Riders put the pedal down on Shawnee trails

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…