Great Lakes - Connection between the Fox River Trail and the Great Western Trail?

Is there one? It looks like there's one next to Randal Road, but it's hard to tell on Bikely. Nothing shows up on some of the other sites I looked at either, but it would be pretty cool if it did. I'd want to go from around Elgin to Sycamore if the trails connect, has anyone done this?

Is there one? It looks like there's one next to Randal Road, but it's hard to tell on Bikely. Nothing shows up on some of the other sites I looked at either, but it would be pretty cool if it did. I'd want to go from around Elgin to Sycamore if the trails connect, has anyone done this?


Yes. It's fairly easy. Take the FRT down from Elgin. When you come into St. Charles, you take the bike bridge that's back by the police station. It will run you over the river and out to a path along 31. Follow that path north and it will come to a street (left hand turn) that should have a green "bike route" sign. Go left there and follow the green bike route signs through the subdivision. They'll take you to a bike path in a park. That path will either run you to dean street (which you can take across randall, to the GWT head in Leroy Oaks) or to an underpass of randall road (which will run you to Dean street to Leroy oaks).

It's not a "direct" route, but it's there. It sounds more complicated than it is. PM me with any questions. I've taken that little route a million times.

Edit: You can also take that path that runs along Randall. To get there, you're going to need to shoot into that forest preserve just prior to the long bridge over the river. The path in there will wind around (some sections gravel) and take you out to Silver Glen. The path will then run along the north side of Silver Glen, out to Randall... then south down Randall. It will eventually run into Leroy oaks where you can hit the GWT.

Personally, if time is not an issue, I'd prefer to ride the FRT all the way into St. Charles than run that segment down Randall. Next to the bike path along Kirk road near Fermi, I can't think of a less scenic path to ride.

We ride through those areas a ton. If you're in Elgin you should meet up with us sometime.

It's fairly easy. When you come into St. Charles... the police...will run you over.


Isn't it amazing what eliminating a few letters can do?:innocent:

Edit: You can also take that path that runs along Randall. To get there, you're going to need to shoot into that forest preserve just prior to the long bridge over the river. The path in there will wind around (some sections gravel) and take you out to Silver Glen. The path will then run along the north side of Silver Glen, out to Randall... then south down Randall. It will eventually run into Leroy oaks where you can hit the GWT.

Personally, if time is not an issue, I'd prefer to ride the FRT all the way into St. Charles than run that segment down Randall. Next to the bike path along Kirk road near Fermi, I can't think of a less scenic path to ride.

Thanks for the replies. I live in Arlington Heights by Busse Woods, but grew up in Sycamore. Noticed the trail next to route 64 over the weekend when I was back in Sycamore, and I started wondering if I could ride out there instead of driving. Would taking the Randall Road segment let me avoid the hill up out of the downtown? That looks way better for the trip home when it would be downhill.



We ride through those areas a ton. If you're in Elgin you should meet up with us sometime.

Thanks for the invite. I doubt I could keep up with you guys. I'm a Fred on a commuterized Hardrock that hasn't made that jump to the second bike yet. But there's hope....

Thanks for the invite. I doubt I could keep up with you guys. I'm a Fred on a commuterized Hardrock that hasn't made that jump to the second bike yet. But there's hops....

Perfect! Some of my favorite rides are on the bike paths with my old, beater, mountain bike. Don't hestitate to let me know if you're going to try this ride... I can show you how to get between the paths. You may also be able to get out to sycamore using the Illinois Prairie Path to the Fox River trail.

As for the hill you're trying to avoid, which one specifically are you talking about? In general, whenever you're pedaling away from the river, it ain't fun. The worst hill is actually on the FRT south of Elgin, right after you cross over the bridge (going from north to south). It's a grinder, but it won't kill you. You could avoid that one by taking the path along Silver Glen to the Randall trail, to the GWT, and then vary your route (and get to go down the big hill) by taking the other way back.

Isn't it amazing what eliminating a few letters can do?:innocent:

Hey now. I aint run anyone over (not for a lack of trying however).

Don't make me start watching that stop sign down from your house.

The worst hill is actually on the FRT south of Elgin, right after you cross over the bridge (going from north to south).

It's my favorite part of FRT... Especially when going back north :thumb:

Perfect! Some of my favorite rides are on the bike paths with my old, beater, mountain bike. Don't hestitate to let me know if you're going to try this ride... I can show you how to get between the paths. You may also be able to get out to sycamore using the Illinois Prairie Path to the Fox River trail.

As for the hill you're trying to avoid, which one specifically are you talking about? In general, whenever you're pedaling away from the river, it ain't fun. The worst hill is actually on the FRT south of Elgin, right after you cross over the bridge (going from north to south). It's a grinder, but it won't kill you. You could avoid that one by taking the path along Silver Glen to the Randall trail, to the GWT, and then vary your route (and get to go down the big hill) by taking the other way back.

OK, I'll let you know when I get out that way. It's going to stop snowing on the weekends one of these weeks eventually.

The hill I was referring to is the one on route 64 going away from the river. I bet there are more out there.

My advice is the same as one of the others.

Give Kimbercop a kiss as you go around the police department.

Pop over the walk bridge to the west side of the river, north to that first street, and follow the signs west to Dean St. The hills through the neighborhood aren't that bad, and very lite traffic.

There you are.