GSC Saturday Off Leash Ride

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Homewood, IL, US

Route Overview

Chris Bednarek

Riding the Chicago burbs

9 mi.

104 ft.

Super fun short loop with about a 50/50 mix of pavement and gravel.

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Route Details

We ride this route EVERY Saturday morning from @poi[GoodSpeed Cycles](6502661) in Homewood, out and around the @poi[Izzak Walton Preserve](7199162), and back. The route is about a 50/50 blend of paved roads/trails and packed gravel and hard dirt. If it's wet or rainy, we try to avoid the puddles and muddy bits out at Izzak, so as to be good stewards of the trails.

The route literaly starts in the bike shop's parking lot. It leads out down the alley and meanders through the quiet neighborhoods of Homewood. There are a few crossings of busy streets, but it's generally not too bad. Following the route, there is a nice shaded bit on the Butterfield Creek and a nice sunny bit coming into Apollo Park. On weekends, there are generally scoccer and/or baseball games going on in the morning, so watch for pedestrians (kids) on the trail. Exiting the park, there's some more neighborhood riding before crossing over to the Izaak Walton Preserve. Up to this point, the route is 100% paved.

There are a couple baseball fields as you enter, so watch out for traffic, particularly on weekends. Once you get into the gravel parking lot of the preserve, trails will be a mix of gravel, dirt, and a really short bit of sand, depending on the route taken. There is only one hill of any significance and if it gets too tough, it's totally walkable. The preserve has great views of its prairies and lakes, making it a particularly beautiful ride for early mornings and around sunset.

One really great feature of this short loop is that you are never far from help if you should run into trouble. Downtown Homewood is nearby, and Izzak Walton backs up to a big commercial area where there are hardware stores, restaurants, coffee shops, etc. This route is certainly more fun with a group, as it's neighborhood and trail routing make for a not-to-fast, conversational pace.

# More resources

If you're looking for more information on this route or the Saturday GoodSpeed group ride, check out these resources:
* [GoodSpeed Cycles](http://www.goodspeed-cycles.com)
* [Homewood Izzak Walton](http://www.homewoodizaakwalton.com/index.php)

# Important Reminders

Please keep in mind that this route travels along public roadways and multi-use trails, always ride safely, and utilize helmets and lights. The Izzak Walton Preserve is multi-use and is free to walk, jog, or bicycle. If you wish to take your dog or fish in the lakes, you must be a member, but it's only $25 a year and it goes to a great cause. The entire route is open all year, regardless of rain or snow, however the preserve does not get groomed at all - conditions are whatever they are based on snowfall and use.

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GSC Saturday Off Leash Ride

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