Forest Preserve's Rec Bike Club Plans Fall Rides

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County has scheduled six bike rides as part of a special Rec Bike Club series this fall.

Participants will bike a range of 5 to 10.5 miles on trails throughout the District, the preserve said in a news release.

“The mileage for each route varies with our shortest ride at the end of the season since the sun will be setting earlier,” said Em Wilcher, the Forest Preserve’s recreation coordinator who will lead the rides.

Registration is required for each ride. Participants can register for as many rides as they want, from one to all six. Those who complete all six rides will get a T-shirt. The rides are for ages 16 or older, according to the preserve.

Saturday rides are from 9 to 11 a.m. and Wednesday rides are from 3 to 5 p.m.

Here is the Rec Bike Club ride schedule; each ride is linked to an Event Calendar listing that includes registration information:

• Saturday, Sept. 21 – Wauponsee Glacial Trail South, Forked Creek – Ballou Road Access, Wesley Township; 9 miles.
• Wednesday, Sept. 25 – Rock Run Greenway Trail – Black Road Access, Joliet; 7.5 miles.
• Saturday, Oct. 5 – Old Plank Road Trail – Washington Street Access, Joliet; 10 miles.
• Wednesday, Oct. 9 – Wauponsee Glacial Trail North, Sugar Creek Administration Center, Joliet; 10.5 miles.
• Saturday, Oct. 19 – Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory Creek Barrens, New Lenox Township; 9.5 miles.
• Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Messenger Marsh, Homer Glen; 5 miles.

The Rec Bike Club was on hiatus due to staff transitions in 2023, so Wilcher said there has been interest and momentum building with a core group of biking enthusiasts from across the county who are interested in programs like this.

“I’m looking forward to getting out on the trail with some of those folks, along with fresh faces,” she said in a release. “The camaraderie and community we’re building through these programs is a lot of fun.”

By participating in the program, bicyclists will get to know lesser-known access points for trails throughout the county.

“When I cross paths with program participants around the preserves, I love hearing about how they tried a new route using trail connections we’ve talked about,” Wilcher said. “For our Rec Bike Club routes, I worked through the map to select a combination of regional and preserve trails for our rides.”

Three of the rides are on crushed limestone and three are on paved paths, the preserve said.

“The pace will be comfortable for a group including riders who have less experience, so this is a great entry point for anyone who has considered trying a program but is not confident they can take on longer distances.”

After the final ride at Messenger Marsh, there will be a social event to wrap up the rides and the program.