Sam Vadalabene Great River Road Bike Trail – Illinois

This ride was part of our Fall 2010 trip.

This is approximately a 20 mile paved ride between the town of Alton, Illinois and the Pere Marquette State Park. The Mississippi river on one side, forest and cliffs on the other. At least half the trail is a bike lane along the highway. As you near the Pere Marquette State Park the path goes in to the woods and has some short steep climbs. We rode out and back from Alton for a total of 42 miles. We stopped in the town of Grafton on the ride back for lunch and liquid carbs at the old Ruebel hotel and restaurant. In the town of Grafton there was a festival and motorcycle rally taking place. Also a Century bike ride taking place on the route.