We rolled out of the Willowbrook hotel at 0645 and started our 20 mile ride into downtown Chicago for breakfast and to reach the end of Route 66.
Even though we were on city streets, we knew we were on the route because of the brown Historic Route 66 signs along the way.
Just a few miles into the ride we spotted this Muffler Man on the roof of this BBQ/Bar/Cigar lounge holding a chicken wing and a bottle of Tabasco sauce. Too bad it was so early, and we were on a schedule, it looked like a great place to stop!
The skyline comes into view
Route 66 also goes through this narrow street with townhouses on either side. It was a tunnel of green, and the homes were all immaculate, and we wondered how many millions it would take to acquire one!
Mike leading the way
Breakfast was at the world famous Lou Mitchells. It was packed on a Sunday morning, but they lined up a long table for our group. One last ham and cheese omelette for me thank you!
We had one mile of city riding to reach the official east end of Route 66 at Michigan Avenue. Any further and we would be in Lake Michigan!
With Route 66 complete, we still had another 20 miles of riding to get to the Holiday Inn in Niles IL. That is where the van and our bike boxes would meet us. Bryon, a PACTour veteran, and local resident took delivery of our bike boxes that we shipped from Amarillo. In addition to that, he guided our group through a great network of quiet roads and beautiful bike lanes along the North Shore.
Relaxing with Conner on the Navy Pier
Rolling along the North Shore
The story behind this totem pole is interesting. Byron’s grandfather was the chief engineer for Lincoln Park. His grandfather told him the pole was found on the grounds during survey work when the park was designed. Years later, Byron’s great Uncle revealed the real story. It was found in a tool shed, but it was determined to be authentic and was installed!
Shaded bike trails near the finish hotel
We rolled into the hotel about noon and everyone started heading off in all directions. I packed the bike, took a shower and headed to the airport. Byron insisted on taking Greg and I to O’Hare and dropped us off at the terminal. I was able to standby on an earlier flight and am about to board!
It was a great trip and I hope that you enjoyed following along.
We rolled out of the hotel at 0630 for the12 mile run to breakfast. Today’s 88 mile ride could be looked at in 3 segments. The first was classic rural Route 66 riding. As Route 66 gets closer to Chicago, traffic and rough roads dictated a change of routes. The second segment was 20+ miles of gravel riding through the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and Wauponsee Glacial Trail. Lastly, we followed the Illinois and Michigan canal trail most of the remainder of the ride to the Chicago suburb of Willowbrook.
It was a fantastic day of riding, let’s get started on Route 66! We alternated between new and old 4 lane Route 66 and some sections of 1926 2 lane when looping into small towns bypassed by the 1940 4 lane alignment.
There was an old grain silo at the Cayuga turnoff. I pulled off to get a picture, but the lighting was not right so I rolled around to the sunny side of the building. I could see the light shining through an opening and lined up for a photo. Then I noticed an old buckboard wagon inside so I went in to check it out!
Back on the 4 lane, and for much of the day, except the ride through the prairie, our route would follow rail lines!
We pulled off the 4 lane Route 66 onto a 1926 historic alignment leading to Odell. On the edge of town we stopped at this restored service station. Mike was looking for a geo-cache but did not find it.
Just before we arrived at a cafe on Main Street, we found this remnant of an underground pedestrian underpass. This was right across from a Catholic Church.
After another great breakfast, we rolled through the tiny town of Odell. Often on the 1926 alignment, Route 66 would go right through residential neighborhoods.
I had been hoping to catch a photo of an Amtrak, but by the time I would see or hear it, it was gone. Leaving Odell the crossing bells were clanging and in the distance I could see a train approaching, so I stopped to take a video!
Back on the two-lane headed into Dwight I caught up with the lead group. We formed up a nice pace line and covered the next segment at 18-20 miles an hour!
I was taking a long pull at the front as we rolled into Braidwood. The Polk-A-Dot Drive-In was on the left side of the road, and I noticed an Elvis statue there so I motioned that I would be stopping for a photo and the whole group pulled in. There must have been at least a dozen statues, so I joined Jake and Elwood for a photo!
Kankakee River
The next town was Wilmington, and we were looking forward to milk shakes and the Gemini Man muffler man. Well, the shake stand was closed and Gemini Man is in the process of being moved and was MIA! I didn’t want to wait for it to open so I rolled out off the front of the group. At least there was another cool house, right on Route 66!
I arrived at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and found the pedestrian gate to go inside. The crushed gravel path was in perfect condition, and I rolled on comfortably looking for bison that inhabit the preserve.
There was a section of the gravel trail that was closed. A temporary detour was in place, and while easy to follow, it was mowed, but very rough clumpy Tallgrass.
Back on the trail, it was back to high speed gravel riding. I had passed an E-biker and I heard someone coming behind me, and thought it was them. No, it was Craig and Brandt hammering away on their gravel bikes with big smiles on their faces.
Craig still loving the route!
We rode together and went a little off route to catch a photo of the Chicagoland Speedway. We picked up the Wauponsee Glacial gravel trail that led to the next SAG stop in a park in Joliet.
Remains of a canal lock
After a leisurely stop enjoying the shady grass in the park, we mounted up and headed out for the last segment of the day, bike trails following the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
We stopped in Lockport for a nice lunch at a restaurant right on the canal. After weeks of Route 66 road food, this 1/2 wedge salad was delightful!
We continued on the bike path, and as we got closer to Chicago, the surrounding area became very industrial!
Mike rolls through the construction zone!
Just a couple of miles from Willowbrook, we rode the frontage road of I-55, which sits on top of Old Route 66! There was a closed section under construction, but there was no work going this Saturday afternoon so we rode through.
Nearly there!
We pulled into the hotel in Willowbrook about 3:30 pm and set about the normal routine of cleaning bike, body and kit. There is a Catholic Church nearby so I caught the vigil Mass and Ubered to the Dell Rhea Chicken Basket and caught up with the group just as dinner arrived!
The ‘Traditional Half Chicken Dinner’
Group shot after dinner!
I can’t believe that tomorrow our journey will end at the beginning of the Mother Road in downtown Chicago. We’ll get breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant downtown then head north to Niles IL to pack the bikes, clean up, and then head to the airport!
0600 Coffee in the lobby, load and ride at 0645 for the 19 mile ride to breakfast.
The Bunyan muffler man, also known as Tall Paul and Hot Dog Man, stands in Atlanta, IL. About 13 miles from this morning’s start, we’ll get to his story, but first we need to get there.
I rolled out off the back of the pack into a strong headwind and decided this would be a good morning to find a pace line. Luckily the front of the group was held up at a couple of traffic lights and I was able to bridge up and tag onto the back of the group. Rich was on the front and pulling at a great pace. I was last in line, 7th wheel. Rich didn’t want any help and pulled all 12 miles to Atlanta. When we got off the main highway to a secondary road I motored up the pace line and recorded this video.
Entering Downtown Atlanta, IL
Lon was waiting with the van on Main Street across from the Bunyan muffler man. The Hot Dog muffler man was built in 1965 and was stationed in Cicero (near Chicago) on Route 66 at Hamlet Stephen’s drive-in restaurant. In 2002 Hamlet retired and sold the restaurant. Several towns along Route 66 vied to adopt Bunyan. Atlanta agreed to display him on Main Street and they were selected. He was bolted in place in late 2003 and he has been there ever since.
Happy Half-Wit
Texaco Big Friend
Earlier this year, Texaco Big Friend was resurrected! He formerly was Home Giant, of Valley Homes in Nevada. In 2013 Valley Homes folded and he ended up in a scrap heap. He was shipped in pieces to Illinois for restoration and stands today in Atlanta, IL with Happy Half-Wit at the American Giants Museum. It was closed, so we continued on to breakfast.
We had a great breakfast at the Dixie Truckers Home restaurant. The only problem with a pace line is that a great deal of focus is required to keep pace and stay safe. Not good for looking around and stopping or taking photos, so I dropped off and rode at my own pace.
Just a few miles later we arrived at Funks Grove for Pure Maple Sirup. That’s not a misprint, when fruit juice is added to boiled sap, it becomes syrup. Technically, the pure substance should be spelled with an ‘i,’ at least according to a sign in the store. No matter how you spell it, it was delicious and I bought a small bottle to take home!
The road to Bloomington was on old Route 66 and a nice bike path was added!
Time to catch up with Honest Abe outside the courthouse in Bloomington IL.
Under the courthouse was a Route 66 museum and visitor information center. Brandt and I arrived about the same time and watched a film of a retired Illinois State Trooper talking about his experience patrolling the mother road. He was not the same guy we heard from in Litchfield a few days ago.
The original Route 66 goes right through Illinois State University and the surrounding residential area!
Restored gas station now sits in a residential area at the edge of Bloomington.
Normal is the next town and borders on Bloomington. Here some of the original 1926 pavement disappears into a viaduct!
Great bike path outside Normal!
This sign describes a dangerous curve just 400 feet north of this sign. It was a sharp 90 degree curve that was only 18 feet wide. It gained its name mostly by travelers coming from Chicago traveling at high speed, and not expecting the sharp turn.
The 4 lane Route 66 was constructed in the early 1950’s and Deadman’s Curve was no longer used. Today only 2 of the 4 lanes are in service, so we were able to ride on many sections of abandoned pavement.
Next stop was Lexington. Within a mile or two, there is original Route 66 pavement from 1926, the 4 lane Route 66 from the 1950s, and I-55 which carries the traffic today.
This section of 1926 pavement even has restored billboards along the way!
Lunch was mile 60 at the Chennai Family Restaurant. A bunch of riders were just finishing lunch when I dropped in. A few minutes later Craig rolled in and our food arrived as the rest of the crew headed out.
We finished our lunch and headed out for the final 13 miles to the Pontiac. Since the traffic on Route 66 was heavy, Lon again routed us on a super smooth low traffic farm road. It was still super windy, but Craig and I worked together and we got it done!
A neat farm just outside of Pontiac, our stop for the night. We rolled into the motel and put this one in the books. We were both feeling the effects of an all-day headwind!
Long one tomorrow, 88 miles to the outskirts of Chicago. Early start tomorrow, 0630 load and go, breakfast 12 miles into the ride at Odell West Cafe!
