riverdrifter

I may be moving to southern Illinois in the near future. Possibly the Murphysboro area.

What are the rural highways and paved roads like? Is highway riding advisable in this area?

Are there any areas in southern Illinois that are recommended for road riding?

Thanks!

bakerjw

I lived in central Illinois from birth up until 2006 which is when I moved to Tennessee. A year back, my wife and I went back to visit and I took my road bike along to put in some flat land miles. The roads in Illinois have always been bad as I knew from my days driving there but I didn't realize just how bad until I tried to ride a road bike there. Granted the central part of the state is a bit different than the southern part with different freeze/thaw characteristics which is one reason for poor roads.
For the Murphysboro area, I cannot give any advice.

riverdrifter

Thanks! Yeah I know from driving there the road conditions are bad. You can just about tell when you cross the state line.

I'm wondering more if those rural roads in soill have shoulders, and what local traffic is like, and if there is any kind of road riding, commuting scene. Like Murphysboro to Carbondale, or places south of Murphy.