If your plan to sweat off pounds this summer left you with little more than an empty bag of chips poolside, don’t despair. Rather than digging out that gently used “Buns of Steel” tape, remember you purchased that SUV for a reason. Was it style-savvy? No. It was so you’d be king of the road, mountain bike in tow.
Long considered the stress-relieving, muscle-toning sport of the outdoor elite, leisure cycling is touted by environmentalists as a way to reduce traffic congestion while getting into shape. And face it, tackling a scenic trail runs rings around the legion of elliptical climbers at your corner health club.
From early October in upper Michigan to mid- and-late October in north and central Illinois and Indiana, fall colors will begin their annual display, making this the perfect time to get outdoors and hit the trails.
“It’s one of the very best ways to pass a Saturday,” said Wes Lomax, trail manager at Musketowa Trail in Muskegon, Mich., and member of Friends of Musketowa Trail. “Whether you’re looking for great fall flora or fauna, biking allows a first-hand look at wetland foliage, eagles and coyotes.”
“Believe it or not, you often don’t have to travel much farther than your own back yard to get a glimpse,” added Art Gilford, member of the Chicago Cycling Club. “Many local trails travel through charming downtowns and over old plank bridges only moments from home.”
History buffs take note as well: Fall leaves are likely not the only local color you’ll glean from a ride on the trails.
Bob Clark, board member of the Michiana Bicycle Association in Granger, Ind., said one of his favorite things to do is wheel his way through the state’s Amish country.
“When the folks of Shipshewana know people will be riding through, they set up lemonade stands and sell cookies and root beer floats,” said Clark, who helps organize the association’s tours. “It’s really quite quaint.”
Whether you’re a novice or a proficient pedaler, trails allow cyclists to self-pace, huff and puff or pack a lunch, bursting with heart-healthy fare, of course. With the help of more than 25 cycling aficionados far and wide, we’ve come up with these Midwestern routes not to be missed. So, lube your chains, and get on board.
Note: In descriptions that follow, “where to start” is not necessarily at the beginning or end of each route. It’s just the easiest starting point for riders not familiar with the area.
Illinois
Fox River Trail
On this 35-mile, historic route, meander along the bubbling Fox River through towns such as Aurora, St. Charles and Algonquin.
Watch for: The Fabyan Forest Preserve, Villa Museum, Japanese garden and windmill just beyond the Geneva branch of the Illinois Prairie Path
Where to start: On Illinois Avenue off Illinois Highway 31 in Aurora.
Construction: Asphalt and crushed stone
Skill level: Easy
Cost: Free
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 40 miles
Map: www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/pages/prkstrls/trailmaps/foxriver.html
Phone: 630-232-5980
Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail
This 61-mile-long, scenic, multi-use trail follows the historic route of the I&M Canal through natural prairie land and loads of fall color.
Watch for: The Dresden Island lock and dam, William Stratton State Park and the Seneca grain elevator
Where to start: Channahon State Park access point 1 mile east of I-55
Construction: Natural
Skill level: Easy
Cost: Free
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 55 miles
Map: dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PDF’s/i&mcanal.pdf
Phone: 815-942-9501
Illinois Prairie Path
This 55-mile-long trail originates in Cook County and has spurs through wetlands and woods in DuPage and Kane Counties.
Watch for: Native American burial grounds near the Geneva spur in the Winfield Mounds Forest Preserve
Where to start: 1st Avenue in Maywood, north of Roosevelt Road and the Eisenhower Expressway
Construction: Crushed limestone
Skill level: Easy
Cost: Free
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 20 miles
Map: www.mikebentley.com/bike/IPPmap.gif
Phone: 630-752-0120
Indiana
Amishland and Lakes Trails
Travel on routes ranging from 25 to 69 miles through Amish countryside to tourist-friendly Shipshewana.
Watch for: Shipshewana flea market on Tuesdays and Wednesdays May through October
Where to start: Howe Military Academy in Howe on Indiana Highway 9
Construction: Paved country roads
Skill level: Easy to moderate
Cost: Free
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 135 miles
Camping: Shipshewana Campground and Amish Log Camping in Shipshewana
Map: members.aol.com/recla/mba/map-s.htm for hostless maps or members.aol.com/recla/mba/mbainfo.htm for information
Phone: 574-674-0088
Hoosier National Forest Trail System
Mountain bikers can make fast tracks through interlocked trail systems and scenic hardwoods on spaghetti-style paths. Among the 170 miles of trails, many are open only to bikers, including Hickory Ridge, Mogan Ridge and Tipsaw.
Camping runs the gamut from primitive to advanced facilities.
Watch for: Hemlock Cliffs, Wesley Chapel Gulf and Buffalo Trace, open to hikers and located off bike paths
Where to start: Throughout Hoosier National Forest in south central Indiana
Construction: Unfinished, natural trails
Skill level: Easy to advanced
Cost: Trail tag $3 per day
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 255 miles
Camping: Indiana Dunes State Park campground in Chesterton
Map: www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/recreation/mtn-bike-info.htm
Phone: 812-275-5987
Michigan City Route
Part of the shared bikeways of La Porte County, this color-coded, 26-mile trail connects with 420 miles of paths and offers glimpses of Lake Michigan and downtown Michigan City.
Watch for: A connection to Heston and Prairie loops, which lead to a llama ranch
Where to start: Washington Park, off U.S. 35 from I-94
Construction: Paved roads
Skill level: Easy
Cost: Free
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 60 miles
Camping: Indiana Dunes State Park campground in Chesterton
Map: N/A
Phone: 888-259-5999
Michigan
Kal-Haven Trail
This 34-mile trail meanders through wooded areas and farmlands along the former site of the Penn Central Railroad between Kalamazoo and South Haven.
Watch for: Camelback Bridge east of Grand Junction and a covered bridge near South Haven
Where to start: Blue Star Highway off I-196 North
Construction: Crushed limestone and steel slag screening
Skill level: Easy
Cost: Free
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 125 miles
Camping: Van Buren State Park in South Haven
Map: N/A
Phone: 616-637-2788
Musketawa Trail
This 26-mile multi-use trail weaves through Muskegon and Ottawa Counties between Marne and Muskegon through farmlands, wetlands and over creeks.
Watch for: A 219-foot trestle over Crockery Creek in Ravenna
Where to start: Broadway trailhead off Sherman Boulevard exit from U.S. Highway 31
Construction: Asphalt, gravel
Skill level: Easy
Cost: Free
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 190 miles
Camping: Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon
Web site: www.musketawatrail.org
Phone: 231-853-5476
Potawatomi Trail, Pinckney Recreation Area
Killer hills weave up and down through marsh and conifer forests. The trail interlocks with Cooked and Silver Lake paths for a total of 26 miles of challenging terrain.
Watch for: Glacier-formed mounds and hills
Where to start: Park entrance off Dexter-Town Hall Rd. in Pinckney
Construction: Natural, unpaved trails and boardwalks
Skill level: Moderate to difficult
Cost: $4 permit/day
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 250 miles
Camping: Pinckney Recreation Area
Map: N/A
Phone: 734-426-4913
Wisconsin
Ahnapee State Trail
From the village of Casco, this county-operated trail winds east and north 30 miles along the Ahnapee River through the Door County countryside to downtown Sturgeon Bay.
Watch for: The nature walk, a 1,500-foot wooden plank along the Kewaunee River north of Kewaunee which leads to an observation deck, the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay
Where to start: On County Road S off Wisconsin Highway 42; signs lead to Ahnapee State Trail
Skill level: Easy to moderate
Construction: Packed limestone
Cost: Free
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 240 miles
Camping: Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay
Map: www.trailsfromrails.com/ahnapee-trail.htm
Phone: 920-487-3214 or 920-388-4410
Glacial Drumlin Trail
This 52-mile path follows an old railroad grade from Waukesha near Milwaukee to Cottage Grove near Madison.
Watch for: Glacial formations between Waukesha and Wales, which look like large teardrop-shaped hills, Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha
Where to start: Off Wisconsin Highway 83 in Wales
Construction: Asphalt and packed limestone
Skill level: Easy to moderate
Cost: $10/day for state park vehicle sticker plus an additional $3 per day for bike path access
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 105 miles
Map: www.trailsfromrails.com/glacial-drumlin-trail.htm
Phone: 262-646-3025
Trails at Kettle Moraine State Forest, Southern Unit
Mountain bike enthusiasts can enjoy 27 miles and five loops on the John Muir and Emma Carlin trails, which run through the Kettle Moraine Forest Preserve and feature some of the most challenging paths around.
Watch for: Heavily wooded pine plantations, bogs and hardwood oak and hickory forests peppered with scenic overlooks
Where to start: County Highway H, north of U.S. Hwy. 12
Construction: Natural
Skill level: Moderate to difficult
Cost: $10/day for state park vehicle sticker plus an additional $3 per day
for bike path access
Distance from Chicago’s Loop: 110 miles
Camping: Kettle Moraine State Forest south, outside Whitewater
Map: my.execpc.com (tilde) jwamser/KettleSouth.html
Phone: 262-594-6200
BICYLE CLUBS
Perhaps riding solo isn’t your style. Instead of packing up the Lycra, those navigationally challenged should consider teaming up with local bike clubs.
Not only are they wells of information, but many offer organized rides too. Here are some fast facts to get your wheels turning.
CHICAGO CYCLING CLUB
P.O. Box 1178
Chicago, IL 60690
Phone: 773-509-8093
Web site: www.chicagocyclingclub.org
What: A social club promoting safe group cycling, offers Saturday and Sunday rides April through October, varying 15-100 miles.
FOLKS ON SPOKES
P.O. Box 824
Homewood, IL 60430
Phone: 708-585-7672
Web site: www.folksonspokes.com
What: An organization with regular meetings and events ranging from Sunday bike rides to hiking and cross country ski excursions
INDIANA BICYCLE COALITION
P.O. Box 20249
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Phone: 800-BIKE-110
Web site: www.bicycleindiana.org
What: A statewide network for the bicycling community providing information and education as well while offering bike-related events
MICHIANA BICYCLING ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 182
Granger, IN 46530
Phone: 219-674-0088
Web site: members.aol.com/recla/mba/mbainfo.htm
What: An organization offering local and regional rides in addition to cookouts, camping trips and potluck dinners
WISCONSIN OFF ROAD BIKING ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 5184
Elm Grove, WI 53122
Phone: N/A
Web site: www.worba.org
What: A statewide grassroots organization promoting environmentally responsible mountain biking
FRIENDS OF THE AHNAPEE STATE TRAIL
P.O. Box 93
Algoma, WI 54201
Phone: 920-487-3822
Web site: www.ahnapeetrail.org
What: An organization dedicated to the promotion, development and maintenance of the Ahnapee State Trail. It also offers annual rides and events.
— J.O.
