Practically Perfect Preserves and Parks

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Naperville, IL, US

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Route-overzicht

Daryl Monge

Gravel Riding and Racing, Route Planning, Community Organizations IT Best Practices

71 km

399 m

Practically Perfect Preserves & Parks route is a 45-mile tour through the west/southwest suburbs of Chicagoland taking in quite a number of local parks, trails and forest preserves.

Featured in the [2024 Ride Illinois Ride Guide](https://issuu.com/rideillinois/docs/2024_ride_guide)

Verzenden naar apparaat Geavanceerd exporteren Standaardroute bekijken (met aanwijzingenlijst)

Routedetails

# How many parks can you visit in one ride

The Practically Perfect Preserves & Parks route is a 45-mile tour through the west/southwest suburbs of Chicagoland taking in quite a number of local parks, trails and forest preserves. About 30 miles of this route is on paved surfaces and 15 miles of well-packed limestone trails. About 20 miles is on local roads but all are officially designated bike routes usually with marked lanes. For those concerned with biking on the road, there is one stretch of Clarendon Hills Rd where the designated bike route is somewhat narrow, so take extra care.

A major feature of this route is a long section of the [Southern DuPage Regional Trail](https://www.dupagecounty.gov/government/departments/transportation/getting_around/bikeways_and_trails/trails.php#collapse85500b1391) from Naperville to Clarendon Hills. You will pass through or along 5 forest preserves of [DuPage](https://www.dupageforest.org) and [Will](https://www.reconnectwithnature.org) County as well as 12 local parks. Water locations are marked on the provided map. There are so many parks along this route that you have a wide variety of alternate start points other than the official map. Some notable ones are the Prairie Trail Park for those coming from the North or East of the route at 59th Street and Clarendon Hills Road and the East side Parking lot of [Waterfall Glen](https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/waterfall-glen) for those coming from the South or South East.

For those who are more comfortable riding in traffic, some trails have adjacent safe roads such as Hobson Rd and 83rd St. For example, those two roads are three lanes wide with the center lane largely for turns leaving ample room for traffic to pass safely. Except for a few spots, climbing is relatively gentle. Waterfall Glen contains the majority of the steeper sections, but they are not long. The route map has photos and commentary for important or confusing areas or intersections. And of course, no route through Waterfall Glen would be complete without going on the south side route to see the actual waterfall!

Featured in the [2024 Ride Illinois Ride Guide](https://issuu.com/rideillinois/docs/2024_ride_guide)

Part of the [Ride Illinois Routes to Ride Collection](https://ridewithgps.com/collections/2964629)

Visit [Ride Illinois](https://rideillinois.org)

Andere routes van Daryl Monge

Daryl Monge

Gravel Riding and Racing, Route Planning, Community Organizations IT Best Practices

Daryl Monge

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Bloomington-Normal, Illinois

Verhard

A wonderful way to experience Downtown Bloomington and Uptown Normal, including beautiful tree-li... more

A wonderful way to experience Downtown Bloomington and Uptown Normal, including beautiful tree-lined sections. Longer rides experience the agricultural character of central Illinois, from planting to harvesting, depending on time of year.

The Bloomington-Normal Constitution Trail is one of Central Illinois' most unique parks. This 50+ mile jogging, walking, cycling and rollerblading trail has become a hit with the community and visitors alike. The Constitution Trail has been a Bloomington-Normal staple since 1989. Much of the trail follows the old Illinois Central Gulf Railroad right-of-way through the community. It was dedicated and named in celebration of the 200th birthday of the United States.

Slightly modified from the original to provide less out-and-back as well as visit more of the two universities.

Originally published in the Ride Illinois 2022 Ride Guide. Contribution by the Friends of the Constitution Trail. Editor Daryl Monge (less)

Bloomington-Normal, Illinois

Slightly modified from the original to provide less out-and-back as well as visit more of the two universities.

Originally published in the Ride Illinois 2022 Ride Guide. Contribution by the Friends of the Constitution Trail. Editor Daryl Monge (less)

Daryl Monge

Gravel Riding and Racing, Route Planning, Community Organizations IT Best Practices

108 km 452 m

DuPage County, IL, US

Gemengde oppervlakken

Tour the Fox River Trail, the Illinois Prairie Path, and DuPage River Trail on this metric centur... more

Tour the Fox River Trail, the Illinois Prairie Path, and DuPage River Trail on this metric century. Also known as the "Arrowhead Trail Ride". This is a relatively flat tour of the Illinois Prairie Path and the Fox River Trail. The route is along trails and lightly traveled local roads.

Featured in the 2022 Ride Illinois Ride Guide
https://issuu.com/rideillinois/docs/2022_ride_guide
(less)

DuPage County, IL, US

Featured in the 2022 Ride Illinois Ride Guide
https://issuu.com/rideillinois/docs/2022_ride_guide
(less)

Practically Perfect Preserves and Parks

Route-overzicht

Routedetails

Andere routes van Daryl Monge

Bikes, Bison, and Gravel

Constitution Trail Full out and back

Going Loopy with a River Runs Through It

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