River to Rail Ride 2026

 

September 12, 2026


Diamond Back loaded and ready to roll


Headed to Dave's


Ready to head south to Kennekuk County Park



Total of over 130 riders

Re-assembled and ready to go!

Dave's Trek 930/Rich's Diamond Back
Both 1994 models



Riders headed out --- all of which would go faster and get back sooner than we did


Dave registers


Rich 'explores' a bit  👀


Over 130 participated


Ride begins


Kennekuk Park
Back in the '70's land was purchased to create the Middle Fork reservoir --- state funding fell through, and the land became Kennekuk park


Mostly Oak/Hickory forest along the Middle Fork River


Brief ride on Henning Road and we head east


Then south


Rich lags behind




Turn west


Horses


Horses closer


Rest stop at the Kickapoo Mountain Bike trail head
Had a race day going on


KMBC


Headed west to Kickapoo State Park


Old brick house and barn



Entering the park


On Skyline Drive and about to make a very steep decent  -- and a very steep ascent on the way back

Some cross-training may have been involved 😕

KSP


KSP


Rest Stop at Willow picnic area


Decision time

Go on to Oakwood or head back to Kennekuk


Going on to Oakwood


Rich 'explores' once again 😏 


Snakeroot?


Skyline Drive KSP

Go that way


Kickapoo Rail Trail


KRT


Rest Node at Oakwood, Illinois
15 miles from start
Cold drinks and snacks available


Going back east on KRT



Christmas trees


KRT
Barely visible is the trestle over the Middle Fork

 
View southeast from Trestle 90 feet above the Middle Fork river



Headed back to KSP from KRT
rt

Back into KSP




Headed north


Looking forward to a rest stop at the fire station




Fire station driveway


Kickapoo Fire Station #2
Temperature is now 90 F  -- which is why we questioned going on to Oakwood or not


Back to Kennekuk


Back to KCP


Ride sponsors


KCP




Vermilion County outdoor education building


Great ride!   Happy we went on to Oakwood

Total mileage 32

Total climbing 1,000 feet --- for around here that is very different
The relief is due to tributaries downcutting to the Middle Fork river, but mostly the steep slopes into and out of the former strip mined area of KSP

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