Popular Kane mountain biking trail will expand

The hottest mountain biking attraction in Kane County will double in size after an agreement between the Kane County Forest Preserve District and a group of local biking enthusiasts.

Forest preserve commissioners have signed off on a plan that will add 1.5 miles to the popular Raceway Woods trail near Carpentersville. It's the fourth addition since the original pact was made in 2012 between the forest preserve and the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers.

"During any particular day, you will see hikers, dog walkers, trail runners and mountain bikers of all ages participating in outdoor activities," said Mike Angus, regional director for the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers. "Raceway Woods was once a forgotten forest preserve. It is now a go-to destination for many who enjoy the outdoors. Many other land managers can learn from this success. It is what people are looking for."

The trail was formed in late 2012 with a 1.1-mile loop. A 0.2-mile addition was tacked on in 2014, and last year, the course added another 0.7 of a mile. The new plan will continue the trail up the middle of the old racetrack at the site.

A document detailing the expansion plan describes the area targeted for the new trail as having "some of the thickest invasive trees thickets in the forest preserve. It is badly littered and contains a large amount of downed fencing and wiring."

Cleaning up the woods and preventing undesirable uses have proved to be major benefits of the agreement between the district and mountain biking group, said Monica Meyers, executive director of the forest preserve district.

"They've brought a very positive element to a part of a preserve that, quite frankly, had some activity that needed to be addressed," she said. "CAMBr has been a great group to work with."

The mountain bikers have provided many hours of volunteer labor to clean and maintain the existing course. They also have and will provide money to fund the ongoing maintenance and expansion of the course. The agreement calls for the mountain biking group to coordinate and fund the expansion up to $10,000.

The group will pump in an additional $5,000 for maintenance and an additional $5,000 to improve a parking lot receiving heavy use near the trail.

Commissioners unanimously approved the deal.