What are your favorite routes for training?

A few days ago there was a thread about an accident on the LBP and someone complained about amateur racers training there. I asked what routes were suggested instead but I didn't see any constructive comments.

I'm not a racer at all but I am training for a few centuries I have planned this year. My goal is not to just finish a century but do it in good shape, last time it kicked my butt. I was wondering, what are your favorite routes for training in the city? I usually go to the path very early before it starts getting crowded and do my longer rides on Milwaukee ave. to Northwest Hwy and out to the burbs or Milwaukee to the North branch trail. What other routes do you recommend?

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 19, 2012 at 9:53am

I don't know the exact route, but I joined Half Acre for their Saturday morning training ride up to Highland Park. Once out of the city, we were able to get some good speeds in my opinion. We ended at Fort Sheridan. Anywhere there remember that route?

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Permalink Reply by John Wirtz on March 20, 2012 at 3:19am

Sheridan Rd from Wilmette north

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on March 20, 2012 at 3:22am

Here is the Garmin report/route for Saturday with Julie and the HAC ladies

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/158828359

This is the following day with the Turin club

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/159191882

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Permalink Reply by Louie Louie on March 20, 2012 at 10:16am

Thanks guys, those look like some good alternatives for the longer rides. How about shorter rides within the city, 20 to 25 miles? Are there some good streets to pick up some speed? I sometimes use Elston but I hate the Fullerton/Damen intersection.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 20, 2012 at 10:20am

I like to go to the botanic gardens via the north shore channel trail.

I take damen to berwyn, west to the river, to bryn mawr west, past pulaski, over some trail/railroad tracks into sauganash.

From there I use the bike map (and street signs) through sauganash, hit elston for not even a 1/4 mile to the trail head.

You could just ride down damen to Berwyn to start (5300N)

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Permalink Reply by Liz on March 20, 2012 at 10:46am

Going to the end of the north channel trail and back is a nice round trip, I would recommend getting on the trail after Grainville if you're looking for speed, since there's a number of parks you ride through on the earlier section of the trail.

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=41.98756,-...

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Permalink Reply by Gerry G on March 20, 2012 at 10:46am

Dang those Garmins are snazzy tools. Thanks for posting these Michael and if there not to much trouble to load here at Chainlink can you keep'em coming?

Michael A said:

Here is the Garmin report/route for Saturday with Julie and the HAC ladies

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/158828359

This is the following day with the Turin club

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/159191882

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on March 20, 2012 at 10:49am

if you like short hard efforts and want to stay within the city get up at the break of dawn and hit the LFP, about 28 miles round trip from the northern end to the point and back

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Permalink Reply by Louie Louie on March 20, 2012 at 11:39am

That's what I have been doing so far. I was thinking the loop at the old airport by the museums might be a good place for intervals.

Michael A said:

if you like short hard efforts and want to stay within the city get up at the break of dawn and hit the LFP, about 28 miles round trip from the northern end to the point and back

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Permalink Reply by Ash L. on March 20, 2012 at 12:51pm

You can also take the channel trail up to its end near Green Bay Rd, make a left at a residential street called Prairie. You have to salmon for two blocks but the traffic is minimal. Follow it north to Central Ave (not Central St), make a right and ride over the Metra tracks. The entrance to the Green Bay trail will be on your left and you can basically ride that to Wisconsin if you wish. Bonus, if you crap out, it follows the Metra tracks so you can train it home if need be.