This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain many valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.
Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers.
Continuing the journey begun last week from Chicago, we start from Joliet for the run to Ottawa. From Joliet continue along the river and canal. It might be well to inquire the condition in which the tow-path and the road happen to be at the time of your going over the trip, in order that you may take the one most used by wheelmen. Sometimes the tow-path is better, and other times the road should be taken. Here is one of the advantages of being a member of the L.A.W., since the local consul will gladly give you any information on this matter or any other concerning that particular country that you may desire. Generally speaking, it is well to keep to the tow-path, as the ride is more picturesque along the canal.
From Joliet run in a westerly direction, turning sharp to the left at the outskirts of the town, and continuing until the railroad and canal are crossed, proceeding then either along the canal, or, if you take the road, following the route marked on the map which runs between the canal and the river. After crossing the railroad and the canal, keep to the right instead of crossing the river, and the road to Channahon, twelve miles away, is clear except at a point about half-way from Joliet, where the left fork should be taken. Passing through Channahon, turn westward to the right, and then running almost directly westward, crossing the railroad, instead of keeping to the left, and running down by the canal. Before crossing the C.R.I. and P. Railroad, turn southward to the canal, and following the tow-path run into Morris, where dinner can be had. To leave Morris ride northward across the track again, thence westward, not far from the railroad, to Seneca, between ten and eleven miles away. Proceed on the main road, always in the vicinity of the canal and railroad, through Marseilles on to Ottawa. The road turns a couple of miles before Ottawa is reached southward, crosses the canal and railroad, and runs then into the city.
This trip is most of the way over capital road; there are few hills, and there is a good deal of diversity of scenery. Much of the interest of the trip is in the different points of historic interest along the way and in the vicinity of Ottawa. The distance from Joliet is about forty-five miles, but it can easily be done in a day by even inexperienced riders, owing to the level country and the good condition of the roads.
Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City—First Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland—First Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to Boston—Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839. Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843. Philadelphia to Washington—First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849. City of Albany in No. 854; Albany to Fonda in No. 855; Fonda to Utica in No. 856; Utica to Syracuse in No. 857; Syracuse to Lyons in No. 858; Lyons to Rochester in No. 859; Rochester to Batavia in No. 860; Batavia to Buffalo in No. 861; Poughkeepsie to Newtown in No. 864; Newtown to Hartford in No. 865; New Haven to Hartford in No. 866; Hartford to Springfield in No. 867; Hartford to Canaan in No. 868; Canaan to Pittsfield in No. 869; Hudson to Pittsfield in No. 870. City of Chicago in No. 874. Waukesha to Oconomowoc in No. 875; Chicago to Wheeling in No. 876; Wheeling to Lippencott's in No 877; Lippencott's to Waukesha in No. 878; Waukesha to Milwaukee in No. 879; Chicago to Joliet in No. 881.