Originally Posted by
Recycle
I know exactly what you mean about the gravel on the Openlands route. We found a way nice to avoid all of it.
From Hollowayville, go west on US 6, then south on County 2775. The turn is about a mile and a half before (east of) where the Openlands route turns south on the gravel roads. After riding south on 2775 for about 1.4 miles, turn west on 1350 N Ave. That quickly bends back south, changes name to Oakbrook Dr, and takes you to IL 29, and then into Bureau. That route has light traffic, no gravel, and it avoids the ravine, blind hills, and bad curves on IL 29 near DePue. Openlands and LIB both have heard about the bypass.
Here is that leg from our web site:
http://www.customized-applications.c..._to_bureau.htm Click on the map image there for a bikeley.com route and cue sheet.
You may want to consider one other alternate route when you get farther north. The Openlands project suggests the Pecatonica Prairie Path from Freeport to Rockford. PPP is a MTB path and not at all suitable for a road bike. Fortunately, there are a number of road routes you can use instead.
Thanks. In looking at the alternate you created I see exactly where I start when I've ridden the Hollowaville to Lock 14 route. The intersection of Hwy 6 & 1500 N Ave. I'll bookmark the link and use it when I ride this section of the GIT.
My mother in law is from De Pue and my father in law is from LaSelle/Peru, they live in Des Moines, Iowa now. My wife and I live in Sioux City, so we are about 8 hours from this area of Illinois. I have only been able to ride sections of the GIT when we visit once a year. I know about IL29 near De Pue, the curves are fun to drive but I wouldn't want to ride a bike through them because motor vehicle would not see a cyclist in time to avoid colliding with one. This year when we are there in June I am going to ride from Lock 14 in LaSelle to Ottawa and back about 40 miles round trip. I probably won't ride from Hollowayville to Bureau Junction and the Hennepin path until the trip in 2010.
Have you ever ridden down near the area north or Peoria? Along the scenic Illinois River Highway? It is beautiful. I had the pleasure, a few years ago to do a solo loop ride starting and returning from/to the town of Spring Bay and went through Bay View Gardens. Very scenic. My mother in law had a family reunion that my wife and I went to. After eating and conversing with people I had to get away and had my bike so I took off on a short 17 mile, very hilly and scenic ride. The area reminds me of the Big Sioux River area of this part of Iowa. Very scenic and hilly.