Annual Route 66 Motorcycle Ride with Governor Rauner includes stop at the Mill on Route 66 in Lincoln

[September 25, 2017] 

LINCOLN

On Saturday, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner hosted his third annual Route 66 Motorcycle Ride to benefit veterans. The event began on Saturday morning in Countryside, a community just outside Chicago. A large group of motorcycles, escorted by a special motorcycle police escort made its way from Countryside to Springfield making several stops along the way.

With the 2017 opening of the Mill on Route 66 Museum, the local Route 66 attraction was added to the stops this year.

In addition, in the downtown area the 1926-1930 original version of Route 66 was marked this year, and the motorcycles chose to take that original route.

Following closely behind the police escort, Governor Rauner was at the front of the brigade as it traveled into Lincoln via North Kickapoo Street. The group progressed through town, taking the turn onto Broadway. As they journeyed to the Mill, the group differed from the route slightly, coming into the Mill from the east via First Street.

The motorcycles were assisted through the county by the Logan County Sheriff’s Department and in the city as well by the Lincoln Police Department.

The stops for the day included a visit to the Ambler’s Texaco Station in Dwight, the American Legion War Memorial in Lexington, a fuel stop in McLean, The Mill in Lincoln, then on to the Mother Road Festival in Springfield with the day ending at the Illinois State Fairground for a cookout for all the riders with the governor.

In addition to an enjoyable day, the ride was a fundraiser and an effort to recognize veterans across the state. Along the route, Rauner acknowledged local veterans at each stop.

“This year’s Governor’s Ride was another great opportunity to honor and support our veterans, and the funds raised will help send them on honor flights to our war memorials,” Gov. Rauner said. “I want to thank everyone who participated and donated to this terrific event, and the local and state police for escorting our riders safely.”

"This is the third annual Honor and Pride ride to recognize our veterans and first responders here in Illinois," said Tim Grzenia of the Canaryville Veteran Rider's Association. "Each year we pick three different towns and personally greet and thank those who've served and are serving our great nation and towns across our state. We ask that the riders donate to the ride so we can support Honor Flight of Illinois and needy vets."

In Lincoln, Rauner was greeted by board members and volunteers of the Route 66 Heritage Foundation, the organization that operates and maintains the Mill. They were treated to ice cold water courtesy of the Logan County Tourism Bureau and Culligan Water in Lincoln; enjoyed seeing the sights at the museum, and several did a little souvenir shopping while there.

Rauner greeted those who had come out for the event, and posed for pictures with many. He visited inside the Mill, commenting that he really liked the place and was happy to get to come back.

The group was running about one hour behind schedule, so their stay in Lincoln was perhaps not as long as they would have liked. Arriving around 3 p.m., by 3:30 p.m. the riders were mounted and the motorcycles were ready to hit the road again. The group would follow Route 66 the rest of the way, also passing through, though not stopping, at other Logan County communities.

[Nila Smith with text added from the office of the Governor and photos added by Curtis Fox]