This Sunday is as good as it gets. “It’s tulip season again, and I’m oh so happy.”
Last week we had a bit of blackwater fever—much ado about something related to that murky paramilitary organization which operates a training facility for police SWAT teams deep in the undercover bowels of the Upper Left Hand Corner.
My instructions were not to spend too much time on the bicycle, as grandsons Luca and Massimo were in town. So, I decided to encircle the Blackwater Camp along a lovely hilly 25 mile loop which I will christen the “Twenty,” because the last and best climb is just past the 20 mile mark.
We start at the church just north of the Ville de Loran and head south through the Val de Loran then up a big hill towards Mount Carroll. At Meyers Road, we’ll turn north, and roll easily. The crabapple, tulip, and redbud trees pop out red, pink, and purple blossoms as we head over secluded hills and valleys past Skunk Hollow Road leading up to the training center. Why don’t they call it Skunk Hollow Camp and hang a set of whitetail horns over the entrance?
After a spectacular series of hills n dales, Meyers Road intersects with Route 78 which runs between Mount Carroll and Stockton. We turn right and head down a long hill into Heavenly Valley for about a mile where East Loran Road turns east up a nice gradual incline towards the “Twenty.”
Just past the 20 mile mark, the hill kicks up to around 20%-- well maybe 17%? I’ve learned not to place too much stock in my GPS when it comes to gauging the incline of these hills, but my legs felt like it was indeed “Twenty.” So that's where we'll leave it.
So after an hour and three quarters, we’re back in the Blazer and heading home to wrestle with Luca and Massi.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tube Tales - Gettin Gassed
At our Spring Banquet of the ChainLinkCyclists, I was asked to enlighten our fellow club mates on the advantages of carrying a couple small CO2 cartridges and a filler attachment instead of the tried and true traveling pump.
I was using my Bontrager regulator attachment, in the demonstration, which I thought only fit Presta valves. These are the smaller diameter stems found on most bicycle tubes today.
I noticed that we were not entirely successful in fully pressurizing our demonstration tire, and meanwhile, my fingers and palm were starting to get frost bite as we repeatedly released the gas from the cold cartridges.
During the demo, the most asked question from the audience was, “Do they make a cartridge filler attachment for a Schrader valve?” Now the Schrader valve is the one we all know when we fill our automobile tires with air. It has a larger diameter than the Presta.
I said I suspected that such things were on the market and referred my charges to Ron and Joe at the Freeport Bicycle Company table across the room.
Not a week later, while riding with Peggy Badgett out of Stockton, I got my answer.
As we descended into Apple Canyon Park, I blew a big hole in my new tube inside my new tire. After getting the bike under control and off on the shoulder, I reached into my kit and pulled forth my regulator and a CO2 cartridge in eager anticipation of showing my prowess at filling the new tube.
After expending two CO2 cartridges, the pressure was still so low that it would have been impossible to get back. Peggy was considering going on ahead to retrieve me in my Blazer. But, as an afterthought, she produced her very trusty pump, saying she did not like cold hands either. In no time, we had the tire up to pressure and continued on out of the park and over the Binkley Bonk into Stockton.
For all my trouble, Peggy bought chocolat milk shakes, and we reviewed the necessities of bicycle carryons.
On the drive back to the Freeport Bicycle Company, I was considering giving up on the CO2 system and getting a pump just like Peggy's. Joe replaced my exploded tube. He said he'd be happy to sell me a new pump, but suggested I use a Presta to Schrader adapter the next time I used my filler attachment. Opps! The missing component in my kit?
The following Tuesday afternoon, Jilly and I had a good laugh over this as we pushed through the grisley westerly wind at Bump n Jamb. She urged me share it on the blog.
So, si tutti, the regulator attachment does fit a Schrader valve. In fact, I have one along with my Presta adapter.
I was using my Bontrager regulator attachment, in the demonstration, which I thought only fit Presta valves. These are the smaller diameter stems found on most bicycle tubes today.
I noticed that we were not entirely successful in fully pressurizing our demonstration tire, and meanwhile, my fingers and palm were starting to get frost bite as we repeatedly released the gas from the cold cartridges.
During the demo, the most asked question from the audience was, “Do they make a cartridge filler attachment for a Schrader valve?” Now the Schrader valve is the one we all know when we fill our automobile tires with air. It has a larger diameter than the Presta.
I said I suspected that such things were on the market and referred my charges to Ron and Joe at the Freeport Bicycle Company table across the room.
Not a week later, while riding with Peggy Badgett out of Stockton, I got my answer.
As we descended into Apple Canyon Park, I blew a big hole in my new tube inside my new tire. After getting the bike under control and off on the shoulder, I reached into my kit and pulled forth my regulator and a CO2 cartridge in eager anticipation of showing my prowess at filling the new tube.
After expending two CO2 cartridges, the pressure was still so low that it would have been impossible to get back. Peggy was considering going on ahead to retrieve me in my Blazer. But, as an afterthought, she produced her very trusty pump, saying she did not like cold hands either. In no time, we had the tire up to pressure and continued on out of the park and over the Binkley Bonk into Stockton.
For all my trouble, Peggy bought chocolat milk shakes, and we reviewed the necessities of bicycle carryons.
On the drive back to the Freeport Bicycle Company, I was considering giving up on the CO2 system and getting a pump just like Peggy's. Joe replaced my exploded tube. He said he'd be happy to sell me a new pump, but suggested I use a Presta to Schrader adapter the next time I used my filler attachment. Opps! The missing component in my kit?
The following Tuesday afternoon, Jilly and I had a good laugh over this as we pushed through the grisley westerly wind at Bump n Jamb. She urged me share it on the blog.
So, si tutti, the regulator attachment does fit a Schrader valve. In fact, I have one along with my Presta adapter.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
MiddleMarch
The earth is still in browns, yet another mild March weekend holds the promise of greener times ahead. The hills beckon, and we are back out to Stockton with bike in Blazer.
This time, we’re on the cyclocross Las Cruces heading northwest out of town along gravel roads bypassing a big climb up Binkley and a relatively busy Canyon Park Road.
In layman’s directions, head north on Park Road, jog west on Binkley, and continue up Park Road and another jog west then northwest up to Townsend Road.
Once over the hill, we cross Canyon Park Road and continue west on Townsend Road which, wavy of surface, can be busy with vehicles to and from Apple Canyon Lake.
Finally, we drop into the valley across the Apple River. We ride to the stop sign at Scout Camp Road and climb north up Scout Camp to the first left which is Schapville Road. We sigh relief and shed impatient traffic on our way west to the hamlet Schapville.
March legs stiffen in the hills over two climbs before we arrive at a favorite Upper Left Hand village. Just past the church at the intersection of Stadel and Shapville Roads, we turn right on Mill Creek Road.
Now, we truly are free of the beaten path as we ride northwest over chip and gravel in the midst a lovely long valley along Mill Creek. The rock outcroppings and trees offer cool shade in Summer, but this is March, and the sunlight sparkles through the naked canopy as we ride easily in bucolic splendor. Last Fall, Peggy Badget, Dennis Robinson, and I celebrated Dennis’s birthday along this road on our way to New Diggings.
Too soon, we pop out at Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and turn left. Immediately, our legs awake to an arduous grade as we head south towards Elizabeth. Just past Shapville Road, we take the next left on Menzemmer Road and cruise southeast on a long descent.
At the intersection of Stadel Road, which leads back up to Schapville, we continue straight into the gravel on Menzemmer. Back on the chipped surface, it’s up the hill to Hoffman Road. We turn left on Hoffman and left again as it meets Goosehollow Road. Caution is advised on the descent into the corner before Hoffman intersects with Grebner Road.
Keeping the creek on our left, we ride south on the Grebner Gravel. We don’t turn left over the bridge at Salem Road but stay on Grebner until it curves left across the creek and climbs over the hill and the new bridge over the Apple River. At the stop sign, we turn left on Apple River Road and ride east to fork at Woodbine Road and thence up to Woodbine. Once there, it is the third right at Brown Road which crosses Highway 20 and heads south along the east side of the golf course.
At Center Road, we could turn left and ride straight back over to Stockton. But we’ll continue climbing up Brown Road until we reach Baugh Road. Then we’ll loop around Baugh to Eden Road back down to Center. The Las Cruces helps us explore beautiful hilly gravel roads like Baugh and Eden. The Maxxis cross tire on the back wheel grips the gravel over the rollers back east to Stockton.
This time, we’re on the cyclocross Las Cruces heading northwest out of town along gravel roads bypassing a big climb up Binkley and a relatively busy Canyon Park Road.
In layman’s directions, head north on Park Road, jog west on Binkley, and continue up Park Road and another jog west then northwest up to Townsend Road.
Once over the hill, we cross Canyon Park Road and continue west on Townsend Road which, wavy of surface, can be busy with vehicles to and from Apple Canyon Lake.
Finally, we drop into the valley across the Apple River. We ride to the stop sign at Scout Camp Road and climb north up Scout Camp to the first left which is Schapville Road. We sigh relief and shed impatient traffic on our way west to the hamlet Schapville.
March legs stiffen in the hills over two climbs before we arrive at a favorite Upper Left Hand village. Just past the church at the intersection of Stadel and Shapville Roads, we turn right on Mill Creek Road.
Now, we truly are free of the beaten path as we ride northwest over chip and gravel in the midst a lovely long valley along Mill Creek. The rock outcroppings and trees offer cool shade in Summer, but this is March, and the sunlight sparkles through the naked canopy as we ride easily in bucolic splendor. Last Fall, Peggy Badget, Dennis Robinson, and I celebrated Dennis’s birthday along this road on our way to New Diggings.
Too soon, we pop out at Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and turn left. Immediately, our legs awake to an arduous grade as we head south towards Elizabeth. Just past Shapville Road, we take the next left on Menzemmer Road and cruise southeast on a long descent.
At the intersection of Stadel Road, which leads back up to Schapville, we continue straight into the gravel on Menzemmer. Back on the chipped surface, it’s up the hill to Hoffman Road. We turn left on Hoffman and left again as it meets Goosehollow Road. Caution is advised on the descent into the corner before Hoffman intersects with Grebner Road.
Keeping the creek on our left, we ride south on the Grebner Gravel. We don’t turn left over the bridge at Salem Road but stay on Grebner until it curves left across the creek and climbs over the hill and the new bridge over the Apple River. At the stop sign, we turn left on Apple River Road and ride east to fork at Woodbine Road and thence up to Woodbine. Once there, it is the third right at Brown Road which crosses Highway 20 and heads south along the east side of the golf course.
At Center Road, we could turn left and ride straight back over to Stockton. But we’ll continue climbing up Brown Road until we reach Baugh Road. Then we’ll loop around Baugh to Eden Road back down to Center. The Las Cruces helps us explore beautiful hilly gravel roads like Baugh and Eden. The Maxxis cross tire on the back wheel grips the gravel over the rollers back east to Stockton.
March Encore!
It is nearly spring, and the oatmeal land could hide a deer or a Weimereiner relaxing in the warm dormant grass anticipating Spring. In March, our senses are magnetized with anticipation of the coming season. The pull to get outdoors is irresistible.
Here’s a special 35 miler to jump-start your cycling season. Unless you’ve put some miles under your legs, you may want to stay out of the big chain ring for the first 20 miles.
Our preference would be to stop at Karen’s in Stockton for lunch beforehand then hop on and head west on Front Avenue to Golf Road. Follow that south to Center Road which will take you west over to Massbach Road. Continue south to the next stop sign where Massbach turns right and west up your first climb.
Once over, you’ll find a couple of nice rollers as Massbach Road begins to head southwest along the preeminent scenic ridgeline in the Upper Left. Enjoy the open country as you head over to Bethel Road, then turn right and scream down Bethel into the valley which cradles Rush Creek.
Later in the season, you may be tempted to loop back up to Massbach Ridge on Gras Road, but this is March and no time for madness. So exercise patience, because our next climb is just ahead, as Bethel Road rises up to meet Brown Road and a big view of Terrapin Ridge.
Continue on Bethel down across Little Rush Creek towards another long climb up to Terrapin Ridge. At the stop sign, you’ll find Derinda Road as it intersects with US Route 20. Turn left, and ride south on Derinda Road. You’re heading over three long grades averaging about 9%. This is March and a perfect opportunity to build up your climbing legs and enjoy the smooth tarmac and wide rolling khaki hills wooded in sepia and burnt umber.
This time of year, you ride in the leafless trees full of light and the land beyond. From April through October, Derinda is among a favorite Upper Left road for folks with big bellowing “V-twin” chromatics between their legs. But we leg propelled have merely to endure a steady hiss of the warm southern wind in our ears.
Derinda Road becomes Ridge Road at a junction where we turn left over to Massbach. At last, the wind is in our sails as we turn left and head back along Massbach Ridge to Stockton. If you need to fill a water bottle, stop at the winery, and marvel that Peggy Harmston can turn water into Ridge Red.
Here’s a special 35 miler to jump-start your cycling season. Unless you’ve put some miles under your legs, you may want to stay out of the big chain ring for the first 20 miles.
Our preference would be to stop at Karen’s in Stockton for lunch beforehand then hop on and head west on Front Avenue to Golf Road. Follow that south to Center Road which will take you west over to Massbach Road. Continue south to the next stop sign where Massbach turns right and west up your first climb.
Once over, you’ll find a couple of nice rollers as Massbach Road begins to head southwest along the preeminent scenic ridgeline in the Upper Left. Enjoy the open country as you head over to Bethel Road, then turn right and scream down Bethel into the valley which cradles Rush Creek.
Later in the season, you may be tempted to loop back up to Massbach Ridge on Gras Road, but this is March and no time for madness. So exercise patience, because our next climb is just ahead, as Bethel Road rises up to meet Brown Road and a big view of Terrapin Ridge.
Continue on Bethel down across Little Rush Creek towards another long climb up to Terrapin Ridge. At the stop sign, you’ll find Derinda Road as it intersects with US Route 20. Turn left, and ride south on Derinda Road. You’re heading over three long grades averaging about 9%. This is March and a perfect opportunity to build up your climbing legs and enjoy the smooth tarmac and wide rolling khaki hills wooded in sepia and burnt umber.
This time of year, you ride in the leafless trees full of light and the land beyond. From April through October, Derinda is among a favorite Upper Left road for folks with big bellowing “V-twin” chromatics between their legs. But we leg propelled have merely to endure a steady hiss of the warm southern wind in our ears.
Derinda Road becomes Ridge Road at a junction where we turn left over to Massbach. At last, the wind is in our sails as we turn left and head back along Massbach Ridge to Stockton. If you need to fill a water bottle, stop at the winery, and marvel that Peggy Harmston can turn water into Ridge Red.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Promise
An azure Sunday Morning
Looking for cycling out of doors.
Legs willing, but spirit cautious
As I settle into a cold leather chair
Espresso in hand
And look out at the white field.
Certainly, the sun will warm this Sunday morning’s earth
And clear roads after Friday night’s snow.
But what if clouds drift over?
Each beginning of the cycling season
Holds promise and uncertainty.
This sunny Sunday morning, I’ll bask in the Promise.
With Promise clearly in mind, I loaded Salsa Las Cruces into my trusty Blazer, Ruby, and schemed my way over to Loran Valley via Mill Grove Road and Owl’s Glen.
I disembarked at the Loran Church and headed south then west on East Loran Road. It was time to ride over some hills.
Up until this morning, most of our rides have been along tame terrain. So this was the first grade test of the season, and it didn’t take long to feel the strain in legs and knees.
We had a short respite as we dropped into Heavenly Valley. Then we turned north on Route 78 and met “The Hawk.” The unyielding north wind drove in its talons, and I was forced into the small chain ring or seize up altogether.
But once in a rhythm, the promise of a good ride returned. Turning back east, I was delighted to be along Willow Road again. This is one of my favorite routes in the Upper Left Hand Corner. Today, “The Hawk” nearly spoiled our pleasant reunion as we approached the Willow United Methodist Church which hosts a “folksy” version of Woodstock each August. Check it out at willowfolkfestival.com.
It was total drudgery on the roll up to Airport Road, but now we were headed directly east. “The Hawk” released its talons and we flew away.
Our Sunday Promise realized, it was time to let the endorphins flow through our spirit and scheme more stories as the season progresses in the Upper Left Hand Corner.
Looking for cycling out of doors.
Legs willing, but spirit cautious
As I settle into a cold leather chair
Espresso in hand
And look out at the white field.
Certainly, the sun will warm this Sunday morning’s earth
And clear roads after Friday night’s snow.
But what if clouds drift over?
Each beginning of the cycling season
Holds promise and uncertainty.
This sunny Sunday morning, I’ll bask in the Promise.
With Promise clearly in mind, I loaded Salsa Las Cruces into my trusty Blazer, Ruby, and schemed my way over to Loran Valley via Mill Grove Road and Owl’s Glen.
I disembarked at the Loran Church and headed south then west on East Loran Road. It was time to ride over some hills.
Up until this morning, most of our rides have been along tame terrain. So this was the first grade test of the season, and it didn’t take long to feel the strain in legs and knees.
We had a short respite as we dropped into Heavenly Valley. Then we turned north on Route 78 and met “The Hawk.” The unyielding north wind drove in its talons, and I was forced into the small chain ring or seize up altogether.
But once in a rhythm, the promise of a good ride returned. Turning back east, I was delighted to be along Willow Road again. This is one of my favorite routes in the Upper Left Hand Corner. Today, “The Hawk” nearly spoiled our pleasant reunion as we approached the Willow United Methodist Church which hosts a “folksy” version of Woodstock each August. Check it out at willowfolkfestival.com.
It was total drudgery on the roll up to Airport Road, but now we were headed directly east. “The Hawk” released its talons and we flew away.
Our Sunday Promise realized, it was time to let the endorphins flow through our spirit and scheme more stories as the season progresses in the Upper Left Hand Corner.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Finally a February Thaw
I guess you could say Sunday, February 8th, was our first official “big outing” of the year.
January was pure winter freeze your face off with no hope of any window of opportunity to ride a bicycle out-of-doors. Thankfully, February opened with the promise of better cycling days to come. A few of the intrepid Andrew “Diet right” wannabees were ready and chompin at the peddles during the first week. Then came Saturday the 7th, and then Sunday at the ole HCC rendezvous!
We were the ChainLink Eleven -- Dennis, Bill, Marsha (We believe that was you underneath the black mask.), Steve, Bill, Paul, Richard, Dave, Chuck, Mike and Andrew with camera in tow for the group photo. Nice pic of the goofy cyclocross snow pile climber, Andrew.
We rolled out a nice leisurely early season pace down Pearl City Road to Van Brocklin. Once around the corner, friendly Sunday riders started falling off the back when a frisky fella on a recumbent challenged a couple uprights. Was that really a head wind? I was too busy gasping for air.
Our ChainLink Eleven cleaned Casey’s General Store out of all their coffee, cocoa, and other human propellants for the return trip. Now we really relished the wind at our backs. Marsha (Our Masked Lady) pulled us back to Freeport in good fashion.
Ahhh, Spring is just around the corner. Maybe.
January was pure winter freeze your face off with no hope of any window of opportunity to ride a bicycle out-of-doors. Thankfully, February opened with the promise of better cycling days to come. A few of the intrepid Andrew “Diet right” wannabees were ready and chompin at the peddles during the first week. Then came Saturday the 7th, and then Sunday at the ole HCC rendezvous!
We were the ChainLink Eleven -- Dennis, Bill, Marsha (We believe that was you underneath the black mask.), Steve, Bill, Paul, Richard, Dave, Chuck, Mike and Andrew with camera in tow for the group photo. Nice pic of the goofy cyclocross snow pile climber, Andrew.
We rolled out a nice leisurely early season pace down Pearl City Road to Van Brocklin. Once around the corner, friendly Sunday riders started falling off the back when a frisky fella on a recumbent challenged a couple uprights. Was that really a head wind? I was too busy gasping for air.
Our ChainLink Eleven cleaned Casey’s General Store out of all their coffee, cocoa, and other human propellants for the return trip. Now we really relished the wind at our backs. Marsha (Our Masked Lady) pulled us back to Freeport in good fashion.
Ahhh, Spring is just around the corner. Maybe.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Glories of Gravel and Old Steel Bridges
We are blessed with an abundance of paved scenic cycling roads in the Upper Left Hand Corner of Illinois. Many stretch south and west from the village of Stockton through Massbach, Mount Carroll, Savanna, and Hanover. They also extend west northwest through Woodbine, Schapville, Elizabeth, and Galena.
Stockton has been home base for my favorite playground this season as we continue to explore challenging roads in the company of fabulous scenery.
I had been riding my Salsa Las Cruces cyclocross bicycle on road tires, although this versatile bike’s standard kit calls for narrow knobby off road tires. In autumn color with the 2008 season drawing to a close, I felt it was time to strap on the knobbies and explore the roads less traveled.
On a mild November Saturday, we started in Stockton from Northwest Eyecare’s Clinic and rolled west to Golf Road and south to Center Road. Center goes gravel just past the north junction of Massbach Road. It wasn’t long before we’re in “driftless” country untouched by ice age glaciers and graced in bucolic splendor.
Before Woodbine, we turned southeast on Eden Road for a climb up Baugh Road. This road is a gem you won’t visit on road tires. Still with knobbies, the Salsa was challenged up steep gravel.
A cyclocross bicycle combines the lightness of a sporty road bike and approaches the terrain versatility of a mountain bike. The drop handlebars provide more comfortable hand positions, and the drivetrain is geared to gobble hills. My Salsa was built up by Ron Mattson at Freeport Bicycle Company who finished it off with beautiful set of tough DT Swiss wheels.
Riding in the forest along Baugh Road, you are treated to long views through the trees on either side. At the intersection of Baugh and Brown Roads, a grand panorama spreads out ahead. When riding over these ridgelines, The Cream’s Jack Bruce sings in my head, “She’s gone, but I don’t worry, cause I’m sittin on top of the world.”
We turned south on Brown Road then slid off the high ridge to Bethel Road and west into the valley. This is a long glide followed by a steady peddle up to Terrapin Ridge. My large chain ring has 48 teeth and mates well to long easy grades like this. But there’s feisty finale on the approach to Route 20 compelling Las Cruces’ lowest gear.
Once across busy Route 20, and over Terrapin Ridge, you’ll scream down Becker Road into the Apple River valley. Like the run up, the steep descent soon moderates and you'll cruise easily into the woods before arriving at Apple River Road. Here, we'll turn west up to Elizabeth over a crescendo of rollers.
The most direct way through Elizabeth is to turn right on Route 20, and follow that around the corner. Route 20 forks to the left, ride straight ahead on Main Street down Georgetown Road.
Georgetown Road shortcuts across Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and intersects with Longhollow Road. Along the way, you’ll traverse the Apple River on a rickety old “Pony Truss” steel bridge. This is one of the few remaining steel spans over the Apple River. It was built around 1890 to a length of 200 feet and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Sadly, this span is endangered, and its condition is ranked by Bridgehunter.com as follows: “Inspection (as of 03/2008) -- Deck condition rating: Fair (5 out of 9)--Superstructure condition rating: Critical (2 out of 9) -- Substructure condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9) --Appraisal: Structurally deficient -- Sufficiency rating: 14.6 (out of 100)”
We were cautious not to catch a tire in the split planks and avoid being pitched into the Apple River. Once across, we exhaled a sigh and headed out of the valley over Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and down Longhollow.
Just before the Equestrian Center, we turned right on Clark lane which climbs in spurts to a high ridge at the eastern edge of the Galena Territories. Clark Road continues over to Rawlins Road, but we turned right on Wachter Road and left on Morley Road to bypass the huge climb up Rawlins to Elizabeth Scales Mound.
Often, we have returned to Stockton across the ridge through Schapville. But today, our knobbies pointed Las Cruces down Menzemer Road in search of more gravel.
On our decent beneath Schapville, we followed Menzemer to Hoffman Road. Continuing south and east to Grebner Road we rolled south across a wide concrete deck which until recently was an old steel trussed bridge spanning the Apple River. Surely, as funding permits, these old bridges will disappear forever.
Back in the Vallee de la Pomme Riviere, we turned left on Apple River Road east into the gravel towards our second old bridge crossing. This 143 footer was also built in 1890 and is classified as a “Through Truss” design. Bridgehunter.com says the May 2006 inspection yielded similar dismal results. “Deck condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)-- Superstructure condition rating: Serious (3 out of 9)-- Substructure condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)-- Appraisal: Structurally deficient-- Sufficiency rating: 18.4 (out of 100).”
Before these old steel bridges head to the scrap yard, we’ll cross ourselves, light a candle to the Blessed Virgin, and ride happily over these delightful old spans.
Once over Old Steel, you may turn left and continue up Apple River Road to Scout Camp Road. But in search of new gravel, we went right on Welsh Road following that over to Scout Camp. From here, we jogged north on Scout Camp and continued east into a pretty valley on Welsh Road. Eventually, you emerge to a Tee at Logemann. Avoiding Route 20, turn left on Logemann and right on Townline back to Canyon Park Road. From there, it’s south to Binkley and over the Big Binkley Bonk back to Stockton.
Bridges, a Bonk, and a whole lot of gravel along the way. A cyclocross bike is a huge kick to ride as you explore the really rural roads in the Upper Left Hand Corner of Illinois. We increased our repertoire of routes and improved our riding skills. The Salsa Las Cruces has been a Really Outstanding Investment.
Stockton has been home base for my favorite playground this season as we continue to explore challenging roads in the company of fabulous scenery.
I had been riding my Salsa Las Cruces cyclocross bicycle on road tires, although this versatile bike’s standard kit calls for narrow knobby off road tires. In autumn color with the 2008 season drawing to a close, I felt it was time to strap on the knobbies and explore the roads less traveled.
On a mild November Saturday, we started in Stockton from Northwest Eyecare’s Clinic and rolled west to Golf Road and south to Center Road. Center goes gravel just past the north junction of Massbach Road. It wasn’t long before we’re in “driftless” country untouched by ice age glaciers and graced in bucolic splendor.
Before Woodbine, we turned southeast on Eden Road for a climb up Baugh Road. This road is a gem you won’t visit on road tires. Still with knobbies, the Salsa was challenged up steep gravel.
A cyclocross bicycle combines the lightness of a sporty road bike and approaches the terrain versatility of a mountain bike. The drop handlebars provide more comfortable hand positions, and the drivetrain is geared to gobble hills. My Salsa was built up by Ron Mattson at Freeport Bicycle Company who finished it off with beautiful set of tough DT Swiss wheels.
Riding in the forest along Baugh Road, you are treated to long views through the trees on either side. At the intersection of Baugh and Brown Roads, a grand panorama spreads out ahead. When riding over these ridgelines, The Cream’s Jack Bruce sings in my head, “She’s gone, but I don’t worry, cause I’m sittin on top of the world.”
We turned south on Brown Road then slid off the high ridge to Bethel Road and west into the valley. This is a long glide followed by a steady peddle up to Terrapin Ridge. My large chain ring has 48 teeth and mates well to long easy grades like this. But there’s feisty finale on the approach to Route 20 compelling Las Cruces’ lowest gear.
Once across busy Route 20, and over Terrapin Ridge, you’ll scream down Becker Road into the Apple River valley. Like the run up, the steep descent soon moderates and you'll cruise easily into the woods before arriving at Apple River Road. Here, we'll turn west up to Elizabeth over a crescendo of rollers.
The most direct way through Elizabeth is to turn right on Route 20, and follow that around the corner. Route 20 forks to the left, ride straight ahead on Main Street down Georgetown Road.
Georgetown Road shortcuts across Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and intersects with Longhollow Road. Along the way, you’ll traverse the Apple River on a rickety old “Pony Truss” steel bridge. This is one of the few remaining steel spans over the Apple River. It was built around 1890 to a length of 200 feet and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Sadly, this span is endangered, and its condition is ranked by Bridgehunter.com as follows: “Inspection (as of 03/2008) -- Deck condition rating: Fair (5 out of 9)--Superstructure condition rating: Critical (2 out of 9) -- Substructure condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9) --Appraisal: Structurally deficient -- Sufficiency rating: 14.6 (out of 100)”
We were cautious not to catch a tire in the split planks and avoid being pitched into the Apple River. Once across, we exhaled a sigh and headed out of the valley over Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and down Longhollow.
Just before the Equestrian Center, we turned right on Clark lane which climbs in spurts to a high ridge at the eastern edge of the Galena Territories. Clark Road continues over to Rawlins Road, but we turned right on Wachter Road and left on Morley Road to bypass the huge climb up Rawlins to Elizabeth Scales Mound.
Often, we have returned to Stockton across the ridge through Schapville. But today, our knobbies pointed Las Cruces down Menzemer Road in search of more gravel.
On our decent beneath Schapville, we followed Menzemer to Hoffman Road. Continuing south and east to Grebner Road we rolled south across a wide concrete deck which until recently was an old steel trussed bridge spanning the Apple River. Surely, as funding permits, these old bridges will disappear forever.
Back in the Vallee de la Pomme Riviere, we turned left on Apple River Road east into the gravel towards our second old bridge crossing. This 143 footer was also built in 1890 and is classified as a “Through Truss” design. Bridgehunter.com says the May 2006 inspection yielded similar dismal results. “Deck condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)-- Superstructure condition rating: Serious (3 out of 9)-- Substructure condition rating: Poor (4 out of 9)-- Appraisal: Structurally deficient-- Sufficiency rating: 18.4 (out of 100).”
Before these old steel bridges head to the scrap yard, we’ll cross ourselves, light a candle to the Blessed Virgin, and ride happily over these delightful old spans.
Once over Old Steel, you may turn left and continue up Apple River Road to Scout Camp Road. But in search of new gravel, we went right on Welsh Road following that over to Scout Camp. From here, we jogged north on Scout Camp and continued east into a pretty valley on Welsh Road. Eventually, you emerge to a Tee at Logemann. Avoiding Route 20, turn left on Logemann and right on Townline back to Canyon Park Road. From there, it’s south to Binkley and over the Big Binkley Bonk back to Stockton.
Bridges, a Bonk, and a whole lot of gravel along the way. A cyclocross bike is a huge kick to ride as you explore the really rural roads in the Upper Left Hand Corner of Illinois. We increased our repertoire of routes and improved our riding skills. The Salsa Las Cruces has been a Really Outstanding Investment.
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