Leo’s Bar and Grill Romeoville 6/24

Illinois Harley Welcomes Wednesday Night Riders

June 24th was a hot day, in the 90s, with a couple afternoon showers, but that didn’t prevent 45 riders from showing up for our Wednesday Night Ride to Leo’s Bar and Grill. It was a beautiful warm night as I led one group out at 7:40PM, with Tim leading another shortly after. We took our normal route south on Harlem Avenue, entering Riverside just over the Canadian National Railway tracks. We took it easy going through Riverside, past the historic water tower, over the Burlington Northern tracks, and along the Des Plaines river. Once we crossed the river and passed the Hofmann Tower, we cruised down Joliet Road through Lyons to old Route 66 (aka Joliet Road.)

Riding in the Chicago area means minimizing the amount of time spent on boring and congested urban streets (in Lyons, McCook and Hodgkins) and trying as quickly as possible to get onto the scenic roads (in Willow Springs, Orland Park and Lemont.) So we made our way from Joliet Road to 55th Street to LaGrange Road and then across the Mile Long Bridge to Archer Avenue (Illinois 171) to see what was new in Willow Springs. We took Archer Avenue to Flavin Road (also known as Willow Springs Road or 104th Avenue) and made a quick left. Up the hill and through the twisties, surrounded by the cool air of the Cook County Forest Preserves.

After a quick stop at 95th street, we took off with a short drag race, sprinting toward McCarthy Road (123rd Street.) But before that, we were able to slow down and do an “eyes right” to enjoy the reflection of the setting sun on Saganashkee Slough.

Saganashkee Slough at Sunset, image courtesy of Google Earth and Volkan YUKSEL

At McCarthy Road we headed west and made a quick detour onto the cool Wolf Road / Ford Road / Will Cook Road bypass. (If you’ve never done it, you should make a point to next time you’re in the area.) After the detour, we headed south on Will Cook Road, past some recently constructed mansions, through some whoops and a couple more twisty roads. We headed all the way south to 159th Street, past Uncle Richie’s in Lockport, over the Lockport Bridge and back onto Illinois Route 53 where we rejoined Historic Route 66 once again. Then, a quick jog on Romeo Road and we arrived at Leo’s Bar and Grill.

Unbeknownst to me, Tim decided he didn’t want to take the scenic route (ignoring the route sheet which I had so painstakingly prepared earlier in the day), and instead took his group west on 107th Street directly to our destination. So, instead of being the first group to arrive from Illinois Harley, we were welcomed by Tim and his group! Luckily, Tim had already ordered the pizzas and got the beverages rolling. Leo opened the seldom-seen East Room, exclusively for us, which was a good thing due to the Karaoke going on next door.

Leo’s Bar and Grill in Romeoville Illinois

Leo’s Bar & Grill
201 East Romeo Road
Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 886-5600

This was one of our best rides yet and I want to thank everyone who came out and rode with us. We’ll see you on the 4th Wednesday of the month for the next  Wednesday Night Ride.

Download a copy of our route sheet.