The town of Iroquois was the end of the day’s ride of 72 miles. It was a long ride, but it has taken more time to blog about it than it did to ride it.
There was a little park alongside the highway. After taking a few photos we put the bicycle on the top of the car. A young man came over and asked if we were thru-bikers. We weren’t of course. I haven’t done much of that kind of riding lately. But he told us that a lot of thru-bikers stay overnight and that Iroquois is marked on the cross-country bicycling maps as a place for bicyclers to stay. He pointed to the far end of the park and said something about showers and restrooms. That is good to know and I’ll definitely keep it in mind.
I just now looked it up at crazyguyonabike.com. Apparently the Adventure Cycling Association maps say to call the mayor when you get to Iroquois, and he will unlock the restrooms for you. Moni, who I know from the phred bicycle touring list tells about it with photos here. And a Paul Moore does the same here:
No, this isn’t the place for bicycling tourists. It’s an old jail that has been moved to the park. I think the place for bicycle tourists is somewhere on the other side of it.
In 1832 19 members of Captain Joseph Orr’s militia company of mounted rangers were “detached to post at Iroquois.” Whether they camped on this very same spot, I don’t know. I would guess they camped a little closer to the river, for easy access to water. But this park would have been a good spot if it had existed then.
omg i used 2 live here the park next to the bar next to the market haha i love this place and im dennis alexnaders grandaughter if you know him!
Hi, Kalyn. It’s good to hear from people who know these places I’ve visited. I don’t know anyone there, though.