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Biking is one of summer’s most fun calorie busters. Hopping on a bike path offers the best of both worlds—it’s a safe I-gotthe-kids-outside-in-fresh-air-and-awayfrom-Wii alternative for kids, and you can squeeze in a workout. In fact, a onehour ride at 12 - 14 miles an hour will knock 550 calories off your 140-pound frame. Moms love multi-tasking. If you’ve grown tired of the paths closest to your neighborhood, consider throwing the bikes on the car and driving a few miles outside of your comfort zone—or bike it! Here’s five great places to hit the trail: 1 North Branch Trail System: Near and dear to many North shore residents, the North Branch ( fpdcc.com) is one of the most easily accessible trails, with access along Glenview Road and Lake Avenue in Glenview, Winnetka and Willow Roads near Northfield, Winnetka’s Tower Road and finally, the Chicago Botanic Garden. Try: Hopping on and biking north to the Garden, where you can park your bikes and head toward the English Garden for an ice cream cone. Or, head south and take a slight detour to Hackney’s on Harms (1241 Harms Rd.,
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Glenview, 847-724-5577, hackneys.net) for a late afternoon lunch on the patio. 2 Green Bay Trail: Another very easy path to access if you live close to the lake. Hard core riders can start in Wilmette and ride straight up the path to the Great Lakes Naval Station. If you’re driving from another suburb, consider parking at the Wilmette train station. When you’re ready to call it quits, hop the Metra with your bikes and you’ll be safely deposited back at your car. Try: Just about anything! The Green Bay Trail allows for easy access to all the towns it traverses. If you hit the trails on a Wednesday, Highwood offers its evening farmer’s market and a bunch of great festivals all summer long. 3 Des Plaines River Trail: Described as one of the most picturesque, the Cook County portion of the river trail ( fpdcc. com) runs more than 40 miles from Isle A La Cache Museum in DuPage County north to Rivershire Park in Lincolnshire. Bikers like it for the long distances one can go without having to stop for traffic—another plus with kids. Try: Making it all the way to Lincolnshire and detouring to Swirlcup
(255B Parkway Dr., Lincolnshire, 847229-2200, swirlcup.com) for a hot fudge sundae—you’ve earned it. 4 Busse Woods Tail System: Located near Palatine, the Busse Woods Trail ( fpdcc.com) is an excellent option for a weekend day trip with young riders. The nearly 8-mile trail winds its way through the preserve and its three main bodies of water. It’s a trail for nature-lovers—see if you can spot the herd of elk! Try: Bringing your fishing poles for a post-ride siesta lakeside, where you just may catch a northern pike or largemouth bass. 5 Illinois Prairie Path: You’ll have to venture out west for this one—a 60+mile path that eventually runs along the Fox River in the far western ‘burbs. The Illinois Prairie Path (ipp. org) is a scenic ride that’s enjoyable for novice riders and experts. Built along an old railroad right-of way, riders have a number of access options. Try: Hop on the trail in Wheaton, and grab lunch at the Front Street Cantina (577 S. Third St., Geneva, 630-232-2806, frontstreetcantina.com) in Geneva.
• If you head out on a Forest Preserve of Cook County trail, riders 14 and younger are required to wear helmets. But you should be wearing them anyway, so you’re good to go.
• Plan ahead. With smaller kids in tow, you want to be sure you turn around to head back to your starting point well before they tire out. Cranky kids on bikes aren’t fun for anyone.
• There are plenty of places to picnic. Consider a pannier bag for your bike, or hook up the old Burley in the back of the garage.
• Don’t forget essentials, such as water, sunscreen and bug spray.
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Photo Courtesy Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Biking at Busse Woods
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6/5/13 3:19 PM