North Branch Trail Not Melted!

I just wanted to post a heads up for anyone who rides the North Branch for commuting or otherwise.

I hopped on at Winnetka Rd. on my way home from work today expecting to find the path mostly melted with the warm temps and rain.  About a quarter of a mile in I found mostly ice.  I ended up walking my bike to the Happ Rd. exit and rode on the street the rest of the way home.  I would have been able to ride with studs or some thick knobbys, but not on my normal 32c Marathon Plus.

I was hoping for a nice relaxing ride home away from the SUV's, slippery lane markings, and dirty curbsides, but alas.

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Permalink Reply by spencewine on March 26, 2013 at 4:28am

I rode up to Ft Sheridan on Sunday via the North Channel/Green Bay/Robert Mclory.

Besides the mentioned patch of ice at Lawerence, the North Shore Channel Trail is in great condition as is the Green Bay Trail up to Braeside Metra. At that point it turns into crushed limestone that is saturated and is a slog and the further North one goes, the more snow and ice covers the trail until it's completely unpassable. That's as of last Sunday...I'm guessing that while the ice may melt off this week, it'll still be saturated. Not sure about North Branch, but if it's crushed limestone, it's probably in the same condition.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on March 28, 2013 at 2:36pm

I rode the North Branch trail after work tonight from Milwaukee and Devon to Tower road. . It was all clear to North of E Lake Ave. From there on, there were a few patches of ice, but they were clearly visible and avoidable.

The deer on the other hand are a different story. So many (I counted 26 of them) and so used to people that they are hard to avoid....

Megan Hauser said:

Bump. Anyone know how the North Branch is doing now? I'd love to get out there and enjoy the predicted nice weather this weekend.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 28, 2013 at 3:29pm

Speaking of the North Channel Trail, does anyone have any information when construction might start for the new bridge just past Lincoln to finally connect to the other side?  Is this going to happen this year soon?  That will probably disrupt traffic under Lincoln at the very least if not on the West side section just north of there where the bridge will land on the other side.

Also, construction is planned for the Ladd Arboretum as well which will probably block easy connection to the Green Bay Trail at the far end.  Anyone have any word of when this might happen too? 

Permalink Reply by Megan H on March 29, 2013 at 2:28am

Duppie, thanks for the update. I've had some close calls with deer out there, particularly in the evening hours, although I don't think I've ever seen so many during one ride. Maybe it's time to get one of those "deer whistles" for the front fender.

Duppie 13.5185km said:

I rode the North Branch trail after work tonight from Milwaukee and Devon to Tower road. . It was all clear to North of E Lake Ave. From there on, there were a few patches of ice, but they were clearly visible and avoidable.

The deer on the other hand are a different story. So many (I counted 26 of them) and so used to people that they are hard to avoid....

Megan Hauser said:

Bump. Anyone know how the North Branch is doing now? I'd love to get out there and enjoy the predicted nice weather this weekend.

Permalink Reply by Dave Grossman on March 31, 2013 at 11:14am

I am planning on taking it on my way home tomorrow, picking up at Winnetka Rd. and going until Glenview Rd.  I drove past Harms/Glenview Rd. today and there seemed to be a lot of lycra clad weekend warriors out.  

Permalink Reply by Megan H on March 31, 2013 at 2:27pm

We rode from the trailhead at Milwaukee/Devon to Happ Road (mile 10) and back today. The trail was clear and there were lots of folks out and about. Fortunately there were no wildlife encounters, aside from seeing a few mating duck pairs in some swampy trailside areas. I rocked my sweet new wool Chainlink jersey; it was just cold/windy enough to wear it the whole ride.

Permalink Reply by Dave Grossman on March 31, 2013 at 2:32pm

Thanks Megan.  I will hit it up tomorrow for sure.

Permalink Reply by Dave Grossman on April 1, 2013 at 12:40pm

Took it today from Winnetka Rd to Glenview and it was great.  All thawed out and just some of the usual forest debris.  Glad to be able to use it again as it makes the commute less mundane some days.

Permalink Reply by Bob on April 2, 2013 at 2:33pm

rode the NBT and it was definitely all clear! they had some control burning thing going on today,but still passable, although it felt like riding through hell with all the smoke and fire on the sides! 

now about that wool Chainlink jersey Megan Hauser,,,,where can we get a hold of one of those,,,big fan of wool here.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 2, 2013 at 2:40pm
I would contact Julie. She mentioned that if there is enough interest, she might offer them again. I've seen them and they are definitely made for winter riding, being long sleeve.
I might be in the market if nshe would offer them this fall

Bob said:

rode the NBT and it was definitely all clear! they had some control burning thing going on today,but still passable, although it felt like riding through hell with all the smoke and fire on the sides! 

now about that wool Chainlink jersey Megan Hauser,,,,where can we get a hold of one of those,,,big fan of wool here.

Permalink Reply by Megan H on April 2, 2013 at 3:52pm

I got mine for donating to the Chainlink website remodeling effort at the end of last year. If I recall correctly, Julie said they might be available for purchase this spring, but don't quote me on that. They are definitely a fall/winter/early spring kind of jersey. I was on the verge of being too hot on Sunday riding through the woods at around 50 degrees.

Bob said:

rode the NBT and it was definitely all clear! they had some control burning thing going on today,but still passable, although it felt like riding through hell with all the smoke and fire on the sides! 

now about that wool Chainlink jersey Megan Hauser,,,,where can we get a hold of one of those,,,big fan of wool here.

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