Hillsboro, IL loop

[alma1992]

Here's a ride that starts/ends in Hillsboro. It has mostly tar & chip, some dirt, gravel and a creek crossing. Should be plenty muddy after our recent rains!

[rhino_adv]

I have had this gps file loaded in my garmin for a couple years now and finely found time to ride it.
This past friday (28September2012) I met up with JAKE BRAKE at the McDonalds in McLean, Illinois and headed south towards Hillsboro. The temp was in the mid 50s as we left but rose to the low 70 by mid afternoon with mostly sunny skys.
We picked up the track (originaly a route I converted to track) just east of Hillsboro and headed east riding the track clockwise.
A week earlier I was looking at the area in Google Earth I found an old pony truss bridge less than a mile off the track and re-routed towards it to take a look and snap a couple of photos.





We followed the gravel road east hopeing to reconnect with the original track in a few minutes only to find out why this was not included originally. The road turns to grass and dirt/mud then turns north and runs up to a farmstead with no access to a road.



So,...we turned around and backtracked to where we left the track.

Here is a video clip of part of the ride back (click image)........



A small wooden bridge......



Several roads like this........



It had rained recently and the dirt roads were somewhat muddy. Click on images to view more video........





More gravel.......



More old bridges......





And a very nice water crossing (click image).....



Just a few miles beyond the water crossing the gps track turns north onto a road with a signs that says DEAD END. DO NOT pay attention to the sign!!! This road is several miles of gravel/dirt/grass and is the highlight of the ride. I have no video/photos of this because I did not get the gopro turned on I assume because my gloved fingers did not get a solid push on the start button.

alma1992 did a great job laying out this ride and I would recomend it to anyone not afraid of a little mud.
The gpx file can be downloaded from the first post in this thread.

Brad

[alma1992]

If you're referring to Bended Trail, then yes. It's the best road in the area. The DEAD END sign must be new. They were doing maintenance on the road last year, but no sign.
Here are some pics from awhile back.











I'm glad you enjoyed the ride.

[rustynut2]

Did this ride over the hot summer days and enjoyed it much. There was a section of rutted up dirt/jeep tracks that would not be fun when its wet. Nice little track.

[rhino_adv]

Originally Posted by alma1992

If you're referring to Bended Trail, then yes. It's the best road in the area. The DEAD END sign must be new. They were doing maintenance on the road last year, but no sign.
Here are some pics from awhile back.











I'm glad you enjoyed the ride.

Yes, that looks like the road.
Thanks for sharing the gps file with us all!!


Brad