2024 Route 66 East - Day 13

Lincoln, IL

Southern Illinois farm country

We started the day with a 0600 breakfast at Jubelts Restuarant and Bakery in Litchfield IL. Their French toast was made with fresh baked bread and was wonderful. Last nights accommodations were the worst of the trip. After breakfast I took another shower to wash off any potential residual from the motel and kitted up and we rolled out at 0815!

The ride forecast was for mostly clear skies, flat terrain, high temperatures of 90, with a tailwind that would get stronger as the day went on. We rolled out of the hotel and were clipping along at 20 mph without really trying!

The only thing that slowed us down were occasional stops to take a photo. As it worked out, with fields of corn and soybeans literally as far as the eye can see, silos and farm structures were among the most interesting landmarks in the morning!

Mary Shrine

Hail Mary Prayer meets Burma-Shave

Twelve miles into the ride the cue sheet noted a 1959 Shrine to Route 66 travelers near a blue silo. As the silo came into view, I saw the back side of what looked like a line of Burma-Shave signs. As I came around the first sign, I recognized the prayer and at the end of the signs was the Mary shrine. The shrine was erected to remind travelers of potential for serious accidents and offered a place to say a prayer for a safe journey. The shrine and signs are on the Marten Family farm and they have maintained it since 1959.

After about 12 more miles of frontage road riding, we happened on this sign in a soybean field. I have no idea what this means.

Our first SAG stop was 28 miles into the ride. At this point, historic Route 66 would no longer be the frontage road, it would be under the high speed lanes. From here to Springfield (18 miles) Lon again selected some quiet farm roads for us to get to Springfield.

This chip seal tarmac was as smooth as glass, and with the building tailwind we were moving right along!

I caught this group of tree Knomes in the corner of my eye, and decided to stop and check it out, of course I had to back track a couple of hundred meters because it took that long to slow down and turn around! 

Arriving in the outskirts of Springfield, we were treated to a great view of Lake Springfield.

An optional stop was the Lincoln museum a few blocks off route in Springfield. Everyone decided to check it out and we are glad we did. The exhibits include replicas and original artifacts that chronicled Lincolns life and times.

Reading in his boyhood log cabin

Lincolns son’s Willie and Tad going wild in his law office

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Modern day Tim Russert covers the 1860 Presidental Campaign

Lincolns cabinet in the White House

The staff at the museum were curious about a bunch of cyclists wandering around the museum, but were very welcoming! We stopped at the Home Style Café for lunch in Springfield before leaving town and heading back into farm country.

Back on the road, we still enjoyed a strong tailwind, but the temperatures were in the 90’s. There was a 1.5 mile spur of Historic Route 66 that was an option, this huge row of silos was on that loop.

The spur ended on Main Street in Williamsville. This World War I memorial was in the main square.

Restored Texaco station on the optional route through Williamsville. Six miles down the road was the town of Elkhart Station. The cue sheet said there was a good restaurant for pie in town. A number of riders were there on the sidewalk, but the restaurant just closed and we missed out.

Amadae behind the bar

Across the street was the Elkhart Station General Store. I was out of water and needed a refill. There was a beer sign in the window, so I figured there would be a bar and there was. Amadae was behind the bar and was happy to fill my bottles with ice and water. I asked her if the beer on tap was a store brew. She said they were Illinois Micro Brews, not affiliated with the store. But the ‘Stiffy’s Hard Cider’ was brewed by the owners of the store! I asked her for a taste and she poured a shot glass and I tried it.

Logan in my helmet

It was delicious. I decided to order a small glass and take a break from the heat. It turns out that Amadae actually works in marketing for the store owners (they own several properties including additional stores, restaurants, and a vineyard). She was filling in today so the store manager could take some vacation time. While I was enjoying my cider, Logan came in and Amadae served him an ice water. He wanted to learn about how my cycling shoes worked and wanted to try on my helmet! It was a great stop, but I still had 15 miles to get to the finish town of Lincoln, so I finished my cider and headed out.

Restored service station in Lincoln IL

Too bad this place was 5 miles from the hotel

This is Old Postville Courthouse where Lincoln attended court twice a year. Actually, it’s a replica. The original was bought by Henry Ford for $8,000 in August 1929. He had the building dismantled and moved to his new Greenfield Village in Dearborn Michigan where it was restored. The restored courthouse reopened to the public on October 29, 1929 during the grand opening of Greenfield Village.

One more route option, I rode a few blocks to the Lincoln courthouse. A demonstration was going on. The folks in green shirts are protesting the proposed shutdown of Logan C.C. I had seen yard signs all over the route saying ‘Keep Logan C.C. In Logan County.’ The C.C. Stands for correctional center and the protesters are union members that work at the facility or other supporters to keep the prison open!

With all my side trips today, I again was last to arrive at the hotel, a nice new Comfort Inn that feels like the Ritz compared to last nights accommodations!

Early start tomorrow and an 18 mile ride to breakfast at Famous Dixie Truckers Home. It will be time to make a deposit into the wind account, as the forecast is for headwinds nearly as strong as today’s tailwind.

Load and leave at 0715!

Day 14