Great Lakes - Des Plaines River Trail: Mettawa

Greetings,

Looking for information on the Des Plaines River Trail.

I will be in Mettawa on Sunday (10/22) with my bike and am looking for a good ride. I’m planning on an hour on the bike. I’ve never ridden the trail, which looks nice from my map.

Does anyone have experience or recommendations they could pass along. Once in Mettawa should I head North or South?

or perhaps there’s something else I should see.

Thanks.

hey, if anyone wants to join me...

Greetings,

Looking for information on the Des Plaines River Trail.

I will be in Mettawa on Sunday (10/22) with my bike and am looking for a good ride. I’m planning on an hour on the bike. I’ve never ridden the trail, which looks nice from my map.

Does anyone have experience or recommendations they could pass along. Once in Mettawa should I head North or South?

or perhaps there’s something else I should see.

Thanks.

hey, if anyone wants to join me...

I work right near it, but honestly I have never ridden it. I think there are a lot of busy road crossings, but couldn't say for sure.

Very nice trail and very scenic this time of year. It is mostly crushed limestone...it would be dicey to ride a road bike on this trail, but with knobbys its a lot of fun.

The best trail head to go to from Mettawa would be the one just east from the corner of Townline (60) and 21 (Milwaukee Ave). If you have an hour, head north. All the major road crossings are underpasses.

North and knobbys, that's me.

will do it tomorrow at 1ish if anyone's interested.

Mayo
I work in Mettawa.
Shoulda let me know on this one...building up a CX SS at the time. I would have pushed the build.

hope all is well.

I knew you lived North but didn't know you work in Mettawa. My wife's boss lives up there so I'll probably be going back sooner rather than later.

Next time you can show me around. I was hoping to meet someone. Saw lots of nice bikes.

yes - that would be nice for sure. hit me up a few days prior so i can try and accomodate.

the trail this time of year is awesome, and i have ridden it bunch of times.
PM me if you need email/cell info.

Plus - post-ride burrito is in order, my treat this time.

Mayo -

How was the ride? I'm a commuter that normally stays on the road, but I'll go off-road occassionally and that trail is my primary way home in those instances.

Do another post if you're up again...I'll try to join you.

The trail is great, makes you feel like you’re a thousand miles away. It’s very well maintained and quite popular.

The section I rode was crushed limestone and from looking at the map I believe the whole trail is the same. I rode my cyclo cross bike but any bike will do. I’d ride my high end road bike on it without a second thought.

If I lived in the area and was commuting, I would include it in my daily commute. It would be the reason I rode my bike to and from work. You’re not wrestling with cars and you’re in a place where you can let stress go and your mind wonder.

A real treat.