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 Bob Kastigar on July 30, 2015 at 5:43am

If the Indiana Dunes campground is full or too crowed, continue east for a mile or two on the Calumet Trail or Rt. 12, to the Dunewood Campground.  South of the highway, across the the Beverly Shores South Shore station.  Showers, carry-in campground area, food nearby.  Not so well known so it's far less crowded.

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on July 30, 2015 at 6:05am

http://tinyurl.com/ne7r6um

One-day round trip - one way out, different way back.

http://tinyurl.com/puhk32w

One day one way to Kenosha.  Cheap motel accommodates bikes next to expressway. The next day ride into Kenosha, take Metra back to Chicago, or head south along the trail that starts in Kenosha and jump on the Metra line along the way.

Permalink Reply by Jeff K on July 30, 2015 at 6:23am

Chicago to Grand Rapids in one day (with help from Metra and lake ferry)

A couple of years ago I rode to Grand Rapids in one day.

1) Metra to Kenosha

2) Bike to Milwaukee

3) Lakefront Express ferry to Muskegon

4) Bike to Grand Rapids

85 miles riding. 15 hours total.

Here's a writeup:

Let's Go Ride a Bike - Biking Chicago to Grand Rapids, In One Day, ...

Permalink Reply by Tom Z on July 30, 2015 at 7:30am

After seeing this:

https://panethos.wordpress.com/2015/07/21/americas-original-bicycli...

I think I want to add Mackinac Island to my list.

Permalink Reply by Fai Mok on August 7, 2015 at 3:51am

I have cycled on Mackinac Island when I was living in Michigan.  Great shops and tourist spots on the island.  That was in 2004 and if I remembered it ferry fee for the bike was $7 plus your ticket($15).  It's a must to stop at one of the fudge shop and bring some home!

Permalink Reply by Garth Liebhaber on July 30, 2015 at 8:45am
Lake Michigan (Chicago) to the Mississippi (Mississippi Palisades)

Grand Illinois Trail

Chicago to Shabbona Park (Chicago) to Shabbona Lake (Shabbona, Illinois).

Those are the local destinations. My big dream is to go around the world. : )
Permalink Reply by Fai Mok on August 7, 2015 at 3:58am

Ride to Wisc - I did it on two occasions.  First time was during the Tri-State Tour from Hammond, Indiana to Chicago to Kenosha, Wisconsin one way in 2013.  The second time was during the North Shore Century from Evanston to Kenosha and back which was last year.  I am riding the NSC next month since it's such a scenic ride.

Lake Shore path to Indiana - Is the reverse route for the Tri-State Tour.  Nice view of the lakefront.

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