Rich Goes Mountain Biking (sort of)
The Kickapoo Mountain Bike Club has a system of trails at Kickapoo State Park near Danville IL
This is an area that was extensively strip mined for coal for many years
The mountain bike trails run amidst the various piles of spoil and ponds
The trails are rated from easy to highly technical
Being a complete novice I strongly considered the Kids Loop before attempting anything else
The Haul Road (shown in purple) seemed like a good relatively easy introduction
It is a gravel road and in places steep and loose — the road originally was used to haul the coal from the areas being mined
The Diamond Back was the bicycle of choice
The mechanic’s creeper makes it somewhat easier to load into the back of a Ford Edge
At the Trailhead
Considered a “Crossover” back in the day, its part road and part mountain bicycle
Certainly not an Ogre, Disc Trucker, or Salsa, but it was more than capable today
Trailhead parking area with primitive facilities
Rolling out on the Haul Road
The trees were a welcome change from farm fields (later, that opinion would become modified)
Quiet, cool, and fragrant
Pond in the last place coal was extracted
The ponds are dangerous in the sense that there is no shallow near shore zone — its an immediate drop into often times very deep water
Haul Road ends here
Spoil piles where the more technical trails are located
Cyclist known to frighten small children and puppies
Return to Trailhead to decide what is next
Trail 1B appeared to be an easy one
1A and 1B this way
1A being longer and a little more rigorous, I stayed with 1B
Both are one way single track
Wishing to get some views of ponds, I began to appreciate Greg’s disdain for view blockers
Typical scene along 1B
Loaded up the Diamond Back and headed into Kickapoo Park
The Kickapoo were peaceful indigenous people who were ultimately “relocated” to Oklahoma
Kickapoo Park Road
Geese whose goslings had just moved downslope out of view
There is a connecting road to the Vermilion County Fairgrounds, it is blocked to vehicles but a bicycle could get thru to access the Kickapoo Rail Trail from the park — eventually the rail trail will enter
Tree work blocked my attempt to get through, so took the long way around by county roads and US highway
Barn along the Park Road
Present start/terminus of the Rail Trail
At this time, this section continues west for 3 miles to Oakwood, IL
It will eventually run 25 miles to Urbana, IL
Beginning of the trail looking west
The featured attraction of the rail trail is the trestle over the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River
View North from trestle
View South
Interstate 74 bridge in the background
This part of the Middle Fork has been declared a State and National Scenic River
The Upshot:
It was an absolutely beautiful day, cool temps, calm wind, low humidity
It was a good experience and I really enjoyed it. The easier trails made it even more so.
Having seen videos of the more technical trails, the is just no way that would be possible. I lack the proper bicycle, and mostly the stamina to do that kind of riding
Very much considering returning to do the 1A trail; the others range from difficult to impossible for me
As far as the KRT is concerned, that is a definite. Starting either in Oakwood or Kickapoo, its only 6 miles out and back right now
The western part of the KRT is now complete from Urbana to Ogden, IL so that is a possibility as well
Great day/Great Ride 🙂
Uhhh — I didn’t go quite that fast 😉
Rich-Illinois
Very much enjoy all the entries you all have provided -- great to see the everyday cycling venues. Being in eastern Illinois, scenery certainly isn't our forte, but oh well, the roads are normally quiet. Look forward to more and more entries from all of you, I do have a few over on BL -- in Bill's Day Rides, and one journal.
8 response to "Rich Goes Mountain Biking (sort of)"
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Very nice! Rich is now officially a mountain biking maniac! Soon his garage will host an entire squadron of full-suspension MTBs.
Looks like that is only about an hour from Bloomington-Normal. Next time the Ogre and I are in Blue Mound Township, we’ll meet you at the park. Hoping it will be another day of moderate temperatures, low humidity, and no wind, although I realize that only happens about once every ten years. 😉
That would be great!!
Most of the MTB trails are beyond my scope and capabilities I’m sorry to say.
Some nice cycling in the park as well, including some cross-training climbs (for me)
Yes, it was an ideal day, and yes, they are few and far between as I’m sure you remember.
CEO would rather eat at Arby’s than drive I-74 — no joke — some strange crashes that should never have happened happen on 74.
I love that old barn!
I am definitely not a mountain bike/unpaved trail person, but I might be able to conquer the trails you found for your day ;’-). Easy for me to say since I will not be joining you and Bill on any adventures.
Great post Rich, I learned about the coal dig now lake being so deep and no gradual shoreline. Makes perfect sense but I just did not think about it. Also that wooden trestle bridge looks fantastic! What a treat to ride around some place a little different..
Yes it was quite a different cycling experience.
My first impression having done it was, I dunno if I want to do that again or not — given time and more thought, it really was pretty cool. So yeah, I’ll be back.
Most of the trails are out of my league, but 2 or 3 seem doable.
The trestle itself was a million dollar project — total for the entire trail is in the 12 million range.
Never thought it would be completed in my lifetime, but looks like it may happen.
CEO has a monthly Dr appointment in Danville that lasts around 2 hours, so a perfect opportunity to get back to trails.
Wow, sounds like a lot of nice variety and pretty scenery! And a picture of you!👋
Thanks! I’m looking forward to your tour in France on Cycle Blaze. It will be a great time!
As to the photo of me — few exist — and you just saw the reason why, 😉
I think I’ve just seen a pic of Rich, seems intelligent and handsome too. Kickapoo has to be the greatest name ever I reckon and I thought Australia had all the good ones.
Thanks! But . . . .
Operative word: “seems” 😉
In ‘Strine I’d more likely be called a dipstick!