Illinois Bike Trails

Leaves turn yellow along one of the many miles of bike trails in Illinois.  I traveled about half of this state on trails like these.  

Fall colors have not reached their prime yet, but a few cold nights, and mornings of 35 degrees have brightened the trees.  Leaves have done their work, overcome summer, and the struggle has brightened their lives near the end.

Golden leaves

mix with golden sunrise

as fall begins  

Near the north end of Route 66, the people of Illinois remind cyclists that if they follow this trail far enough they will reach Pasadena, California  

Here in Towanda townspeople have placed their bike trail immediately alongside the original Mother Road, saving us the difficulty or riding on its now rough and cracked surface.

They try to maintain the history and culture of
Historic Route 66, with gas stations like this one in Odell.  Trouble is, I remember my father stopping to fill the ’36 Plymouth in one like this when I was barely tall enough to see out the window from the back seat.  No child seats then, or seat belts.

Vermillion River west of Pontiac

Kankakee Ricer at Wilmington

Some rivers are placid like southern bayous.  Some wide and turbulent like in the Rocky Mountains 

I took this picture because it was the only clear sky I saw in three days.

They build elaborate bridges for bicycles over many of the major highways so we don’t have to fight traffic.  And their towns consider the bike path that passes through a feature to build parks and tourist sites around.  

Almost all of the small towns in the gently rolling country of Illinois have a water tower.  It stands on a structure about one hundred feet high.  That’s because 100 feet produces water pressure of 43 pounds per square inch, about the right amount for public water systems.  Each town has its name boldly painted on its water tank to advertise its presence.  All except Atlanta (left), which has a better idea.   

Michael Angerman updates the map of my journey every day.  Find it at:  Google Map Link for my ride from Pasadena to Chicago