Cooked the beans & ham. Washed the Spinach. Soaked the Black Eyed Peas to cook later, and got the Jiffy Mix out and ready to bake. I had no intention of riding, but something said "GO", so I went.
It was in the upper 30's here in So. IL. I layered up, loaded up and took off. About 10 minutes from my house is the Trail of Tears State Park. The park sits on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest and sits in a valley with ridges on all four sides. There is a double track fire trail that runs the entire rim of the park. The gates are closed this time of year, so I was completely alone. The total ride was just short of 20 miles. I think last nights champagne and snackies hung around today to prove to me that I can't have it all. I swear the entire ride felt like quicksand. But, suffice to say, It was still Wonderful.
Below are some pics (Beanz, you have inspired me)
Ride Stats
The Park Entrance
The Start - STEEP!!!!!!!
The Trail - Mostly Gravel, some dirt.
The face of pain
More Trail
These shelters are every mile along the ridge. You can camp in them. Fireplace and tables inside. $5.00 a night.
This is an understatement. This Drop-off about burned my discs out. Maybe a full mile of steep downhill.
February of 2008 an Ice Storm dropped thousands of trees in this area. Here is a warning.
Done
