Good Route from North Branch Trail to McClory Path?

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on September 2, 2009 at 7:31pm

Ride through the Botanical Gardens then turn right at Lake-Cook Rd and go until you hit the Green Bay trail, just past the Metra Tracks. Green Bay Trail ties into the McClory (follow the signs).

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on September 2, 2009 at 9:09pm

Squeamish people can ride on the sidewalk.

Brian Kennedy said:

Be mindful, however, that Lake-Cook is not bike friendly. I think you are only on it for about 1 1/2 miles so pick you time wisely and go for it when you hit it.

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Permalink Reply by Sean A on September 2, 2009 at 9:25pm

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't sure how good Lake-Cook would be to ride on but I am guessing around 10:30am on a Friday shouldn't be too bad.

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on September 2, 2009 at 9:49pm

That hill between the gardens and the GBT is the Highland Park Moraine.

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Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on September 3, 2009 at 9:25am

And really fun on the way back...

envane x said:

That hill between the gardens and the GBT is the Highland Park Moraine.

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Permalink Reply by koala on September 3, 2009 at 9:31am

I think you are thinking of westbound on Lake Cook to the Skokie Valley Bikeway, that's when you have to cross the highway. Eastbound towards Green Bay, its just that hill.

If you really want to avoid Lake Cook, Tower Rd. is a more bike friendly eastbound route. You miss the gardens and you have to hunt around for a bit to find the entrance to the trail at that point (cross the Metra tracks, go left, it is on the left, I think), but it is a more pleasant ride than Lake Cook.

h3 said:

Lake Cook is treacherous-ungodly-horrid and to be avoided for the most part, but the section in question is not too bad. The worst thing about it is that the cars passing you as you climb are headed for the 94 on-ramp, which you have to cross, but you're probably climbing at 8-10 miles an hour there so you're going to end up yielding without a lot of drama.

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on September 3, 2009 at 10:11am

koala said:

I think you are thinking of westbound on Lake Cook to the Skokie Valley Bikeway, that's when you have to cross the highway.

Which, if the OP doesn't know, is a great path if you want to go fast (GBT is gravel north of Lake-Cook). You can cut back to the McClory at Old Elm, or take it to the end at Laurel St. in Lake Forest.

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Permalink Reply by Madopal (16.5 mi) on September 3, 2009 at 11:14am

envane x said:

Which, if the OP doesn't know, is a great path if you want to go fast (GBT is gravel north of Lake-Cook). You can cut back to the McClory at Old Elm, or take it to the end at Laurel St. in Lake Forest.

BTW, last ride along Old Elm (from Everett) I did, I got honked at for riding solo there...by a drivers ed instructor driving alone!

It is much better than riding Lake Cook, however. As everyone has said, it's a short stretch, so it's not too bad. Plus, that hill is actually a 4 lane, so you're not being squeezed while climbing. Just watch that you don't try it when there's a show starting at Ravinia...that would be a madhouse.

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