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3.89 out of 5 Rider Rating 3.89
9 Reviews

Back roads of Morris

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Dingo (5 McR Points) on Mar 16, 2013

Rider Reviews

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rabbott5
3 McR Points
March 23, 2013
Nice combination of roads. Low traffic, nice…
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Guest
August 19, 2013
Very nice ride. As of 8/19/2013, Old Stage Road…
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Written Directions

Start at Route 52 (Jefferson)and River Rd in Shorewood (CVS Pharmacy on the corner). Ends in Seneca. See map.

Scenery

This route will take you west from the southwest suburbs via something other than Route 6 or Route 52. It follows the Illinois River. There are some hills, sweeping curves, old cemeteries, canals, and woods.

Drive Enjoyment

For the most part, the road is in good condition. When first leaving Ridge Rd to Hansel Rd, you will immediately enter a steep (for this area) hill. Be careful in the fall for leaves and all the time for some gravel debris kicked into the road. As you come off the hill, there is Dollinger Farm which is quite popular in the fall, so be careful of crossing pedestrians. Cemetary road does have some patchwork. Once you get thru downtown Morris and onto Old Stage Rd, you will be on well paved roads with little traffic. As you begin to approach Seneca, you will have a beautiful view of the river and then the road will again begin to have patchwork. It is a country road, so always be careful of possible gravel kicked up.

Tourism Opportunities

Plenty of gas along the way in Morris and Seneca. Along Cemetary Rd, there is a park that allows you to walk up to the canal and an old canal home. Morris has several great restaurants - Dave's Dogs, China Buffet, R Place Restaurant, plus your fast food places. In Seneca, there is a biker bar called Fat Daddy's. It's on Route 6 just west of Main St. It is cash only, but the food is excellent and the place does get FULL during riding season.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

This is a great road to take on your way out to the Starved Rock area or for just a short trip.
 

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Guest
July 6, 2013
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
This is a nice ride. I'd say it's about as good as we get this close to Chicago. I especially like the ride on Old Stage road. This route has a combination of open road with plenty of curves, some wooded areas and pass through a few nice old towns. If you can hold out long enough, I highly recommend having breakfast at Weits Cafe on Liberty street in Morris. The biscuts and gravy are to die for.
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Guest
July 27, 2013
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
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Andrew ONeal
January 15, 2020
30 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring
This is a really nice route for NE Illinois. Cemetery Road is always an enjoyable ride. Lots of trees with some wetland areas. Watch out for deer and other small critters. Lots of bicyclists take this road as well so watch out for them. You pass by a beautiful horse farm and if you're lucky you may get to see some of the horses in the fenced pastures right along the road. Old Stage Road (Stagecoach Road) between Morris and Seneca is a great road with some sweeping turns and twisties. There are a couple of popular biker bars in Seneca. Fat Daddy'z is on the north side of town of Rt. 6. It's smaller but always looks pretty packed in the summer. And Boondock's is south of town (you have to cross the river on Hwy 170 then turn east on Dupont Road to get there. Boondock's is right on the Illinois River and has indoor and outdoor seating. Large gravel parking lot there is full of bikes in the summer. I've personally never stopped at either one (I'm usually riding down to Ottawa and Starved Rock State Park so I don't take time to stop in Seneca) but I have some friends who recommend both.
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