Visiting family in northern Illinois, Rockford area, and am staying with 2 of my sister's in Lake Summerset. I sure wish I had a bike with me.The roads in Lake Summerset have a lot of curving up and down, and it is quite scenic, with views of the Lake. Lots of trees, and quite a few homes with rather quirky builds. No cookie cutter, there all made out of ticky-tack, neighborhood here.
I was in Kentucky at a sisters home, we drove to LS, picking up another sister on the way, and will see 3 brothers at Easter dinner today. I had to leave my bike in KY. I am here gor only 3 days, leaving for KY tomorrow. If I had a longer stay in Lake Summerset, I could borrow a bike for a day of exploration and what I believe would be very fun rides.
I grew up in this area in the 50's- 60's, at that time there a number of gravel roads. I know there are still a few in the area, I would like to give them a try if/when I return.
IIRC, Lake Summerset was formed in the early 70's by buiding an earthen dam across the south branch of Otter Creek.. I had never been in the development before. I very much like it here.

pawn shop bikes and when you leave pawn it .... it's like a closet rental

You mean:

They’re all made out of ticky-tacky and they all look just the same.

Melvina Reynolds. 1962

That's it. I k ow it from the "Weed" series.

Is there a question or is this just a outpouring of memories during a thoughtful moment?

My bike takes up very little room inside my compact almost mid-size SUV. Usually if just one bike and two people with a couple weeks worth of stuff, I only have to take the front wheel off and drop or remove the saddle/seat post.

I have traveled with 3 bikes and 3 people and two weeks of clothes/baggage by removing both wheels, removing/lowering the saddle/seatpost and improvising a fixture to protect the RD.

Yeah, it's easy if it's just two people in the SUV.

You might consider adding a folding bike to the fleet, delbiker1. They don't take up nearly as much room in the back as a regular bike. Pack it in a big Rubbermaid tote and it'll even stay standing.

Here's a recent tour I did on my folding bike. It's capable in terms of comfort and luggage, but slower. I think I averaged only around 11 mph, where it would have been 13-14 on a gravel bike. I didn't mind the slower pace, as I wanted to be heads-up, taking things in. I did run out of daylight, as it was late in the season in northern Wisconsin. I have good lights on the bike though.

To clarify, I brought a bike with me to Kentucky, but left it behind on the Illinois leg of my trip due to 3 people and a dog in a compact sedan, and only limited time on a 3 day stay, with much time spent with family. Also, the weather forecast, which was accurate, was cold, wet and very strong wind, 20 plus mph with gusts to 45.

If the weather had been conducive to riding while in Illinois, I could have used a nephews bike. I rarely travel without a bike. I walked my sister's dog for a bit of activity.
There was no question being asked, I was thinking about if/when I return, a bike ride in Lake Summerset wo uld be quite entertaining.