Illinois Joyride - Wisconsin Aggravation

Overlooking the Pecatonica River
at the start of the Jane Addams Trail.
Freeport, Illinois 7/7/19 dwm photo

Since we moved back to Wisconsin seven years ago - I've been looking forward to a two-state trail ride.

For mine, I was dropped off in downtown Freeport, Illinois at the start of the Jane Addams trail.

If you don't know about Jane Addams, I suggest checking her biography here.

She grew up not far from the trail (it was a railroad line in her lifetime) in the small community of Cedarville.  From there, she ultimately earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, the first American woman to receive that honor.

Back to the trail...

Less than a half-mile from the trail head, I recommend stopping for at least a few minutes at the site of the second Lincoln - Douglas debate.  There is an abundance of information and a statue commemorating the exchange which put Lincoln in the spotlight for the first time.

On an elevated platform, Lincoln (seated left, hat on ground)
and Douglas sparred in front of a large crowd. 7/7/19 (dwm)

At the time, state legislatures chose the state's representative in the United States Senate.  Democrats held the majority, so Douglas won the seat in 1858.  Two years later, Lincoln became President.

The seven Lincoln - Douglas debates centered on slavery (despite Illinois' status as a free state) and received a great deal of national attention.

Downtown, the trail runs on existing streets and sidewalk, but is fairly well-marked (follow green Bike Route signs).

Most of the 17 miles of the Addams
trail are tree-lined. 7/7/19 (dwm)

After passing downtown residential neighborhoods, the trail crosses a very old iron bridge and through an industrial area before coming out near the Pecatonica River and farm fields.

Four miles from the start, the trail joins the old rail line.

In several places, you can see where workers on the original railroad dug and exploded rock so the track could be laid on level ground.

While crossing existing roads, I noticed remnants of rail peeking from the edges of the asphalt before disappearing under the trail.

The trail is packed dirt along the former tracks and in good shape for use by walkers and bicyclists.  The shade was welcome on a sunny day.  Dappled sunshine requires extra attention, because shadows can hide potholes, watch out!

Locals turned a century old dairy barn into the Orangeville
Covered Bridge, which carries riders over a small stream
in the middle of wetlands.  7/7/2019 dwm photo

  Orangeville is the last community in Illinois on the way north.  It was also the only one I noticed with a handy place to stop.

Less than a mile north of the Orangeville bridge, a gas station sits five hundred feet west of the trail where it serves local residents and passers-by on busy Illinois Highway 26.

I re-filled my water bottle, bought a Milky Way bar, and a small pack of peanut butter and crackers to refuel.

From there it was less than three miles to the Wisconsin border.

No signs were necessary to mark the state line.  The Illinois side of the trail is well-maintained.  The Wisconsin trail welcomes riders with foot high weeds and grass - leaving two wheel paths on either side of the path.

A four-lane stretch of Wisconsin Hwy 69 on the north side
of Monroe.  It was the bike trail on this trip. 7/7/19 (dwm)

After a half-mile of that, I came to the very tiny town of Clarno.  I crossed their main street, raced a Woodchuck up his wheel path while I rode mine, until I downed tree stopped me.

It's been stormy recently, so the downed tree wasn't as upsetting as the overall condition of the trail.

Wisconsin boasts to citizens and guests how great the outdoors are in America's Dairyland, but has recently been reluctant to maintain what we have.

It's been several years since I've been on the south half of the Badger State Trail because of conditions, but it wasn't as neglected as this.  It was aggravating and very disappointing.  I believe most bikers who buy their annual trail pass would be glad to pay more if it meant better trails.

I returned to Clarno and headed west, where I eventually ran into state highway 69.  Traffic was moving at 55 or better, but with a bike lane (three feet right of the solid white line) I felt pretty good and the highway provided the hills I was missing on the trail.

The hills slowed me enough, that I arranged for a pick-up 20 miles from home.  This trip was just 37 miles - a victim of pathetic Wisconsin Bike Trail Maintenance and not starting the ride until afternoon.