The time I rode my bike to Wisconsin
One of the reasons I am really looking forward to cooler weather is because it’s been mostly sunny all summer, and that made me feel like I should be outside, being active, all the time. I feel guilty if I stay indoors (“being lazy”). However, I do not feel guilty if I stay indoors on a cool, overcast, gloomy day,* so bring more of those my way.
What a twisted thought.
Does anyone else feel guilty when they do not maximize time outdoors when it’s sunny out?
Anyway, Labor Day was one of those sunny days. Sigh. WHERE ARE MY COOL TEMPERATURES?!
I ran in the early morning, spent some time around the house midday, then felt that need TO GET OUTSIDE again in the afternoon.
Pair this need with this book my father-in-law gave me for my birthday, and you have one dangerous combination:
I now have this book**, which contains listings of 113 trails spread throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. I feel like I must visit all of these trails. I MUST! Gah – for some reason, when I see a trail, I just need to explore it. So this book is feeding a bad habit.
Right now I am obsessing about the Elroy-Sparta State Trail in WI. You get to ride your bike through three carved rock tunnels on this 32-mile trail. Doesn’t that sound AWESOME?! The tunnels are so dark you need lights to see where the eff you are going. Thrilling!
I digress.
That trail is a little far from home – 180 miles – so unless anyone wants to make the journey with me anytime soon***, I’ll be sticking to the trails close to home. Which lead me to the Prairie Trail and Hebron Trail, both in McHenry County.
I actually live on the edge of Lake and McHenry Counties, so it’s a bit of a shame I have not explored these trails before, especially since they are less than half an hour from my home.
I got on the Prairie Trail in McHenry and rode it all the way to Wisconsin. It was paved for a few miles at first (yay!) then went to very compact crushed rock. I loved the open prairie portions, but adored the canopies of trees and interesting overpasses:
The trail reminded me a lot of the trail close to my parent’s home that I would sometimes ride on growing up. Another shame – that I did not realize how many trails were in my hometown until I moved****. But I digress again.
I could tell when we got close to Wisconsin because the trail terrain changed.
I turned around and headed back to the Hebron trail (also crushed rock), which connects close to the state border. I didn’t ride the entire 7-mile trail – I was already 12 miles out from the car and didn’t want Steven to wonder why I was gone for so long.
So I got a tiny little glimpse and headed back.
I marked the two trails in my book, because I am a dork like that…
And I plan to mark up these pages A LOT in future!
Alright guys, it’s time to get real. There have been an ALARMING amount of biking focused posts on this blog this summer. First and foremost, I am a runner! Don’t let me forget that! I am counting on YOU to help me out!!!
*Although those tend to be the best days to run…
**Which I believe Matt recommended to me?
***Meet me there, Dad?
****Really, years later.
Themocracy
Well, I’m not a runner…and probably never will be, but I love all your posts! I especially enjoy your cycling posts! I’m so excited that you got this book! Good luck on finding and riding as many as possible. I’ve only ridden part of a few so far here in Ohio. Of course, with the tires on my bike, I’m looking for paved-only paths. I can’t hardly control my bike on any type of gravel. Have a great week!
Aww, thank you Matt! Are many of the paths paved in OH?
Looks interesting, around 110 miles from Guttenberg to Sparta.
I wonder if we could somehow fit that in to the Halloween trip. Do you think you could do 30 (or 60?) miles on your bike?
Awesome. I love those flat long trails like in the picture. There is one right by my house – I don’t feel comfortable going on it alone but it is nice for a quick walk (or snowshoe in the winter).
Is that the one you ran through in the snow this winter?!
I think that is so cool and something I would definitely do (including making notes in my guidebook – you should see my Green guide of Paris from the 1980s – everytime I visited something, I made a note in the book)!
I love how you are making notes in your book! That will make a good reference guide!
What’s a rail to trail?
A rail to trail is an old rail line that has been converted in to a trail. There is also rail near trail… or something… where the trail runs next to an active train line.
That’s really cool!
I want to get my bike out more but I don’t have a bike rack and I can’t figure out how to make it fit in my car (Joey is magic). I did go out on a ride the other day that was so fun! I need to blog it. 🙂
Having a bike rack has helped us get out more! It was quite the show to fit two bikes in to my crossover!
Looks beautiful! I need to check out that book!
Yes! It sounds right up your alley! 🙂
haha! I’m thinking that if sunshine did affect my activity level, I would seriously be the fittest woman on earth, even without doing crossfit. Unfortunately, it doesn’t, because my love of lazy is just insurmountable 🙂
I biked a large portion of the Elroy/Sparta trail about 5 years ago. The tunnels are long, wet, dark and cold, and you can barely make out on-coming bikers (so make sure you have a headlight!). But they are very unique. The trail is quite scenic. I went in the fall and the leaves were changing and the temps cool. Highly recommended!
AHH! Now I feel even more like I need to GET OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Those trails are gorgeous.
I like to be outside when it’s nice out, so when it’s sunny to do try and find outdoor stuff to do, but if I don’t really feel bad if I don’t. I used to, but then I got lazy and stopped caring. 🙂
I, too, feel like I’m wasting a day when the weather is nice and I’m inside. But sometimes the call of the couch is strong.
And, yes, you will always be a runner first. But biking is such an easy way to explore that I can see why you’re drawn to it!
Beautiful, beautiful trails!
You will always be a runner first, no doubt about it. But biking is such a great cross-training exercise – your biking will help to make you be an EVEN BETTER runner!!!!!
I think it is awesome that you are biking. There is the Prairie Path and the Great Western Trail by us. Just an FYI, if you are going on either in our area, there have been sightings of a pack of coyotes. One or two on their own is ok, but a pack is dangerous. If you see any out while you are out and about call 911.
Thanks for the heads up! We’ve had a few in the preserves up here too! Luckily when I see one, it’s just ONE.
I have major bike trail envy! Sounds like you have some great options to explore. Biking does not mean that you are no longer a runner. You just have a more expansive repertoire of options!