Prairie Pedal: An annual ride of spring
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com May 15, 2011 8:22PM
Cindy Sullivan of Grayslake rides with daughters Kate, 6 ( in cart) and Christine, 8, during the 15th annual Prairie Pedal in Grayslake Sunday morning. | Josh Peckler~For Sun-Times Media
Liberty
Prairie
Conservancy
The non-profit was founded in 1995 by a group concerned about development in Lake County. The organization works to preserve and steward natural areas, farmland and other open space in Lake County. For more information, visit www.libertyprairie.org.
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Updated: June 17, 2011 12:18AM
GRAYSLAKE - Cold, wind and rain didn’t stop 9-year-old Elena Trage from biking four miles with her dad Ed Trage on Sunday. The Trages of Grayslake were among about 200 people to brave the weather to participate in the Prairie Predal event to support Liberty Prairie Conservancy.
“We did four miles because it was way too cold. We were going to do 12 miles,” Elena said. “I thought it was really fun and you have tons of energy when you’re done.”
They have partiipated in Prairie Pedal for the last four of the 15 years the event has been held. Bicyclists chose from a 4-, 7-, 9- or 27-mile bike route leading them around trails and down rural roads. The route ended at Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing in Grayslake.
Bikers were given lunch and there were several educational features open to bikers and the public.
“There’s a ton of great activies,” Ed Trage said.
Normally, some of the educational pieces such as the raptor rehabilitation are dsitributed throughout the bike ride at rest stops along the trail, according to LPC executive director Steve Barg. He said the weather also impacted the number of bike riders. There is an average of 550 to 650 bike riders. More than 400 people pre-registered to ride this year, but about 150 to 200 participated in this year’s ride, Barg said.
“I think this is the biggest bike event in Lake County and probably the longest-running bike event in Lake County,” Barg said.
He estimated that the event drew about 500 people, many of whom were going to ride but decided to attend the indoor educational attractions.
“I think the event has a created a reputation where people look forward to it every year. About 50 to 60 percent (of attendees) are return riders — it’s a family tradition and a rite of spring,” Barg said.
Educational activities included live animals from Lake Forest’s Wildlife Discovery Center and a native plant sale.
“We try to provide a variety of things that have to do with nature and conservation,” Barg said.
Wauconda-based Barnswallow, a wild bird rehabilitation and educational center, brought three of their rehabilitated birds to Prairie Pedal. Barnswallow has been involved with Prairie Pedal for “several years,” according to director Linda Breuer.
“I think it helps people understand that their (wild birds) numbers are dwindling because of loss of habitat. When people see birds like him (Griffen the Northern Barred owl), maybe they will think twice before cutting down his trees,” Breuer said.
Griffen suffered permanent wing damage after being hit by a car, she said. His species is “very rare” in Lake County, she said.
Griffen was perched on Breuer’s arm so Prairie Peddlers like Gina Horine, 80, could examine him close-up.
Horine, a Prairie Crossing resident, said she recalled seeing predatory birds like Griffen at stops along the trail.
She described herself as an avid biker who averages about 10 miles per ride in good weather. Sunday’s weather shortened her ride, but did not keep her away from the event.
“I love the conservancy. I support everything they do. This is such a wonderful event,” Horine said.
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