Fall is here, but biking continues...

Wow! The temperatures in Chicagoland plummeted 40 degrees in 48 hours. After 8 successive biking days wearing shorts and t-shirt, today we wore multiple layers topped with sweatshirts and fleece jackets. And gloves! (Well, at least it was windy!) Here Dave and Patti and Marlene and Len check out the water flowing over the Carpentersville Dam...


... as we biked 17+ miles on the Fox River and McHenry Prairie Trails north from East Dundee...


... with one water break on the bridge over the Fox River, and another break for late breakfast/early lunch at Reese's Restaurant in Algonquin. (Wonderful meal!)

A new sign was erected by the McHenry Conservation District, showing the entire route of the Grand Illinois Trail, a 545 mile loop of Illinois from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River and back. Though not finished yet and still partially running on existing roadways instead of dedicated trails, it passes through 50 or more cities and villages, 12 major parks, 12 existing trail systems, and 2 canal corridors, through the cooperative efforts of over 90 governmental and nonprofit entities. Upon viewing the map, Len enthusiastically stated, "Let's do the whole loop and then go get lunch! (Double click to enlarge map.)