Central IL Polar Bear Ride, Nov 6/7 or 13/14

[sstodvictory]

Here's a Central IL ride I'm planning for whichever day looks good on the 1st or 2nd weekend of November. The forcast for Saturday the 6th looks horid, but what do those weathermen know? They call 'em that because they don't know whether its going to be sunny or raining.

Meet at McDonalds in Monticello, which is on I72 between Champaign and Decatur and also reachable via IL Hwy 105. The route starts 8 miles North of Monticello and follows small roads along the Sangamon river, through Decatur to Springfield. Stop at the Buchart Pub on Mt. Auburn road SE of Springfield (serves good pizza). Hwy 97 West out of Springfield (scenic in itself) to reach some little roads along the Sangamon river to the Illinois River. North from there along the West bank of the Illinois river to Pekin, just South of Peoria. Folks who need to head East from there (like me) can take I74 if you're not frozen yet, or the more pleasant Hwy 9.

Added:
Departure from McDonalds will be at 9:30 AM on Saturday the 6th.

Any takers?

Steve
.

[basgetar]

Sounds like fun...keep me informed... Keith....Smitty U in?

Earl

[sstodvictory]

Saturday the 6th is looking good, 33 low - 48 high, 20% chance of water.
Sunday the 7th is even better, 31 low - 53 high, 0% chance of water.

I'm thinking if that forcast holds, then the weekend of the 6th should be it. This time of the year its risky to hold off for warmer temps and after all, this is the Polar Bear ride!

Any preferences for a Saturday vs. a Sunday for this? Either day is fine for me. I'm going to time the route tomorrow.


Steve

[sstodvictory]

At this point this is scheduled for Sat. or Sun. November 6th or 7th, depending on expressed preferences.

Total mileage Monticello to Hwy 9 bridge at Pekin = 204 miles
Total time including one meal stop & gas stops = 5.25 hrs

Most of the route is either in, or within sight of the Sangamon & IL River valleys, or through hilly regions around them. We won't be able to avoid a few flat sections. The route passes through Decatur and Springfield with views of the world's largest fermentation plant, the Illinois State Capitol, the Lincoln family homestead, and the Anderson Lake Fish & Wildlife area.

Riders with passengers or lowered suspensions should know that sections between Monticello and Decatur are bumpy in places. There's about a 2-mile stretch of gravel after Beardstown, but its smooth, not loose, and won't be a problem.

Here's a few pics I snapped along the IL river sections, including the short gravel part. Dig the glorious TP job on that tree, courtesy of the youth of Cerro Gordo IL. Nice job, boys & girls!

:biglaugh:

Steve
.

[daveltb]

The route passes through Springfield with views of the world's largest fermentation plant,the Illinois State Capitol.
Steve


Hope I got this quote right. I think that's the way it read.

[sstodvictory]

Those are two separate entities, Dave, although opinions may vary. BTY....I did get the joke, LOL!.

[SmittysVic]

Hmm...Steve, it sounds like you've done your homework. I can't commit to anything right now, as I have my kitchen in the middle of a remodel---all the way down to the plaster and subfloor. I also don't favor cold weather too well; 50F is my riding threshold, I'm sorry to say.
But if it looks warm, and the war department is in favor of it, I'll keep it in mind. I'm not working that day, so we'll see.

Smitty

[sstodvictory]

Leave at 9:30 AM
Saturday the 6th
McDonalds in Monticello

Exit I72 at Bridge St. - go East
Right at the stop sign
McDonalds is a few blocks down on the right.

We should reach Pekin around 3 PM. Sunset is at about 4:50.

Cell Phone: 217-855-5743

Steve

[SmittysVic]

Well, Steve, I hope your ride went well...the weather turned out very well. I spent about four hours on yard work, two hours on the kitchen and finally got on the bike. I waited in Pekin in sight of the bridge for about thirty minutes, from about 2:50 to 3:20, and didn't see any bike resembling a Vic, so if you came through, if the ride went off as planned, I didn't see you. I thought at the very least I could hang out and hope to catch you coming through---I'm sure I would have found a way to catch your attention.

Hope you had fun, I know I did, for the short time I was out.

later
Smitty

[sstodvictory]

It was a great day to ride Smitty. Not exactly Polar Bear weather though. Nobody showed up at McDonalds, so being that it was a solo ride and I'd done this route last weekend, I changed my plan and explored on roads South of Oakland.

Steve

[sstodvictory]

I went scouting in my truck today and found a new route that stays closer to the river for the section immediately West of Springfield. Should make the next Sangamon/Illinois River ride even better. I also stopped at my favorite pub in Buchart for a pizza. It was excellent as usual. Some Harley riders had been doing burnouts on the platform outside the pub and there were rubber tracks fishtailed all over it.

If you get the impression I'm baiting people for the next ride, you're right!

Steve