Originally Posted by
cyccommute
I never realized just how flat the Mississippi River valley is until I got just south of New Madrid. I could see 20 miles in any direction and, if I had a tuna can, I could have seen 100 miles in any direction. If I were to stand on my bicycle saddle, I’m pretty sure I could have seen the Statue of Liberty.
The central part of Illinois is similarly known for its relative flatness. The common wisdom is that if you get lost, you just pull out your binoculars and check the names on all of the water towers within 20 miles.
Most of the ups and downs are associated with river valleys, but there are a few spots where the ground just seems to have gotten wrinkled. Not sure how to explain it.
This particular road, Brimfield-Jubilee road, is almost like a roller coaster when done properly. Lots of fun!
On the plus side, the flat terrain does permit a good view of the weather...
Steve in Peoria