Checkpoint. Gorgeous Fall day, sunny, temps in the 50's and 60's, variable SW winds. This is Part 1 of 4 of the Des Plaines River Trail starting at the Southernmost point in Elmwood Park, just North of Oak Park, I rode up to just North of O'Hare and Des Plaines, all in Cook County. Forest Preserves in the Southern part were in pretty poor condition, which gradually improved as I headed North - kind of a metaphor for Chicago. This was a pretty slow ride, partly as a recovery but also due to poor trail conditions and the fact that I took several single track woodland trail detours. Really a beautiful day, saw tons of people out on bikes and hiking. This being Chicago, saw many Eastern European men in full track suits... Definitely worth the drive over to see but this is not the prettiest section of the Des Plaines River, but the woods were gorgeous. Next section is from Camp Pine Woods up to Half Day Forest Preserve, which looks to be really nice.