Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by brandon lee* on July 3, 2009 at 8:40pm

I'm sorry. I don't have any suggestions. But i've been getting into longer rides (just put together a road bike) and too only know of the NBT. I would be interested in hearing any other routes/rides out there from Logan Square area.

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Permalink Reply by Liz Payne on July 4, 2009 at 2:44am

Thanks to all of you for responding - to answer h3 -I'm riding skinny road tires. To Brian: Where do I pick up the Green Bay trail? I am using a CBF bike map and it's a little hard to find.

Brian Kennedy said:

For the first time today I took the North Channel Trail to Green Bay Trail then over to Botanical Gardens via Lake/Cook Road and back to Jefferson Park via the North Branch Trail. It was a 40 mile round trip. I too get a little bored with the same stuff on the North Branch trail. It was amazing what a difference it made only going one way on the NBT. I recommend giving it a shot and seeing what you think. I found it quite enjoyable.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Bird on July 4, 2009 at 5:02am

Liz,

I lead several rides each season for a local cycling club that go through Logan Square to points west or south. I ride west on the Wrightwood bicycle superhighway to Naragansett (just past Riis Park) then south to North Avenue. A left on North Ave. followed by a sharp right puts me on Ridgeland Avenue. Then I head south to Lake Street, hang a right, then go west into downtown Oak Park. From there, I take Randolph Street west to Des Plaines Avenue, take it southwest to 31st Street, then head west to Brookfield Zoo and the start of the Salt Creek Bike Path. Then you have the option of taking the Bike Path west to Oak Brook or turning south on Wolf Road, riding it to its end, then head west to ride the hills of Burr Ridge. Lots of options available to you if your willing to do some street riding - with some of it on two-lane roads.

I'm leading my next ride through Logan on Sat Aug 1 going to Oakbrook and Graue Mill. You're welcome to join us at the start or when we ride through Logan. See the Chicago Cycling Club website for details. Also, feel free to contact me if you want me to send you copies of my route directions for your use.

Happy Trails!

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Permalink Reply by yaj 7.4 on July 5, 2009 at 11:43am

Hi Liz
Did you ride the Praire Path today? If not, I can tell you that it is all types of trail, depending on which spurs you take; sometimes pavement, sometimes crushed limestone and I swear we rode a part that seemed to be covered in cat litter. I ride touring tires, so I can handle all of it but my friend on his skinniest road tires found some parts challenging.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Anderson on July 5, 2009 at 12:50pm

Hi Brian

I'm going to be communting from Wrightwood/Ashland to Oak Brook in a month or so, could you send me the route you offered?

Thanks

Mark

Brian Bird said:

Liz,

I lead several rides each season for a local cycling club that go through Logan Square to points west or south. I ride west on the Wrightwood bicycle superhighway to Naragansett (just past Riis Park) then south to North Avenue. A left on North Ave. followed by a sharp right puts me on Ridgeland Avenue. Then I head south to Lake Street, hang a right, then go west into downtown Oak Park. From there, I take Randolph Street west to Des Plaines Avenue, take it southwest to 31st Street, then head west to Brookfield Zoo and the start of the Salt Creek Bike Path. Then you have the option of taking the Bike Path west to Oak Brook or turning south on Wolf Road, riding it to its end, then head west to ride the hills of Burr Ridge. Lots of options available to you if your willing to do some street riding - with some of it on two-lane roads.

I'm leading my next ride through Logan on Sat Aug 1 going to Oakbrook and Graue Mill. You're welcome to join us at the start or when we ride through Logan. See the Chicago Cycling Club website for details. Also, feel free to contact me if you want me to send you copies of my route directions for your use.

Happy Trails!

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Permalink Reply by Liz Payne on July 5, 2009 at 11:29pm

I did this ride yesterday and would not recommend Naragansett - it is very rough. A nicer alternative is Austin to some point south of North Ave, where you can then shoot west to Ridgeland, which is a very nice road.
Liz
I ride west on the Wrightwood bicycle superhighway to Naragansett (just past Riis Park) then south to North Avenue. A left on North Ave. followed by a sharp right puts me on Ridgeland Avenue.

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Permalink Reply by Liz Payne on July 5, 2009 at 11:32pm

yeah, I got out to the prairie path yesterday - I found the unpavedness of it a little challenging on my skinny tires. I liked my ride out to it, though. I think I'll do some more exploring in that area.
Liz

y a j said:

Hi Liz
Did you ride the Praire Path today? If not, I can tell you that it is all types of trail, depending on which spurs you take; sometimes pavement, sometimes crushed limestone and I swear we rode a part that seemed to be covered in cat litter. I ride touring tires, so I can handle all of it but my friend on his skinniest road tires found some parts challenging.

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Permalink Reply by Liz Payne on July 5, 2009 at 11:33pm

thanks for this - is GB a paved trail?

h3 said:

Not enough info from Liz to determine a route (will you only ride on trails?) but here's the requested Green Bay Trail access:

North on Sacramento
Right on School, cross Elston via Henderson
Left (N) on California
Right (E) on Montrose
Left (N) on Manor
Right (E) on Lawrence
Left (N) on California
Becomes Dodge in Evanston
Right (E) on Lake
Left (N) on Asbury
Right (E) on Church
Left (N) on Ridge (becomes Sheridan, pass Bahai temple)
Left (W) on Forest
Right (N) into Shorewood Park (Before RR crossing)
Follow "Bike Route" signs North across Kenilworth Ave.
Right (E) on Melrose
Left (N) on Abbottsford
Left (W) on Ivy Court
Follow Ivy Court around to Left, turn
Right up onto start of Green Bay Trail

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Permalink Reply by Brian Bird on July 8, 2009 at 4:09pm

Liz:
Thanks for the scouting report. Will revise route accordingly.

Liz Payne said:

I did this ride yesterday and would not recommend Naragansett - it is very rough. A nicer alternative is Austin to some point south of North Ave, where you can then shoot west to Ridgeland, which is a very nice road.
Liz
I ride west on the Wrightwood bicycle superhighway to Naragansett (just past Riis Park) then south to North Avenue. A left on North Ave. followed by a sharp right puts me on Ridgeland Avenue.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Bird on July 8, 2009 at 4:12pm

Hey, Mark:
Shoot me an e-mail to b_t_bird@yahoo.com . I'll reply to you with a copy.

Mark Anderson said:

Hi Brian

I'm going to be communting from Wrightwood/Ashland to Oak Brook in a month or so, could you send me the route you offered?

Thanks

Mark

Brian Bird said:

Liz,

I lead several rides each season for a local cycling club that go through Logan Square to points west or south. I ride west on the Wrightwood bicycle superhighway to Naragansett (just past Riis Park) then south to North Avenue. A left on North Ave. followed by a sharp right puts me on Ridgeland Avenue. Then I head south to Lake Street, hang a right, then go west into downtown Oak Park. From there, I take Randolph Street west to Des Plaines Avenue, take it southwest to 31st Street, then head west to Brookfield Zoo and the start of the Salt Creek Bike Path. Then you have the option of taking the Bike Path west to Oak Brook or turning south on Wolf Road, riding it to its end, then head west to ride the hills of Burr Ridge. Lots of options available to you if your willing to do some street riding - with some of it on two-lane roads.

I'm leading my next ride through Logan on Sat Aug 1 going to Oakbrook and Graue Mill. You're welcome to join us at the start or when we ride through Logan. See the Chicago Cycling Club website for details. Also, feel free to contact me if you want me to send you copies of my route directions for your use.

Happy Trails!

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