Crossing the county to check out Thorn Creek

When I asked Cook County about the bumpy conditions of the Busse Woods Trail out in the northwest by me, I heard the Thorn Creek system was being evaluated first. So I trekked southeast across Cook County (by car!) to check out the trail (by bike!) for myself. Well, the county has gotten it in largely good shape, all the way to the Burnham and Pennsy greenways. Take a look.​

St. Charles to check out its downtown path

Also a little south of me, St. Charles will be studying bike and pedestrian safety through the center of town, specifically at Main Street/Route 64. The Fox River Trail goes through there, but not entirely as a path. Maybe the city will change that? Back up north, bridge reconstruction that will create a link between Des Plaines via a Rand Road path and the Des Plaines River Trail is about to begin. See the latest 2026 local bicycling news.

Organized spring rides coming

The Wheeling Wheelmen had tough weather for their St. Patrick's Day ride on March 15. But their "Bakery Rides" will begin next month. So will a couple of other weekly community rides. Bigger rides have been added to the calendar:

• MS Tour de Farms 2026 Spring Kickoff in April.
• McHenry County Century Ride in May.
• Janesville Morning Rotary Club Pie Ride in June.
• Pat Mac Ride in June.

I have 19 charity and other organized rides on my 2026 list — check it out.

COMING SOON

I'm not done reviewing south Cook County trails. I'll soon write about my visits to the Tinley Creek system and the Cal-Sag Trail. Guess where I found a dead deer on a path? Now that's something I didn't want to see. Fortunately there were better finds.

We've made it through winter! Now we could hit 70. Can it stay there? — Neil

THANK YOU TO THESE DONORS: Alan White, John Heer, Terry Witt, Mitchell C. Jones, T L Szensy, the Arlington Heights Bicycle Club, Douglas H. Hoffman, James Krause, 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, Mark Joseph Dugo, Richard Wadleigh, Colleen Stevenson, Randy Barich, Michael D. Staples, Michael Vander Weele, Hilliard B. Grossman and Kevin V. Barba.
I create the Suburban Chicago Bicycling website and newsletter with the help of readers like you.
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At top: Thorn Creek Trail through Glenwood Woods is a pretty ride. We just need some leaves.

For even more, read old newsletters. And please forward this to anyone interested.