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Access to the trail is easy and I picked the West end trail head in Mattoon. I parked at Peterson Park where there are many shaded parking spots. The start of the trail is one block west and one block north of the park. The trail starts off paved and once out of town is crushed gravel. The trail is pretty well maintained and used quite a bit, but there were still a few sections where my comfort bike got a little out of sorts in deep gravel. Overall though, the condition of the trail was good. The trail is pretty flat and there are only a couple of places along the route where it is necessary to cross roads. The scenery is very peaceful and at one section, the trail cuts through a country club - so you may be sharing the trail in that section with a golfer or two... Both Mattoon and Charleston offer many opportunities for dining, so you won't go hungry! I will definitely be back and will use this trail for 50 mile rides in the future.
Our family parked @ the east access point near Taylor Studios and rode the entire trail system a couple of times. The trails are in good shape and well marked. We did stray off the trail a bit visiting the downtown area and the former Air Force base. There are many historic buildings still standing at Chanute AFB and the downtown area boasts some great eating options and an old school cinema with a beautiful marquee still intact (though now closed). We ate lunch at a Thai food joint a few doors down from the cinema and the food and service were excellent. After a day of riding, we ended our time in Rantoul at the Hap Parker Pool - which is the public swimming complex. The pool features a couple of nice water slides and a large swimming area. All around a nice day of exercise, eating and sight seeing.
I checked out this trail today as it was the right distance for todays goal. Drove to Taylorville first and took about 20 min finding the Trail head. No bike trail signs around it. I got on and 1 mile into the ride a chain and a sign “ BRIDGE OUT”. Could not pass. I put the bike back on my car and drove to the PANA end of this 14 mi trail and a nice big parking lot ( none at the Taylorville end) and got a great ride in. So instead of 14 mi at this time its only 13. U have to stop at he bridge blocked . It was concrete with intermittent trees and long stretches of open field. Start at Pana cant start at Taylorville.
The Constitution Trail is a great bike trail. It is a entire 40+ miles long with concrete on all parts. The trial is covered with trees in most areas, creating a nice shaded ride. It makes the rides/walks/runs very relaxing, and it is well known throughout the community.
It’s great to see how trails are being developed along Route 66 in McLean County! The center section of this trail is a masterpiece all by itself! A superb introduction to the place Route 66 has had in American history.
I have ridden this trail 4 times so far, making the 35mile on way drive.
Very nice,tree lined and scenic ride along the creek. Tunnels pass under the busy streets. Can be a little crowded on weekends, so plan on going on weekdays, if possible. Almost totally paved from Bloomington to just south of Hudson and east to Normal. Although not part of the trail, Tipton Park in Normal connects to the trail and is just as nice. Can easily do 25miles by bike. Lots of benches, water fountains and rest rooms.
A very enjoyable trial to walk, run or ride. Terrain varies from level to slight but easy incline. Tree covered and fallows Sangamon River. Also links up with Mahomet township bike path that extends length. Rest rooms and water fountains easily found along the way. Points of interest at many areas to learn more about the area.
Lexington has done a great job holding onto its Route 66 charm! It’s small town Midwest Americana at its best! The day we were there to ride the trail, we had a great lunch at Kelly’s on 66, where we talked history with the owner and admired all the highway memorabilia from yesteryear. We were going to drive through downtown on Main Street, but found it blocked off and filled with a Homecoming Carnival. I didn’t know small towns even had these anymore! We’ll be going back again – for trail and town. Looks like there’s lots of Lexington events related to the Mother Road.
As of writing this the north, east, and south sides of the loop are complete. There is new asphalt linking Pearl St and 136 on the east side. I skated a complete loop by going up 3rd St from the SW trailhead, turning right onto Union St, and turning left onto 5th St to get back to the park. The roads are pretty rough for skating unless you have big wheels.
The trail itself is pretty nice. The asphalt section is very nice and smooth, but the majority of the trail is a little rough with lots of raised cracks in the pavement that aren't marked. If you take the loop clockwise you get to enjoy a long downhill on the southern part of the loop though, which is fun.
I guess it’s neighboring Lexington IL that has the ‘official’ Memory Lane of Route 66. But I had memories aplenty when I rode this short trail in Chenoa. I grew up about 80 miles southwest of Chenoa when Route 66 was the best and only way to drive to Chicago or St. Louis. I later lived in Mexico for several years, and most of the miles between here and the border were on Old 66. Ah, stop me now. I have not time enough to tell all my stories of our Mother Road.
I understand this trail is only currently 1/4th complete, so disregard after 2018 construction.
I took this trail from campus at UIUC and back on my day off. I thought it would be relaxing to get away from all of the traffic, so it was a little disconcerting to be right next to the highway with no trees to secure me from the road. This lack of trees meant no shade, and it was 90 degrees. I have quite a bad sunburn.
In addition, at this juncture there are only like three benches and no water spouts to refill my water bottle.
Because the trail isn't done, it ended quite abruptly in the town, which was a little awkward for me. I admit feeling a little out of place with my bike and my sack lunch with no place to sit. There did end up being a nice park, complete with benches and shade, northeast of town.
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