Kankakee River Trail + bicycle could ease PD symptoms
I’m all about hiking, but sometimes for exercise I turn to biking.
Or, as my friend Neil would gently correct me, bicycling. (Neil should know. He’s the blogger behind Suburban Chicago Bicycling, an awesome website with news, maps, stories, and tips for all types of cyclists in the Chicago area and beyond.)
I especially enjoy wheeling along next to a river.
River trails are found across the U.S. but they’re especially plentiful in the Midwest. The trails are usually away from traffic, making them safer than roads, and they offer beautiful scenery and fresh air — so good for the soul.
It was time for me to reconnect with the Kankakee River Trail in northern Illinois, which I had biked once or twice in my pre-Parkinson’s days. (Jump to stats.)
But what about people with PD, like me, who hop on a two-wheeler for a ride? Is it a good idea?
Research shows it can help to reduce tremors, decrease rigidity, improve mood, and promote better overall motor function.
In addition, studies have found bicycling to improve gait problems in PD patients, depending on the type and intensity of the exercise.
Parkinson’s cycling tip
Please, please, please check with your doctor when starting any new type of exercise.
Kankakee River State Park, which includes the river trail, is about a 90-minute drive southwest from Chicago.
The trail stretches 10.5 miles roughly next to Hwy. 102 between the towns of Bourbonnais on the east and Wilmington on the west.
As a bonus, it’s mostly flat.
The Unshakable Husband and I started on the west end, but either end works fine. The parking lot was just off the highway, and when we arrived, we had our pick of places to park.
That may have been because we waited until afternoon to go, due to some strong morning winds that we waited out. It was September, when Midwest weather is a mixed bag. (As it is in May. And in November. And March. You get the idea.)
Parkinson’s cycling tip
If you take medication to ease symptoms, be aware of your “off” times when the meds aren’t working so well. Plan to bicycle when you can reasonably expect an “on” time. The better you feel, the more safe and enjoyable your ride will be.
The Husband, a big cycling fan, lifted our bikes off the car-top rack and then did a quick inspection.
Tires fully inflated? Check.
Brakes working? Check.
Helmets on? Check.
There’s a nice big map at each end of the trail, and we snapped a picture of it for reference.
We also snapped one of ourselves, you know, for the record.
Then we were off. It was 4:30 p.m., and we aimed to be back to the lot by sunset, which was at 7:15 p.m.
The miles are marked, so it was easy to track our progress. I didn’t think, “Are we there yet?” even once.
Most of the route is in shade, so the trail would make an excellent mid-summer excursion, too.
Parkinson’s bicycling tip
This is a long, out-and-back ride. Fatigue may be an issue when cycling with Parkinson’s this far. If you’re tired, there’s no shame, only wisdom, in turning around earlier than you had planned. I’ve done it, and you can too.
The first couple of miles was through a forest, and I began to wonder if there was a river. Then the trees opened up and we caught our first glimpse.
The path was smooth for the most part, but we had to watch for pesky roots that broke through the asphalt. We saw only a handful of other riders.
We cycled past campgrounds and an archery facility.
But the highlight of the trail is near the halfway point, where a suspension bridge crosses over a deep ravine.
Always up for exploration, we got off our bikes and the Husband climbed down to take a picture. Here’s where we saw other folks -– most likely campers.
While the trail is most popular with cyclists, walkers enjoy it too. “On your left!” we said to warn them.
At 7 miles the path shifted from asphalt to crushed limestone. A couple of hills put my leg muscles to the task, but the inclines weren’t steep.
Not another soul was on this portion of the trail.
Parkinson’s cycling tip
Find a biking buddy for safety. Don’t cycle alone. Don’t even think about it.
At 10.5 miles we reached the group campground — also empty — and the east end of the trail. We’d been cycling for less than 90 minutes including breaks, and we were on track to finish before it got dark. Woo hoo!
It was the “golden hour” –- the time before sunset when noises are whispers and the sunlight plays with shadows.
Oh, hello! Animals are active this time of day, and besides this spotted wild turkey, we saw three deer, rabbits, squirrels and many other birds.
While we headed through the forest leading back to the parking lot, the dusk was almost tangible. I enjoyed the quiet, though aware of my worn-out legs and overall fatigue. It was a good feeling, to be honest.
And it was an even better feeling when we rolled into the parking lot.
Bike info
Distance: 21 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 250 feet
Trailhead locations: West end: From Wilmington about 10 miles southeast on Hwy. 102. East end: Davis Creek Campground, County Rd. N 224 W, Bourbonnais, Illinois.
Cell phone service: yes
Bathrooms: at parking and picnic areas at various points along the trail
Emergency medical support: within 20 minutes to Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee
Cost: none
Insider tip: Look for two bridges along the way that cross over the river. There are turn-offs from the main trail to get to them, so you can get a view from over the water.
(Back to top.)
Beautiful! Fun! Great that you had sunny weather for it. Love the parking lot (crazy kids!)
Hello Colleen,
That is a very nice ride along the Kankakee. We used to do it all the time until the back got to bother me too bad. That one spot where the trail goes from asphalt to crushed limestone in the picture, if you look to the left is where I live. I could’ve met another fellow “Parkie” on the trail. Maybe next time!
Thanks for another great newsletter. You do a wonderful job helping to keep all of us on track and showing that we can usually do anything we would like to do, we just have to do it!
Thank you, Tom. Such kind words and encouragement for us all. Sorry about your back pain, but I’m also a bit envious after hearing where you have made your home–so close to a gem of a state park and its greatest asset.