Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on October 28, 2009 at 9:19am

Take Ardmore to Glennwood to Granville and follow the bike route signs from there. There's a very mildly sketchy blind bend up near the cemetery, but if you ride the sidewalk for about a block around that you're gold.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Ortiz on October 28, 2009 at 10:02am

Here's a link to an online interactive chicago bike map, just in case you don't have one handy...
http://www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/bikemap/keymap.html

It's easier to just click on the map right where it says "Touhy" in the top right instead of using the drop-down lists. The cemetery mentioned above is shown clearly. Once north of the cemetery, stay on Sheridan going north and you will go by Clark Square Park. At the north end of the park, Sheridan turns left BUT there is a gate through a private road you can continue on to called Edgemere. Nice houses there, for sure.

Once through that street, you will hit Lee -- turn toward the lake and go north on Lee and you will see the bike paths that take you up into Evanston. Then you can just pick the east-west street that you want to get into town.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Ortiz on October 28, 2009 at 11:15am

Almost forgot.. when on Sheridan north of the cemetery, I recommend staying on the sidewalk and going slow until you hit the park. Then there is a gravel/dirt path a few feet into the park parallel to the sidewalk that you can take to the Edgemere gate.

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on October 28, 2009 at 12:41pm

Northbound Sheridan rd. is closed for reconstruction from South blvd to Main. Stay on Sheridan 'round the bend and go straight into westbound South Blvd. and then head north on Judson (3-4 blocks along IIRC) which rejoins Sheridan near Northwestern's campus.

The curve around the cemetery is nicely repaved. i recommend using the road rather than the sidewalk which is pretty narrow and broken up.

i ride Sheridan between South blvd. and Loyola ave. daily. That strech of Sheridan is newly repaved from Broadway/Devon through South Blvd. It's a well-travelled route, but be extra aware of the busses (especially the 147's which are the killer articulated long busses) and the odd cabbie or two. Southbound Sheridan by Columbia there's a Starbux that tends to draw a lot of double-parking coffee junkies who don't look out for anyone so beware. Otherwise, it's a good route from Devon north...

HTH.

Alan Ortiz said:

Almost forgot.. when on Sheridan north of the cemetery, I recommend staying on the sidewalk and going slow until you hit the park. Then there is a gravel/dirt path a few feet into the park parallel to the sidewalk that you can take to the Edgemere gate.

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Permalink Reply by David P. on October 28, 2009 at 1:17pm

As far as major streets go, I found taking Ridge up from Hollywood to be much nicer than taking Clark.

David

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Permalink Reply by 8vPete on October 28, 2009 at 3:41pm

Thanks folks!

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Permalink Reply by Jared on October 28, 2009 at 8:38pm

I think Ridge bans bikes in Evanston...
Personally I follow the signed route provided by the city, could never tell you what streets to take but never get lost either.

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on October 29, 2009 at 7:01am

No bikes on Ridge in Evanston from Howard to Golf (Simpson?) Just north of the big viaduct there to up Wilmette line is okay for bikes...

Jared said:

I think Ridge bans bikes in Evanston...
Personally I follow the signed route provided by the city, could never tell you what streets to take but never get lost either.

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on October 29, 2009 at 11:39am

I was tempted to hop on Ridge late Sunday night (no traffic at all), but it didn't seem like a good idea due to the POURING RAIN.

Gotta make sure to do the next Ride The Ridge day.

Clark said:

Yeah well that whole banned section of Ridge Road is freshly paved, and smooth as silk. I'm sorry but I can't stay off. I ride Ridge anyway during off-peak hours and only once have been told to get off. I maintain a pretty good pace however, and watch at the busy intersections, because crossing traffic doesn't expect to see a bike coming through.

mike w. said:

No bikes on Ridge in Evanston from Howard to Golf (Simpson?)

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on October 29, 2009 at 1:43pm

Damned narrow, though...

Clark said:

Yeah well that whole banned section of Ridge Road is freshly paved, and smooth as silk. I'm sorry but I can't stay off. I ride Ridge anyway during off-peak hours and only once have been told to get off. I maintain a pretty good pace however, and watch at the busy intersections, because crossing traffic doesn't expect to see a bike coming through.

mike w. said:

No bikes on Ridge in Evanston from Howard to Golf (Simpson?)

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