Chicago-Madison Tour

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Larry Mysz on April 22, 2012 at 7:33pm

Pecatonica Prairie Path is a MTB and ATV path. I wouldn't want to ride it on a road bike or touring bike.   I'll post a quiet road route I rode a few years back between Rockford and the Jane Adams Trail shortly

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Permalink Reply by Larry Mysz on April 22, 2012 at 8:43pm

Here is a route from Loves Park ( north Rockford) to the Jane Adams just north of Freeport.

Larry Mysz said:

Pecatonica Prairie Path is a MTB and ATV path. I wouldn't want to ride it on a road bike or touring bike.   I'll post a quiet road route I rode a few years back between Rockford and the Jane Adams Trail shortly

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on April 22, 2012 at 10:24pm

Thanks for the Head's Up! However a more direct route to Madison seems like a far off dream. I'd really like to see the new Badger Trail somehow and I don't want to drive there to get to it.

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on April 23, 2012 at 8:27am

Its all farm roads between Sycamore and Rockport, they're all the same and generally safe.

 

I'm assuming you're riding the IPP from Chicago to Sycamore? Not a bad idea, but personally I'd take the Metra out to Geneva and start the IPP from there.  The other option is to take the Metra to Harvard.  There is a trail that will take you most of the way to Rockport.

 

Is it on Memorial Day?  I'll probbaly be up for it.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Fiasco on April 23, 2012 at 9:53am

I've toured to Madison from Elgin.  I took the Fox River trail to its end in Genoa IL.  From there it was farm roads to Madison.  The only negative about farm roads is that they pretty much go due north or due west.  I wanted to go due NW but there weren't any diagonal roads.

 

Also, if you take the farm roads, get a topographical map when you do your route.  I found myself going through rollercoasters of roads in the glacial areas.

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Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on April 23, 2012 at 10:25am

Here's the route John made from Harvard to Madison:

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Harvard+Metra,+North+Eastman+Stre...

 

I have no idea how to make tha smaller; sorry.

 

It is hilly in some parts - be prepared for that. Otherwise, it's a very enjoyable and relaxing route.

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on April 23, 2012 at 11:43am

Thanks for the route!

I will have the entire thing mapped and programmed into my computer/GPS/phone before leaving the house. Envane will tell you I don't check topo.....I haven't seen any hills lately anyway and I'm overdue.

OK EnvaneX. We'll Metra part of the way. I've got the three day weekend thing going on.

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on April 23, 2012 at 11:56am

If we're sticking to Badger Trail we'll miss most of the up and down.  Trains hate climbs more than cyclists.

 

Is Ludlow coming?

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Permalink Reply by Adam Z on April 23, 2012 at 12:50pm

I looked at the Badger Trail.. That looks like a great ride!

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Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on April 23, 2012 at 1:08pm

Is this going to be a three day tour? And, when will you be doing this?

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 23, 2012 at 1:13pm

I wish I were up to something this grand.  Maybe later this summer.

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Permalink Reply by Larry Mysz on April 23, 2012 at 1:40pm

Matt,

The Jane Adams Trail becomes the Badger Trail when it crosses the IL/WI state line.  The only thing that changes is the name. It is the same rail trail.

 

Matt M. said:

Thanks for the Head's Up! However a more direct route to Madison seems like a far off dream. I'd really like to see the new Badger Trail somehow and I don't want to drive there to get to it.

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