Fermilab Bison Watching | 2024

A 22-mile Recreational Bike Ride to the Fermilab for Bison Watching

Pace: Casual, option to ride together as a group. 10-12mph. Beginner level.

Trail Conditions: Paved trail (asphalt).

Miles from Start to End Point: 22 miles

Start Point: Wheaton Prairie Path Trailhead (300 S Carlton Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187)

The Wheaton Prairie Path Trailhead is accessible via many modes of transportation.

1. By bike -- The Illinois Prairie Path intersects at this Wheaton spur.
2. By car -- Wheaton is an hour west of downtown Chicago, taking 290 to I-88 to IL-38. Street parking and garage parking are available near to the trailhead.
3. By train -- Hop on a Metra train (UP-W) to Wheaton. Bikes are allowed on Metra trains free of charge, but bring a bungee cord to secure it inside the train.

At the start of the ride, our friendly volunteer guides will review the route, share riding etiquette, and demonstrate common hand signaling, so everyone has a safe and fun group ride.

Did you know there’s a whole herd of bison at the Fermilab? And hiking trails? Come log some miles, eye-spy some bison, and meet nice bike folks as we cycle from Wheaton, IL to Batavia, IL to visit the United States’ premier particle physics laboratory: the Fermilab!

The bison are just one star of the show: the Fermilab is a 6,800-acre site that has a long history of land management based on ecological science and stewardship values that enhance the environment. Moreover, the Fermilab is of course home to one of the world's most advanced particle accelerators: the Tevatron. Scientists at the Fermilab probe the farthest reaches of the universe, seeking out the nature of dark matter and dark energy by bringing together thousands of scientists and engineers from over 50 countries! Our friendly guides will share some of the unique history and ecology of this site as well as the habitat restoration projects taking place in the Fermilab Natural Areas.

We encourage you to BYOP -- Bring Your Own Picnic! There will be enough time at the Fermilab to hang with the bison herd, explore some hiking trails, visit the Lederman Science Center, and have a snack. This relaxing ride will total 22 miles. We plan to make a couple additional stops along the trail to note interesting history at places like the Blackwell Forest Preserve. So, come join us for an adventure just outside your front door!

• Required Items:
• REAL-ID compliant Photo I.D. (such as a US Passport). See eligible forms of ID here:

• Your bike!
• Helmet
• Sunscreen
• Lock for your bike
• At least 2 full water bottles and your picnic snacks
• Two spare inner tubes and tools to replace a flat (guides will be able to assist)
• Cash/Debit/Credit Card
• Emergency Contact Info
• Welcoming, adventurous, can-do attitude!

Supportive guides leading you from the start to the end point

Education about our local history and nature

Transportation to the start point.

Food and drinks: Bring Your Own Picnic

Our guides are part of a community of volunteers that believe in adventure and helping others find adventure right out our front door. They exude a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive spirit which are foundational values at Out Our Front Door. They have love and appreciation for their home and like sharing knowledge about that home with others, thus helping the riders to develop a stronger sense of gratitude for our local history and nature.

The guides will be set with the route and a spiel about the area you’ll be riding through (history that they may have researched, written, and developed themselves)! They have set up breakpoints along the way to ensure you can go the distance. So if this is your first time out on a longer ride, you’ll be surprised by how far you can actually go. They will stick with you and if for any reason you must end the ride early, they will help direct you to the nearest train and way to return to the city.

Guides will have the tools necessary for most simple maintenance issues that might arise. *If you have your own tools or supplies, especially any that are very unique to your bike, please bring them along.* Though guides may have extra tubes and patches, you most definitely should bring at least 2 extra tubes for your bike. If a roadside repair is not possible, then a trek to the nearest Metra Station or best mode of public transportation may be the best option (we’ve even had folks call a friend or an Uber).

Other Stuff To Bring

Sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable cycling gloves, lip balm (with SPF!), and cool information you would like to share. If you'd like to hike at the Fermilab, bring or wear your walking shoes.

Keep it light!

We encourage you to utilize a back rack/front basket/milk crate or panniers to keep weight off of your body, which will ultimately enhance your comfort. However, don’t fret if you don’t have any of those--a light backpack will do just fine! As you pack for the ride, make sure the things most important for your comfort are easily accessible.

Clothing

Dress for the season and in layers. Outside temperatures at times may be great to wear a T-shirt but when biking, the wind can make your chest, hands, and fingers cold and the weather may change without notice. Bring a pair of gloves and a sweater/windbreaker if need be. If a little rain is in the forecast, bring a rain jacket. Don’t be afraid of the rain!!! Some of the best views are when a storm is on the horizon. If it gets intense, there are shelters along the way to wait it out.

What kind of bike do I need? All bikes are welcome!

Do you rent bicycles out to the public? We do not.

What if I get tired? We champion perseverance. Our guides will support and encourage you to push on because the reward of completion is great. In the event of injury, major bike failure or just not being able to push on, the guides will help direct you to the easiest way to return home (usually via Metra or other forms of public transportation).

What happens if it rains? Is the event cancelled? No, we ride rain or shine. Some of the best views are after a rainstorm. Your safety is our top priority, so if there is severe weather we will break and seek appropriate shelter along the route, then continue on to our destination.

How fast do you ride? General rule of thumb is a steady 10-12 miles per hour.

What happens if I'm too slow or too fast? On most rides, we do our best to ride together as a group. Separation in the group can occur, but we do not leave anybody behind. A guide will always be riding at the back and at the front (and usually at least one floating in the middle). This is not a race, so everyone will do their best to keep the pace of the lead guide and should not plan to ride faster than the lead guide.

Please contact the ride organizer if you are no longer able to attend, so we can offer your spot to another cyclist on the wait list.

We at Out Our Front Door believe in the radical inclusion of all people on our bike camping trips. Regardless of your race, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, or even the types of bikes you ride, we want you rollin’ with us. We want everyone to feel welcome. As a participant of an Out Our Front Door event, you are inherently agreeing to Ride and Let Ride.

If you exhibit any micro-aggressions observed by leaders, such as being judgmental of another’s bike, touring experience/skill, mansplaining, or generally being unfriendly you will be politely yet firmly corrected by OOFD leaders. If you commit any serious offense such as repeated unwanted flirtation, sexual harassment, overt racism, etc., you will be asked to leave the tour without a refund and will no longer be welcomed on future rides.

If you feel you are a victim of any of the above or have observed it, please raise the issue with one of our ride leaders, and they will handle the issue accordingly and with appropriate discretion.

We have this policy in place because we want everyone to feel safe and welcome. Out Our Front Door is an open community of bike campers, and we will forever work to bring all sorts of folks into the fold. Thank you for being a positive contributor to that community.

We're the Out Our Front Door Organization. A bike camping community for Chicagoland.

See Our Full Schedule Of Events Here.

As a community organization, Out Our Front Door’s mission is to immerse, educate, and preserve the history, culture, trails, and native habitats of the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area through exploratory adventures. Established in 2015 with the North Loop Ride, we now have many different resources, events, and programs ​we offer the public.

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