Cruise Through Hickory Creek on Wheels this Weekend

It isn’t often that the weather channel predicts a sunny, perfect fall weekend. Don’t waste yours. Tomorrow, you can plan for outdoor family and/or friend time close to home at the Cruise the Creek Bike Ride and Fest on Saturday.

This fest, put on by the Forest Preserve District of Will County and located at Hickory Creek Barrens in New Lenox, will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Bikers have the option of participating in a six-mile loop, an 11-mile loop or both. You can view the map of the route here. 

These loops will take you along the scenic Hickory Creek Bikeway and parts of Old Plank Road Trail in New Lenox and Mokena. On your trip, you’ll see woodlands, wetlands and prairie, all native to the area.

The fest is recommended for individual riders age 11 and up. Pre-registration is over, but you can show up on-site at noon to register. Takeoff on the trail can take place anytime between noon and 2 p.m., and at the end of your ride, you can celebrate with festive fall activities.

Bruce Hodgdon, the Public Information Officer with the Forest Preserve District of Will County, said that the BMX Stunt Team is returning for the third year in a row. This is a bicycle acrobatics team that was a huge hit the first two years, according to Hodgdon.

“These young men can do things with bikes that I didn’t think were possible,” Hodgdon stated.

The BMX Stunt Team will perform at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.

New to Cruise the Creek this year is Circus Boy, a performer who rides the world’s smallest bicycle. He performed at the District's Ride the Rock program in May and was a huge hit.

“It’s amazing to see this guy ride around on this tiny thing,” Hodgdon explained, and added that he also tells jokes and is very entertaining. He will perform at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Sumbaum Cycle will be present the whole four hours to conduct free bike safety checks, and Chiro One Wellness will offer free spinal checks.

The historic Schmuhl School Museum resides at Hickory Creek Barrens, and Hodgdon said the New Lenox Historical Society will offer tours of the one-room schoolhouse during the event.

The kids can enjoy games and crafts, pony rides, a petting zoo and pumpkin painting. The whole family can roast marshmallows and make s’mores around a campfire.

This event is free of charge unless you want to purchase food or beverages, which numerous vendors will be there to supply, Hodgdon said.

This will be the third year for Cruise the Creek, according to Hodgdon.

“Our Ride the Rock program was so popular that we decided to duplicate a family bike ride in the central part of the county with Cruise the Creek,” Hodgdon explained.

Hodgdon said the District’s goal is to have families spend quality time together while being introduced to nearby bike paths during the season of fall color.

“People don’t know about our offerings so close to their home, so for those who haven’t participated before, they get to discover bike trails in their own neighborhood,” Hodgdon said.

I know what you’re thinking. Mokena’s is tomorrow too. How do you choose? Well, that goes until 6 p.m. So, technically, you could go ride your bike at noon and then still make it for food and wine afterward.

In all honesty, who wouldn’t agree that food and wine will taste so much better and less guilty if it’s following a six or 11-mile bike ride in the wilderness?