Touring - Touring Madison to Chicago

I'm trying to plan a tour starting in Chicago. I was thinking of doing Chicago to Madison via the route at:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Chicago-Evanston-to-Madison-1st-leg
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Chicago-Evanston-to-Madison-leg-2
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Chicago-Evanston-to-Madison-Leg-3

I'd like to take a different 3-4 day route back to Chicago (northside) from Madison. We're doing fully loaded camping touring, probably wouldn't want to do more than 70 miles a day.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I don't have any specific suggestions, but if you haven't looked at these resources they should be helpful to plan your own route:

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/bike-foot/bikemaps.htm
http://www.dot.il.gov/bikemap/bikehome.html

You could also make your way down to State Line Rd at the SE corner of Rock County, WI, and follow the Grand Illinois Trail cue sheets that are available somewhere on the League of Illinois Bicyclists website at http://www.bikelib.org. Those would take you down the bike trails into Maywood, in the near west suburbs - not too much of a trick to get to the north side from there.

Have fun!

http://www.thechainlink.org/profile/MattM

That's where you get the GPS file. Make sure to shut off automatic routing or it's useless. The trails in Kenosha and Racine are worth the entire first leg. There is also fresh pavement going on in the old crushed stone sections.

I doubt you'll have trouble getting a campsite, but check first at Cliffside.

I really don't have much to say because I worked out all the kinks in this route. Just have some nice touring tires, like 28 - 32 if you're riding 700C. I think most 26" tires will do. You will be on a few crushed stone trails. I chose trails because I didn't want to deal with cars - less cars equals fewer close calls, etc.

Don't bother with bringing a stove and food as there are plenty of places to eat on the trails. Do bring a few energy bars, water (water is a big one), and maybe some fruit. There's a great taco place in Waukesha but I don't remember exactly where in town it is.

..and this time of year bring plenty of bug repellant. I like this route in early spring when the 'skeeters haven't quite recovered from winter.

-Matt Marchione
Evanston, IL


I'm trying to plan a tour starting in Chicago. I was thinking of doing Chicago to Madison via the route at:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Chicago-Evanston-to-Madison-1st-leg
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Chicago-Evanston-to-Madison-leg-2
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Chicago-Evanston-to-Madison-Leg-3

I'd like to take a different 3-4 day route back to Chicago (northside) from Madison. We're doing fully loaded camping touring, probably wouldn't want to do more than 70 miles a day.

Does anyone have any suggestions?