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.
Scenery
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.
Drive Enjoyment
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.
Tourism Opportunities
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.
Motorcycle Road Additional info
- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
