Cold weather forces cancellation of bike camping outing at Deer Grove

Arguing with Mother Nature can be a losing proposition, and, minimally, a high risk.

So concluded Out Our Front Door, a Chicago-based bike camping organization that hosts overnight and day outings for adults and families in Chicagoland, even in December. The group canceled its Dec. 13-14 biking/camping plans in Cook County’s Deer Grove Forest Preserve due to single-digit temperatures that cast a polar spell over the region.

Camp Reinberg’s four heated cabins remained empty that Saturday night as the group heeded Shakespeare’s often misquoted phrase, “Wisdom is the better part of valor.”

Forty hardy Out Our Front Door bikers had already registered to ride 46 miles from Chicago’s Ukrainian Village via the Illinois Prairie Path, Salt Creek Greenway, Busse Woods Forest Preserve and Palatine Trail to Camp Reinberg in the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Its annual “Decemberg” outing originated in 2017 when a couple volunteers sought a winter riding challenge, per cofounder and executive director, Glenn Schneider, Jr.

“We scouted the ride out to Camp Reinberg and found a solid, fun, meandering route,” he said. “It has heated cabins so that was crucial.”

The meandering route itself, unfortunately, isn’t heated, hence the cancellation.

“It’s the first time in 10 seasons that we’ve canceled a ride due to weather,” explained Schneider.

As for December riding, Schneider reported OOFD already accounts for weather issues, like alternate routes if bike paths are covered with snow/ice. “We also need a really large firewood budget at camp to keep such a big group warm around the fire.”

“My initial instinct was we would push on because we always ride — rain, shine, or snow,” he added. “We believe in adventure and we’d hate to take this opportunity away from the riders. However, these are the most extreme temps/conditions we’ve faced for Decemberg or any of our rides for that matter.”

Along with four other new/rehabbed camps, Reinberg was revitalized in 2015 as part of Cook County Forest Preserves’ centennial celebration, bringing family camping back that summer. Purchased in 1931 to expand Deer Grove, Cook County’s first forest preserve (1917), the camp was later named after wealthy Chicago florist Peter Reinberg, the district’s first president as head of the Cook County Board.

Grand Illinois Bike Tour

If freezing weather finds you indoors, imagine June bike touring. With over 40% of its ridership already registered, the 23rd annual Grand Illinois Bike Tour returns to the region east of St. Louis metro June 7-12. Organized by Ride Illinois, GIBT is the largest annual fundraiser of this statewide nonprofit bicycle advocacy organization.

GIBT rolls out from Litchfield June 7 with overnights in O’Fallon (June 7), Edwardsville (June 8-9), and Alton (June 10-11) before returning to Litchfield.

In his second year as GIBT tour director, Ben Harris apprenticed with Ed Barsotti, former Ride Illinois executive director, who perfected the logistics and planning for a memorable experience, on and off the bike. It’s no wonder about half the GIBT riders repeat each year with 25% to 30% non-Illinoisans.

Having toured the Metro East area in 2021, GIBT’s return acknowledges the extensive biking infrastructure developed under Madison County Transit, the regional transportation organization. The network of 12 MCT Trails spans over 138 miles with several interconnecting junctions and 22 tunnels.

In routing bike touring around the state, executive director Dave Simmons explained Ride Illinois tries to be as inclusive as possible. Given GIBT’s 150-200 riders, volunteers and staff, adequate accommodations are required, usually two hotels a short distance apart. Originally part of GIBT, a camping option is unavailable in 2026, though is a future consideration.

To ensure a safe riding experience, plenty of bike infrastructure is necessary, affording as much separation from vehicle traffic as possible. To make the off-bike experience equally enjoyable, venues offering cultural and historical sites or alternate sport activities are attractive. Communal meals, discussions and musical entertainment facilitate down time socializing among riders.

GIBT registration is currently open. In early 2026 a limited three-day option will become available. A single-day ride will also be offered for those wanting a taste of GIBT.

Hoffman in Motion

Hoffman Estates completed a two-year multimodal transportation planning project with the Village Board adopting the plan in late October. Hoffman in Motion examined village transportation from various perspectives with its Active Transportation Network Plan section focusing on biking and pedestrian improvements.

Per Phil Green, the village’s transportation and long-range planner, it includes expansion of bicycle facilities with “16.1 miles of new routes, 0.9 miles of new lanes, and 42.3 miles of new side paths.” Green noted another 12.5 miles of other improvements are to be determined by future engineering studies.

Building on the village’s existing assets, the plan proposes a connected network of on-street routes and off-street side paths directly linking residents to major destinations and transit.

Besides infrastructure, the plan recommends merging the existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Committee and Transit Improvement Task Force into the Active Transportation Advisory Committee. It’s expected that a single group will better support a holistic approach to multimodal transportation, streamline efforts, and reinforce partnerships formed during the planning process.

To work toward a bike friendly policy, the plan calls for the village to task this new committee with ways to increase bike ridership. League of American Bicyclists named Hoffman Estates a Bike Friendly Community in 2018 with honorable mention status, one below official bronze level. The new plan recommends the village again apply for bicycle friendly status.

• Join the ride. Contact Ralph Banasiak at alongfortheridemail@gmail.com.