Chicago resident John Heintz was the former assistant superintendent for operations and chief legal officer of Niles Township High School District 219. When away from his responsibilities in the field of education, John Heintz enjoys mountain biking. While Chicago is largely flat, mountain bikers still have access to a handful of great trails in the surrounding areas.
One of the most popular options is the John Muir Green Loop in Kettle Moraine South. The seven-mile trail is noted for its views of wildlife, and bikers can enjoy its moderate challenges throughout most of the year.
For a longer outing, individuals can check out the Des Plaines River Trail, a 26-mile out-and-back path with a total elevation gain of more than 750 feet. While flooding can occur under the bridges, the path generally remains passable.
Bikers who want to stay within the city limits can turn to LaBagh Woods, which features a trail along the Chicago River with many technical challenges, from shallow ravines to fallen logs, sharp switchbacks, and jumps. The route even features some man-made detours under the Kennedy Expressway that cross two railroad tracks.
Devil’s Head in Merrimac, Wisconsin, offers a number of difficult uphill sections. The 30-mile path is clearly labeled with the recommended skill level and 25 percent of the trail is considered expert or advanced.
The riding team of John Heintz, John Kruper, Tom McGrath, Jay Rothstein and Wade Johannessen have tackled trails like John Muir only a few hours outside Chicago as well as some of the best trails in the West, like Red Rock Canyon outside Las Vegas, Moab in Utah, Breckenridge in Colorado and Stevens Pass in central Washington State.
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