HAC/CAMBR Joint Trail Work Day at Palos: May 8

Please join members of Half Acre Cycling and CAMBR South on Saturday, May 8 for a trail work day. You’ll get your hands dirty, make our trails a better place to ride, meet some cool new riding partners, and sample some of the finest trail the greater Chicago area has to offer. For this trail work day, we’ll be working at the Palos Forest Preserves in Willow Springs, IL. Besides being the location of an experimental nuclear reactor in the early 1940s, the Palos Forest Preserve is home to nearly 50 miles of mountain bike trail.

After a morning of trail work, we’ll enjoy our handiwork with an inclusive group ride. This will be a ride for all skill-levels and a great chance to try mountain biking if you’ve never done it before or haven’t in a while. Women are especially encouraged to join us. Stick around for a picnic lunch and get to know the men and women of Half Acre Cycling and CAMBR as well as other local trail riders.

Things to do: Arrive at 8:45 am ready to work and have fun (exact location TBD, check here for details). Directions to the Mountain Bike Staging area: From I-55, exit at LaGrange Road (Route 45) south. After a mile, turn right onto Archer Ave and go south for about 3 miles. Past the cemetary, turn left on 95th Street (east). Go past the next stop sign, then take the next right onto Wolf Road. The MTB Staging Area is in Pulaski Woods #2, which is the third grove on your left.

Things to wear: Comfortable, loose fitting clothing (long-sleeve shirts and long pants) to protect yourself from the ticks; insect repellant; a hat to protect yourself from the sun; some solid boots; work gloves; eye protection; and a hydration pack.

Things to bring: Your bike and gear for a post-work-day group ride; a change of clothes; a picnic lunch (CAMBR will provide food as well); a post-ride beverage (HAC will supply some of that); and a friend or two.

Update: Looks like Half Acre Brewery is providing liquid refreshments for the event. Come for the trail work. Stay for the beer.

Questions? Contact Paul-Brian at mtb@halfacrecycling.org.