We
mapped out this route to get us up to the Peoria Grand National
TT race without saddle time on the interstates. The slower
pace allows a rider to appreciate the small towns and surrounding
farmland typical of this central Illinois area.
Motorcycle
Road Quality:
As
the joke goes -Deals Gap: 311 curves in 11 miles... Illinois:
11 curves in 311 miles... Sad but (sort of) true. Hey, it
comes with the territory! It's flat around here. There is
one tightly banked "Tail-of-the-Dragon" like S-curve west
of Elwin! As Illinois roads go, this route is good. Rt.
121 from Decatur to Lincoln is silky smooth with nary a
patch or spine numbing seam.
Motorcycle
Roadside Amenities:
Let's
see, here's what I remember along the way from Charleston
to Peoria:
1) The Old School House in Sullivan (located on Rt. 121
at one of the two traffic lights in Moultrie County). Great
Amish buffet with crafts to keep those on a diet occupied
while the rest of us eat!
2) The Korn Krib (Sp?) on the east edge of Latham on Rt.
121. At 55 mph it appeared to be a restaurant housed within
a couple of small corn cribs.
3) Lincoln has an assortment of eateries, gas stations,
etc.
4) There's an old-fashioned drive up root beer stand in
Pekin on Rt. 29 a couple of miles south of the Rt. 9 intersection.
Free root beer refills and tasty burgers. 5) If you need
fuel before you get to the Peoria Motor Cycle Club, and
you just crossed the Illinois River on Rt. 9, fill 'em up
at the corner of Rt. 9 and Rt. 24. It's the last place available
before you get to the track.
Directions:
Written
directions:
From
Mattoon,
IL take Rt 121 North to the town of Mt. Zion.
Continue on Rt 121 up to Lincoln and then get on
Rt 10 heading west (take a left) for just about
5 miles when you will need to switch to Rt 22 heading
north (take a right). Take Rt 22 for about 10 miles
and then take US highway 136 west (take a left)
for about 8 miles and then take a right on Rt 29
(head north) near the town of Allen. Take Rt 29
north all the way up to Pekin. Look for Rt 9 and
take that west (take a left) and cross the Illinois
River until Rt 9 T's into US 24 where you will want
to take a left (head southwest) for about 2 miles
and take a right on to S. Cameron Lane (head north)
… take this all the way to the final destination
the Peoria Motorcycle
Club at 603
S Cameron Ln, Peoria, IL.
Additional
Information:
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