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