Best Route to Bellwood from Chinatown

Hello all. I wish to bike to my job in Bellwod at the fire department. Its a nice easy 15 miles. I live in Chinatown and I am struggling to find a good route. The FD is right off the Prairie Path. The problem is finding a safe, smooth ride to it. Either way I'm going to have to cycle through the west side. I have to be at the FD by 7 AM. I'm thinking I can leave my house at 5:30ish.

What do you guys think the best route is to the Prairie path from China town. I've driven down Cermak and 290 was under construction. It might be the best route, but not sure. Looking for feedback, thanks.

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Permalink Reply by SomeBiker on July 20, 2011 at 5:46pm

bummmppp

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on July 20, 2011 at 5:59pm

I like your spelling :)) I wish I could help, but at present I know little about routes in the south part of the city.

People, help Anthony please!

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Permalink Reply by Bernard Joseph Hannigan on July 20, 2011 at 7:00pm

You could use part of the Salt Creek Trail if you head south a tad and take 26th in from the city...Exit at the 25th ave leg of the trail and head north to Washington Blvd. and west into Bellwood.

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on July 20, 2011 at 8:18pm

I have zero personal experience for this route, but, as a fan of all things Roboto, here's the Google Maps take on the routing:

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=22nd+%26+wentworth,+chicago&d...

If you wished to skip through some of the sketchier neighborhoods of your trip, you could take your bike on the Blue Line to the end at Forest Park and ride your bike the rest of the way, though that may not be beneficial to your exercise regimen.

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on July 20, 2011 at 9:24pm

Cermak to Halsted to 21st street west to Oakley.

Oakley south to 25th street. 25th street to Kostner. Kostner to 26th. There will be a slight learning curve to figure out how to navigate the clover leaf thingy at Cicero in order to stay on 26th, while staying off Cicero or Ogden. I'd take 25th a ways west from there (although 26th is not too horrible) and jog back to 26th when necessary to access the Salt Creek trail.

Father Hannigan can take it from there.