New Commute Route - Need some advice.

So, my company has informed me that we'll be moving from the north shore to the O hare area. I'm none too happy about this, since I've been working in the Niles/Glenview area for almost 5 years, and have been commuting by bike or by bike/train.

So, our proposed new address is the the industrial park immediately west of O' Hare, on Lunt between Elmhurst Rd and Busse Rd. I live in Andersonville. 

Google maps is proposing:

1.Heading west on balmoral/berwyn, eventually snaking north to Bryn Mawr.  (already do this to get to the Forest Glen station.)

2. Taking the snaking route to get to the forest glen Metra station. (this is where my usual current commute ends.)

3.) Take Elston NW to Raven, then pick up Northwest HWY. Then W on Devon, then NW on Avondale Ave. 

4. Avondale Ave to BellePlaine, then NW on Talcott.

Here's where I get scared. From Talcott, it's telling me to take Touhy westbound. I did a Google maps street view, and it's very intimidating seeing 3 lane stretches with 45 mph speed limits (which means people are probably going 50-55. 

Has anyone here actually rode their bike through that stretch of Touhy?

Alternatively, I could ride to the Rosemont CTA/PACE hub and catch the Pace # 223, which would essentially ferry me across that crazy stretch of touhy and drop me off at touhy and elmhurst. I would hate to pay $1.75 for 10 minutes of a bus ride, though.

Ideas? Thanks in advance!

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Permalink Reply by Tominator on March 24, 2014 at 3:36pm

Yeah, can't disagree with everyone above. I ride to Park Ridge and Northwest Hway, is ok, Talcott would be OK, Raven to Northwest Highway is what I do from Milwaukee. But Touhy is really a no-go zone.

Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on March 25, 2014 at 4:17am

I have in fact ridden up to Busse Woods taking Northwest Highway to Oakton, which is not a "good" route but doable in light weekend morning traffic.   During rush hour its probably a bad idea.   Rich, for you route it may be better to just to suffer the one mile on Oakton between Elmhurst and Higgins that to mess with the Elmhurst interchange. Oakton is good road west of Higgins. I'd be up for a ride there, since I may be doing my Salt Creek Trail ride north-south now that Slapshot doesn't seem to be opening a taproom anytime soon (and Church St. is open on Saturdays now).

 

Drew(bacca), I'm on the north side of Chicago. 

Permalink Reply by Rich S on March 25, 2014 at 6:58am

I can join you for pre-ride if you want someone to ride with once the semester is done first week of May. 

Yeah that mile on Oakton looks hairy but not nearly as bad as the mile on Elmhurst. 

envane (69 furlongs) said:

I have in fact ridden up to Busse Woods taking Northwest Highway to Oakton, which is not a "good" route but doable in light weekend morning traffic.   During rush hour its probably a bad idea.   Rich, for you route it may be better to just to suffer the one mile on Oakton between Elmhurst and Higgins that to mess with the Elmhurst interchange. Oakton is good road west of Higgins. I'd be up for a ride there, since I may be doing my Salt Creek Trail ride north-south now that Slapshot doesn't seem to be opening a taproom anytime soon (and Church St. is open on Saturdays now).

 

Drew(bacca), I'm on the north side of Chicago. 

Permalink Reply by Elliot Bennett on March 25, 2014 at 8:37am

I have to ride from Evanston to Schaumburg occasionally for my work. I usually ride Oakton all the way to Busse Woods. Oakton is busy, but generally I have found it to be pretty wide and quite ride-able. Best of luck, East-West in this area is always a challenge.

Elliot

Permalink Reply by Tominator on September 8, 2014 at 8:57am

Yes, I was going to suggest Oakton. Better than Touhy.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on September 8, 2014 at 9:18am

Oakton is good but I prefer Devon. The traffic's not nearly as bad as Higgins or Touhy and you'll be further south. But River Road really sucks to ride pretty much anywhere around there. You may want to take the sidewalk for the mile or so you'll be on River Road. Another option would be to ride to the blue line stops at either Harlem or Cumberland and then take the train for 1-2 stops to Rosemont. That station is about a block or two from the Hyatt. 

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on September 8, 2014 at 9:46am

I will third (or fourth) Oakton, I have taken it almost clear to Busse Woods and it is a doable route.

I did once take NW Hwy to Woodstock....that was a hectic ride I'll never do alone again.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on September 10, 2014 at 12:20pm

Based on my experience riding near O'Hare and that general vicinity - my advice is to look around for a better employer. How attached are you to the job? Are employers in your field hiring? 

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on September 10, 2014 at 2:26pm

I actually solved my problem by finding a new job. The potential for an awful commute was one of many issues. Now, I'm somewhere I like with the metra stop a block from my office. Win/Win.

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