The Constitution Trail
For truck drivers access to trails is more important than the length of the trails. The Constitution Trail in Bloomington, IL is a good example of this. The trail is less than 5 miles long. Bloomington is a crossroads town where I39, I55, and I74 all end or pass through in one way or another. There are two large trucks stops there. The TA and the Pilot both have large parking lots. There are plenty of restaurants and fast food choices at the truck stop exit. Luckily, there is also a trail.
The trail is less than a quarter mile from the back of the Pilot parking. The TA is right down the street, but the trail is more easily accessed from the Pilot. You will see a Cargill facility. Cargill is painted high on the storage towers. Head towards the facility. There is a 4 lane road to cross and the trail will resemble a wide sidewalk. You can go either way. I have gone both ways on the trail and I recommend that you turn right.
There will be a cemetery on your left as you get started on the trail. Within a minute or two you will pass under the interstate. The trail is visible from the highway. The trail turns left right after you cross under the highway and a few yards later turns back to the right. As soon as you
make the turn the scenery improves, a little. There will be a cornfield on your left and a small horse on your right. The scenery has improved, but you will still be hearing the highway noise. You may guess that I am not a head phone wearing runner. You're right.
For me escape occurs when I can no longer hear the highway. It does not take too long for this to occur on the trail. For a while you can escape onto the trail. It is not long , about 2.3 miles, before you reach the end of the trail section. You can see where the trail could extend some day. If you turn around there you have gotten in a decent run or walk. You could turn up the road and extend your walk, run,or bike ride. You could go past the truck stop on the way back to make sure you get in a 5 mile run. For a midweek run it 4.6 miles isn't bad.
This is no Elroy Sparta Trail, most trails aren't. My point is that if we are always searching for the perfect trail we will hardly ever exercise. Keep trails like this in your library. They are useful, if not great. For ease of access this and many other trails are tough to beat. Let us at the truckin' runners and ride and roll face book groups know where these less than perfect trails are. There are many of them that we can easily access. The more we know the better.