Have bike, will travel
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
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Originally Posted by
Doug64
It has been awhile since my wife and I rode across the U.S. on US 20; we rode it on 2007. I really don't remember any real issues from the Iowa border to Chicago. We got off the busy sections where needed or when a nearby alternate when required.
Actually, the riding was pretty good in the eastern part of the country. Where Hwy20 parallels I90 the riding was really nice. We found that most of the trucks took the Interstate instead of Hwy 20. Often 20 would go right under the interstate. Toledo was not a problem either; it is not too difficult to pick your way across a city.
I would not classify any of the riding as "unusually dangerous." Our goal was to ride the longest contiguous coast-to-coast highway in the U.S., so we stayed on 20 as much as we could.
It's unfortunate that you haven't traveled other routes through northern Illinois, much safer and more scenic alternatives exist. Rt 20 is not usually used by local cyclist in the eastern half of Illinois.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.