Do you live life your life in the "BIKE" lane?? Then we encourage you to check out Springfield's awesome cycling experiences, don't forget to put safety first, & wear your helmet. 

Springfield has 5 different bike trails, offering approx. 24 miles total. 

Get more info on these trails, including the trailheads here. 

Looking for more of a long distance ride from town to town on more of a challenging route? 

Our local club, Springfield Bicycle Club has put together 8 routes for you to enjoy and we wanted to sharing them with you...

1. Rochester Treat Route: (21 mile road route) Park at the Lost Bridge Trailhead in the IDOT parking lot and take the trail to Rochester. Loop through the country on scenic back roads and then back through Rochester. Stop at the Sno Shack for a cool treat before riding back on the trail
   
2. Haugh Gravel Short Route: (17.5 mile mixed surface)  Easy route that starts at Centennial Park and heads west. There are several stretches of gravel/dirt road that provide variety. Haugh (pronounced "Hog") Road is mostly dirt and can be impassable at times. This route will be featured in a weekly ride in 2021 and is a great intro to gravel. 
3. "Lollipop" Route from Quaker Steak: (22 mile road route) Starts and finishes at the old Quaker Steak restaurant in the Scheels complex. Take the Interurban Trail south through the Village of Chatham and then do a loop on lightly-traveled country roads. This is a popular route and there is often an organized ride in the evening during the summer months.  
4. SBC Summer Challenge Ride 3 - Stuart Park/Athens: (40 mile road route) Starts at Stuart Park and heads north on the Sangamon Valley Trail. Tackle some rolling hills and a big climb out of the Sangamon River valley on the Irwin Bridge Road. Stop at Casey's Convenience Store in Athens for a break. This route was part of the SBC Summer Cycling Challenge in 2020. 
5. 40 to Athens and Back: (40 mile road ride) Starts at Stuart Park and follow the Sangamon Valley trail south, then do a loop on country roads through Salisbury. Some moderate climbs around the Sangamon River valley keep things interesting, and you can stop in Athens at the Casey's convenience store for some refueling. Return via the Sangamon Valley Trail.
6. To the Lowder Climb: (34.5 mile road route) From Chatham Community Park, head south past Edgewood Golf Course in Auburn and then west through Thayer. Climb the hill near Lowder and then cruise back on Johns Creek Road.
7. Pleasant Plains and then to Salisbury: (42.3 mile road ride) Starts at Stuart Park and head south on the Sangamon Valley Trail. Take country roads to Pleasant Plains with a stop at Casey's convenience store, then head over through Salisbury and challenge yourself with the hills on Irwin Bridge Road.  Pick up the northernmost segment of the Sangamon Valley Trail and return to the park

How can you get more route details, like maps & GPS files you ask...

1. Use the 'RidewithGPS' app & download the information here
2. No app, but are able to download to your GPS, just click here & download the details 
3. Prefer a print map, just click here

Springfield also offers 20+ parks with 3 larger ones to hop on your bike and cycle through.

Find more parks at Springfield Park District 

Do you want to include both biking and visiting the sites at the same time? Then check out a few new bike tours the IL Department of Natural Recourses is offering now through November 2021. Just click here & read our '6 New Walk, Hike & Bike History Tours' blog.

Visiting & need to get your bike repaired or need a new part...here are a few bike shops

Ace Bicycle Shop: 217-523-0188

Bicycle Doctor: 217-670-0761

BikeTek Inc: 217-787-2907  

SCHEELS: 217-726-6330

Wheelfast (in Chatham): 217-483-7807

Don't miss our annual Capital City Century ride on September 11th starting in Centennial Park. Get more details here.