Off-road trails easily accessable without a car

I just got a new mountain bike, and I'm looking for any off-road trails that I can get to easily from the city either by riding or by Metra or other public transportation. I don't need the world's most challenging singletrack, although some challenge would be good, but mostly I just want a 2 hour ride in the woods on an unpaved trail. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on April 29, 2010 at 3:44pm

I saw the Metra suggestion previously in the thread. I'd rather not take a bus or train, although I'm not wholly opposed to it. I don't know any good roads on the South or West side. It's about 18 miles from my house in Noble Square. I was hoping to ride there if possible, and make a good mixed terrain day out of it.

Is Archer ridable? is it as bad as Western Ave?
H3N3 said:

Your best bet is what they call "Palos" at roughly 95th and Archer in Willow Springs.
If you search on a map you probably want to try to zero in on Bullfrog Lake.
Not sure how to get out there offhand, but some of the roads a bit east are pretty gnarly so you'd want to take bus or train as close as possible, or maybe even overshoot.

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Permalink Reply by RigWheels on April 29, 2010 at 11:47pm

Riding out to palos straight out has been on my mind as well, unfortunately, the route is less than ideal and for me it is a 25 mile ride. Not too far to ride, but it would zap me for sure and I like being fresh to start. I came to Chicago from Philly and I have to say that Philly takes the cake. Fairmont park runs through the northwest of the city and most of my daily commute was singletrack. It is a real shame that Chicago doesn't have more accessible trails for those carless souls.

I do highly recommend a trip to the garden at western and belmont. It is a blast on whatever you ride (maybe not your fixed gear track bike with the shorty bars) BMX, Dirt Jumper, Full Squish, XC, even a magna hardtail would be a blast on the pump track. And I agree, it will give you great skills, like keeping momentum through berms and over varied terrain. Treat yourself to a nice day of going big and having fun. Plus you will meet some new folks to ride with and everyone who has worked on this park is super nice.