My Outdoors Page

I & M Canal (Utica):
This trail begins at Western Ave. in Park Forest and travels all the way to Utica. Very scenic, great ride. Desolate areas, small towns, and friendly people abound.

Years ago my friend Steve and I rode from Channahon to Starved Rock (east to west). It was a memorable trip, one I would do-over in a heartbeat.

It was a great morning, the weather looked to be on our side. The trip for the first few miles was uneventful, until a mile out of Morris. I heard the unmistakable hiss coming from my front tire. It was flat. Upon inspection, the culprit was an old, old nail. It was only 3/4" in length and was very rusty. Possibly a nail from a horse's hoof that once pulled barges along the I & M Canal years ago. Preparation is my weak point, as the only item missing in the tire repair kit was the patch glue. Steve rode on to Morris to see if there was a bike shop in town. In the meantime, I started to take apart the tire. The mosquitoes proved to be a bit much. I put the tire back together (very quickly) and started to run to town. I have never jogged before with a bike in tow, but found it absolutely necessary and relatively easy. The trick is holding the gooseneck tight enough without hitting the handlebars or bar ends with your hips.

The rim to the ground, and myself a half a cup down on blood, I arrived in town. The bike shop was just opening, but no Steve. Hats off to Grand Schwinn Cyclery . They did a great job in the repairing the tube and were very courteous. Unfortunately, Steve was still no where to be seen. He apparently got back on the trail at another location where I came off of and backtracked to the east where I was supposed to be. After the flat was fixed, I backtracked about a half mile, then west past Morris for a half mile. The trip was only 15 miles old and we had already lost each other! I pushed westward figuring he would be in the next town. He figured the same thing. After crossing the path of an eastbound couple, they informed me he was westbound heading to Seneca.

I caught up to him in Seneca. We had lunch and pushed on. It was a cloud free, beautiful day until the weather turned and caught us completely off guard. A storm had us taking shelter under a patch of trees by a local grade school for about 20/ 30 minutes. Another lesson in non-preparation learned, as we carried not a stitch of rain gear.

Upon reaching Utica, we headed towards Starved Rock, where we were meeting our families for a weekend of camping. As we crossed the bridge overlooking the River, Steve got a flat tire. Unfortunately, I never bought the glue when I was having my tire fixed! With no sign of a bike shop anywhere, Steve ran with bike in tow the remaining 3 miles to the campground on the other side of Starved Rock.

After all was said and done, we figured the trip to be about 60-64 miles, Channahon to the Campground.

Reed-Eckel Property (Crete):
Short 2.2 mile (round trip) with a large hill in the center. About four nice single track offshoots if you look hard enough. Also, at the end of the trail near the golf course it may continue if you feel adventurous, have a mountain bike, and if it's too cool for mosquitoes. Take 394 south to Exchange east. Go to Douglas Ln. and head north about a mile until the street ends. Trail is on the right next to the Pump Station.

Lansing Bike Trail (Lansing Woods):
I would guess the mileage round trip to be around 9-10 miles. Very nice, quiet and scenic. What I really like about this trail (paved) is that it goes all the way into Glenwood, ending at Sweet Woods. If you have a mountain bike, I recommend biking inside Sweet Woods. A single track follows a creek for about a mile. Keep going past tracks for a longer ride.

Chicago (Lakefront):
Great path. Start at the planetarium and head north to Bryn Mawr. Approximately 14 miles. Go for bigger miles starting at the Museum of Science and Industry (55th) and go north, north north.

Reed-Eckel Property (Crete):
Short 2.2 mile (round trip) with a large hill in the center. Four nice single track offshoots for trail running. Take 394 south to Exchange east. Go to and head north about a mile until the street ends. Trail is on the right next to the Pump Station.

Lansing Bike Trail (Lansing Woods):
What I like about this trail (paved) is that it goes to Glenwood, ending at Sweet Woods. If you are training for a half or full marathon, this is an ideal path to do the big mileage runs. Very flat and fast. Be sure to carry your own water.

Old Plank Trail (Frankfort):
Another big mileage path. Flat and fast. After a vigorous run, stop at the Old Plank Trail Tavern in downtown Frankfort. A beer garden (if you're a bit foul), or step inside the 100 year old plus building for a trip down memory lane. Start your run at the parking lot next to Fox Lumber, on Colorado St.

Chicago (Lakefront):
Great path. Start at the planetarium and head north. Go early to avoid congestion. After 8:00 A.M. bikers, runners, walkers and beach enthusiasts remove solitude.

	La Salle Banks Shamrock Shuffle
	Great 10 M. & 5 K Run in Park Forest.
	La Salle Banks Chicago Marathon . . . . . Everyone should do at least one
	Race Schedule for the Chicago area.
Take 3 miles of non paved running, mixed with 3 miles of mountain biking . . . . . . . . and add a farm full of mud.	Muddy Buddy Finish Line 2004

	Starved Rock State Park Map
	Matthiessen State Park Map

DNR Website	Matthiessen State Park
DNR Website	Starved Rock State Park
http://www.fpdcc.com/	Cook County Trail Listing
http://www.willontheweb.com/nature.html	Will County Trail Listing

Sergeant Means (Olympia Fields):
Nice, short course. Elevation changes over a few holes, but for the most part relatively flat. If you have an hour to knock off 18 baskets, this is the place.

My boys and I played here in June of 2004. As we approached the 16th basket, this guy was coming from one of the soccer games and went into this Port O John, which is about 25' to the left of the basket. My older son sets up his tee shot and puts the disc (Puma Mid Range) about 15' to the right of the Port O John. Well, you can pretty much figure out what happens next! He makes a forehand shot, deflects off of the Port O John, with the guy still in there, and puts the disc in the basket! This guy has no clue what happened, yells out, "S***", and comes running out of there as if the Port O John was on fire! Luckily, we all laughed it off and went on our way.

Needless to say, every time we play Sergeant Means park, we check the Port O John at basket #16 prior to our approach shots.