Chicago Area Rides - Bucket List. What's your Bucket List??

Ok, so this article has a "bucket list" of rides for Chicago. I don't totally agree with it so I decided to write my own bucket list. Feel free to chime in with your own bucket lists for Chicago area rides:

Chicago area bike ride bucket list:

Lake Bluff - make it fun and take the Skokie Lagoons route up and Sheridan on the return. Once you get to Highland Park, jump on the Robert McClory bike path for a quiet, tree-lined path up to Lake Bluff.

Prairie Path and Two Bros.  - Prairie Path out, train back. Beautiful outdoor seating at Two Bros. Roundhouse is a great place to stop for lunch with the Metra station right there to catch a train back. 

Ride to Wisconsin - Robert McClory path once you get to Highland Park and make sure to take a selfie in front of the "Welcome to Wisconsin" sign. So exotic. 

Lake Shore path to Indiana - It's pretty wonderful once you are past the old McCormick. Go to camp at the Indiana Dunes or head to 3 Floyds for a day trip. Bob Hsiung does a monthly ride to Three Floyds and there is the option to jump on the Metra at Flossmoor back to the city.

North Branch Trail to Botanical Gardens. Bring some walking shoes and enjoy lunch with swans, flowers and waterfalls.

North Channel Trail - sculpture garden, twisty-turny path and you can jump off and have lunch in Evanston for a nice, quick and easy afternoon ride. 

Mountain Biking at Palos. I left my favorite for last. Beautiful location, challenging climbs and ravines. Palos has great MTB. 

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Permalink Reply by Tom Z on July 23, 2015 at 4:34pm

Great suggestions!  I've done a few of them.

A few on my list:

Ride to Starved Rock - Ride out from Joliet, camp or stay somewhere near Starved Rock then ride back the next day.

Chicago to St. Louis - Ride to St. Louis over the course of a week, then take the Amtrak home. (Long term goal)  I'm kind of hoping to find a supported ride for this, so I don't have to pack up my bike, which is not meant for that.

Aurora to Crystal Lake - Take the Metra to Aurora from Chicago. Ride the Fox River Trail, etc. to Crystal Lake, then take the Metra back home in Chicago.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on July 24, 2015 at 2:54am

Thanks! Those are some great destinations. I need to add them to my list. :-)

Permalink Reply by Brett Miller on July 25, 2015 at 3:42pm
Oak Park to Starved Rock State Park along the I&M Canal Trail- checked this century (my first) off the list today!
Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on July 26, 2015 at 1:33am

That's awesome. Any pics?

Permalink Reply by Brett Miller on July 31, 2015 at 3:47am

A selfie of me and a fallen tree at approximately mile 25 had me looking fresh and chipper; then a photo of me at approximately mile 90 showed me looking significantly more drained and exhausted. Finished the century, though!

 

105 miles on a hybrid along the I&M Canal Trail in 7:13 for an average spped of 14.5 mph!

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on July 25, 2015 at 8:07pm
Thr Grand Illinois Trail. Seriously thinking of doing that next year.
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/greenwaysandtrails/Pages/Gra...
Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on July 26, 2015 at 1:33am

Looks like a beautiful ride. 

Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on July 26, 2015 at 7:55am

After another Ragbrai, I have a new ride on my wishlist: Ride across Illinois to get to Iowa, meet up with my Ragbrai team in Cedar Rapids, ride Ragbrai with them, and ride back home from the endpoint. Call it Ragbraiai. 

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on July 27, 2015 at 4:32am

Most St. Louis to Chicago Amtrak trains carry roll on bicycles for $10.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Blumenthal on July 30, 2015 at 5:27am

Bucket List is the I&M end to end slowly with camera in tow and Four Seasons Spa Hotels along the way.  I'm 75 years old and like to smell the roses, explore, love creature comforts, and my butt wears out after 25 miles or so.

Permalink Reply by Jared on July 30, 2015 at 5:31am

I want to ride to Milwaukee sometime this summer.

Permalink Reply by Luke Anderson on July 30, 2015 at 5:32am

Riding in Barrington / Bull Valley should be on any Chicago cyclists bucket list. By far the best riding in the Chicago area. Pretty much the only hills around.

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