Riding In and About DuPage with Ryan

By Connie Schmidt 

We’re BAAAAAACK, as they say! Programs with the RPG will begin again with 2021, so mark your calendars now for Sunday January 17 at 2:00 pm for our first one. It will be even easier to join us with Zoom from the comfort of your own home. Of course, we will miss seeing our friends in person, but we will love having community once again virtually.  Register here

Our kick-off program will be a presentation by Ryan Kadolph, a self-proclaimed “trail blazer,” discoverer, and adventurer who photographs and rides in and about DuPage. Ryan’s fabulous photos and story first came to light when he was featured by the Forest Preserve of DuPage County in their segment “Catching Nature: People enjoying Nature.” He combines his love of music with riding, enhancing his experience. According to Ryan, Lord Huron, an indie folk/rock group from LA, is especially inspirational in nature and perfect for biking and hiking.

Ryan lives in Glen Ellyn and can walk to downtown Glen Ellyn but can see the sign “Welcome to Wheaton” from his neighborhood, as well. He has easy access to the trail system via the Illinois Prairie Path and is also intimately familiar with the Great Western Trail. When Ryan got a new (used) car, the first addition was a bike rack so he could get out and explore as many different trails as possible. He gradually ventured on longer rides, intrigued with an interest in going further and exploring the side trails. He recommends the All Trails App as a great way to discover possibilities hidden in your own neighborhood.

Photography is a huge component of Ryan’s love for being out and about.  Landscape views are a favorite, and believe it or not, a video game opened that door for him. You will have to join the program to hear his backstory on that. 

Ryan explains that he has always been a biker, but now has more gratitude than ever for nature because the COVID-19 experience has driven him outdoors. He likes trying to see the good in a tough situation like the pandemic. “So many more people are out walking and biking and enjoying the outdoors together, on the trails and forest preserves,” he observed. 

Ryan went on to explain that he once heard that we have “one life and one world.” To him, this saying meant that he was obligated to share his beautiful experiences with others. He has formed a community on Facebook, sharing videos, music, and fabulous landscape photography with his followers.

Use the link below to sign up for this adventurous trek as Ryan leads us in and about DuPage County trails.  Register here

Photos by Ryan Kadolph