PEORIA MAGAZINE May 2023

Just when you thought central Illinois was flatlander territory, you learn that IRBT boasts the most elevation gain, with an ascent of 3,146 feet. PPD recently received approval on a grant to acquire 40 acres to extend the IRBT by another mile, which will connect the trail to Forest Park Nature Center and Grandview Drive. SPIN YOUR WHEELS If you’d rather use your wheels than your heels, POA’s site can connect you with cruise-worthy roads, trails, gravel or even snow. Monge pulls from and links to a variety of area resources, including Illinois Valley Wheelm’n, Peo ria Area Mountain Biking Association (P.A.M.B.A.), Pedal Peoria, Gravel Dogs and Bike Peoria Co-op, Peoria’s assisted DIY bicycle workspace. “Between all the groups and places like Bushwhacker and Trek Bicycle Peoria, there’s literally a ride every single day of the week in the summer,” said Monge. Andy Stow started making the 18-mile round trip trek to work via bike in 2013. “When I first started cycling regular ly, it was rare to see another cyclist if the weather was below 50 degrees,” he said. “Now we see over a dozen people show up for some group rides when it’s in the 30s. My favorite group rides are the Gravel Dog rides, but I also enjoy the slower-paced Bike Peoria breakfast rides and First Friday night rides.” UP A CREEK (WITH A PADDLE) If water’s more your thing, central Illinois has a plethora of paddling places. “From lakes to creeks to reservoirs, there are so many opportunities to get out and explore on the water, whether you’re in a kayak or canoe or on a paddleboard,” said Monge. A kayaking enthusiast, Monge has explored many if not all of the locations he links to on fellow adventurist and master naturalist Julie Robinson’s website, Local OPAL, which offers an extensive list of paddle-friendly areas. “There’s already a pretty good calendar of paddle events going on this summer,”

Mark Monge

said Monge, “including an event I’m leading on the Illinois River around the McClugage Bridge construction project on May 20.” FORMING AN ALLIANCE While working with Robinson and Local OPAL, Monge connected with Shannon Halford of the Grindstone Group, a web design firm, and Bethany Fosdyck, owner of Bushbaby, an outdoor clothing and gear retailer for kids. In 2021, they created the Illinois River Valley Outdoor Alliance (IRVOA), a passion project to help promote all things outdoors across a 70-mile stretch of the Illinois River valley, from Henry to Havana. The group is pooling its resources – Monge with his sense of adventure and exploration, Robinson with her education and information, Halford with her web capabilities and wanderlust, and Fosdyck with her focus on growing and clothing the littlest adventurers – to build an outdoor community driven to protect and honor the natural environment while deepening shared passions and respect for nature. One way they’re working toward this goal is with the 2023 Equinox to Solstice

Challenge, a nine-month collection of 18 mini-challenges that encourage people to get outside and explore. “In 2022, we put on our first Equinox to Solstice Challenge, which was a much smaller, shorter version of what we’re doing this year,” Halford said at a recent IRVOA open house. Details on each challenge will be released through the IRVOA website and various social media accounts, including POA’s Facebook and Instagram pages. While this labor of love may be intensive and always-changing, Monge said there’s nothing he’d rather be doing for his community. “Being outside is good for your mental health, your physical health and your spiritual health,” said Monge. “You don’t have to wait until the weather is perfect. Sometimes the best adventures are the unexpected ones. Just get up and go outside!”

Amy Talcott is a senior marketing and communications analyst at RLI Corp. and a freelance writer

MAY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE 63