sleeve and $19.00 for long sleeve for both charts. Please send your order to Beth Pearce at ducklakers@aol.com. Orders will begin 7/24/17 and end 8/24/17.

When ordering list chart you are using, size and color. Payments will be given to Karen Diehm at rally.

Update - 2017 Fall Rally Planning

I called the Granite City KOA this morning with this result:

1. I can't block 20-25 sites. However, since the rally starts after Labor Day we should have no issue reserving sites.

2. The discounts offered are 10% for military & KOA membership. A KOA membership is $30 per year. The discount will be applied when you check into the campground.

3. Site rates are $46-$51 per night depending on how many people are staying on a site. Cabins are $55-$75 per night depending on the size of the cabin & how many people are staying in a cabin. Again there are no bathrooms in the cabins but there is a showerhouse in the campground.

4. We should make reservations starting now. You can call the campground directly at 618-931-5160 or make your reservation online at KOA.com. The name of the campground is listed on the website as St. Louis N.E./I-270/Granite City KOA.

5. Sherry in office said if you make your reservation online you should put FOS Bike Rally in the Special Requests section of the reservation. If you call the office to make your reservation be sure to mention the FOS Bike Rally. $49 deposit will hold your reservation.

Next, I will be checking on kayaking Horseshoe Lake in Horseshoe Lake State Park which runs along Schoolhouse Trail in the 7 Loop Trails. More to come...

I think I have covered everything. If you have questions you can email me at katsuess@sbcglobal.net or call me at 618-799-9003.

Hope to see you in the fall.

Update - 2017 Fall Rally Planning

Many FOS enjoyed Campfires last nite, Saturday, and made decisions regarding the 2017 Rally at 7 LOOP's Trail System to the Madison County Trail Ways near Granite City Illinois.

DATE: 17 - 26 September, 2017, checking in on that Sunday, the 17th.

CAMPGROUND: Granite City KOA. As soon as possible, Dave and Kathy Suess, and Mark and Sharon Holzhauer (our local representatives) will be making connections with them reserving a block of sites for the FOS RALLY. As soon as you can, make reservations to help insure we occupy the block of sites we request, mention FOS RALLY.

Make reservations on line at
https://koa.com/campgrounds/st-louis-ne/site-type/rv-camping-sites/

Ph # 618-931-5160 or Toll Free to KOA Reservations #800-562-5861. We are told CABINS are available with A/C.

ACTIVITIES: (this is just a start).
A. Tour of the ARCH. A possible bike ride to the ARCH from the campground. View the newly refurbished facilities.
B. Budweiser Brewery Tour.
C. Good shopping all around the area.
D. Kayaking/canoeing opportunities.
More to come as we research the area.

SHIRTS: Nylon shirts will be available, hopefully, possibly in a Pink and Blue. Carl and Beth will be coordinating the order process. Karen will be securing the production and design with the help of your ideas.

Update - 2017 Fall Rally Planning

I have checked out the KOA in Granite City concerning Fall Rally. This is what I have found:

The campground opens March 28-October 31. However, you can make reservations on-line at KOA.COM before that time. The campground is listed as ST. LOUIS N.E./I270/GRANITE CITY KOA JOURNEY, 3157 W Chain of Rocks Rd, Granite City IL 62040. Office phone number is 618-931-5160 (however, I'm not sure if they will answer before March 28). The KOA Toll free number to make reservations is 800-562-5861.

There are 6 cabins that can be reserved. There are 4 person cabins or 6 person cabins. They are air conditioned. All are without bathrooms. You must bring your own linens.

There are several different sized campsites. Most are gravel pull-thrus with 30/50 amp service and full hookups. They should accommodate all of our many sized rigs up to 70'. The campground offers free wifi, laundry facilities, a large basic shelter, shower house, campstore, and propane is available. There is a nice swimming pool but closes on 9/4. No campfires are allowed due to a county ordinance.

I was told by the campground host that the KOA rates apply, but after they open up on March 28 I will try to negotiate a lower price with the owner. The host also mentioned that when you make your reservation please make a note in the notes section that you are with the bicycle rally.

I hope this will be enough to at least make our reservations.

ST. LOUIS N.E./I270/GRANITE CITY KOA JOURNEY

Kathy Suess 618-799-9003

Update - 2017 Fall Rally Planning

About 50 FOS gathered for Mexican Theme pot luck/campfire outing Saturday nite. Wonderful food, weather, and friends.

A vote was taken twice, since a tie on the first vote required a recount, on the rally location for 2017. The results concluded an interest in both venues. However, by a slim margin, it was decided that the 2017 Rally will be in the Madison County Illinois area, specifically, the 7LOOPS trails centered around Edwardsville in a 20-30 mile radius. For a detailed map of the 7LOOPS trail system, go to Request a MCT Trails Map" and they will send info on an individual request basis. It's likely we'll have to transport bikes for each ride, allowing for good viewing of the country, similar to our Xenia OHIO Rally last year. Rally date will be mid September.

Rally dates and campground specifics will be forwarded as we have them. Mark and Sharon Holzhauer will be researching the area for us. Anyone having information to share regarding the area or the Rally details, i.e. Things to do, see, attend, participate in, or good places to eat, please contact Mark and Sharon or Jim and Karen with specifics OR volunteer to coordinate that item into the Rally. Many hands makes light work for all.

The 2018 RALLY will be the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's TOW PATH TRAIL / OHIO AND ERIE CANAL-WAY System starting near Cleveland Ohio running Southerly to Akron Ohio. Details have already been posted on our website Folks on Spokes - Gulf Shores under the RALLIES TAB as researched by Bob and June Strader and Claudia Kennedy. More information will follow as it becomes available.

As you have the ability, please 'get involved' in the planning and execution of the FOS 2017 RALLY. Just let us know how you can help so we don't duplicate efforts unknowingly.

2018 Fall Rally Planning

A short addendum to my earlier message for those who may wish to paddle in the Cuyahoga Valley during the 2018 September's rally.

I visited Camp Hi Canoe & Kayak Rental on the upper Cuyahoga River this morning and looked over the rental and river. Stream is similar to the Little Miami and the livery offers 2 mile to 10 mile paddles. Access sites are public so we could run our own shuttles or the livery will provide shuttle service at half the price of the rental fee. www.camphicanoe.com

Distance from Woodside Lake Park is 10 miles or 16 minutes drive.

On Wed, Sep 28, 2016 at 8:21 AM, Robert Strader rcstrader41@gmail.com wrote:

Today,

I'm scouting the upper Cuyahoga River which is close to all our proposed activities. Found one canoe and kayak livery in Hiram, Ohio.

On Wed, Sep 28, 2016 at 8:04 AM, Michael Koop michael.koop@yahoo.com wrote:

Terri & I are interested in next years Fall Rally and if weren't near rivers we would bike.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2016 8:17 AM, Robert Strader rcstrader41@gmail.com wrote:

What a great 2016 Rally, our hats are off to Betty, Peter, and Mike for this well orchestrated event.

As promised to Jim Diem, between my Sister Claudia and I, we have scouted the opportunity for a location for the 2018 September's Rally along the Cuyahoga Valley National Park's Tow Path Trail/ Ohio & Erie Canalway which is now a National Heritage Area - celebrating the rails, trails,landscapes, towns, and sites that grew up along the canal that helped Ohio and our nation grow. There are now 85 miles of finished limestone trail with 50 trailhead access points.

www.ohioanderiecanalway.com

Yesterday I bicycled 35.5 miles from the Park headquarters in Boston Mills East to Cleveland and through a 6 mile paved section of the Cleveland Metroparks. The limestone trail has intermittent sections of paving and was quite suitable for my 700 x 32 narrow tires.

www.clevelandmetroparks.com

We scouted four RV Parks and located one in Streesboro, OH, that is quite suitable for our group. Woodside Lake Park has 14 pull through sites and 14 back-in sites used for overnight camping. Next season, all will be full hook-up. The combination game room/side porch is enclosed with at least 10 picnic tables and a full kitchen. It is adjacent to 4 of the pull sites and all 14 of the back-in sites. All sites have a course gravel pad or grass. There are several rustic cabins sleeping from 2 to 8 persons. All cabins fully equipped for cooking, refrigeration, air conditioned. I spoke only with an office person and have the contact info for the manager. I was assured that there would be space for us during the last half of September. The park is 13.5 miles form the Park headquarters trailhead.

www.woodsidelake.com

There is a closer park at 7.7 miles from the trailhead: Streetsboro KOA that can accommodate us but they have no inside meeting facility, only open pavilions. At the KOA they would have space for us on the last week of September.

Streetsboro have many chain eateries, Walmart, and chain grocery stores.

There are two Interstates that intersect the immediate area, Ohio Turnpike I 80 and I 480.

On Tue, Sep 27, 2016 at 9:03 AM, Larry/Shary Schmies schmies73@gmail.com wrote:

You 2 did a superb job scoping out trails and subsequently laying out a day to day plan for FOS. Thank you!!

On Sep 26, 2016 4:27 PM, "Betty Meyerink" bbmeyerink@gmail.comwrote:

Fall rally's are a highlight of my year! Already looking forward to next year!

On Sep 26, 2016 2:03 PM, "Phyllis Mehler" honiest@gmail.comwrote:

You said it best !

God bless and keep you well.

On Sep 26, 2016 8:57 AM, "Karen Diehm" diehm1@cmsinter.netwrote:

What a great time we all had. Our attendance was 53 wonderful friends riding for fun. Betty & Peter did a great job of planning rides and giving great directions each day. The "Little Miami River Trails" we're gorgeous. Each day was a warm and sunny experience. Many traveled to the Air Force Museum and enjoyed all of its wonder. Potluck's were delicious and kayaking was great with Bob's friend Mike.

A thank you to all members that attended and helped with planning and enjoyment. We are all looking forward to 2017 rally. Plans will be discussed in March at Gulf Shores.

God Bless All Of You,

Jim & Karen