KMBC 2020 Update

Exciting NEWS on the horizon!

First, the Kickapoo State Park road project is scheduled to begin March 1st.  As part of this project our main trailhead parking lot will be paved and be provided with electricity, security lighting and a new bathroom. All roads and parking areas throughout the park will be resurfaced so expect road closures and reroutes when visiting the park in 2020.

Trail projects slated for our 2020 spring construction period include replacement of the bridge we’re about to lose at the end of trail 4, rerouting of the eroded section of trail on the backside of trail 5 after the ravine, and adding several new fun features on the playground loop..  We’ve also got a few projects to finish up our new trail 1A. We have a variety of other projects we’ll tackle should time and weather allow. Workday schedule announcements will be coming, so stay tuned and come out and lend a hand. KMBC will also be reaching out for funding assistance for construction materials needed for these projects.

Now, for the exciting news!  Several years of campaigning are getting very close to reality.  KMBC has continued to work with IDNR on a 20+ mile trail expansion project to the north.  These additional trails will increase our total bike trail mileage at Kickapoo State Park to over 40 miles and will extend our trail system up to IDNR land bordering Kennekuk County Park.  We have obtained formal approval for 2021 construction of the first approximately 5+ mile loop and preliminary approval of the 2022 15+ mile loop. KMBC is working to obtain a grant to help cover expenses for the materials and machinery needed for the expansion. This will be a very large project.  The build will include many long stretches of machine-built bench-cut trail, bridges and armoring. It will require everyone to get out to workdays to get these new trails ready to ride as soon as possible.    

Our new trail IA attracted many new riders including lots of beginners and families to off road riding in 2019.  A new trail user counter will be added to trail 1 to capture these user numbers. KMBC reports both trail usage numbers and volunteer hours to IDNR and this information helps drive our new land acquisition requests.

KMBC annual club membership prices for 2020 remain at $25 for individuals and a family membership is also available for $40.  Please go to https://kickapoo.bike/join to purchase your membership.  We are doing things a bit different this year and will be sending “Bike Bands” in lieu of the traditional membership cards.  Funds are used for equipment and construction materials to maintain our existing trails and to feed trail work volunteers on workdays.

KMBC trail volunteers will have the opportunity to earn several different trail work stickers for various projects during 2020.  Also KMBC socks, volunteer t-shirts and 2021 memberships will be given for different levels of volunteer commitment. Please go to kickapoomountainbike.org to log all your volunteer hours. 

The KMBC Super D is scheduled for August 8th and the Illinois championship mountain bike races at Kickapoo are scheduled for August 9th.  The KMBC endurance event will be September 26 and plans are being made for this race to be part of an endurance series with Griffin Bike Park and Fay Pickering Memorial Mountain Bike Trails. These races are fundraising events for KMBC, please come out and test yourself and know you’re helping to support your local trails.

KMBC is hosting a women’s bike clinic with DNK presents.  More details will be available soon. This is a great opportunity to gain some confidence to make riding more fun!

Drew Hagen with Champaign Cycle is leading an effort to develop a National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) Team in east central Illinois. Anyone with kids, coaches, teachers etc. who want to jump in and help get this going please contact Drew at Drew@champaigncycle.com.

Please come out and get involved with KMBC.  Meet some great new friends and gain a greater sense of pride in your trail system.  Join a KMBC group ride or social event to chat about all things KMBC. Volunteers’ voices are heard by KMBC officials to help form the direction club resources are used in the future, so if you have dreams and desires about new trail features get to a workday in 2020!