Surprise, surprise on the Salt Creek Trail

Some Cycle Brookfield and other riders were thrilled a week ago by what they stumbled upon: the Salt Creek Trail open under the Tri-State Tollway. And not just open but repaved, with a new, nicely labeled bridge. The riders had been blocked for at least a couple of years and thought it might be another.

I have considered the Salt Creek Trail kind of a mess overall, with all the twists and turns it takes through neighborhoods and industrial areas. The response to the news of this reopening — the most read Suburban Chicago Bicycling article yet — shows how popular it is. See more on the unannounced reopening in local news and the Salt Creek Trail in the trail round-up.

Unwelcome interruptions elsewhere

Around Hoffman Estates, the Poplar Creek Trail detour continues to befuddle us nearby residents — because a detour is marked only from one side. How long will it last? In Geneva, a small Fox River Trail closure is creating a detour headache. See both in the construction round-up.​

But on the plus side

Riders have been telling me about the new, improved Church Street in Skokie, complete with bike lanes. The repaved 2 miles connects two trails. Another nice surprise has been a repaved Spring Creek Road in Barrington Hills. That's one of my favorite roads. They're also in the round-up.​

Making a great ride even better

Spring Creek Road is part of my longtime favorite ride to River Drive in Algonquin. You can get that relaxing Fox River vibe without the Fox River Trail, plus ride the thrilling Braeburn Road. Read and watch videos.

Riding in national parks?

Heading to a national park this summer or fall? Well, national parks are not always the bicycling meccas we would hope they'd be. I just visited Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. Can you ride it? See what you think as I've added it to my review of national park bicycling options. ​

THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL PARK, BUT ...: Some of us, like tour organizer Jerry Goldman (pictured in Skokie above), consider the Northwoods of Wisconsin bicycling heaven. That's where I'm headed again. Read about the area.​

But community and big rides continue around here. Check the calendar.​

I go to the Northwoods for clear air. May we find it soon back here, too! — Neil

THANK YOU, DONORS:
Arlington Heights Bicycle Club, Alan White, Mitchell C. Jones, Bill Triplett, John Heer, Terry Witt, T L Szensy, James Krause, Mark Joseph Dugo, Douglas H. Hoffman, Melynda Findlay Shamie, Eric Slagter, Jeffery Norman, Kathleen Hays, Andrew L. Campbell, Mark Rathe, Robert M. Yedinak, John S. Perry, David Waycie, David Michels, Cynthia DeVoss, Cheryl Zalenski, Richard H. Jordan, Richard Wadleigh, Colleen Stevenson, Randy Barich, Michael D. Staples, Michael Vander Weele, Hilliard B. Grossman, Kevin V. Barba, Bill Kragh, William F. Haley, Todd Stocke, Colleen Sanderson, Pete Bolsoni, John VanSanten, Tony Messina.

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