Need info on road rides. New to Chicago

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Permalink Reply by This PBL dosnt make me feel safe on June 24, 2015 at 7:14pm

If you're looking to see stuff, I would suggest going north and heading to the Botanical Gardens.  You can do a loop by taking the North Branch Trail north and Sheridan Rd. south.  The Gardens are free if you ride a bike.   This is maybe 50 miles.  You can do part of this ride on the Lake Front Path.  Its is a real Chicago experience and you should try it, but on weekends its a clusterfuck and will be a slow and nerve-racking ride.

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Permalink Reply by Tandemonium on June 24, 2015 at 7:42pm

I agree, if you are not worried about speed and can take it easy through the congested parts. I prefer to go the opposite direction (North Channel Trail - Green Bay Trail -  Gardens - North Branch Trail) though, so that you can bomb the hill on Lake Cook Road on the way to the gardens. If it isn't long enough for your taste you can ride further along Green Bay Trail to get the miles up to 75.

Have fun in Chicago.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 25, 2015 at 12:17pm

I'll second that suggestion. 

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on June 24, 2015 at 7:20pm

Fully agree with the North Branch trail recommendation. Biking to the botanical gardens from near downtown, up Elston or Milwaukee to get to the North Branch trail, and back, will get you a good 50 miles. If you want more...take a look at Google Maps and see how it looks if you take the North Channel Trail on the way back. Might add some more miles, I'm not sure.

 

Also as suggested, coming back a different way such that you end up on the lakepath trail would be another good way to add miles to get closer to 75.

 

Have fun!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on June 24, 2015 at 7:22pm

Another suggestion: again, you'll have to play around with Google Maps, but if you head SOUTH on the lakefront trail, not long after the trail spits you out onto city streets, you can meet up pretty easily with the Burnham Greenway(?), which could take you plennnnnnty far south into the suburbs and even the ride across the Indiana border is kind of fun. Go as far as you trust your legs to carry you back. :)

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Permalink Reply by Tandemonium on June 24, 2015 at 7:44pm

You should also look at the calendar of this website for options (like the following which doesn't work but you get it):

Bicycle Illinois 2015 (century option every day!)

July 4, 2015 to July 11, 2015 – Cairo to Chicago, IL BICYCLE ILLINOIS - Illinois’ Cross-State Bicycle Tour Tour Overview Starting from Cairo at Illinois' southernmost tip and ending in downtown Chicago, Bicycle Illinois is the only bicycle tour across… Organized by Bicycle Illinois | Type: multi-day, bicycle, bike, tour, bike tour, tour across entire state, illinois, il, multiday You have not responded.

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Permalink Reply by mark stetson on June 28, 2015 at 7:22pm

If you want to ride in the sticks, I'd be happy to provide a bike (54-62 cm), post ride pizza and beer.  I'm not buying your Amtrak ticket though.

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