jboyd

There is no doubt that I will be duly punished for the fantastic weather that we have had this weekend. Mid 60's, uber low humidity and blue sky.

This morning I ran a "Map It Pronto" of a 17 mile gravel road ride that I don't think I have even driven before (no memory anyway). The ride started at the Lick Creek grade school and headed North to an area of the Shawnee National Forest called Panthers Den. As much as I would love to ride this area, it is one of those stupid parts of the National Forest that allows horses, but not bikes (that makes me nuts). From the Den, I stopped at a local winery on the way and took some pics and then headed to what the locals call Buffalo Gap.

Buffalo Gap is one of those places around here that feels "On Top of the World". I can attest to the fact that getting to it requires some climbing. I think the coolest thing about this ride, besides a couple of very steep climbs (i know that my climbs pale in comparison to many, but when I gain 400-500 ft in a half mile and I can't keep my front tire on the ground, or the back spins out on gravel, I consider it a climb), was the fact that there really was never a moment that was not up or down hill. I consider that the best kind of ride.

Here are some pics. Nothing extraordinary, and I just can't capture the drama of the scenery with my camera (user malfunction I am sure). Enjoy! (btw....If I am driving you all nuts with the pics, let me know).

All the Pics https://s425.photobucket.com/albums/p...5%2009%202010/

Unloaded and ready to go.


I am sure if I was a farmer, i would feel different, but the "Yellow Rocket" has been beautiful this year.


There were about 10 of these low water creek crossings, which explains the hills.


It is frustrating that I can't capture how steep this was. This hill lasted for about 2 miles with 400 feet of it happening in about 1/2 mile.


The Blue Sky Winery that was along the way.


This is area of Illinois is called the Wine Trail. You can't turn around here without running into a winery.


Heading UP to Buffalo Gap


There was a field of about 100 of these longhorns as I dropped off the Gap.


The top of that hill is the Gap and where I just came from. About 6 miles away (road distance).


The Ride Reward!

ttibby

Fantastic ride! I am looking forward to some of these scenerys when I get stateside again! But Korea is pretty special too!

Hill-Pumper

Another great ride report J

fishdaddy

Keep the pictures coming. Thanks for sharing.