I'm going to have some free time in this, my first full weekend in the Iowa City area. Any recommendations for a drive? I don't mind being behind the wheel for an hour or so each direction if it gets me to some good twisties.

Thanks in advance!

Have you been on Newport Road - Sugarbottom Road - Sugarbottom Recreation area? There are some nice hills and curves. The area is well populated with both humans and deer, so I keep the speed down, but it's a lot more fun than I-380

Go to maps.google.com and enter "newport road northeast iowa city."

I hope you like the drive

Here's a fun and short local route...keep an eye out for the Amish buggies that represent the most onerous road hazard thru here:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=...a033537a&msa=0

The Riverside Road (Cnty W61) between Riverside and Washington has some good corners too.

I didn't encounter any buggies today, but on a one-lane bridge I did meet a 4WD John Deere pulling two grain wagons. Molly is polite; she waited on the shoulder Molly is smart, too

Thanks for the route

I did Sugarbottom Road a couple weekends ago and it was fun. Will be flying back to the Bay Area on Friday to load up the minivan (my other "mini"!) and drive the wife and kids to Iowa, so the other roads will have to wait until mid-November.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Safe travels coming 'cross country.

Add this URL to your favorites MINI folder.

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/index.html

Looking forward to hearing from you when you are back

{At the one lane bridge I leave the Giant stranded at the riverside. Race back to the farm to dream with my uncle at the fireside.}

An excerpt from the song "Red Barchetta" by the band Rush. Read the short story, "A nice morning drive" by Richard S. Foster, that inspired the tune.
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/rush/drive.html

And then if your up for it listen to the song.

I didn't mind doing it in Mho, but it will be a chore driving 2,000 miles in the minivan (a Honda Odyssey). People always look at me funny when I say I fit better in the MINI than I do a minivan, despite the fact that I am 6'4". The seat for the minivan is so high that even in the lowest setting my knees get in the way of the steering wheel.

SugarBottom is definitely the best roads, but soo many people/bikes/deer.. :( Makes going at any speed not good.

I agree two years ago Miah and myself got a warning from a friendly ranger...