Tag Archives: destination ride

September 11, 2017

The Boiler Room — July 30, 2017

By cmiles

Ah, Sunday. Time to Ride to Eat once again, and our destination was set. Thanks to Funday, we were on our way to the Boiler Room in Kewanee.

Back roads beckoned, so we took the less traveled route until we happened upon fresh road maintenance — and its gravel topcoat. No. Thank. You. We hung a left and continued. Even with our re-route, we still had to ease our way over several yards of gravel before turning back onto the highway. No good, but nothing we haven’t had to do before.

Back Roads

We explored the road less traveled, winding our way through central Illinois.

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December 30, 2016

The Highlands — October 8, 2016

By cmiles

Throughout the summer, we closely followed the progress of a new, upscale-looking establishment in Bradford. The day we first saw the sign, we knew we’d have to make it a Ride to Eat destination. So one date-night Saturday, we made our way to The Highlands Fine Food & Whiskey House.

Located right along IL 40, The Highlands is a noticeable new addition to Main Street. The exterior reminds me a lot of the Irish Cottage Boutique & Hotel, our favorite place to stay in Galena.

The Highlands

The Highlands Fine Food & Whiskey House in Bradford, Ill.

He previously had stopped to check the place out, so I already had heard a bit about it before walking in. Continue reading

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August 29, 2016

Cerno’s Is Certainly Splendid — July 31, 2016

By cmiles

On a previous trip to check out the then-Pioneer Club in Kewanee, we discovered another dining option just a block away called Cerno’s Bar and Grill. A quick web search revealed a promising Ride to Eat destination for another day — and that day was finally here.

The relentless July heat had finally let up, making for near perfect riding conditions. Basking in the warm sunlight, I felt the world melt away as he took us north.

Posing in front of Walldogs mural

A little photo shoot fun outside Cerno’s in Kewanee, Ill. The mural in the background is one of my favorites by the Walldogs.

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June 30, 2016

Great Grub at the Gunsmoke — May 29, 2016

By cmiles
Gunsmoke Grill Sign

Watch for this sign when you head out of Cedar Point to avoid missing the turn into The Gunsmoke Grill.

In anticipation of the long Memorial Day weekend, I pulled up the May issue of BikerSpot Magazine online to find some eating destinations requiring longer rides. Viola — just across from my article was a full-page ad for The Gunsmoke Grill in Cedar Point.

Well, technically, it’s not in Cedar Point.

It was a picture perfect Sunday. Bright blue sky dotted with puffs of fluffy white clouds promised a smooth day ahead. Continue reading

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February 23, 2015

Dickson Mounds Dining Adventure — July 27, 2014

By cmiles

After talking about it for several weeks, we finally had the perfect day to venture down to the Dickson Mounds Museum outside Lewistown. Of course, we wanted to take a long, and somewhat out of the way, route there. And, since our big trip around Lake Michigan was coming up soon, a whole day on the bike would be the perfect practice — or test.

We headed out of town on IL 8 West, continuing on the road after it merges with IL 78 South at Elmwood. It being rather early on a Sunday morning when we left the house, traffic was non-existent and the weather was warm but not yet hot. Driving through the various small towns along the route once again reminded me of home and the drives I’d take with my dad. It’s no wonder I feel closer to him on the bike than any other time.

Thoroughly wrapped up in the joy of the ride, we made our way through Farmington to Canton where we headed west on County Road 5 to Cuba, which is lined with a network of ponds. My head pivoted from side to side, watching for wildlife and soaking in the scene. Thinking back now, I realize I must’ve looked like a lawn sprinkler with my rhythmic head movements and wonder if I was subconsciously keeping time with the music. Continue reading

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January 26, 2015

Cold, But So Worth It — December 14, 2014

By cmiles

Rewind to 10 days before Christmas (especially if you read my holiday post). It was Sunday, December 14, and it was 52 degrees outside. In Illinois! We both not only wanted to ride … we needed to ride. So, we geared up — me in no less than five layers — and headed out, much to the chagrin of our two dogs who were becoming a little too accustomed to our being home on Sundays.

Now, it was 52 degrees outside; however, you should know I tend to wear sweaters when it’s 70, so it was no small feat for Wally to get me out in the middle of December. One big advantage he had was that it was in the low 50s for much of our summer vacation around Lake Michigan in August (watch for many posts on that ride to come), which means I had learned to deal with it more than in the past. Continue reading

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December 13, 2014

Road to Nowhere — July 20, 2014

By cmiles

Sometimes, you want a good burger. Other times, you want a great burger. That’s exactly how I felt when I woke up on this particular Sunday morning. In fact, I thought about it quite a bit that whole week … that is, I did after I realized Sunday Funday’s destination for the afternoon — Nowhere Bar & Grill in Victoria, Illinois.

From where the hubby and I live in Peoria, it’s not that far of a drive to Victoria, so we decided to extend the trip for a full day with our knees in the breeze. After some discussion of options, we decided to make a return trip to the Wolf Covered Bridge in rural Knox County, a place we’d visited the summer before with the old Vulcan.

After a short ride on I-474 to US 150 (War Memorial Drive), we headed west for a few miles, turning left on Kickapoo-Edwards Road. Outside Edwards, we took W. Southport Road (Route 8) for about 20 miles before hanging a right on Knox Road 1900 East, going even deeper into farm country. Now, what you need to know about me is that I grew up riding around on county roads, discussing life and the world with my dad. While the back roads are mostly gravel where I’m from, the paved county roads in Illinois provide the perfect opportunity to re-live the slow, easy pace I so fondly recall. So, there we were surrounded by fields and the wind and the sound of the engine below us. It was perfect peace. Continue reading

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