Bike the trails with a forest district ranger

Bicyclists can join a DuPage County Forest Preserve ranger for a tour of several preserves during the free "Ride the Trails" program offered this spring and summer.

The 10- to 15-mile bike rides are a great way to tour the preserves with a ranger on hand to answer questions and provide information. Participants should bring water, a snack, bug spray and sunscreen. The ranger will have a first-aid kit, spare inner tubes and a tire pump.

With the exception of Thursday, May 26, the rides are for ages 12 and older, although adults must accompany children younger than 16. Register online at dupageforest.org or at (630) 933-7248.

Each ride begins with a short talk on bike safety, proper helmet fit, ways to enjoy the outdoors responsibly and trail etiquette, ranger Sarah Rosenberg said.

Scheduled rides are:

• Cricket Creek in Addison, 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, May 1, and Thursday, May 26, (ages 50 and older only). Start at the main parking lot on Fullerton Avenue and bike the Salt Creek Greenway Trail about 15 miles through Salt Creek Park, Salt Creek Marsh, Wood Dale/Itasca Reservoir, and Songbird Slough. Learn about preserve history and wildlife and explain the ways Cricket Creek helps with flood control.

• Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 12. Start at the Graue Mill lot and bike the Salt Creek Greenway Trail 10 to 12 miles to York Woods. In addition to history and wildlife, you'll learn about the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, Graue Mill and the Fuller House.

• Spring Creek Reservoir in Bloomingdale, 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 30. From the parking lot, bike west 10 to 12 miles to Meacham Grove, where you'll take the North Central DuPage Regional Trail to Mallard Lake. In addition to preserve history and wildlife, you'll hear about the landfills at Meacham and Mallard Lake and the nature preserve within Meacham Grove.