This year I rode GITAP with some friends from Oregon. GITAP stands for Grand Illinois Trails and Parks, and is put on by the League of Illinois Bicyclists. There was a motel option, but we like camping out.
Because my club's invitational ride was the first day of GITAP, I had to join the group at the first campground.
Day 1, Mooseheart (Batavia) to Illini State Park
 Hank and Mike are ready to roll at daybreak. |
 Lining up at Mooseheart |
 Resting near the I&M Canal |
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 Camping at Illilni State Park |
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 Hey Hank! Run into any joggers today? |
 Where did they say dinner was? |
 SAG wagon and Illinois River |
Day 2, Illini State Park to Starved Rock State Park
 Marseilles lock and dam |
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 Crossing the bridge to Marseilles |
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 Towpath and aqueduct near Ottawa |
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 Towpath trail near Buffalo Rock |
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 Memorial for 2005 tornado victims in Utica |
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 Outside Duffy's Tavern in Utica |
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 Inside Duffy's Tavern |
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 Partially restored lock at LaSalle |
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 Relaxing at the Starved Rock campground |
Day 3, Starved Rock to Lowden
 Posing with Wild Bill Hickock at his park |
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 Changing a tire near a farmhouse |
 Now we know where the headwind is coming from |
 Mike and Katy next to a beanfield. |
 Getting away from the brutal headwind in West Brooklyn |
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 Lowden campground |
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Day 4, Lowden to Rock Cut
 World's Largest Concrete Indian Statue |
 Checking out the early sunlight |
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 Checking the map in Winnebago. |
 Katy spots a street named after her dog. |
 Setting up the tents |
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 Relaxing at camp |
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 Relaxing at camp |
 These came in handy for the Catydids. |
 Raptor demonstration at Rock Cut |
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Day 5, Rock Cut to Rock Cut
 Let's see, Rockford should be somewhere around here |
 Interesting mailbox in Rockford |
 Armed Forces memorial, Rockford |
 This looks like a good place to drink a beer |
Day 6, Rock Cut to Chain O' Lakes
 Heading out after breakfast |
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 Rural mailbox |
 City limits of a small town |
 Pam and Hank ride into Caledonia |
 Milkweed in bloom with ripe raspberries on the Long Prairie Path |
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 Riding along State Line Road |
 This is as far North as we go. |
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 Red-tailed hawk on silo near Hebron |
 Rolling hills near Richmond |
 Rest stop sponsored by local bike club |
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 Dinner at Chain O' Lakes |
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Day 7, Chain O' Lakes to Mooseheart
 Wet cyclists getting a snack in East Dundee |
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 At the Prarie Rock Brewpub in Elgin |
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 That elbow Lynn fell on is starting to swell up |
 Reliving old times in Geneva |
 Halina is happy her grandfather has returned safely |