I live about 260 miles southeast of Savannah, IL. I have always wanted to go up there and ride along the river and see a part of IL I have not visited before. I decided today was the day.

Everything went great until I got to Peoria. Light rain started so I suited up and pushed forward. I was on track to be in Savannah before noon. Rain picked up and made visibility very poor. I stopped and took another look at the radar map. It was getting worse and worse in the direction I was headed so I decided better safe than sorry and headed back south.

Ended up being a rather boring 300 mile ride instead of a great 600 mile ride that I was looking forward to, but it still beat working today.

Maybe next time it will work out better.

Dennis

 

What part of Illinois you from? I'm downstate South of Mt. Vernon in the town of West Frankfort. Just started raining here just as the ol lady and I put mine to bed for the night ( time to take her dancing).

 

I am just north of Vandalia. I should've headed your way instead of north this morning and I could've got a good day of riding in.

Dennis

 

Look at the bright side...Alot of great weather left!! Savanna is very nice,
Make sure you check out Poopy's(Best at night) also Iron Horse Saloon(Great just stop in anytime for a cool one...Small and gets packed..Just walk to the back and check out the old bike museum)Also the Mississippi Palacades (sp) State park.Short but a nice ride.If you can make it to Galena its worth the ride!!Nice old historic town!!Im looking to head that way soon... Also Poopy's has free,Bike only camping.Free firewood and nice clean bathrooms and showers... :-)
Also GREAT roads that way....

 

Your destinations were on my list today, it will happen again another day or better yet, another weekend.

It wasn't as bad for me as a fellow biker I visited with at a gas station across from the Para Dice casino in Peoria.

His home town was on my route going home, but he was only about 100 miles from home vs. my 150. He had gone to the casino yesterday and planned on returning home last night. He got a room comp and decided to stay the night. He was headed my direction without rain gear or a fairing the same time I was leaving.

I told him I was using gps to avoid interstate travel and he was welcome to follow me to his home, but he decided quicker was better. I hope he made it home safe. I didn't like my chances on the superslab with almost no visibility.

Rain let up drastically once I got south of Peoria. The rest of the ride home was on wet roads, but no visibility issues.

Dennis

 

Rain is part of the game. I have done several 2500 plus road trips and have never been rain free. Here in South Florida if your gonna ride in the summer your gonna ride in the rain. Get some good rain gear and ride!

 

Several of us are riding down to Lambert's Café ( Home of the Throwed Rolls) Sunday. Planning on 149 to Route 3, then down to Cairo, Il., cross the old bridge on 60-62 and ride it into Sikeston, Mo. and Lamberts. Short day ride, but it's going to be in the 50's early and only warm up to upper 70's low 80's so will make for a very enjoyable ride.

 

Been there a few times. Not for awhile though. I always take IL 40 from Sterling to Mt Carroll, then US 52 into Savannah.

In Savanna, there is a county highway called Scenic Ridge Road. Kind of tricky to find, starts on the north side of town. It's a good road, asphalt, and a better ride than the river road imo. You can see for miles on a good day. It brings you out on US 20, which takes you into Galena.

 

I do have good rain gear. I stayed dry, like always. I will ride through a rain, especially to get to a destination, but when it is raining so hard I have little or no visibility, it's time for me to stop.

Dennis

 

Thanks for this info. My nephew is staying with me this week, so I won't be doing any day trips, but maybe next week. I do plan to get up there before winter.


Dennis