This isn’t a regional ride, but the cycling enthusiast seizes the opportunity to spin whenever it arises, even when the location happens to be the trailing edge of a frontal system strong enough to blow several states on a visit with the Wizard of Oz.
A lengthy business trip has made it difficult to exercise, let alone ride a bike. Fortunately, I scheduled a mid-trip weekend visit with my brother north of Chicago who volunteered to be my training partner for a day.
The plan: Search for Dorothy. Powerful storms in Tornado Alley may have propelled her to the Chicago suburbs.
The Des Plaines River Trail is a 31-mile multi-use trail that more or less follows the
Des Plaines River. Like most multi-use trails, it connects with other trails and the regional master plan will eventually connect it with even more trail systems.
We did a 20-mile out and back from Dr. Charlie’s house. The trail itself is mostly compacted sand/gravel, and many sections had been recently flooded. Although I think I’d get bored pretty quickly if it were the only cycling option, it was a great way to spend a couple hours torturing my little brother. If you happen to be traveling NW of Chicago, and you have a mt. bike or cross bike, head for this trail because there is little “multiuse” traffic, and it keeps you away from automobiles.
An added bonus: A test ride of his Gary Fisher Ferrous 29, my first attempt at riding a 29er. I rarely ride mountain bikes, but pedaling the HUGE tires on this bike felt like I was in the cockpit of an 18-wheeler.