Great Lakes - how far do i have to leave chicago to...

put in some nice long distance rides on roads with minimal traffic? im looking for some good condition roads for some nice rides thx!

If you are in the city, take the northwestern train out to Cary or Woodstock. You'll find progessively less and less traffic with each stop past Barrington.

Basically Randal road. West of Randal is like the promised land of flat land cycling.


Hurry though. That is changing with every scoop of a Bobcat.

put in some nice long distance rides on roads with minimal traffic? im looking for some good condition roads for some nice rides thx!

Please all let me know if you would like to ride together sometime. I am moving from London on 22 August and would love to find some good rides and some good people to ride with.

Thanks

Ben

there are plenty of options west of the big city. head south down i-55 to will county or west on i-90 to kane county and so on. you can find some nice county roads with minimal traffic just an hour or less away. later.

Straight north to Lake Cook Road. Start on Bike path get on old elm to St. Marys and go north. On Sat and Sun morning it is like a bike highway.
Kenal0

adripped,
Welcome to Chicago!
Keep in mind that most of the places mentioned above take you at least one hour to get to either by car or train. Driving during rush hour takes even longer. Trains don't allow bikes during weekday rush hour (approx 3-7pm) Assuming that you will live in the city, then unless you have a lot of spare time on your hands, riding in the country side is limited to the weekends, IMHO.

Chicago is a very bike friendly city compared to other US cities it's size. There is an ever increasing network of bike lanes and there are a number of bike trails that are either in the city or start nearby. Just some ideas:
1. Lakefront path. 38 miles roundtrip Weekday mornings it's pure cycling bliss (afternoon and weekends can get busy)
2 North Branch trail. about 40 miles roundtrip to the Botanic garden. Watch out for the deer crossing!

Also, The Chicago Cycling Club has weekend and weekday evening group rides for various levels. Find their current schedule here: http://www.chicagocyclingclub.org/

The city of Chicago maintains a website focused on bicycling, including an online-map indicating all bike lanes and trails in the city of Chicago. It is also a great resource for bike shops, rules of the road, etc. Find it here: http://www.chicagobikes.org.

Can you tell I like living and biking in Chicago?
Duppie

I ride on the south side a lot, and the traffic often qualifies as "minimal." So you don't have to leave Chicago.

It won't be wide open like a county road, but it is convenient.

If you have never seen it, here is the Chicago bike map. http://www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/bikemap/keymap.html
You can also request a free print version.

The Lakefront Path is where it's at on weekdays.

Yeah, I would say that if you live in the city itself getting far enough away for the kind of rural/exurban riding you describe is a fair bit of hassle. Myself I only make such excursions about once a week. If you want longish rides 3 or 4 times a week and you live in the city, you will find it is possible to stay within the city, or very near it, and still get a pretty good workout--and a decent ride. Chicago is indeed a relatively bike-friendly city. That may not sound encouraging if you're not used to riding in a metropolis, I realize. I think it is also important to add that by staying within the city you acquire the benefit of getting to know the place in a still uncommon way. For me at least that is an important part of cycling. There is just as much to be said for acquainting oneself with rural Illinois too, but Chicago is a great city, as cities go (I am no native). I wouldn't pass up the opportunity.

The best Chicagoland ride is "up" Sheridan once you make it past Evanston; smooth roads, and even a couple of rolling hills. Where is your starting point?

Also, The Chicago Cycling Club has weekend and weekday evening group rides for various levels. Find their current schedule here: http://www.chicagocyclingclub.org/Oh, cool! Been looking for a group to ride around with; will definitely give this group a shot.

The best road riding in Illinois are the roads of Wisconsin.

;)

+1 on Psimet's West-of-Randall, though I'd go even further to say West of Illinois 47 for minimal traffic for Kane and McHenry Counties.

I agree with the WI recommendation. If you`re looking for some serious miles you can`t beat the WI County roads, especially the area around Lake Geneva. You might see one car every 5 or ten minutes in some places. You even have some decent hills. Speaking of hills The Barrington Hills area is nice too

The best road riding in Illinois are the roads of Wisconsin.

;)

+1 on Psimet's West-of-Randall, though I'd go even further to say West of Illinois 47 for minimal traffic for Kane and McHenry Counties.

"Luke, come to the darkside...err....I mean Westside...." Getting out past 47 takes a little longer, but at this point it's pretty much virgin farmland. On the weekends you see a few motorcycles as the other city bikers come out this way as well.

Apart from that you have nothing. Occassional tractor, or crop duster, and piles of unmarked county roads.:D

Out of interest how long would it take from the Streeterville area downtown to get out West of Chicago for some cycling? If I dont have a car would best way of getting out there be to cycle or to take train/bus?

Sorry for all the stupid questions, but advice is gratefully received.

Ben

Check out the Metra. I believe bikes are allowed on the weekends (when it's not Taste of Chicago or the Air Show or some other busy weekend). I think it's still $5 for an all weekend ticket, but not sure.

You can go north up toward Milwaukee on the north shore, Northwest toward Antioch or Harvard or Elgin, South to Joliet, etc.

Taking the Metra to pretty much any of its end points will get you to the hinterlands of rural riding.

Again, this is really helpful. Thank you all for the advice. I can't wait to get to Chicago and to start riding.

Check out the Metra. I believe bikes are allowed on the weekends (when it's not Taste of Chicago or the Air Show or some other busy weekend). I think it's still $5 for an all weekend ticket, but not sure.

You can go north up toward Milwaukee on the north shore, Northwest toward Antioch or Harvard or Elgin, South to Joliet, etc.

Taking the Metra to pretty much any of its end points will get you to the hinterlands of rural riding.

The Elgin Big Timber station is within 1 mile of my house and a great starting point for any ride. If you head out to Woodstock you'd be in God's country and ride heaven - it just takes longer, and I don't believe every run goes out to Woodstock, especially on the weekends.

Consider riding the Metra to the LaFox station. That will put you between Randall and 47, and a quick ride to a couple of short hills if you get sick of flatland and corn.

If you head out to Woodstock you'd be in God's country and ride heaven - it just takes longer, and I don't believe every run goes out to Woodstock, especially on the weekends.

Woodstock would be a great starting point. You could ride up to southern Wisconsin toward Lake Geneva, west out into the farms, or head just a few miles southeast to ride around Bull Valley's steeper hills.

One thing that is being overlooked is riding the train in full cycling gear with the shoes and all. You might want to find a final destination station with lockers to put your stuff in. Or leave it at Psimet's house.
Kenal0

thx for all the info i have alot of experience riding in the city but was wondering what was outside of the city limits(closer than wisconsin) im going to try to ride out of bolingbrook this sunday morning and ride around the plainfield oswego area.

thx for all the info i have alot of experience riding in the city but was wondering what was outside of the city limits(closer than wisconsin) im going to try to ride out of bolingbrook this sunday morning and ride around the plainfield oswego area.
Depending on where you are in the city, Wisconsin is a closer trip than Oswego. Or Indiana is closer. Or Oswego is closer.

Chicago (the city itself) is so massive in area.

If you see a tall skinny guy on a red and black Giant out near Plainfield, wave to him. That's probably aham23.

Have a good ride in the exurbs!

Depending on where you are in the city, Wisconsin is a closer trip than Oswego. Or Indiana is closer. Or Oswego is closer.

Chicago (the city itself) is so massive in area.

If you see a tall skinny guy on a red and black Giant out near Plainfield, wave to him. That's probably aham23.

Have a good ride in the exurbs!

You may not see him though. Might be more of a black and red streak.

Sorry for hijacking this thread.
This weekend I will be in Downers Grove.
Does anybody have any suggestions on where to ride in the Downers Grove area?. I am looking for 40 miles or so. back roads are OK, trails are OK too.
I have a car, but I prefer to limit my driving.
Thanks, Duppie

You may not see him though. Might be more of a black and red streak.

You're forgetting about the Doppler shift.... I would think that it would be more of a black and blue streak if you were approaching him from the opposite direction.

To revive an old thread, some folks here at work are talking about taking the Metra south from Kenosha down to Great Lakes Naval Acadamy, then riding the bike path back. That's about 30 miles? Howz the path? It looks pretty good on maps.live.com.

http://emoticons4u.com/cool/cool32.gif

If anyone wants to come out to macomb illinois in the spring, I have a bed room and air bed for you. You can put in a century every day, and maybe pass 10 cars the whole time (once your off campus). If anyone's up for it, just let me know...just not creepy people...or smelly people...

The Wauponsee Glacier Trail starts only a few miles from Joliet's Union Station. Trail starts out paved but is limestone from near Laraway Rd. the rest of the way to the Kankakee River. To get to the trail from the train station: take Washington St. east to Akin (1st street on right past hickory creek), Akin to 2nd, 2nd to Rowell, take Rowell down just past I-80 overpass, turn right before rr tracks and you're on the trail. Make sure you have enough water since this trail goes about 22 miles and there are really no facilities south of Manhattan.

To revive an old thread, some folks here at work are talking about taking the Metra south from Kenosha down to Great Lakes Naval Acadamy, then riding the bike path back. That's about 30 miles? Howz the path? It looks pretty good on maps.live.com.

http://emoticons4u.com/cool/cool32.gif

I've ridden it up to the Wisconsin border. Once you get north of Great Lakes, North Chicago looks very scary, with gang graffiti sprayed on everything. Not many locals out early, though. I once did see an older woman walking with a sawed-off baseball bat. Waukegan is marginally scary. Clear sailing after that.

Mike