Road riding in Chicago?

I'm trying to decide if there's any point in getting my Merlin over from the UK whilst I'm in
Chicago. I live around Michagan, and Ontario and do not drive so what options do I have for riding
around this area?

 

>>>I'm trying to decide if there's any point in getting my Merlin over
from the UK whilst I'm in Chicago. I live around Michagan, and Ontario and do not drive so what
options do I have for riding around this area?<<<

Depends on the kind of riding you want to do. The Chicago Lakefront path is a pretty cool ride if
you're just looking to get on the bike and breathe some fresh air. It'll probably still be pretty
chilly there, though.

Low-Impact Rides in the NY/LI region www.geocities.com/NYRides "Robert Nicholson"
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I'm trying to decide if there's any point in getting my Merlin over from the UK whilst I'm in
> Chicago. I live around Michagan, and Ontario and do not drive so what options do I have for riding
> around this area?

 

>From: [email protected] (Robert Nicholson)

> I live around Michagan, and Ontario and do not drive so what options do I have for riding around
> this area?

Ditto the lakefront trail... only two or three street crossings. Some stretches allow (but not
legally) a fast pace, but it's well used most of the time, esp on weekends. Few joggers in the AM.

Gotta watch the traffic, but downtown and near north are interesting places to ride - lots of things
to see and places to stop to eat.

If you're not long in town, consider renting a bike. I think Village Cycle on Clark rents.

Sig Chicago

 

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> I'm trying to decide if there's any point in getting my Merlin over from the UK whilst I'm in
> Chicago. I live around Michagan, and Ontario and do not drive so what options do I have for riding
> around this area?
>

From where you are you have easy access to the lakefront path. You can ride to it's north endpoint
(Ardmore Ave. which is 5800 N.)and back, about a 14 mile round trip from Ontario, or to the southern
end near 67th street which is about 18 miles roundtrip from Ontario. The path itself is well
maintained and a really nice ride in either direction. If you go during work hours it is generally
not too crowded and you can do some decent sprinting, especially on the southern leg where the
intersections are fewer and the path is less crowded. The path gets more crowded in the afternoons
and evenings, especially on warm days, and on warm weekends you can mostly forget about sprinting on
the north path. You can ride the path most of the year (they even plow it in winter!) though it's
fairly cool near the lake until about the middle of May.

There is also a 50+ mile ride you can take going to the northwest away from the city. Ride straight
west to Milwaukee Ave and take it to where it turns into Elston Ave. Elston Ave has a bike lane and
is a straight shot about 12 or so miles throught typical city neighborhoods NW to Devon. There is a
trail that starts at Devon and meanders along a river all the way up to the Botanic Gardens in
Highland Park (nice place to have your lunch). It's forest preserve most of the way and you may see
a deer or two once in a while. The path is in good shape and is never too crowded. I believe the
trail is about 25 miles or so round trip.

If you want more info about either ride (high traffic areas, misleading turns, good places for hot
dogs, etc) just ask.

 

>From: Will S. [email protected]

> There is a trail that starts at Devon and meanders along a river all the way up to the Botanic
> Gardens in Highland Park...

The North Branch Trail...a nice ride. I didn't include because the poster doesn't drive and it's a
ride in itself on a bike just to get to it thru the city. Then there's the I&M Canal trail, hardpack
limestone suitable for a road bike - 60 miles. A bit of a bike ride to the trail head!

Sig Chicago

 

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] says...
> >From: Will S. [email protected]
>
> > There is a trail that starts at Devon and meanders along a river all the way up to the Botanic
> > Gardens in Highland Park...
>
> The North Branch Trail...a nice ride. I didn't include because the poster doesn't drive and it's a
> ride in itself on a bike just to get to it thru the city. Then there's the I&M Canal trail,
> hardpack limestone suitable for a road bike - 60 miles. A bit of a bike ride to the trail head!
>
> Sig Chicago
>
Yes, when I ride the North Branch Trail I have to allow 18 miles for getting there and back. Not
really a terrible ride there though. Elston is in decent shape and there is a bike lane the whole
way. Super Dawg is a good inducement too. Where is the trailhead to the I&M Canal trail?

 

On 27 Mar 2003 06:17:40 GMT, [email protected] (Scic) wrote:

>>From: Will S. [email protected]
>
>>Where is the trailhead to the I&M Canal trail?
>
>http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/i&m/east/channaho/park.htm
>
>It's easier to give the URL than the directions which are on the web page.

I have a little Ride-Report, with a few pictures along the canal at:

http://www.neiu.edu/~rkastiga/bike/Peru/Peru1.htm

--
Bob Kastigar; mailto:[email protected] Home: http://www.neiu.edu/~rkastiga Work:
http://www.wgntv.com School: http://www.neiu.edu Play: http://www.neiu.edu/~stagectr Union:
http://www.ibew1220.org (Chicago, IL USA) finger [email protected]

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"Robert Nicholson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm trying to decide if there's any point in getting my Merlin over from the UK whilst I'm in
> Chicago. I live around Michagan, and Ontario and do not drive so what options do I have for riding
> around this area?

I'm late posting, but I notice the other replies were generally paths. There's a good bike map of
the city itself that is handed out free, and is on-line here:

http://www.chicagocarto.com/bikemap/keymap.html

Michigan and Ontario is on this section of the map:

http://www.chicagocarto.com/bikemap/usemaps/12-Q.html

A popular road-riding gig is to head north to Evanston (either on the lakefront path or surface
streets) and then catch Sheridan Road north, all the way to Great Lakes naval base (with a couple of
twists along the way). Sheridan's where you are likely to see people with triathalon bars who are
actually able to use them.

 

There are wonderful trails in the suburbs. Much, much less used than the path by Lake Michigan. I
live SW of the city and the trail is only a block from my home. I can ride a minimum of 20 miles,
and many times there is noone else on the trails.

Jürgen

Robert Nicholson wrote:
> I'm trying to decide if there's any point in getting my Merlin over from the UK whilst I'm in
> Chicago. I live around Michagan, and Ontario and do not drive so what options do I have for riding
> around this area?

 

The Lake Front bike path is very near where you are staying. It runs about 35 miles end to end. It
is paved and suitable for a road bike. Gets congested though. Best rides are very early AM during
the week. "Robert Nicholson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm trying to decide if there's any point in getting my Merlin over from the UK whilst I'm in
> Chicago. I live around Michagan, and Ontario and do not drive so what options do I have for riding
> around this area?