On Route 66

2637 Miles from Chicago to Los Angeles by Bicycle

Sunday, 10 May (Day 6)

Bloomington, Illinois to Lincoln, Illinois

Enjoyed a beautiful ride today. The wind was at my back, the skies were clear and the sun was shining, and the first twenty miles were on a paved bike path that ran alongside the Historic Route 66 highway. Riding on that smooth and fast bike path, I had visions of it going all the way into Springfield. So, I started playing with the idea of doing a long 70+ mile day. I’ve never done 70 miles in one day before, but it was 11 AM and I had gone over 30 miles already. So, who’s to say I couldn’t do it.

But then the bike path ended. And it didn’t take much to put that idea out of my head. I was now riding on Historic Route 66 highway again. And afternoon traffic was beginning to pick up. Remembering yesterday’s ride on that highway contenting with both the traffic and no shoulder to ride on, I decided to call it a day when I got to Lincoln. (Physically I could have gone further, but there are no campgrounds or motels along my route between Lincoln and Springfield. As I don’t relish the idea of stealth camping on someone’s property, stopping in Lincoln was my only overnight option.)

So when I got to Lincoln, I found a nice picnic table in a park near the center of town, had some Swiss cheese and summer sausage for lunch, and then rode over to the Days Inn motel where I checked in early for the night’s stay. After a shower and a nap, I took a walk to a nearby gas station market where I grabbed a couple sandwiches and a bag of chips for dinner. Over dinner, I made plans for tomorrow.

The winds will be at my back tomorrow again. The weather is expected to be clear and sunny. More perfect riding weather. So, I’ll ride through Springfield and spend two nights at the Marriott off Interstate 72. Winds are forecast to be near 30 mph from the south on Tuesday, so will take that day off to rest and wait for the winds to ease before continuing on. From Springfield, it’s only 100 miles to St. Louis, so expect to finish the Illinois leg of my trip on Friday.

Here’s some stuff I saw today.

My first twenty miles from Bloomington to Shirley were on this perfect bike path. It was a great ride and I was flying.
Entering Atlanta, Illinois on the original two-lane alignment of Route 66. Back then, it was also Illinois 4.
Tall Paul. The 19-foot-tall statue originally stood in front of Bunyon’s Restaurant in Cicero, but was ‘loaned’ to Atlanta, Illinois, where it’s been for the past 40 years.
Giant statues at the America Giants Museum. Atlanta, Illinois.
This replica gas station is home to the American Giants Museum. Downtown Atlanta, Illinois.
Giant donut and Lincoln 66 sign. Outside a donut shop near Lincoln’s town center.
Logan County Courthouse. Lincoln, Illinois. With a copper clad dome and clocks that tell the correct time, the building is large and imposing.
This is a replica of the Postville Courthouse that stood on this same site. The original courthouse which was completed in 1840 and was the home of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court until 1848. As a traveling attorney Abraham Lincoln practiced law in the original building during those eight years.
The world’s largest covered wagon. Abe Lincoln sits up front reading as he travels his lawyer circuit. How big is it you ask? It’s 40 feet long, 12 feet wide, 25 feet tall and weighs 10,000 pounds. The front and rear wheels are 11 and 12 feet tall respectively. Honest Abe himself is 12 feet tall.
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