I grew up in Joliet but haven't biked there since I was a teen in the early 1980s. I happened to have a new road bike with me when I visited my family on Christmas weekend, and since there was no snow and the temps were in the low 40s I decided to give the Old Plank Road Trail a try. Because of the condition of roads in the area, I didn't expect to have such a great time biking. I rode from Ingalls Park in Joliet to Cicero Ave. (near Richmond Park) and back on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The scenery was very nice and the trail surface was in great shape. The signage at intersections was clear and helpful. There were plenty of other users on the trail that day, and with just a few exceptions, everyone stayed to the right and both foot and bike traffic flowed smoothly. The trail is a great asset to the area and I look forward to biking it again.

I ride this trail 3 or 4 times a week.(Yellow jersey, blue bike ,smiling all the time, answers to Jimbo). Frankfort is midpoint.Highpoint is Frankfort.Lowpoint is west end of trail (Joliet).Fast riders are usually on in the morning.Trail does have a cross street every mile or two.The trail gets a little crowded Sunday afternoons.Nice people and some nice scenery.

Summertime they have classic car show on Thursday evenings. http://www.frankfortcarclub.org/cruisin_frankfort_2010

Sundays (10-2PM) farmers market. http://www.frankfortcountrymarket.org/home.html

Bike shop is on the trail at Frankfort. Opens at noon if you need parts or help. http://plankroadcyclery.com/

If you like ice cream check out http://www.kernelsweetooth.com/ or http://www.mycreamery.com/frankfort.html

Always help fellow riders in need.
Jimbo

The Frankfort Country Market (April - October) sets up a nice farmers market. There are vendors selling pizza, sandwiches, and other snack-type as well as lunch-type fare. Plus, nice place to pickup fresh eggs, meats, etc. if you have adequate storage.

Bathroom at the intersection of White Street by the Breidert Green town square is very nice.

More info:
www.frankfortcountrymarket.org

"While this is one of the nicest trails in the South Suburbs, it is also one of the most dangerous rail trails I have ever ridden. On the weekends it is very heavily used. The joggers, walkers and dog people were for the most part courteous, I can't say the same for the cyclist. From the group that thought they were in the Tour de France racing along at speeds way out of proportion to the rest of the users, to the herds of Senior Citizens( and I am one also) who don't know what single file means, the collisions I witnessed recently make this a must avoid trail on the weekend. I have enjoyed riding it the past two years, but I can't recommend it on the weekend to anyone. "

This trail still has plenty of rural scenery with a mix of woods and prairie as of November 2005. The pavement provide a smooth ride. The road crossings are far enough apart that you can ride for a mile or two at times without having to stop. It is one of the best trails I have done in the Chicagoland area.

"The Old Plank Trail is wonderful for cycling. Not only does our biking club use this trail, my husband and I both commute by bike to work and the Metra train station on the trail. What an incredible way to start a day -- cycling past herons and egrets, and maybe even spotting a beaver! The trail also connects with several other biking trails for added variety."