Overall Route Rating
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4.05 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.05
24 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Dec 31, 2006

Rider Reviews

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Johnwing
2 McR Points
May 27, 2019
I just did this ride last weekend. It is a…
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Tortured_in_the_815
4 McR Points
July 6, 2016
The ride is scenic and travels along river for…
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Written Directions

The route is very easy to find and follow. Just take SR-2 south out of Rockford, IL and stay on SR-2 all the way down to the motorcycle road's end point of Dixon, IL.

Scenery

A wonderful example of "small town Midwest" coupled with beautiful shots of nature as the route hugs the Rock River. Rock River features sections of rock formations and ravines. A statue of Chief Blawkhawk sits high on the bluff overlooking the waterway.

Drive Enjoyment

Mostly a two-lane route with some turns along the way, predominantly where route 2 hugs the banks of the river...WATCH for wildlife on the road!!

Tourism Opportunities

There are many little small towns along the way, I recommend stopping in Oregon and grabbing a sandwich at The Cheese Shop in Conover Square. There is a beautiful camp/conference center run by the Presbyterian Church called Stronghold Center, home of the Walter Strong Castle!!!! Along this route you will also pass by two state parks - Lowden State Park and Castle Rock State Park.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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Guest
February 7, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
I've rode that to Rockfalls and back a few times. Best in the fall when the season is changing. Breakfast in Byron lunch in rockfalls, and back to Bings on south main for dinner.
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daniel.caspers
July 29, 2017
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
Pros:
Route is very pretty green with lots of shade. I was nice and cool even in a perforated leather jacket on an 80 F day. Mostly flat terrain, but nice long sweeping corners around the river banks. One deviation I recommend is if you do this as an "out and back" (I did from Chicago area), then consider going on the east bank between Oregon and Byron (they have a drag strip over there if you are so inclined).

Cons:
Northbound route is definitely rougher road.

Will most likely be doing it again! Well worth the day trip out from Chicago.
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Andrew ONeal
January 15, 2020
30 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Definitely one of the better rides in Northern Illinois. Scenic. Relaxing. I think the riding out by Galena is actually a little more interesting and challenging than this, but this is still a really good ride. I rode this route in 2018 and Hwy. 2 was under construction from Dixon to Oregon. So I only got to ride from Oregon to Rockford along the river. Then turned around and came back down to Oregon on the east side of the river. It was a good ride. Recommend.
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