- May 31, 2018

SITE SEEING BY BIKE | Riding Around Kane County

SO MANY SITES TO SEE....ENJOY YOUR COMMUNITY BY BIKE! Grab a bike and discover Kane County via their Bikeway System along the five major regional trails within Kane County: The Fox River Trail, The Great Western Trail, The Virgil Gilman Trail, the four spurs of The Illinois Prairie Path, and the developing Mid-County Trail. The handy bike map at www.kdot.countyofkane.org/Publications/2017_2018KaneandNorthernKendallCountyBikeMap.pdf will guide you across Kane County, through historic downtowns, along the scenic Fox River, by farmlands, prairies, and open space. Just off the trails, you can stop for shopping, restaurants, and activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing opportunities.

The sprawling 6,800-acre Fermilab in Batavia campus, known as one of Kane County’s best places to walk, run or ride your bike, this year has opened parts of its campus that have been previously off limits to bikers and walkers. Several miles of trails travel through woodland, restored oak savanna and tallgrass prairie. These trails are excellent for viewing the Bison pasture, wildlife and wildflowers such as sedge wren, shooting star, meadow fritillary, Baltimore oriole and Jacob’s ladder.

Near Sugar Grove, the Virgil L. Gilman Trail runs from quiet forest and prairie lands to bustling neighborhoods in just 11 miles, linking a woodsy community college campus with the eastern Chicago suburb of Montgomery. The rail-trail is built along the routes of two former railroads and follows along Blackberry Creek, crossing pedestrian bridges, and past Blackberry Farm.

Continue to explore nature via Geneva Park District’s 69 miles of scenic trails which allow you to discover Peck Farm Park with stops at Hawks Hollow, the Butterfly House, Peck Family Historic House, Silo, and more. Travel through scenic Island Park, Old Mill Park, and Bennett Park in Geneva along the Fox River Trail and take in the restaurants and shops located on Third Street and Route 38 in downtown Geneva just west of the trail. Shop. Dine. Bike! –Kristen Kucharski

BIKING EVENTS

American Diabetes Association 2018 Chicagoland Tour de Cure RiverEdge Park, 360 North Broadway Street, Aurora The American Diabetes Association’s fundraising event for cyclists, runners and walkers of all levels, offering 4 different cycling routes, and a 5k walk/run option. Music festival, live entertainment, family activities and more. www.diabetes.org/chicagotour

JUNE23 Bike MS: Tour de Farms Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles Join thousands of riders as you pedal between northern Illinois’ quaint suburbs and open country roads. Choose from the 35 to 175 mile options, perfect for experienced and novice riders. www.bikemsillinois.org/

JUNE 24 Swedish Days Ride 49th Annual Swedish Days Ride touring the beautiful, quiet, scenic, paved country roads of Kane County. Rest stops, energizing food and thirst-quenching beverages provided along routes. www.fvbsc.org

AUGUST 26

Everybody Rides, St. Charles Riders can choose from a 10 mile family trail ride or a 29, 47, or 62 mile road ride on quiet country roads. Then Project Mobility will host a party in the park with live entertainment, food, drinks, raffles, and games. www.projectmobility.wixsite.com/everybodyrides2018

EVERY THURSDAY

Women’s Wine & Ride, Batavia Every Thursday (weather permitting) at 6 p.m. Ride leaves from Prairie Path Cycles in Batavia Ride ends at Bar Evolution in Batavia www.prairiepathcycles.com/about/shop-rides-pg216.htm