Hal Honeyman wouldn't call the Fox River Trail the best bicycle trail in the world.

But Honeyman, owner of The Bike Rack in St. Charles and a passionate cyclist, said the river trail represents much of what he loves about living, working and playing in the Tri-Cities.

"I've ridden trails in Europe, trails in Wisconsin and Michigan, and other places," Honeyman said. "And I'd put the Fox River Trail up there with just about any of them.

"I think our whole river trail system is one of the nicest you're going to see anywhere."

Running along the river from Algonquin, through Elgin and the Tri-Cities, to Aurora – with spurs and connections in various spots leading farther south, north, east and west – the Fox River Trail serves as one of the region's most prominent recreational destinations.

The trail is maintained by a patchwork of public taxing bodies, including the Kane County Forest Preserve District and the St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Fox Valley park districts.

From the spring to the fall, the trail can cycle thousands daily through downtowns, neighborhoods and forests.

The crowds that pack the trail, particularly on weekends, can push serious cyclists who are seeking to ride for distance or speed, like Honeyman or Mike Farrell, owner of Prairie Path Cycles in Batavia, to opt for other riding courses, such as the backroads of western Kane County.

But even amid busy times, the trail stands as a recreational beacon for just about anyone.

Many people – including those who have never ridden the trail – might be familiar with popular landmark destinations like the Fabyan Windmill or Japanese Garden near the Fabyan Villa in the Fabyan Forest Preserve, or even less visible crowd favorites, such as Devil's Cave in North Aurora.

And destinations such as Island Park in downtown Geneva and the Red Oak Nature Center near North Aurora have remained popular with families for decades.

But the trail offers more than just touristy crowd favorites.

Public pools, including the Harold Hall Quarry Beach in Batavia and Swanson Pool in Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles, are situated adjacent to the trail for those using the trail who may want to stop for a dip.

And where the trail runs through riverside parks, such as Mount St. Mary Park in St. Charles, users can enjoy landscaped surroundings, including central plazas with benches, where a book or even just a quiet lunch in the park can offer a different kind of refreshment.

At various points along the trail, cyclists and pedestrians also can find places to stop and eat or grab a cup of coffee or other beverage.

The downtowns in the Tri-Cities offer a number of dining options within a block or two of the trail, such as Bistro One West, with a dining patio overlooking the river and the trail, and Arcedium Coffee – a favorite haunt of Honeyman's – both in St. Charles, or the Batavia McDonald's, which is also right off the trail.

Farrell said his favorite side trips included those into downtown Geneva or West Dundee.

And for the more adventurous, Farrell recommended sticking with the trail as it winds along sidestreets in Aurora to connect with another dedicated path south to Oswego, where more stops await.

"But just about anything worth visiting involves at least a slight venture off the main path," Farrell said.

Honeyman and other cyclists recommended a stop at Harner's Bakery and Restaurant in North Aurora. A public parking lot between the trail and the restaurant makes such a stop easy and popular.

But for those seeking a little less civilization and more nature, the trail can offer those spots, as well, discoverable along the river on side paths, like those south of Geneva and at the Les Arends Forest Preserve, near Mooseheart.

Such locations can offer at least an illusion of solitude, to slip away for a moment or two from the surrounding suburban environment. On a recent trip down the trail on a warm, sunny weekday, short trips off the trail yielded natural rest stops, shared that day with ducks, geese and some kayakers floating lazily down the river.

But once found, many people are reluctant to reveal the details of such spots.

"There are so many spots along that trail," Honeyman said. "They're all relaxing, in some way."

OUTBOX 1:

Top stops

The following are Kane County Chronicle reporter Jonathan Bilyk's favorite stops on the Fox River Trail between North Aurora and St. Charles:

Best stop to read – Mt. St. Mary Park, St. Charles.

Best stop to people watch – Island Park, Geneva.

Best stop to feel connected to the river – Challenge Dam, Batavia. (Bicyclists will have to walk their bikes along the Riverwalk Path to the dam.)

Best downtown – Batavia, for having a prominently posted bicycle map; a range of bike-friendly dining options, from McDonald's to casual dining, within sight of the trail; retail close to the trail, including a Walgreens for convenience store and general merchandise, and Prairie Path Cycles, for bicycle-specific issues; and views of the downtown from along the river beneath the Wilson Street bridge.

Best stop for a picnic – Pottawatomie Park, St. Charles.

Best stop for showing off Tri-Cities to visitors – The Fabyan Villa, Japanese Garden and Windmill at Fabyan Forest Preserve, Geneva.

Best stop for breakfast – Harner's Bakery and Restaurant, North Aurora.

Best stop for reflection – Everyone should find their own.

OUTBOX 2

More online

To view a video of the Fox River Bike trail, visit this story online at www.kcchronicle.com.