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Celebrate the arrival of summer with these 6 bike trails

By Diane Krieger Spivak Photo of Great Western Trail by Shaw Media

Whether you’re inclined to take the path of least resistance or a die-hard mountain biker, it’s time to get out there and put the rubber to the road.

Northwestern Illinois is full of bike paths for the beginner as well as the seasoned biker, and trading in your four wheels for two for a few hours is a great way to shake off the office blues, commune with nature and get in shape, to boot. The Illinois Prairie Path — which, by the way, was one of the first inducted into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame — runs 61 miles through DuPage, Kane and Cook counties. The rail-trail movement has transformed thousands of unused railroad miles into hiking and biking trails nationwide for the last 50 years. The Illinois Prairie Path is considered the best in Illinois, according to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. The Fox River Trail will take you on more than 43 miles of scenic wonders through Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties, from Oswego to Algonquin, where you’ll find wildlife, woods, flora and fauna, and some historic highlights like vintage mill towns-turned tourist areas offering a wide range of dining, shopping and cultural attractions. (And it connects to the Illinois Prairie Path in Batavia and Aurora.) The trail surface is asphalt, concrete and crushed stone.

“The trail goes through Pottawatomie Park where you can see birds, beavers and a lot of other wildlife along the river,” says Jacqueline Mulligan, marketing supervisor at St. Charles Park District. Stop and play a round at the park’s golf or mini golf courses along your way. The park also has a bike repair station, water bottle refill station and benches, notes Mulligan. The Great Western Trail runs 17 miles through DeKalb and Kane counties. Also an abandoned railway, the trail includes rest areas with shelters in a natural setting rich with wetlands, vegetation and prairie. Moraine Hills State Park, in McHenry, offers 11+ miles of beautiful bike trails, one of the park’s outstanding features. However, be ready to tackle some hills, and definitely bring a bike with gears.

Because the park is in a moraine, formed by an ancient glacier, there’s lots to see, including bogs, lakes and marshes. Check out the view by the McHenry lock and dam on the Fox River on your ride. Trails include the 2-mile Fox River Trail, the 3.2-mile Leatherleaf Bog Trail and the 3.7-mile Lake Defiance Trail, all crushed stone. The 1.7-mile River Road Trail is paved, notes the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

If you’re in for the long haul, the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area guarantees 61 miles of trails, ready for biking. The I & M Canal Trail is one of the state’s longest trails and one of its most picturesque on the historic route of the I & M Canal. If you take the easy paved and crushed limestone 15-mile stretch along the western branch, from La Salle to Ottawa, you’ll find wildlife galore, as well as interesting towns with plenty to do. Don’t forget to check out Split Rock sandstone bluff.

Experienced mountain bikers may want to take on the trails at Saw Wee Kee Park, in Yorkville. The former strip mine has transformed into a challenging set of trails christened with unique names like Vertical Velocity and Anaconda due to their wild “steep climbs, lots of low rollers, quick turns and winding descents,” according to Chicago Area Mountain Bikers, which adds on its website, “There are trails for less-experienced riders too, like Cotton Candy and Lolligagger.” Whatever bike trail or path you’re interested in riding, most offer online maps to plan your route ahead of time. Ride Illinois and the Illinois Department of Transportation websites also have pages dedicated to bike trail maps.

THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF DUPAGE COUNTY OFFERS SAFETY RULES THAT CAN APPLY TO ANY TRAIL RIDER:

 Stay on the right side of the trail. If you’re riding in a group, go in single file.

 Ride at a safe pace.  Obey trail signs. They’re there for a reason, typically either to address safety issues or protect a sensitive environment.  If you’re biking on a path that includes horses, approach them slowly so as not to frighten them. Do not pass a horse on a bridge.

NEED TO RENT YOUR WHEELS? THESE PLACES OFFER EASY WAYS TO BORROW A BIKE:

BOJ-E-BIKES: Curious whether an electric bike is right for you? Choose one of three options at BOJ-E-BIKES in Batavia, available to rent from two hours to an entire week. Visit www.boj-e-bikes.com. I & M Canal: Seven stops along the Illinois & Michigan Canal Trail offer bikes for rental through an app. Visit www.iandmcanal.org/bike for more. Mill Race Cyclery: From youth carriers to tandem bikes, Mill Race Cyclery offers all sorts of rental options. Bikes from the Geneva shop are also available for rental at the Morton Arboretum. Learn more at www.millrace.com.

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