Here is a map and ride stats for our trip out to Savanna on Saturday, August 18. This route stayed primarily north of Route 64.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/212188690
And here is our route back to Winfield on Sunday, August 19. We had to take a different route because contrary to most opinion, no two Illinois corn fields look alike! The return trip was routed south of Route 64.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/212710206
Amazingly, both routes were right at about 135 miles each. Pure coincidence.
We had a total of 9 guys along for the ride, with our friend Chuck riding out with us as a 10th to the mid-point in Lindenwood, IL and then solo back to Winfield on Saturday. We commondered my van to stow our overnight bags, tools, coolers with drinks and snacks to keep us going along the way. We alternated drivers every 15-20 miles or so, so that everyone had an opportunity to get a 100+ miles in on both days.
We were blessed with absolutely stellar weather for a long weekend of being outdoors. It simply could not have been any better. Temps were cool in the low 50s at the start of both mornings, which quickly gave way to low to mid 70s the rest of the day. Gentle winds both days, with a slight cross-head wind on the way out and an equal cross-tail wind on the return. Given all of the 90+ weather we have had this summer, I was worried we would need to be concerned about heat stroke on the trip. Fortunately that was not the case.
Ready to Ride. 6:30 am Saturday morning.
Our trip out averaged a very comfortable 17 miles per hour while on the road. While everyone in the group were experienced strong riders, there was no point in pushing the pace on such a beautiful day. No sense in getting to our hotel in Savanna before check-in time.
By the time we cleared Sycamore, we could already begin to see the plumes of vapor rising from the Byron nuclear plant which was still more than 25 miles away. Similar to a nuclear reactor, you can see in the photo below that Eric's engine began to overheat as evidenced by his top blowing off excess steam. Sadly, this sometimes happens when you take a pull at the front for too long!
Eric blows his top!
Twin 500 ft towers.
After a Subway stop for lunch in Oregon, the route and topography got a bit more hilly. We proceeded westward on some pretty lightly traveled back roads which we essentially had all to ourselves.
Historic Brick Road just east of Oregon, IL
We arrived in Savanna at around 4:30 in the afternoon, about 10 hours after the start. Most of the guys did the obligatory dip of the wheel in the Mississippi before we rode one final steep hill to our hotel.
Baptising the bikes in the Mighty (and murky!) Mississippi.
Bridge to Iowa. Thanks for shooting me Steve!
Savanna is the original hometown of Steve in our group. Today it has a definite appeal to bikers, although not our particular variety of biker! We hit one of the most popular spots in town for dinner, Mannys, known for its pizza and tacos. We did hit this spot at peak busy time so had to wait more than an hour for pizzas to arrive, but once they did, we devoured them instantly! And by many reports, they were digested nearly as fast :o)
Sunday morning we got a later start, as we needed breakfast and to prep the van for the return trip. Another cool gorgeous morning with the sun rising quickly and warming us in the first hour to the point we were again in short sleeves.
The train departs. Hills and quickly rising sun provided early warmth.
If anyone was tired from the previous 135 mile day, it didn't show on the return trip. We averaged about 1 mph faster on the return, part in thanks to a gentle tail wind. With the later start we got back to Winfield at around 5:30.
Hard to imagine a better way to spend a fantastic weekend than with a bunch of people who love to see what is up the road and around the next corner. Can't wait until next year!
Top Row (L to R) Doug, Eric, Bob, Randy, Rich
Bottom Row: Sead, Jon, Steve, Fred
Missing :o( Chuck (Saturday)
