Review Date
November 18, 2006

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 1 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: dkaros ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Flat. Minimal grade change. This is a former rail line that was converted to a trail in the late 90s.

Website:

http://www.oprt.org

Recently, funding has come through to extend the trail from the west end at Park. The trail will be extended a little over a mile west to connect to Washington Street.

Recommended Route:
Park in downtown Frankfort. Head on the trail west to the end at Park. Go south on Park to Washington.

Washington to Rowell. South to the trail head of Wauponsee Glacier Trail. Take this trail to Laraway Road. East to Cherry Hill road. South back to Old Plank Road Trail. Take the trail east back to downtown Frankfort.

If you are riding a mountain bike, the Wauponsee Glacier trail continues south as crushed limestone.

Watch for horses on the trail. The horses are bigger than us bikers.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Hickory Creek trails are awesome.

Here is our forest preserve site with trails.

http://www.fpdwc.org/regional.cfm

Review Date
January 3, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Reviewed by: Ryan ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I agree this trail gets crowded and is inhabited with people not paying attention to their surroundings. People are friendly and abundant. The town of Frankfort is a nice stop, I suggest the ice cream shop near the hardware store.

Recommended Route:
The Overpass (which is over US45) to the end at Western Ave. The end of the trail is not a nice neighborhood by the looks of it though.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I have not ridden any nearby trails.

Review Date
February 21, 2002

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Please Select

Reviewed by: TRIGUY , from SOUTHSUB

Summary:
Watch for cars, people with dogs, ignorant people standing in the middle, and other obstacles. But other than that you can use this trail as a training ground. Often times you can find some older recumbant guys really cruising 21-22 mph. I train for triathlons on this trial. Still safer than fling down laraway.

Review Date
November 29, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Reviewed by: Tom , from Crete,IL,USA

Summary:
The Old Plank Road trail is a strait, mostly flat trail which is well suited for biking. Although the trail runs east-west, it is (overall) well protected from the wind; embankments, bushes and trees are well utilized. The trail is also well kept, repairs on damaged pavedment are made within a reasonable amount of time after discovery. The trail is about one mid-sized car width, so there's plenty of room to pass (occasionally you will come up on a some people who are a bit ignorant when it comes to trail edequete, but not too often). This trail is great too "feel the burn". You can develop a pace and stick with it. The only problem I have with the trail is that it should have some benches and sheltered areas in the remote locations.

Recommended Route:
The entire trail excluding the Joliet area (too crowded).

Review Date
October 16, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Sean Barry , from Park Forest, IL

Summary:
The Old Plank Road Trail (OPRT) follows the former Michigan Central (aka Penn Central) rail line which was partially abandon in 1976. (Note: A miles east of the head of the trail in Park Forest resumes use as a railroad). The trail is very falt as is rests on the former right of way. There is some of the rarest prarie in Illinois along the trail from I-57 west to Harmlem Ave. In the summer one can view well over 300 species of plants and 160 species or so of birds, there is also an abundance of various small animals, turtles, frogs, and snakes for the nature lover. At good place to stop off for a rest or lunch is in historic downtown Frankfort, IL about 10 miles west of the head of the trail at Western Ave. Note: The trail can become quite crowded especially in the summer in Frankfort and New Lenox especially. Watch for others as some are oblivious to trail etiquette. There are some remote area of the trail that are at the most 2 miles form the nearest center of town. The trail is well patrolled by various ploice departments in the area. This trail is for everyone, experts bike riders, beginners, walkers, joggers, and rollerbladers too. Have Fun!!!

Recommended Route:
Take the time to experience the trail between I-57 and Harlem Ave expecially.