Welcome to the FOS Library of Favorites
Are you looking for new places to ride or hike? Check some of the routes listed below. Ride the whole route or just ride a segment that fits into one of your own rides.
The availability of food service and restrooms changes continually, as do traffic, road, and trail conditions. It is a good idea to preview the route on Google Maps to locate convenient rest stops.
Most route planning web sites allow routes to be downloaded to a GPS device. Note that the road names on signposts may not match the road names listed on maps, cue sheets, Google Maps, or GPS devices.
Page updated 8/27/2020
Go to Hike Routes
Bike Routes
Updated 8/2020
Momence-Aroma Park loop - 26 mi
Park Forest to Monee Reservoir - 24 mi
Joe Orr Woods to Lansing Woods - 19 mi
FOS Monee Reservoir - Peotone Loop - 20 mi
Boy Scout Cycling Merit Badge Route - 52 mi
Unique Century
Joliet Iron Works - Waterfall Glen - 39 mi
Bolingbrook to Blackwell Forrest Preserve - 44 mi
The Tombstone Tour - 35 mi
Old Plank Road to I&M Canal Trail Head -3.5 1 Way
New Lenox to Joliet Junction Trail
Oak Savannah & Prairie Duneland Trail - - 29 mi
Kemil Beach to New Buffalo - 40 mi
Michigan City to New Buffalo - 24 mi
New Lenox to Schmaltz Delicatessen - 35 mi - 1 Way
Midewin National Tall Grass Prairie - 44 mi
Door County Coastal - 80 mi
Manhattan_-_Bourbonnais-_Gravel - 54 mi
Momence to Aroma Park - 26 mi Link to Route on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From LarryM Larry@ChicagoBicycle.org: One of my favorite rides is a 26-mile loop from Island Park in Momence to Aroma Park and back. Much of it is along the banks of the Kankakee River. It is generally on low traffic country roads with a few miles on a highway. Facilities are available at the start and near mile 14. This route is part of the Kankakee River Bicycle Club's Two Rivers Century. The last checked July, 2020.
Park Forest to Monee Reservoir - 24 mi Link to Route on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From LarryM Larry@ChicagoBicycle.org: Frequent route on FOS Easter Rides. Last checked July 2020
Joe Orr Woods to Lansing Woods - 19 mi Link to Ride on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From LarryM Larry@ChicagoBicycle.org: Mix of trails and roads. Calumet Bakery is on Torrence, 2 blocks north of the Lansing Woods parking lot. Last checked July 2020.
FOS Monee Reservoir - Peotone Loop - 20 mi Link to Ride on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From LarryM Larry@ChicagoBicycle.org: FOS Easte Ride Route
Boy Scout Cycling Merit Badge Route - 52 mi Link to Ride on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From LarryM Larry@ChicagoBicycle.org: This is the route taken by some scouts for their Cycling Merit Badge 50 mile ride. It loops from Cicero/ Old Target to Goodenow Grove, Beecher, Monee Reservoir, and back to Cicero/ Old Target. Starting in Frankfort instead of Cicero/ Old Target adds roughly 7 miles. All the roads have been part of a FOS Easter Ride at some time. Last checked July 2020
Unique Century Link to Ride on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From Steve Geary, Here's a ride I did 2 weeks ago that turned out to be a most interesting century. Its a ride that takes you on the road, limestone trail, paved trails, Forest Preserve and Prairie. A wider road tire was useful and comfortable when navigating the limestone without adding too much rotating mass when on the road.
This is a ride that Bill Lang and I put together several years ago, but he never got the chance to ride the complete 100 miles. We did however, ride 60 miles of this route with modifications.
Trails:
OPRT, Gaylord Donnley - I&M, Centennial, Veterans Memorial, Waterfall Glen, John Husar - I&M, Cal Sag, Tinley Creek, Rubio Woods, Hickory Creek East, Hickory CreekBarrens, OPRT Last checked 8/2020
Joliet Iron Works - Waterfall Glen - 39 mi Link to Ride on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet From Steve Geary: This ride consists of 66% crushed limestone trails, 34% paved trails and 0% roads. Best when conditions are dry. Heavy rains can make limestone soft and difficult to navigate.
Joliet Iron Works - Gaylord Donnely I&M Canal Trail, Centennial Trail, Veterans Memorial Trail, Waterfall Glen Trail.
Start at the Joliet Iron Works Park and ride though sections of the old steel mill. You'll also see the old Joliet Prison featured in the Blues Brothers movie. The Centennial trail is paved and is smooth as glass and flat as a pancake. Waterfall Glen is a spectacular wooded trail that circles the Argon National Laboratory.
Bolingbrook to Blackwell Forrest Preserve - 44 mi Link to Ride on MapMyRide Download map and cue sheet
From Steve Geary: This ride parallels the West Branch of the Dupage River. Easy to navigate and very flat with 60% pavement and 40% limestone. The ride takes you through the scenic part of downtown Naperville as you travel north through 2 forest preserves. Great ride for those who enjoy riding in the shade!
The Weenie Ride - 35 mi Link to Route on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From Steve Geary: Joey's Red Hots & Hickory Creek Brewing
Start at HCB and ride to Joey's for a Chicago style hot dog (many other sandwiches to choose from). Then back to HCB for a refreshing brew.
From Steve Geary: An FOS favorite that tours the cemeteries around the Crete IL area. This ride is setup like a scavenger hunt to find as many cemeteries as possible. (look for 7)
Old Plank Road to I&M Canal Trail Head - 3.5 mi 1 way Link to Ride on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From Steve Geary: Connects the west end of the Old Plank Road Trail to the Illinois & Michigan Trail in Rockdale.
New Lenox - Joliet Junction Trail - 39 mi Link to Ride on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From Steve Geary:
Kemil Beach to New Buffalo - 40 mi Link to Ride on MapMyRide Download map and cue sheet
From Laura Jones: This ride includes the "Michigan City to New Buffalo" ride but adds a few miles and a couple of fun rolling hills. It starts at the USGS Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station near Kemil Beach (the old visitor center) and goes to downtown New Buffalo. Last checked August 2020.
Michigan City to New Buffalo - 24 mi Link to Ride on MapMyRide Download map and cue sheet
From Laura Jones: This is a fun ride that starts at the Lighthouse Mall parking lot and ends in downtown New Buffalo. The route is out and back and is mostly flat. The section on US 12, where there is a wide shoulder to ride, is just under 1 mile. Last checked August 2020.
New Lenox to Schmaltz Delicatessen - 35 mi - 1 Way Link to Ride on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet From Steve Geary: New York style modern Jewish deli
Midewin National Tall Grass Prairie - 44 mi Link to Ride on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From Steve Geary: Mostly limestone and gravel roads, this ride will require a bike equipped with gravel tires. You'll see remnants of the old Army Ammunition Facility, wild prairie grasses and flowering plants, and Bison. Take a rest in Wilmington, then continue the ride onto the Wauponsee Glacial Trail. Link to Midewin Site Map Last Checked August 2020.
This ride takes you along scenic coastal roads in Door County Wisconsin.
Manhattan_-_Bourbonnais-_Gravel - 54 mi Link to Route on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From Steve Geary: Here's an interesting ride that has 16 miles of paved road, 10 miles of gravel road, 7 miles of paved trail and 21 miles of limestone trail. All this adds up to 54 miles of fun! A tire width ≥ 38mm is recommended. Checked on 8/23/2020.
Go to Bike Routes
Hike Routes
Updated 8/2020
Palos Red Gate Woods 4.8 mi
Starved Rock Hike - 5.4 mi
Palos Red Gate Woods 4.8 mi Link to Hike on RideWithGPS Download map and cue sheet
From Steve Geary: Great route, easy to extend if you want more miles or cut short for less miles. Last Checked 8/2020
From Steve Geary: An FOS favorite that is enjoyed any season of the year.
To submit a favorite route of your own, plot it out on any route planning website. It does not matter which one, as long as someone can view the route on the internet, view and follow the route on a cell phone, or download it to a GPS. It doesn't matter if the route is local, a remote start, an over-nighter, a 50 miler, or a 5-mile segment with something that caught your imagination.
Write a brief description, including the approximate date the route was last checked. If the site charges a fee to print a map and cue sheet, you may want to create a .pdf of the route and include it in your email for those who do not subscribe to the site. Send the link, description, and map to larry@chicagobicycle.org.