9 minute read
BIKING ON THE BEATEN PATH
| Must See |
This group of bikers makes its way from Utica toward the Buffalo Rock rest spot west of Ottawa.
THE BEATEN PATH Biking on
From the return of a bike share program to a completed construction project, bicycling through Starved Rock Country is more convenient than ever
Story by Mike Murphy, Photos by Tom Sistak
ulie Weston wanted to relive the past during a July visit back home to Starved Rock Country.
“We grew up riding the (Illinois & Michigan Canal) towpath from Peru to Utica,” the Texas resident says. “We were looking for something to do.”
Weston was able to make that ride without having to bring a bicycle on the plane from Dallas to Chicago. The Illinois & Michigan Canal bike share program made it convenient to do so
Jfrom five different canal locations. “It was super easy. The bikes were in great shape and the setup was easy,” she says. Had Weston wanted to ride further east, she could have done so without physical interruption. A washed-out portion of the towpath at Higbee Run creek between Utica and Ottawa was repaired to include a new box culvert and bridge structure that now span the waterway
These two bikers — and a passenger — prepare to go under an overpass on the I & M Canal path near Ottawa.
for the convenience of bicyclists and pedestrians.
“We’re very happy to complete the project,” says Dan Bell, Morris site superintendent for the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail.
New to the Utica area is a paved path that allows bicyclists and pedestrians to travel to Starved Rock State Park across the new bridge carrying Route 178 over the Illinois River. “We have a bike path leading to Starved Rock,” says Utica Mayor David Stewart. “We’ve been wanting to get the culvert done for years.”
What the improvements mean is more people will ride and walk around Starved Rock Country on the towpath stretching from Peru to suburban Chicago.
“We were aiming for a visitor market. For people who don’t want to bring down a bike, it’s easier to rent one for an hour. You don’t have to lug around a bike,” says Ana Koval, executive director of the Canal Corridor Association.
BIKE RENTALS ARE WHAT’S APP-ENING
Bike sharing along the towpath isn’t new, but it’s recent.
The I & M bike share program started in 2019 and was a success, Koval says.
“We have such great trails. It’s a natural,” she says. “We had half a season and put bikes away for the winter. We never did have bikes out in 2020.”
The COVID-19 pandemic put the program to a halt last year, but it was restarted April 1, 2021, and features digital technology to make things easier for bicyclists. They can rent bikes for $5 an hour via an app available on Apple, Android and Google smartphones. They can start at a station, download the app, register and add credit card information, select a bicycle and ride.
“You can bring the bike back to any station when you are done,” Koval notes. “With the new technology, it makes it easier to work it.”
Her organization wants visitors to take advantage of bike sharing. Tim Drury and his wife, Brenda, did just that in mid-July. Brenda saw a notice about the program one Sunday morning, and the Drurys quickly headed to La Salle.
“She saw something about rentals, so we drove up. It was that quick,” Drury says. He and Brenda rode to Utica, checking out the downtown shops and having glasses of wine.
“It was a beautiful day. We saw two snakes and a deer. Pretty cool,” he says.
Local residents also have taken advantage of bike sharing. Among them are Ottawa residents Eva and Sergio Serna, who noticed the bikes on a visit to La Salle with friends and quickly decided to rent them.
“It was very easy. The bike was nice and sturdy. We like how you can adjust the seats and ride pretty smooth,” says Eva Serna, adding the app was very helpful.
“Maybe you see people riding bikes and you might decide to ride yourself.”
Koval hopes so.
“We’re enticing them to stay local and have a good time,” she says.
NO LONGER A WASHOUT
A record flood washed out the crossing over Higbee Run in 2013, and towpath users have been struggling to make it from Ottawa to Utica ever since.
“Over the years, the washout caused a lot of problems. The passageway was critical,” says Ottawa resident Ken
Methling, a longtime member of Starved Rock Cycling Association.
Out-of-town cyclists had heard about the washout and consistently asked about the path’s status at Higbee Run. Club members maintained temporary bridges and crossings until funding came through and the culvert was completed.
“Once you got to that washout, you couldn’t get to Ottawa. It’s been a great asset to the village,” Stewart says.
Bicyclists ride both long and short distances on the towpath. “Whenever we can have longer stretches of trail, that helps us. Fixing the washout was huge,” Koval says.
PATHWAY TO THE PARK
Starved Rock State Park is already a major attraction, but local officials hope to see even more people due to the addition of the path on the new river bridge.
“Even in walking traffic, we’ve seen more people. Local residents really enjoy it. We’ll have a great fall,” Stewart says.
Koval predicts seeing more bikers and hikers in the upcoming months. “Fall is such a good time here. It’s a great time to travel, and I think we’ll have great ridership,” she says.
Tim and Brenda Drury, who had never ridden the towpath until their recent visit, plan to return in the fall. They now have additional places to travel.
“It’s exciting to make cycling more accessible to the area,” Methling says. C S R
Photo courtesy of Canal Corridor Association
HOW TO RENT AND RIDE ALONG THE CANAL
n The Illinois & Michigan Canal bike share program has rental stations adjacent to the I & M Canal State Trail in La Salle, Morris, Channahon and Lockport as well as Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. n Bicyclists can rent two-wheelers for $5 an hour, via an app available on most smartphones. n Bike renters can start at a station, download the app, register and add credit card information, select a bicycle and ride. Bikes can be returned to any station. n To learn more, visit www.iandmcanal.org/bike.
Mansion and Gardens
Mansion Tours:
FRIDAY-MONDAY | 11 AM and 1 PM Please call for other arrangements & group tours
One of the most expensive and ornate private homes in the Midwest when completed in 1858, the Mansion was built by businessman, politician, and philanthropist William Reddick. Home to the Reddick family for nearly 30 years, the mansion anchors Washington Square, site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Join Us
FOR GHOSTS OF OTTAWA PAST FRI. AND SAT., OCT. 8TH & 9TH
7:00 PM PM AND 9:00 9:00 PM
SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS
100 100 West West Lafayette Lafayette St. St. | | Ottawa, Ottawa, IL IL 61350 61350 815-433-6100 | reddickmansion.org
–– ILLINOIS– ILLINOISILLINOIS –––
LaSalle County Historical Society
CANAL MARKET 2021 SCHEDULE
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 18th & 19th Wellness Weekend-
September 25th & 26th
LaSalle County Historical Society
CANAL MARKET 2021 SCHEDULE
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 18th & 19th Wellness Weekend-
September 25th & 26th
EXPLORE NORTH UTICA
Come for a day or the weekend.
LaSalle County Historical Society
CANAL MARKET 2021 SCHEDULE
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 18th & 19th Wellness Weekend-
September 25th & 26th
The Village of North Utica • PO BOX 188 • Ut utica-il.gov utica-il.gov ica, IL 61373 • 815-667-4111 The Village of North Utica • PO BOX 188 • Utica, Starved Rock Country • Fall 2021 | 11 IL 61373 • 815-667-4111
