DPR Trail Entrance @ Ballard

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on September 23, 2009 at 12:38pm

In general, the Cook County end of that trail is pretty much a cyclocross trail. Tried going north from Euclid back in early June. It pretty much disappears just past Milwaukee for a couple of miles because of washouts and it's almost single track Dundee to Lake Cook. Anyone go north of the county line? i stopped at the foot of the bridge there. It's probably a great horse trail, but i've never seen any on it. It's a pity CCFPD doesn't maintain it like their other trails.

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on September 23, 2009 at 2:11pm

Sounds like a trip for my tank! (with knobbies put back on).

Thanks for the update Matt. I've been wanting to get myself out to the DRT.

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on September 23, 2009 at 5:18pm

Give cars right of way on Ballard. They tend to be total jerks even if you claim the lane - crossing the median, etc. You'll only be on Ballard for a couple minutes if you are heading west from Church and then turning from Bellaire. Trail starts right after the underpass (there is a small Cook County signpost thingus after you cross the intersection).

Back on the trail for me- - heading to the Hilton near River and Milwaukee.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

Sounds like a trip for my tank! (with knobbies put back on).

Thanks for the update Matt. I've been wanting to get myself out to the DRT.

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on September 23, 2009 at 11:56pm

Interesting to ride the trail at night...but a Busch and Muller lamp would have been much safer. Cateye HL-EL 530 headlamp... much the same type of trail, mostly crushed stone to Milwaukee Ave from Central. Some dirt, however - -

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on September 24, 2009 at 12:02am

I was planning on going west on Lawrence and starting from there. Is that a bad idea?

Matt M. said:

Give cars right of way on Ballard. They tend to be total jerks even if you claim the lane - crossing the median, etc. You'll only be on Ballard for a couple minutes if you are heading west from Church and then turning from Bellaire. Trail starts right after the underpass (there is a small Cook County signpost thingus after you cross the intersection).

Back on the trail for me- - heading to the Hilton near River and Milwaukee.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

Sounds like a trip for my tank! (with knobbies put back on).

Thanks for the update Matt. I've been wanting to get myself out to the DRT.

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on September 24, 2009 at 11:50am

Thanks for the heads-up Mark. I guess I'll hold off for a few weeks.

M.A.R.K. said:

After the past days of rain it might be.. Any part of the trail in Cook County needs to be dry, period, to be ridden on, and probably muddy as hell for the next week or so.. Unless you like that sorta thing.. But then too you are damaging it for future use.

I wish it was crushed gravel through CC, It would make a lovely ride to the city, and make it a lot easier for sure.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

I was planning on going west on Lawrence and starting from there. Is that a bad idea?
Matt M. said:

Give cars right of way on Ballard. They tend to be total jerks even if you claim the lane - crossing the median, etc. You'll only be on Ballard for a couple minutes if you are heading west from Church and then turning from Bellaire. Trail starts right after the underpass (there is a small Cook County signpost thingus after you cross the intersection).

Back on the trail for me- - heading to the Hilton near River and Milwaukee. Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

Sounds like a trip for my tank! (with knobbies put back on).

Thanks for the update Matt. I've been wanting to get myself out to the DRT.

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