Meyers Road is a five and a half mile chip sealed surface stretching between Route 78 and Loran Road. It is a lovely sequence of hills and valleys introduced to us by Ron Mattson of the Freeport Bicycle Company last year.
You can start up Meyers Road from the south off Loran Road as we did last autumn under Ron’s recommendation. The fun begins after you roll three miles along a plateau in the company of a westerly belvedere. Thereafter, you commence a series of four plunges followed by five sharp 10% grade climbs before arriving at Route 78.
Our first encounter with Meyers Road was unforgettable for its beauty and pain. It was punctuated by emerging fall color and a nasty northwest wind uncharacteristic for September. This year, we longed for another dance.
That occurred on June the third, and this time we approached Meyers Road from the north and Route 78. For extra fun, we were obliged to ride over to Route 78 via East Loran Road. This knee buckling prelude was orchestrated by none other than Dennis Rodmanson our beloved Commodore.
Yes, we know Dennis’ real name is Robinson. But we prefer this moniker, which combines the idiosyncrasies of former NBA bad boy, Dennis Rodman with the dark persona of Charles Manson.
Admittedly, our Commodore was fresh from his huge ride on Memorial Day weekend (See Mean Ole Skene.). He really does arrange the most interesting, and appalling, bicycle rides in our Upper Left Hand Corner.
So, to get to Meyers Road the Rodmanson way, depart Highland Community College, and head west on Pearl City Road to Block Road which is just around the big “S” turn about five miles. Follow Block Road down past the Emerald Acres campground to Mill Grove Road. Turn left, and ride Mill Grove down through Owl’s Glen to Loran Road.
Turn right on Loran Road and ride out west about seven miles across Route 73 over the big hill into the Valle de Loran. A very short mile south of Loran, turn right on Althoff Road. Althoff becomes East Loran Road and six miles over the knee bucklers into Pleasant Valley and Route 78.
Along the way, we received an extra adrenaline pop as we approached our final climb around a big sweeping turn at 20 miles per hour. Dennis and I were in front with Yoric Knapp hot on our tail in his titanium Bachetta. Yoric screamed “Deer,” and Dennis and I braked just in time to avoid a big White Tail flying full tilt across our path.
This magnificent creature hurtled over the barbed wire fences on each side of the road ahead. He hung his hind quarters on the second fence, but his momentum scraped him off the barbs, and he was gone. Twang!! OUCH!!
We didn’t much mind the final climb over to Pleasant Valley after witnessing that.
East Loran Road ends at Route 78. Turn left and ride two miles south towards Mount Carroll. At the top of the long grade on 78, turn left on Meyers Road. Enjoy the next five and a half miles over the big rollers.
When you arrive at Loran Road, turn left and ride back to Freeport through the beautiful Valle de Loran. We thank our Commodore Rodmanson for this 60 miles of June nirvana.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Report from the Mean Ole Skene
This week, Cycleupperleft is proud to offer a guest feature from none other than the Commodore himself and his riding pal Peggy Badgett. Andrew Soria provided the photos.
Well, three of us actually got up early to try a challenging ride from Stockton to Galena and back--Andrew Soria, Peggy Badgett and I. We started at 6 AM sharp and went out on a south route toward Massbach. As I have mentioned, since I learned Skene Rd had been paved, I've wanted to get the bike out there. Skene Rd goes between Massbach Rd and Derinda Rd--the road delves deep into a valley, and then, naturally climbs just as dramatically back out.
Ok--you all know Andrew is an experienced cyclist who has logged many miles. His previous top speed was 46 mph. On Skene Rd, he hit 52.2!!! I hit 53. What a descent--unbelieveable and breathtaking. Speaking of breathtaking, then we had to climb back out to Derinda Rd. We took Hanover Rd on over to Hanover and then headed out Blackjack.
I had noticed a few roads had been seal coated over the past several years, and wanted to explore, and Peg and Andrew were game. After we climbed up Blackjack out of Hanover, we took Sawmill Rd to the N (I think--the roads do not go any particular direction out there as you know). After we dropped down into the valley, we took a left onto Rodden Rd, and this undulated threw a magnificent valley for quite a few miles.
Essentially we were riding in a valley between Blackjack and US Highway 20 toward Galena. Rodden Rd eventually breaks off to the north to meet US 20, and we continued toward Galena on Irish Hollow. Some of us have ridden a bit of the west end of Irish hollow in the past, but the east end is really spectacular. We followed it along and eventually it meets up with Blackjack about 2 miles from Galena, which we road on into town.
We hit the nice coffee shop that we tried last year, and once again, Andrew produced a smoked salmon from his bag--and they set him up with sandwich fixins, so he was set. Peggy and I ate the regulation turkey--we realize fish have feeling too.
The trip back was our usual favorite--Guilford--Rawlins (ugh), Schapville, Townsend, and then the grand finale--Aunt Binkley Hill. The consensus among todays riders was that Rawlins was the hill du jour as far as a climb--tougher than Binkley. and the descent du jour had to be Skene.
Total mileage was 70, and I have no idea how many feet we climbed (of course Andrew insisted we include a side trip up Gras Rd) At any rate, by the summit of Binkley, my hamstrings were on the verge of cramping up on me--I was glad to be done.
Peggy and Andrew were kind to not get too far ahead of me. I was on my old bike (Lightning P-38 recumbent), cause I was getting a little back pain last few days. Regarding Peggy--do not let her drink caffeinated beverages when you are riding with her--she had a latte in Galena, and Andrew and I paid all the way to Shapville, trying to keep her in sight.
I
promise to incorporate all these new roads into our one way trip to Galena on June 24. The plan is to ride to Galena from Freeport, then have our spouses drive out to pick us up and drive us back after we shower, hit the sports bar in Galena, and take them to dinner.
Hope you all had a great holiday.
Dennis
PS: Now I'm going to bed.
"I second everything Dennis said (except for the caffeine - I needed it!) - of course he kindly did not mention the fact that they had to wait on all of the downhills for me since I tend to hit the brakes, but towards the end of the ride I figured what the heck and gave the bike some rein.
Talk about truly beautiful scenery - we are incredibly lucky to bike this area. My favorite climb was Rawlins - that is such a fun hill, but they were all great. I am one tired girl, but did manage to get a horseback ride in, go to a party, and get some landscaping done after the ride. I'll be asleep by 9!
Dennis - if I can't ride Rawlins on the June ride, maybe I can go back uphill on Skene and catch up with you guys at a snack break. I'll have to drink some coffee BEFORE that ride!"
peggy
Well, three of us actually got up early to try a challenging ride from Stockton to Galena and back--Andrew Soria, Peggy Badgett and I. We started at 6 AM sharp and went out on a south route toward Massbach. As I have mentioned, since I learned Skene Rd had been paved, I've wanted to get the bike out there. Skene Rd goes between Massbach Rd and Derinda Rd--the road delves deep into a valley, and then, naturally climbs just as dramatically back out.
Ok--you all know Andrew is an experienced cyclist who has logged many miles. His previous top speed was 46 mph. On Skene Rd, he hit 52.2!!! I hit 53. What a descent--unbelieveable and breathtaking. Speaking of breathtaking, then we had to climb back out to Derinda Rd. We took Hanover Rd on over to Hanover and then headed out Blackjack.
I had noticed a few roads had been seal coated over the past several years, and wanted to explore, and Peg and Andrew were game. After we climbed up Blackjack out of Hanover, we took Sawmill Rd to the N (I think--the roads do not go any particular direction out there as you know). After we dropped down into the valley, we took a left onto Rodden Rd, and this undulated threw a magnificent valley for quite a few miles.
Essentially we were riding in a valley between Blackjack and US Highway 20 toward Galena. Rodden Rd eventually breaks off to the north to meet US 20, and we continued toward Galena on Irish Hollow. Some of us have ridden a bit of the west end of Irish hollow in the past, but the east end is really spectacular. We followed it along and eventually it meets up with Blackjack about 2 miles from Galena, which we road on into town.
We hit the nice coffee shop that we tried last year, and once again, Andrew produced a smoked salmon from his bag--and they set him up with sandwich fixins, so he was set. Peggy and I ate the regulation turkey--we realize fish have feeling too.
The trip back was our usual favorite--Guilford--Rawlins (ugh), Schapville, Townsend, and then the grand finale--Aunt Binkley Hill. The consensus among todays riders was that Rawlins was the hill du jour as far as a climb--tougher than Binkley. and the descent du jour had to be Skene.
Total mileage was 70, and I have no idea how many feet we climbed (of course Andrew insisted we include a side trip up Gras Rd) At any rate, by the summit of Binkley, my hamstrings were on the verge of cramping up on me--I was glad to be done.
Peggy and Andrew were kind to not get too far ahead of me. I was on my old bike (Lightning P-38 recumbent), cause I was getting a little back pain last few days. Regarding Peggy--do not let her drink caffeinated beverages when you are riding with her--she had a latte in Galena, and Andrew and I paid all the way to Shapville, trying to keep her in sight.
I
promise to incorporate all these new roads into our one way trip to Galena on June 24. The plan is to ride to Galena from Freeport, then have our spouses drive out to pick us up and drive us back after we shower, hit the sports bar in Galena, and take them to dinner.
Hope you all had a great holiday.
Dennis
PS: Now I'm going to bed.
"I second everything Dennis said (except for the caffeine - I needed it!) - of course he kindly did not mention the fact that they had to wait on all of the downhills for me since I tend to hit the brakes, but towards the end of the ride I figured what the heck and gave the bike some rein.
Talk about truly beautiful scenery - we are incredibly lucky to bike this area. My favorite climb was Rawlins - that is such a fun hill, but they were all great. I am one tired girl, but did manage to get a horseback ride in, go to a party, and get some landscaping done after the ride. I'll be asleep by 9!
Dennis - if I can't ride Rawlins on the June ride, maybe I can go back uphill on Skene and catch up with you guys at a snack break. I'll have to drink some coffee BEFORE that ride!"
peggy
Friday, June 1, 2007
Surreal Surly di Giuseppe
Joe Dadez, manager of Freeport Bicycle Company, recently purchased a surly looking Surly single speed bike for $30.
The bike came with weird olive paint, over Reynolds 631 tubing, dressed with cranberry colored crank and cranberry wheels. The splayed out handlebar drops were a relaxed yet aggressive touch.
But then, Joe dug through the parts bins at the shop and scrounged matching rosso colored V-brakes ($50) and cranberry handlebar tape ($12) plus new brake levers ($20), a leftover Bontrager saddle ($44), and a freewheel ($16.99).
The grand total for bike and adds is $172.99.
Now, Joe has a Surreal Surly-- a spindly Greek olive pitted with a dash of rust and garnished with a flash of florescent pimento.
Che bella bicicletta, Giuseppe! Bravo!!
For extra fun, check out Surly's website -- http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes.html
The bike came with weird olive paint, over Reynolds 631 tubing, dressed with cranberry colored crank and cranberry wheels. The splayed out handlebar drops were a relaxed yet aggressive touch.
But then, Joe dug through the parts bins at the shop and scrounged matching rosso colored V-brakes ($50) and cranberry handlebar tape ($12) plus new brake levers ($20), a leftover Bontrager saddle ($44), and a freewheel ($16.99).
The grand total for bike and adds is $172.99.
Now, Joe has a Surreal Surly-- a spindly Greek olive pitted with a dash of rust and garnished with a flash of florescent pimento.
Che bella bicicletta, Giuseppe! Bravo!!
For extra fun, check out Surly's website -- http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes.html
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