The shorcut revisited

In the interest of future TransAm cyclists, I have decided to include some more information about our shortcut from Sebree, KY to Carbondale, IL. The information may not be interesting to anyone not planning on biking the route.

We learned about this shortcut from an eastbound cyclist that had visited and signed he guestbook at the First Baptist Church of Sebree, KY. Chris "Something-or-other" (we couldn't read his signature) promissed a reduction of about 50 miles and flat terrain all the way to Carbondale. In the guestbook, he taped a map with the highlighted shortcut compared with the atual route and provided detailed instructions. His notes looked convincing enough, so we decided to go for it.

The shortcut has the rider taking the 56 west out of Sebree. With some rolling hills, the 56 arrives at the stateline of IL (the Ohio River) in about 40 miles. After crossing the bridge, route 56 becomes route 13 which goes all the way to Carbondale and joins the TransAm route.

The 13 is a road that is rather busy and full of big trucks, but an oversized shoulder the entire way provides plenty of comfort. The FLAT route 13 goes through Harrisburg (at approximately 60 miles from Sebree), Marion (at 89 miles) and then into Carbondale (at approximately 105 miles).

With the flat terrain, a very strong rider could potentially ride all the way to Carbondale in one day if need be. We stopped in Marion (where there are several hotels and resturants, but is otherwise not interesting). I noticed signs for camping at least three times along this route in various distances from Sebree. There are also hotels in Harrisburg and a good place to eat called the BBQ Barn (as a local how to get there).

Since it is a heavily travelled road, the chance of flatting is pretty high on Route 13. Make sure your spare tube is available; I got two flats.

There are some disadvantages to the shortcut though. For one, you won't be taking a ferry across the Ohio River. I was looking forward to that, but instead we took a bridge that can be busy. Additionally, you will miss a state park area of IL including Fern Cliff State Park and Cave In Rock Stat Park. Although missing these state parks means you are also skirting around the climbs of the "Little Ozarks". But by trading all that you'll probably gain a day and you'l ride on flat roads almost all the way through IL.

Jeff