Dubuque, Iowa: Driftless Region

[@chrischevalier6107]

Tractor drafting! A Midwest exclusive!

[@ianthedondaws7559]

Another superb tour 👍

[@Hawkeye269]

I'm an Iowa native and I can confirm, not all Iowa is flat, especially up in the NE corner near Dubuque. There's a great gravel series throughout the year uniquely named "The Iowa Gravel Series." One of the races is near Dubuque, in Waukon. Beautiful ride and a lot of fun. You should check it out.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

A part of the country I have only driven across. Fortunately you bring us these awesome videos.

[@neumeisteranimalhospital2627]

You're right Roshek was a large department store for many decades. Your video makes our downtown look very beautiful and interesting. Something us locals tend to take for granted sometimes. Thanks for visiting. Oh and you're supposed to ride UP the Old Massey Road, which was the big decent down from Hwy 52. That's a killer climb and there are plenty of 15%-20% area gravel climbs around the county too.

[@GravelCyclist]

Due to limited time, I didn't have time for my ideal ride, but I will return and knock out some of these climbs you're referring to. Those who think Iowa is flat... errr, no.

[@4961Studebaker]

Classic American “river town” driven through a couple times will now have to check it out due to your video.

[@Toadmeister894]

23-year Dubuque resident here. Nice ride-thru! Good finishing stop at Dimensional Brewing. Although I've rode it all its nice to see it from someone else's perspective. If I could have directed you ahead of your trip, I would also have recommended riding out to the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, about a 30 miles West of Dubuque.

[@GravelCyclist]

Serious regret missing the Field of Dreams which I would have included in the video... next time. Thank you.

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

I have cycled in this and it is magnificent. TOMRV - Tour of Mississippi River Valley from Quad Cities, IA to Dubuque, IA return. 160 KMS and return. Alongside Mississippi River crossing into IL and Galena back again into Dubuque. Watch out for thunderstorms. Thanks.

[@GreatEgretAdventure]

You’re in my backyard. As far as cycling goes. I live on the eastern edge of the Driftless Region. Some of the best riding in the Midwest. Take the funicular next time you’re in Dubuque.

[@GravelCyclist]

Disappointed I ran out of time to ride the Funicular / Fenelon Place Elevator, but will next time I'm in town. I loved the background story of how its predecessor came into existence.

[@lazlo2511]

Nice… you’ll have to give us a year round up of which bike takes the cake for 2023? Because that beauty you got has to be in the running for a top 3.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hey there Lazlo, I will consider it for sure. I'm not a fan of click bait videos that some of these other reviewers produce, but I will see what I can come up with.

[@robertpeterson8640]

Nice area of Iowa to feature. Probably the most attractive overall. There is no shortage of gravel in Iowa, it is essentially a one mile grid of gravel that covers the state. River drainages and hills can vary this but it is mainly a grid. Since the geology is sedimentary the gravel is limestone of a fairly uniform size. No bothersome sharp flints etc.

[@richardhutchings1980]

The shot tower reminds me a lot of the shot tower at Melbourne Central shopping centre. Great tour. A real ghost town on sunday morning. Kinda strange vibe

[@GravelCyclist]

All being well, I'll be riding near Melbourne soon. Arriving in the Aussie home later this year, it has been four years... way too long. Covid lockdown in Oz had a lot to do with that.

[@richardhutchings1980]

@GravelCyclist excellent to hear. There are some good gravel rides in Melbourne and in the surrounding areas. A mate of mine has a house in Bright and the gravel riding up there is next level 👌

[@korling99]

What a beautiful place to ride? Perfect place for a bicycle race.

[@GravelCyclist]

Definitely a beautiful place to ride.

[@SteveFullerBikes]

Welcome to Iowa!! I have an event for you in April if you're up for it ;)

[@kylef4784]

Oh boy…

[@GravelCyclist]

Hopefully I can make it one day... I have to juggle my available vacation time to attend events but... my retirement with pension is getting closer... eligible to do so in less than three years and nine months, not that I'm counting :)

[@senyaw53]

interesting tour, thanks. Looks like red bricks are cheap.

[@QBRX]

Shot towers...never knew such things existed. Thanks for the education.

[@bcm1013]

Sublime the color of the Challenger?

[@GravelCyclist]

Spot on, Dodge / Chrysler have the best color names. With that said, the Sublime Challenger is a 2023 "Last Call" limited run model known as the "Swinger" edition (175 in the USA, all manual transmission, shaker, etc), which is a bit stupid, and a poor homage to the 1970 Dodge Dart of the same name. My other Challenger's color name is "Smoke Show"... presumably to match the tyre smoke if I were to light them up, haha.

[@bcm1013]

@@GravelCyclist had a family friend when I was a kid that had a Plum Crazy Barracuda. Loved that car. I think it was a 340. Only years later did I learn Plymouths were not called Plum Crazy but rather In-Violet. Same way Dodge was Sublime and Plymouth was Lime Light. Either way, that's a nice ride JOM.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you. Plum Crazy is available this year on the final year of the 2023 Challenger, and dealers are asking all sorts of stupid markup prices on those, and the Sublime cars, particularly the Hellcat (too much HP IMHO).

[@bcm1013]

@@GravelCyclist as you say.. general madness. 707 hp is just that. Sad to see the end of the production run of Hemi variants.

[@GravelCyclist]

Get this... for 2023, 717hp is now the standard. 797 for the Redeye variant, 807hp for the Super Stock, and the ultimate, 1,025hp for the Demon 170. So many owners of these cars don't have the experience dealing with that horsepower, and the cars have very poor rear wheel traction. 485hp in the Scat Pack models, more than enough, and a lot more usable. With that said, I would love a 2023 Hellcat 717hp in manual transmission, or the Demon 170, only because I expect they will appreciate in value (most cars are not investments in any shape or form!) The Demon 170's are currently selling for $100K to $200K over sticker for an allocation!!! Insanity prevails.

[@johnsutter6786]

I am a Dubuque gravel cyclist. Thanks for visiting.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi John, thanks for having me. I hope to return and explore further in the future, LOVE your town.

[@johnsutter6786]

@@GravelCyclist look me up when you return. we have a regular Tuesday night club gravel ride.

[@jdking25]

Race the Driftless 100, it will show you how "flat" Iowa is....hahaha😂

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha for sure, joke is anyone thinking Iowa is flat.