Originally Posted by
tarwheel
Also considering tour routes in Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois but rides in those areas would involve more road mileage. I'm very comfortable riding on roads but it's definitely less stressful and safer on trails.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Illinois_Trail
Grand Illinois Trail Guide - Ride Illinois - Ride Illinois
http://rideillinois.org/wp-content/u...Guide-2015.pdf
The Guide to the Grand Illinois Trail Ride
The Grand Illinois Trail is an over 500mi route which utilizes low volume country roads and dedicated multi-use paths. It routes you thru the 3rd largest city in the country, thru suburbs, along rivers and creeks, most of the ride is in rural country setting, and you also get to see the Driftless Region of the US with hill after hill.
Like the other rides you've done, this route has you on a lot of canal/tow paths and paths near water.
Check out the bottom 2 links- there is an extensive and detailed route in the 3rd and the 4th provides a lot of details too.