Sunday Nov 14 - Exploring Mackinaw River Valley

[sstodvictory]

I am starting a project to find and map good IL backroads routes. I'll be doing this for the next few weeks and next summer. Weather forcast for Sunday is dry, high around 50 deg. Good riding in my opinion.

Sunday Nov 14:
Meet at Bloomington Powersports at 10 AM. Bloomington Powersports is on South business Hwy 51 in Bloomington, West side of the road about 1/2 mile North of the Hwy 51 exit off I74 at the Southern tip of Bloomington (same exit you'd take to go to Decatur).

The objective is to circle Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake North of Bloomington, then find an interesting route through the Mackinaw River valley to East Peoria, then explore backroads along the East bank of the IL River North from there. I don't know these areas but I'll have USGS maps with me. There will be some stop & go to examine maps, switching roads to find the most interesting route, etc. Cannot rule out a wee bit of gravel. Whoever wants to come, we can swap leads and play follow the leader to make it more interesting.

Cell Phone: 217-855-5743

Steve

[sstodvictory]

Has anyone else explored the Mackinaw river valley? I was really surprised. Around Lake Bloomington and then from 2140 E in McClain county all the way to Mackinaw on county roads it was nearly all good. I quit in Mackinaw so I could reach home in daylight.

Did some quick internet research. The reason why it was a good ride is its an area of glacial end-morraine deposits.
http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/assessments/mackinaw/page6.htm

The photos are along the SW shore of Lake Bloomingon, the Hwy 48 bridge accross Clinton Lake - North bound, and a farmer on the road just North of Cerro Gordo.

Steve
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[sstodvictory]

I learned today that the farmer in the picture is a biker. Not only that, he happens to farm the three fields that surround my rural platt. He was spading around my house when I arrived home today, and jumped out to visit with me. That's when I found out I'd taken his photo. We had met one time before this.

He rides his Harley with another local guy, whom I also know. Who would'a thunk it! I'll probably ride with them both next summer.

Steve

[SmittysVic]

Steve: do you have a copy of the Gazeteer Atlas? Also to be considered are county highway department maps, usually available from (duh?) any County's Highway Department, or also the Sheriff's department. But for the money, I'd buy me a Gazeteer Atlas for the state you're interested in, if you don't already have one. They are quite accurate down to the township highway level, and I use mine quite often in storm spotting activities.

Sorry I missed another get-together...did you have any takers?

later
Smitty

[sstodvictory]

Steve: do you have a copy of the Gazeteer Atlas? I had one with me on this ride Smitty. It did help me find the coolest route, but I found that it, too, was inaccurate in some respects. For instance I followed a road to a place where there was supposed to be a bridge. It was accurate about the road, which was down to two-track dirt at this point, but no bridge. What I did find was two guys drinking beer at the site. They told me there was a bridge, but it got washed out 20 years ago. I will have to see if the county office charts are more accurate.

I received the National Geographic electronic topo map for IL a few days ago. Its more accurate than the Gazeteer, but the small roads aren't labeled wherin the Gazeteer at least puts a label on all roads that are at least graveled. There may be no perfect map....but in "explore mode" I guess its not required.

No takers, it was a solo ride.

Last weekend I drove my truck around in the vicinity of Moraine View State Park, East of Bloominton. That area would make a nice little sub-putt.

Steve