By weight in June, 2011
As a cyclist who grew up in central Illinois, developing an interest in this activity in recent years, I was EXTREMELY "let down" by my experience on this trail. My wife and I rode from Pana to just south of Taylorville, and back, and found this to be the worst paved trail that we have encountered! Our experiences have included trails in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and several in Florida. Within 100 yards of the Pana trailhead we encountered freshly mown grass and a very large number of small limbs thrown onto the trail by the mower. This continued for a mile or two. We continued to find limbs as large as an inch and a half in diameter lying on the trail for the remainder of our ride. We also noticed a dead animal on the trail some three miles out. We continued to dodge these obstacles for several miles until we had had enough and gave up some ten miles out! We will never ride this trail again, and our advice to others is to totally avoid this trail. It is not worth throwing your wheels out of true and dodging tree limbs , sticks, and dead animals. Since there are few paved trails of any length in central Illinois, it is unfortunate this one is in such poor shape! Save yourself the aggravation and go somewhere else. You will be much happier!
By larry h in August, 2009
six of us took 3 tandems on the trail the 26th of august. really enjoyed the scenery and the level terrain. one of the cleanest trails we have ridden but it does need bathrooms at one end but we did ride into town for a bite and they had facilities there. we would certainly ride it again. we drove over 400 miles to ride the trails in ill. and it was worth every minute of it !!!!
By jake1944 in June, 2008
To make this ride we traveled from Edwardsville to Pana and on to Taylorville. We had gotten conflicting reports on this trail but we can attest to the fact that it was most enjoyable. Friendly people, lots of prairie, and beautifull flowers all along the trial. You must keep in mind that we do not race our trikes, we ride our trikes and smell the flowers. Who ever were the promoters of this trail did a great job and we say thank you. Hopefully, this trail is extended in both directions. We really like how Pana has promoted this trail. We parked at the Taylorville Lake lot to start our ride but the end of the trail is actually two miles further into Tayloville but no signage. As an asset for Taylorville, young and old were walking or riding from various area subdivisions or from Taylorville to the Lake area. Safe and accessible. Now that's what I am talking about! Have a great day and support this trail by letting you city, county, state, and federal officials know how you feel about this and other rails-to-trails.
Jake