Rolling into June and connecting the dots; Veterans Memorial Trail to I+M Trail to the Centennial Trail

Seventh ride of the summer and starting to feel pretty good. Since I mostly ride solo, okay, all the time, I rely on Strava and my rides stats to push myself harder for my Tour de Farms with Team Zym.

Not a whole lot of wildlife but more cycling traffic might answer that — with the exception of my recent flurry of skunk encounters. Luckily, no spray, lets keep it that way. 🙂 Four miles left to go and it’s Keith versus skunk in a race to stay in FRONT of the skunk. Man versus Nature, Jack London versus Snow, Cutters versus Team Cinzano. He saw me, I saw him (or her) and the race was on. Pedal, pedal, PEDAL ! I made it, and then I think I heard the spray, at least in my mind, but I was clear. Whewww… Close call Number II.

Besides that, I was stunned by the beautiful red poppy’s coving the slag pile along the reopened Centennial Trail. I’m unofficially calling the mile long hill the Lemont Range. It was beautiful, all the poppies. I’m not sure if they were planted intentionally, but either way, it looks great. Get out there soon if you want to catch the red.

One more thing, who needs water or a bathroom?  I always park on the West end in Romeoville and then head east. The only source for both is at the I+M Trail Parking lot in Willow Springs. Typically it’s clean — at least the dude portion of the facilities. The water fountain works in the summer and the water is cold. It tastes like “Chicago-water” which is mighty refreshing on a hot day. Perfect time to drop in a Zym Tablet in the water bottle.

Map below and get out there and ride — who cares how far — just enjoy yourself.