Riders put the pedal down on Shawnee trails
PDF Wheeling across southern Illinois, mountain bikers can be found riding through creeks and hillsides in the Shawnee National Forest.
With more than 10 designated mountain bike trails in the forest, bikers have numerous locations to ride. The trails, maintained by the Shawnee Mountain Biking Association, give riders an opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors while limiting the sport’s foot print on the preserved land.
Evan McCrea, a senior from Peoria studying plant biology, said he has biked the trails in southern Illinois for a little over a year, and one of the best things about riding in the southern tip is the options bikers have.
McCrea said he spent most of his time outdoors climbing, hiking and occasionally biking while growing up, but once he moved down south biking became one of his top hobbies.
While this year has been slow for McCrea and other mountain bikers because of the substantial amount of rain, he said he has limited opportunities to get out and bike the trails.
“It’s always preferable to get out when it’s drier,” McCrea said. “If it’s really wet and the conditions aren’t too favorable, you can do some damage to the trails, more damage than if the trail is dry.”
He said the uphill parts of the trails can be difficult, and the more energy he expels on the ride, the more damage he can do to the trail.
While riders have several options for biking in southern Illinois, two of the most visited trails are right on the outskirts of Carbondale: the Cedar Lake trail and the Lake Kinkaid trail.
While the trail at Lake Kinkaid is known for its technical terrain, the trail at Cedar Lake is known for its steep up and downhill single tracks and creek passages. The trail is about seven miles long, which makes for about a 14 mile ride with an estimated time from one and a half to two hours.
Sean McCann, a senior studying civil engineering, said he too, started mountain biking once he came down to Carbondale three years ago. He said the trails at Cedar and Kinkaid are the two he prefers to ride because of the close location and unique terrain.
He said the accessibility of the trails in the national forest makes it one of the top places to ride in the Midwest.
“It’s the best thing to do down here as far as I’m concerned,” McCann said. “You can drive right up to the trail, get your bike out and go ride.”
Jordan Kiefer, a senior from Peoria studying zoology, said he has been mountain biking for years. He said he started with his dad and brother and brought the sport with him when he came to Carbondale.
Kiefer said it’s a perfect sport for people who like to get involved in outdoor activities and get a good workout in the process.
“It’s for the adrenaline junkies,” he said. “For people who like to get out, get a good sweat and enjoy the scenery.”
