Biking to Starved Rock this summer. I'm new to this type of tour.

I intend on biking to Starved Rock State Park this summer.   Do you guys just use Google Maps or is there a better resource? I'd swear I saw a thread about this years ago but find nothing on Chainlink currently. I'm new to the world of bicycling overnights but not new to long rides. I've never been on the I&M Trail. Any pointers or advice is welcome. The photo is my bike and trailer, so that is about as much as I can carry.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Alexander on March 5, 2017 at 5:04am

Look me up on Facebook. I write the touring and bike packing articles for The Chainlink I can send you all the info you need with routes and where to set up camp and some good restaurants on the way.

Permalink Reply by dav on March 5, 2017 at 5:33am

Thank you. Done. (I think that's you.)

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on March 5, 2017 at 6:57am

Hey Eric, We'd love if you could share the routes, camping, etc. here on The Chainlink. 

Permalink Reply by Eric Alexander on March 5, 2017 at 2:32pm
Yes I will all my routes start from my house I need a few days to redo them. I didn't want to post up my house on a public forum.
Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on March 6, 2017 at 2:29am

There is the group: Pitching a tent.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on March 6, 2017 at 3:43am

I've biked the I&M; you should have a nice ride.

I used Google Maps to figure out the best way to get to the I&M. I took Halsted south, headed west through Beverly, through the Hickory Hills, and then met up with the canal path.

Have fun! Ottawa, IL, east of Starved Rock, is a lovely town.

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on March 6, 2017 at 11:22am

The tornado damage should be cleared up, but not rebuilt.  The park wasn't damaged.

Permalink Reply by dav on March 6, 2017 at 12:22pm
Thank you. Google maps gave a route to the trailhead that was 25 miles and a lot of Archer Avenue. That wouldn't be my first choice. Your way sounds better.
Permalink Reply by Norah Webster on March 6, 2017 at 3:13pm

I did this trip back in June, and below is a link to my journal and photos from the weekend.  We headed out to Oak Park before following Google directions SW through Berwyn, Riverside, and then onto Plainfield Rd and Willow Springs Rd to the trailhead. The only bad traffic was the short stretch on East just south of 47th. 

Trail conditions vary wildly, ranging from paved surfaces, rocks and gravel, and sometimes mud mud mud, so be prepared to take your time and get dirty.

We rode one way over two days, and then took the Amtrak back from Princeton after riding a little bit on the Hennepin Canal Trail. Let me know if you have any specific questions. http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/NoboStarvedRock2016

Permalink Reply by Eric Alexander on March 6, 2017 at 4:15pm

Here is the I&M route from where it starts in Rockdale use the Blackriver app for iPhone or your computer to load it to a Garmin. I put POI's where the campsites are there are 3 I pointed out.You can use any part of the trail to camp they have clearings off to the side of the trail. I also put a great sandwich place in Morris on the map.  https://www.blackriver.cc/rides/8108

https://www.blackriver.cc 

Permalink Reply by Eric Alexander on March 6, 2017 at 4:37pm

Here is a write up of one of my trips from the I&M up the Hennepin trail to the Badger state trail in Wisconsin.I can post the route up tomorrow to this thread.

 http://www.stayradadventureteam.com/journal/2016/9/6/200tonewglarus 

Permalink Reply by petemoonman on March 7, 2017 at 3:49am

Great write up on I&M trails Alexander.

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