'Pedal The Prairie' Biking Series Planned By Forest Preserve

NEW LENOX, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County will offer three Pedal the Prairie biking series in September. The first event will kick off Sept. 5 at Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve in New Lenox.

According to the preserve, the event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. The Sept. 5 will feature a 7.28-mile ride with a guide from Hickory Creek Barrens to La Porte Road access and south to Old Plank Road Trail. This ride is a warm-up for the two longer rides in September.

The other two biking events will be held Sept. 19 and Sept. 26 at Lower Rock Run and Sugar Creek Preserve, both in Joliet.

According to the preserve, registration is required for each ride; you can call 815-727-8700, or register online on the Event Calendar.

“This is the second year of the program,” said Ben Hecke, the Forest Preserve’s community partnerships and outreach coordinator. “We’re excited to bring it back and we waited until September to give the weather a chance to cool down for folks.”

Last year’s rides started with a long distance, but this year the first ride will be shorter and each ride will build up in distance and difficulty, he explained.

“Each ride is unique with fun and different aspects of Forest Preserve trails highlighted,” Hecke said in a release. "The rides are a great way to get some recreation and information along the beautiful trails of Will County.”

Riders of all abilities are welcome on the bike tours, which are designed as social rides as opposed to aggressive speed rides, Hecke stressed.