NW Indiana to Chicago route?

[kf5nd]

Any ideas for a NW Indiana to Chicago route?

How about coming up Indianapolis Blvd., past the Amoco (BP) Whiting refinery, and taking 41 on into Chicago? (41 = Lake Shore Drive).

I don't mind cycling in traffic. I know it would be ugly around the refinery. But I want to wind up riding along the Lake up into the City.

Oh yeah, question #2 - Is there a bike routing from O'Hare to the Lincoln Park area?

[bikeliker.com]

hey kf5nd,

I have done that route a few times in the last couple of years as part of a Chicago - Muskeegon MI - (ferry across lake) Milwaukie - Chicago loop. My friend (and travel guide) Mike wrote a description of the route on bikeliker: link (http://www.bikeliker.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=280#280)
p.s. if this is in violation of the rules of solicitation I am honestly sorry. PM me if this conduct is offensive. It just seemed like a good fit.

jason

[slim_77]

I can help with question #2: Yes.

There are safe routes from the O'Hare area (Devon east, Lawerence-east, etc.)--but if you are leaving the airport itself, then I would recommend the CTA. You can take that anywhere you like (so long as you are not traveling during rush hour); if you are hell bent on riding in from O'Hare...well, take the blue line (subway/el) to Jefferson Park and from there ride East on Lawerence to Elston, Elston south to whatever Lincoln Park East-West street you like. Lawrence and Elston are bike laned streets. Lawerence sucks, Elston is pretty decent (not many lights, wide, pretty decent pavement)

For the south side, the City of Chciago (http://www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/bikemap/keymap.html) has maps that may be useful if you don't get any replies here. Also, there was a ride from Inidana to Chicago that took US 20 to Indianapolis Blvd to 41 and then the lakefront trail starting at 79th street.

enjoy

[Recycle]

Any ideas for a NW Indiana to Chicago route?

How about coming up Indianapolis Blvd., past the Amoco (BP) Whiting refinery, and taking 41 on into Chicago? (41 = Lake Shore Drive).

I don't mind cycling in traffic. I know it would be ugly around the refinery. But I want to wind up riding along the Lake up into the City.

Oh yeah, question #2 - Is there a bike routing from O'Hare to the Lincoln Park area?

Indianapolis Blvd is one way.

If you take Indianapolis Blvd (Rtes 12-20-41), it joins the Chicago Bike Route system at the Burnham Greenway Bike Path and 104th St. The bike route follows Rte 41 north to 79th St, where it turns into the Lake Shore Bike Path. The section from 95th St to 79th St isn't particularly pretty, but it gets a lot of bike traffic.

Here's a route from 106th to 104th and Indianapolis, then into Navy Pier
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=722830

If you come from farther south and can get to Lansing, IL, you can take the Burnham Greenway from Ridge Rd in Lansing to Indianapolis Blvd at 104th St. and miss all the refinerys. About 60% of the Burnham Greenway is bike path.

Here is the Burnham Greenway (This route is from 106th St. South to Lansing)
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=272177

L

[kf5nd]

Yes, I can get to Lansing. I think I can take Ridge Road from Munster.

[Recycle]

You can pick up the Lansing City Trail heading NW from Ridge Road in Lansing just 3 or 4 blocks east of Burnham Ave. The Lansing Path takes you to the Burnham Greenway at I80.

At the time those gmap-pedometer.com routes were made, my wife and I had to detour around some construction going on under I80. The bike path part of the construction is now over.

If you want, I could make up another gmap-ped route to go from ridge to I80.

At Sibley Blvd, you have to get off the Greenway and cut east to Burnham / Avenue O to take a mile long bridge over a railroad switching complex. North of the bridge my wife and I decided to stay off of Burnham / Ave O as much as possible. If I wasn't riding during a rush hour I'ld probably stay on Burnham / Ave O.

The Burnham Greenway path resumes at 131st and The Wm Powers Conservation Area at Wolf Lake (which is a nice park).

The gmap-pedometer.com route cuts over to the shore of Lake Michigan for a couple of blocks at Calumet Park, just north and east of 95th and Rte 41.

It's a nice route, and it becomes very scenic once you get to the Lake Shore path.

When are you going to ride it?

[kf5nd]

Oh... next time I'm in Munster to see my Dad. 2008, 2009? I have lots of personal historical places to stop in in Jackson Park, Hyde Park, and Lincoln Park. Places I used to live (4), places I used to go to school (3). I could take a whole day just going the 35 - 40 miles.

Thanks for the help. You live in a great place. It's just too cold in winter!