Constitution Trail Full out and back

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Bloomington-Normal, Illinois

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Route-overzicht

Daryl Monge

Gravel Riding and Racing, Route Planning, Community Organizations IT Best Practices

81 km

331 m

A wonderful way to experience Downtown Bloomington and Uptown Normal, including beautiful tree-lined sections. Longer rides experience the agricultural character of central Illinois, from planting to harvesting, depending on time of year.

The Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail is one of Central Illinois' most unique parks. This 50+ mile jogging, walking, cycling and rollerblading trail has become a hit with the community and visitors alike. The Constitution Trail has been a Bloomington-Normal staple since 1989. Much of the trail follows the old Illinois Central Gulf Railroad right-of-way through the community. It was dedicated and named in celebration of the 200th birthday of the United States.

Slightly modified from the original to provide less out-and-back as well as visit more of the two universities.

Originally published in the Ride Illinois 2022 Ride Guide. Contribution by the Friends of the Constitution Trail. Editor Daryl Monge

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Routedetails

Welcome to the Constitution Trail, a (mostly) Rail Trail flat collection of different parts of the bike routes in the Bloomington/Normal area of Illinois.   The entire ride is paved.  The most scenic sections are the on the central north-south rail-trail.

From [https://www.constitutiontrail.org](https://www.constitutiontrail.org)
*“The Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail is one of Central Illinois' most unique parks. This 50+ mile jogging, walking, cycling and rollerblading trail has become a hit with the community and visitors alike.

The Constitution Trail has been a Bloomington-Normal staple since 1989. Much of the trail follows the old Illinois Central Gulf Railroad right-of-way through the community. It was dedicated and named in celebration of the 200th birthday of the United States. In 2000, the trail was designated a Millennium Trail by the White House Millennium Council.

You can discover so much of the Bloomington-Normal communities by traveling the Constitution Trail! Whether you bike, walk, or jog, the trail is adventure, discovery, and fun all in one. No matter what branch you take, you will find unique history, parks, vibrant communities, and a place to rest.”*

The core of this route is the north-south rail-trail passing from north Normal into central Bloomington with many spurs traveling out and back.  Each of the four spurs are optional. Removing all four of those segments changes the ride from 50 miles to 26 miles.

This route begins at the far north-east trailhead located on historic Old Route 66 between the towns of Towanda and Lexington.  The initial 7 miles follows along Old Route 66 to enter into the town of Normal.  It is a long rural stretch sandwiched between Interstate 55 and the railroad.  You can expect windy conditions along this stretch, as can be inferred by the large number of wind farms in this area of central Illinois.

In the town of Normal, the route takes in the northern out-and-back spur then veers west to ride past the Illinois State University “Weiburg Golf Club” then down past the athletic complex and through past the western side of the “Quad”.

After leaving Illinois State southbound you will almost immediately find yourself in the center of Illinois Wesleyan University.  Ride past Tucci Stadium and down along the east side of the “Quad” with various arts auditoriums and theaters finally passing the Ames Library.  From here the route heads into downtown Bloomington and past the McClean County Historical Museum.  This area of downtown can be congested and the route is on-street.

On the west side the trail head west on another out-and-back spur which can be made optional.  The return segment heads south along another rail line.  This segment is has a significant number of street crossings.  On the southern most end pick up the main north-south part of the trail again and head back north.

As you leave Bloomington and enter Normal again on the trail you bear east (right) and find the Allers Shelter Wayside.  This is a beautiful small garden park with a shelter, water bottle filling station, bike repair station, and indoor restrooms.  This also begins the out-and-back “Bloomer Line Branch” which is optional. This eastern segment even contains a little “Japanese Garden” in an unexpected spot.

Returning to the main trail you head north into a heavily congested downtown area around the Amtrak train station but you can proceed through without riding on the roadway.  The trail continues north to the point where the route originally picked up the trail off East Shelbourne Drive.  The route takes a detour down Beech Street go past the “One Normal Plaza” to pick up the trail along Pine Street.  The One Normal Plaza is the optional starting location of the ride for those that do not want to travel the extra 15 miles out-and-back from Normal to north of Towanda.

This route is a refinement of the original Ride Illinois route guide of 2022 by “Friends of the Constitution Trail”.  Changes include traversing more of the areas around the Illinois State and Wesleyan Universities.

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Constitution Trail Full out and back

Route-overzicht

Routedetails

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