SpinningHoosier

I'm trying to figure out if I can find a route to commute to a new job out in Elk Grove Village. I'm in the city, so probably need to take a train to out by O'hare and bike the rest of the way over to Busse Woods.

So far, I'm thinking the Blue line to Rosemont and then finding a way to Oakton or Algonquin then to Arlington Heights Road. Are there smaller streets that are safer to ride on, or is the direct route the best way to go?

Hopefully, I'll get a cross bike for the commute, but that all depends on how often I'll be able to ride. Plus side is that I should be able to get a quick ride during lunch at Busse Woods.

Anyone commute around the area? Is the Metra better than the CTA for this purpose? Should I give Village Cycle Sport a call to see if they have any suggestions?

Appreciate the help.

Psimet2001 

I used to work in Des Plaines and spent a lot of time on Arlington Heights Rd. There were always quite a few commuters on it braving the traffic, but in actuality there are a ton of paths in that area feeding into and around Busse.

Unfortunately it's hard to give you specifics without knowing exactly where you are going, and how far you want to ride. With the trains and number of stops in the general area you should be able to get within 5-8 miles of your final destination - if you want to.

I have never used CTA or the trains to commute, but I know the trains technically have rules about bicycles. Used to be you could not have them on at all during the week/ rush hour, but now I believe you can have them in the last car only.

I have a co worker that takes the train out from the city towards our plant in Aurora and he uses a bicycle for the last few miles. He has given me the impression that they are very lax on the bike rules on the train on the reverse commute legs (out from the city in the morning...etc.)

SpinningHoosier

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to get to NW Point Road, which is between Higgins and I-90, off of Arlington Heights Rd. I mapped a route from the Rosemont CTA stop, which hopefully is an option given the reverse commute and traveling at about 7:30am. Other options are the Metra, which takes me both south and north of what looks to be straight routes. I've taken my bike on the Metra opposite the rush hour traffic, without a hitch. So, that is another option.

I'd like to start simple, safe, direct, with the hope of branching out as I get used to the area.

Hope that helps, but please let me know if I can help guide the info.

Thanks again!
Mike

Psimet2001 

Holy crap...That whole area is kind of dicey just getting out from Ohare. I know exactly the buildings you are working in. Had a coworker whose wife worked for an insurance company in one of those buildings.

Personally I used to work on South Wolf rd just North of Dempster, as well as York/Elmhurst rd (West edge of Ohare) near Thorndale.

That whole area is heavy industrial. Most of the trails I was talking about are North of there - more like from Busse North into Arlington Heights. The Ohare, West Ohare and North to Busse is all heavy industrial with tons of tuck traffic.

If it were me I would take Higgins to Touhy/Lee Street, continue North on Lee to Oakton, then shoot down Oakton. You're going to hit some higher traffic areas.

Personally I would take the Metra to Mount Prospect then head West to South Busse road. Head South to cross 90 and hook West on Oakton to slide into the complex from the back. Much less traffic. Still will be hairy in places, but much less risk.

Psimet2001 

BTW - There is a newer picture loaded on Google Earth for my old place of work. Shows the walking track out back.

Here's a link to my buddy's car in the parking lot. Doesn't look like I was either there that day, or working there anymore....

https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=10771924130701107283,42.044906,-87.912867&time=&date=&ttype=&q=42%C2%B0+2'41.66%22N+87%C2%B054'46.32%22W&ie=UTF8&ll=42.044568,-87.912576&spn=0.003538,0.007231&t=h&z=17&iwloc=addr&om=1

The red Ford F150 that is 4 cars down to the right is another one of my buddys there....man this satellite stuff is fun....

BTW - a lot of people who worked there would use that same Metra station and walk from there.

SpinningHoosier

Thanks for the suggestions! I mapped out the route from the Mt Prospect station and looked at the Metra schedules. That looks like a winner to me. Hopefully, I'll be able to bike in at least on Monday's and Fridays, since that seems to be when traffic is the heaviest out/from Ohare.

I'll follow-up with some pics and an update once I start.

BTW- Are there any suggestions for quick lunch rides out there? Now I think I'm getting greedy...

Psimet2001 

Go right across the street to Busse woods and do the loop. If you are fast you can get in 2 loops + a shower during lunch...but you'll have to haul. Each loop is around 10 miles.