Overall Route Rating
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3.95 out of 5 Rider Rating 3.95
19 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Aug 31, 2004

Rider Reviews

VulcanDan
129 McR Points
April 26, 2012
Any time I go to Starved Rock, I always take 34 (…
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nsgf
10 McR Points
April 14, 2017
Great open road down to Starved Rock and great…
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Written Directions

You can start off in Oswego Illinois. Pick up 71 south at Route 34 (Ogden Avenue) and take it all the way south until you enter Starved Rock State Park. 71 turns twice in Ottawa, so make sure to follow the signs.

Scenery

Ride some low-congestion two-lane blacktop and get away from the city congestion. You'll see many farms, an ultralite airfield, a competition go-cart track and a beautiful state park.

Drive Enjoyment

This route is mostly flat, straight 2-lane road from Oswego until Ottawa. After Ottawa, the road turns twisty for a few miles before entering beautiful Starved Rock State Park.Be careful in the twisties if you've never ridden them before. In IL they are rare and newer riders should take it easy!

Tourism Opportunities

You pass a few gas stations along the way as well as some good small town restaurants. The restaurant next to the Amoco has some good inexpensive food.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

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

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Share Your Comments ( 19 )
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VulcanDan
April 26, 2012
129 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Any time I go to Starved Rock, I always take 34 (Ogden) to 71 straight to the park, whether in the car or on the bike. I am one for local highways over the interstates. It's a relaxing ride. Great road to clear your head. Plenty of scenery in the form of farms. Not very twisty and slightly hilly the farther South you go. You'll get plenty of motorcycle waves when traveling this road as a lot of motorcyclists use it. Some days there will be more traffic than others, but never congested. Plenty of places to stop for gas with stations not being more than a dozen miles apart. Stop at the downed airplane monument. It's always worth a photo. As soon as I submit this, I'm going to jump on the bike and ride it again.
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nsgf
April 14, 2017
10 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
Great open road down to Starved Rock and great twisties on 71 closer to the park. Careful on the turns if you're new or they'll bite you in the ass
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TroubleMaker
April 16, 2016
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Nice Run. Hilly, with lots of turns close to the park. Saw some kid lay his racing bike down on one of the turns, and take out a mailbox. He was ok (thankfully)... so just a reminder, take it slow on those turns! Lots of construction and congestion in Oswego (start of the trip), might be better to avoid 34/71 interchange... maybe come north down Orchard. But after Oswego, it's a beautiful ride! Enjoy!
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