Getting to Downers Grove (McCullom park)

So, anyone have any good routes to Downers Grove?  I live on the far NW side of Chicago and have ridden out there before, HOWEVER I rode out there through Maywood and had some troubles in a few spots (aka someone broke a bottle right in front of me on purpose).  Plus some of the IPP is dirt/crushed stone and with all this rain will suck on 23mm tires, and I'd rather not ride my commuter/MTB out there.

I have the Bike Guide app (great app by the way) and tried Google maps but they both want to put me on the Illinois Prairie Path and through Maywood.  I have no issues riding on the road and busy streets don't bother me much, especially since this will be early morning (6 am ish) on Labor Day when I need to make the trek out there.  Any suggestions?

My options seem to be 25th to Butterfield to Meyer/Fairview and ride that in.  

Or 25th to a short trip on Butterfield to Wolf to Ogden to Naperville Rd and in.

OR 25th to Hillgrove (which looks passable on Google maps) and in.

I have a coworker that suggested 25th to Butterfield to Wolf to (or bypass Butterfield and Wolf) 31st west to Meter/Fairview and that leads me into the neighborhood that the park is in.

Distance really isn't an issue, I'll hammer out the 25-30 miles without an issue but safety is my concern and last time I rode side streets and it took stinkin' forever.

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on August 26, 2014 at 6:25am

Do you really think you are likely to be accosted in Maywood at 6am? I have never been there but that surprises me.

(Sorry I don't have any route advice; I haven't ridden in this direction although I would like to.)

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 26, 2014 at 7:03am

I am not worried about being bothered, the bottle incident was a little nerve racking, I just don't want to deal with it all together.  I didn't like taking the IPP from 1st avenue, too many grade crossings with no lights or stops, drivers not stopping for peds or bicycles, and it gets confusing at parts where the trail hits streets and isn't labeled.  I got lost and had to stop and/or turn around to recatch the trail.

Alex Z said:

Do you really think you are likely to be accosted in Maywood at 6am? I have never been there but that surprises me.

(Sorry I don't have any route advice; I haven't ridden in this direction although I would like to.)

Permalink Reply by Tim Heckman on August 26, 2014 at 7:30am
At that time, 25th would be fine from Madison Street to 31st, and then just take 31st over. For a little more sedate ride, you can use Washington through Maywood/Bellwood from Thatcher/1st to Bellwood Avenue (which becomes Westchester Boulevard south of 290), Westchester Boulevard to Salt Creek Trail (paved) from Cermak/Mannheim to 31st/York, and 31st over to Meyer. There is a mixture of gravel and paved trail from York to Route 83, but I think it is all paved from 83 west to Meyer. That portion of 31st from York to 83 will be fine early on a weekend morning, but is not fun at all during rush. Otherwise, your coworkers suggestion is my favorite, given your preferences.
Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 26, 2014 at 7:36am

Any roads that bikes aren't allowed on out there that you know of?

Tim Heckman said:

At that time, 25th would be fine from Madison Street to 31st, and then just take 31st over. For a little more sedate ride, you can use Washington through Maywood/Bellwood from Thatcher/1st to Bellwood Avenue (which becomes Westchester Boulevard south of 290), Westchester Boulevard to Salt Creek Trail (paved) from Cermak/Mannheim to 31st/York, and 31st over to Meyer. There is a mixture of gravel and paved trail from York to Route 83, but I think it is all paved from 83 west to Meyer. That portion of 31st from York to 83 will be fine early on a weekend morning, but is not fun at all during rush. Otherwise, your coworkers suggestion is my favorite, given your preferences.
Permalink Reply by OLB 0.1 on August 26, 2014 at 7:46am

I think you are better off going further South before you go West.

I recommend taking Nagle/Gunnison/Oak Park/Riverside/LongCommon to downtown Riverside.

Take the road along the tracks (Burlington/Brookfield/ ect) to Central near Spring Rock Park.

47th/County Line/Madison to 63rd.

I haven't ridden West on 63rd, so I can't comment on it. But I'm sure it is better than Butterfield West of I-294.

Permalink Reply by Tim Heckman on August 26, 2014 at 7:48am
No, although I think Roosevelt Road, 22nd/Cermak, Mannheim Road, Illinois 83, and Butterfield SW of Cermak are inappropriate in my opinion. I don't like Ogden, but some people do in the early mornings.
Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 26, 2014 at 8:28am

I looked that route up and I agree, further south first.  That was my problem because I spent most of my time jogging south and then west, and then south, and then west for short distances last time.  The road that runs along the tracks out of Riverside seems to be a great idea, gets confusing at spots with the different highway crossings.

OLB 0.1 said:

I think you are better off going further South before you go West.

I recommend taking Nagle/Gunnison/Oak Park/Riverside/LongCommon to downtown Riverside.

Take the road along the tracks (Burlington/Brookfield/ ect) to Central near Spring Rock Park.

47th/County Line/Madison to 63rd.

I haven't ridden West on 63rd, so I can't comment on it. But I'm sure it is better than Butterfield West of I-294.

Permalink Reply by OLB 0.1 on August 26, 2014 at 10:40am

Mike,

Sorry about the confusion, I was busy at work earlier or I would have been more detailed.

Follow the 50 mile route found here once you get to Riverside Dr: http://ridewithgps.com/events/Wright-Ride-2014#routes/

From that point on this is a popular bike route and you will probably see a bunch of other cyclists out, especially early on a weekend (or holiday).

I've ridden this many times (including the 2014 Wright Ride) and think it is a more laid back route than the other options you were looking at.



Chitown_Mike said:

I looked that route up and I agree, further south first.  That was my problem because I spent most of my time jogging south and then west, and then south, and then west for short distances last time.  The road that runs along the tracks out of Riverside seems to be a great idea, gets confusing at spots with the different highway crossings.

OLB 0.1 said:

I think you are better off going further South before you go West.

I recommend taking Nagle/Gunnison/Oak Park/Riverside/LongCommon to downtown Riverside.

Take the road along the tracks (Burlington/Brookfield/ ect) to Central near Spring Rock Park.

47th/County Line/Madison to 63rd.

I haven't ridden West on 63rd, so I can't comment on it. But I'm sure it is better than Butterfield West of I-294.

Permalink Reply by paulcycles on August 26, 2014 at 1:55pm
I ride the Prairie Path thru Maywood, 1st Ave. To Elmhurst/Villa Park routinely from 5am to 9am. Glass, drunks, kids can discourage you or me BUT the path is safer by far than Busses, Trucks, & speeding a'holes in cars on ANY thru streets from Maywood until Elmhurst, and then again on the highways in Downers....My 2 cents. Names and intimating ghetto folks impacting on you psyche recommend getting a partner or three to booster your confidence. Friends, fellow commuters/riders are easily found at oak pk clubs. I belong to www.elmhurstbicycleclub.org for other opinions+routes.

Alex Z said:

Do you really think you are likely to be accosted in Maywood at 6am? I have never been there but that surprises me.

(Sorry I don't have any route advice; I haven't ridden in this direction although I would like to.)

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 27, 2014 at 5:20am

paulcycles, thanks for the heads up.  I almost prefer streets, especially early mornings, but I will keep the IPP in mind in case weather turns sour, which in that case I don't like being on the road.

Here is the route I put together, working off your map OLB and some improvising.  Thoughts?  I haven't ridden this way before but open to suggestions if anyone has any.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5807188?privacy_code=cMieBs4mITISARsq

Permalink Reply by Tim Heckman on August 27, 2014 at 5:45am
It's a really good route. I didn't look up the park you mentioned, and thought your destination was about four miles north. Your willingness to ride 25th also indicated a moderately high traffic tolerance. I've ridden most all of those roads at one time or another. You should even be able to follow the green arrow blazes for the Wright Ride for much of it.

I've also been a year around commuter on the Prairie Path for several years, and never had a significant problem (except for glass) but for that far south, this is a better route.
Permalink Reply by Tim Heckman on August 27, 2014 at 6:15am
Hey paulcycles, do I know you, at least by sight? I'm usually riding a blue or brown Suburban west in the morning, and east in the evening-- sometimes you will see me on a black Cross Check. I'm usually wearing a safety vest while commuting. There aren't too many Prairie Path commuters, so I think I know who you are :)

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