jboyd

So, after spending most of the weekend hunkered down in the basement waiting for tornadoes, lightning and torrential rains to subside, I got the wild hair to take a ride today that I have only, until today, driven.

It is called BALD KNOB Cross, and is located in Alto Pass, Illinois and is also one of the highest points in the state. Now, since Illinois is mostly a big ass corn field, that doesn't say much, but this is a 1000 ft. HILL/mini mountain. The tallest Cross in the western hemisphere above average terrain situated in the beautiful Illinois Ozark Mountains according to some silly propaganda that I found online.

Anyway, the ride was fantastic. I plotted the elevation rise before I went and was really jazzed to make this climb. What I failed to recognize when I was checking the ride out climb, was the drop that I made early in the ride. Holy cow! As stunning as the ride out to the cross was, the final climb back out was even better. Not as steep, but LONG! At the end of the ride, while downloading pics I enjoyed a frosty cold Abita Pecan Harvest Ale

Below are some pics, and here is a link to all the pics. Enjoy.
https://s425.photobucket.com/albums/p...005%2002%2010/


The Ride



That little spot on top of the hill to the right is my target.



This is about the halfway point of the ride out (and begins the bigger climbs).



Flowers along the way.



This is a beautiful ride.



The Cross (the cross, until a couple of years ago, was covered in white metal and looked huge)



Exhausted and happy.



A field of "Yellow Rocket"



Back in the little town of Alto Pass. This is the "Root Beer Saloon"



I promised myself a reward if I made the climbs

xray1978

You are an inspiration. Those climbs are where one really has to dig down deep and just make it happen. I used to avoid climbs now I kinda look forward to them, however, I still hate the wind.

Well done. The reward seems fitting.

gotls1

Great job on the climb, and thanks for sharing the pictures.