Southern Illinois Gravel Bike Ride 2020

In late November of 2020 I was finally able to go for a long (3 day) bike ride. In order to stay as far away from people as possible I rode on mostly gravel roads in southern Illinois. If you want a copy of my route with turn-by-turn directions, send me an e-mail at [email protected]. I'm not sure if I was bike touring or bike packing but it was fun, Type 2 fun, if you know what I mean. I started at the western terminus of the River to River Hiking Trail in Grand Tower, Illinois on the Mississippi River and rode to Cave in Rock, Illinois on the Ohio River. The route cuts through the heart of the Shawnee Hills in southern Illinois. On day 1, I rode the Big Muddy Levee to Pine Hills then past Bald Knob and into Alto Pass. I rode down Water Valley and stopped at Panther Den Wilderness. On day 2, I rode past Bork Falls to Buncombe, onto the Odum Tract and the Tunnel Hill Bike Trail. From Stonefort I rode down Appel Rd. and stopped for the day at Burden Falls. On Day 3, I rode past William's Hill, Lusk Creek Wilderness and One Horse Gap on my way past the old Iron Furnace. From Rock Creek I finished the ride at Cave in Rock on the Ohio. The Shawnee National Forest has many opportunities for primitive Wilderness camping along the way. There are also plenty of cabins and B&B's. Make sure to plan ahead.   / strava   Read: Basic Illustrated Bike Touring and Bike Packing https://amzn.to/3tJvsrQ Links to some of my gear: Arkel Panniers https://shrsl.com/3cpv0 Trek Bicycles https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?t... Nashbar https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?t... REI https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?t... Showers Pass Rain Jacket https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?t... Eastern Mountain Sports https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=122878... CampingMaxx https://shrsl.com/3cpv8 Nutcase Helmets https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?t... DJI Mini Mavic 2 Drone https://click.dji.com/AM-S2JEjSgJqaed... DJI Pocket 2 Gimbal 4K Camera https://click.dji.com/ACnREPXCP7MUfwY... Wald 1066 Handlebars https://amzn.to/3fLRHVH RedShift Shock Absorbing Handlebar Stem https://amzn.to/3IBu3If Cateye Velo 9 Bike Computer https://amzn.to/3AhqDag Terry Liberator Y Men's Bike Saddle https://amzn.to/3FNp0Cq High Visibility Vest https://amzn.to/3rFgIrw Reflective Safety Triangle https://amzn.to/32kJN2M MSR Pocket Rocket Ultralight Camp Stove https://amzn.to/3AdNB26 Sea to Summit Bowl https://amzn.to/3AhqDag Canon M50 Mirrorless Camera https://amzn.to/3tIEIwy GoPro Hero 8 Camera https://amzn.to/3rywX9x Rode Video Mic Pro + https://amzn.to/3IohlMv Neewer Compact Travel Tripod https://amzn.to/3qLalTW