Matteson, IL to End of Route 66

Sunday 27 May 2018

The ride today was from Matteson, IL to Chicago, IL.  The end of the Route 66 segment of my epic bicycling adventure.

I had a riding partner today.  Marty Wexler.  I met Marty yesterday in the hotel and we met today in the breakfast room and decided to ride together.
Most of the ride today was on a bicycle path with trees on both sides of the path until we got near Chicago.  I have taken several pictures of cabooses for a friend in Tucson.  This is just one more...

First view of Chicago.  We are about 11 miles away

Another mural

On the lake side bicycle path is this dome of colored glass.

Maria met me at the end!

With Marty at the end

A sticker for each state that Route 66 goes across

There was no End of Route 66 sign at Jackson and Lake Shore as I was lead to believe.  Prior to my arrival Maria asked many people in the area where the sign might be...  Good question.  

I was ready to head to the hotel and say forget it, Maria persisted.  We finally found the sign just west of the intersection on Jackson Dr. and Michigan Ave.

The End of Route 66  sign.

Because the streets are one way here is the beginning of Route 66 sign a couple of blocks away

  Just west of the intersection of Adams St and Michigan Ave

My sister Laura had the hotel deliver this to the room

Braidwood, IL to Matteson, IL

Saturday 26 May 2018

Today's ride was from Braidwood, IL to Matteson, IL

The ride today had about the same scenery as the last few days.  Lots of cornfields and soybean fields. 

Cornfield

This area is 3 - 4 weeks behind other fields

I knew the road was out in the middle of nowhere but,

three Starfighters parked on the side of the road?

Soybean

The route went on 6 miles of dirt path

I was on over 20 miles of paved bike path with lots of vegetation on both sides of the trail. 

Blue Hereon taking flight 

might be geese

I got to the hotel got a shower and went out for an early dinner.  When I got back, the hotel clerk said there was another cyclist in the hotel also riding Route 66.  Marty and I met up in the lobby and talked bicycle touring.  He stated people on the bike path kept saying that his buddy was about an hour ahead if him.  He had no idea what they were talking about.  It was me ahead of him.  We had a good chuckle over it.

Marty is from St Charles, MO and rode Route 66 from St Louis, MO to Matteson, IL and is going to ride to the end of Route 66 in Chicago tomorrow. We talked about our trips and then I showed him my bike and all of the miscellaneous I carry.  I'm going to send him my Excel spreadsheet on what is packed.

Less than 50 miles to the end of Route 66.  I should be there around noon tomorrow.

Chenoa, IL to Braidwood, IL

Friday 25 May 2018

Today's ride was from Chenoa, IL to Braidwood, IL

Today's ride was an easy ride.  Almost a flat terrain with a slight tailwind.  Lots more cornfields and soybean fields.   At the end of the ride I'm less than 100 miles from the end of Route 66 in Chicago.

Illinois State Police formed in 1922.  Riding Harley-Davidson motor cycles.

Steel Silhouette of an officer on a Harley-Davidson.

Is that a cornfield behind the silhouette? 

State Police headquarters opened in 1941

An old grain elevator.

Gas station in Odell, IL

Old Fire Engine

Dwight, IL windmill

Souvenir shop in Edwight, IL 

Sign said it has cold drinks

Lincoln, IL to Chenoa, IL

Thursday 24 May 2018

Today's ride was from Lincoln, IL to Chenoa, IL

The ride today was very similar to the last couple of days.  Lots of cornfields and soybean fields.  Today, I stopped and talked to a farmer.  The distance between rows of corn is 30 inches.  The distance between the rows of soybean varies by the farm.  It is either 15 or 30 inches.

Route 66

In some areas there is a bike lane beside Route 66.  In this picture is the bike lane, Route 66, and Interstate 55.

In Normal, IL.  The gas station was built n 1930

In case you haven't been paying attention, this is a picture of a cornfield.

As noted yesterday this bike repair stand actually has all of its tools.