Triumphrat

tomhorn · 05-12-2004

Here in Illinois, we have to take our curves when and where we can find them. For us Chicago suburbanites, this usually means Starved Rock or Galena. Anybody else have any favorites in the area?

last12know · 05-12-2004

hello tom,
from savanna, il here not far from galena....in fact gotta ride thru to get to dealer in dubuque, ia....guess i've been takin' it for granted....maybe 1/2 hour away...give or take ....starved rock huh? will have to check it out...later
bk

Illinilee · 05-12-2004

Windy City Rats took a ride out to Starved Rock from MCC (Villa Park) this past Sat. I was the only S3 in attendance. Would have been nice to have another, or a few more.

Afterward I sat studying my IL. map looking for some interesting roads..... I'm still looking.

Any comments or assistance would be appreciated.

Lee

DiscoStu · 05-12-2004

I have to work hard here on the North Side (I live in Buffalo Grove) to piece together about 5-6 miles of decent curves in a 30-40 mile loop I have here. I used to like the Sheridan run early in the morning on weekends, but the road has deteriorated a lot, so its not too enjoyable. I've been looking at maps of Southern Wisconsin to see if anything else is more promising.

What's the website or means of communication for the Windy City Rats? I've never done any group riding more than about 3 people, but I should check it out to represent for the S3.

texspeed · 05-12-2004

I used to live up that way, Kankakee.............was always in search of a curvey road. Looking for roads that paralleled a river always turned up a few good twisties. Was up that way back in July 2003 to visit my brother in Morris.......
He led me to some very impressive unmarked backroads near the Illinois river just southeasst of Morris and then to some backroads to Starved Rock (not Hwy71 or Hwy 6).
One really nice road we hit after that was "Hwy 26" which goes from Hennepin all the way down to Peoria, although we crossed the river in Lacon and went up Hwy 29(bumpy and uneventful) Very scenic along Illinois River. Best way to find hidden treasures is to get individual County maps if you can. Down here in the Carolina's you can get a map for each county, and that is how we have found some killer "unknowns"!
Gravitate towards the "Wildlife Area's" along rivers and your bound to find some interesting pavement!

:-D

tomhorn · 05-13-2004

Yeah, the river valleys are usually a good bet with quite a few decent backroads leading away from the ones running along the rivers. Grandview Drive in Peoria is good, even though it's 30mph. The road from rte. 29 to the town of Tiskilwa is another running along the Hennepin canal. Banta road off rte.26 south of Lacon is another, 13 curves in 1.5 miles. Most of the fun is in wandering around BFE trying to get lost. Take a day and a map and have fun. The Savana/Galena area is another favorite. Found a quite decent 78 mile loop while trying to avoid tourist traffic on US20.

Illinilee · 05-13-2004

DiscoStu,

I have included the address for the WindyCityRats. There is no forum on the site. If you email any officer you'll be added to an email list that is notified regarding events.

http://www.windycityrats.com/

DiscoStu · 05-13-2004

Cool, I'll check it out and maybe see you at an event in the future.