Anyone familiar with riding in Lake Bluff?

It's about a decade since I was bopping around the far N burbs every weekend . . .  I need to get to a relative's on Sunday.  Trying to figure out how scary it is between the Metra station and the destination. Looks to me like Rockland and Waukeegan are unavoidable, and as I recall both kind of suck?

Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on August 8, 2011 at 4:15pm

This is a normal training area ride for me, waukegan is not so bad, 176 is more congested, less of a shoulder

 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/104938127

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 8, 2011 at 4:46pm
The North Shore Bike Path runs parallel to Scranton/Rockland Road.  It's about ten yards south of the road and about 30 feet down a ravine.  You can take that from the Lake Bluff Metra station as far west as Waukegan Rd., then you're kind of on your own.  Use Google Maps directions for bikes to see the path.
Permalink Reply by Jared on August 8, 2011 at 4:48pm
Route 176 actually has a bike path along side if it on the south side of the road.  No avoiding Waukegan Road though.
Permalink Reply by Adam "Cezar" Jenkins on August 9, 2011 at 1:28am

If it's not on the map, please use www.google.com/mapmaker to mark it so that others using the maps can see it.

 

Thanks!

Jared said:

Route 176 actually has a bike path along side if it on the south side of the road.  No avoiding Waukegan Road though.
Permalink Reply by Jared on August 9, 2011 at 2:12am
It's on the map, just not the above general map.  You only see bike routes when you ask for bike directions.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 9, 2011 at 2:59am

Or when you're zoomed in enough. 

 

Adam, here's a snippet of the map around the Lake Bluff Metra:

That's zoomed in to where the scale is 500ft.

 


Jared said:

It's on the map, just not the above general map.  You only see bike routes when you ask for bike directions.
Permalink Reply by Adam "Cezar" Jenkins on August 9, 2011 at 3:28am
Ah, that's what you meant. If you hover your mouse over the map/satellite thing on the top right a menu pops down and you can select "bicycle" to see the bicycle map.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 9, 2011 at 3:06pm
The next bike blackout weekend (and last announced for the season) is 8/20-21 for the Air and Water Show, so they shouldn't be telling you "no bikes" this weekend.

Gooseberry Pie! said:

Good to know, thanks!

I'm actually toying with the idea of avoiding Metra Bike Roulette entirely and hiking it.

There's not some secret bike blackout this coming weekend, is there?

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 9, 2011 at 9:22pm
This map tweak keeps you off Waukegan Road all but 150 yards or so.
Permalink Reply by David Barish on August 11, 2011 at 8:01am
I typed this before reading the replies. You already have the info but here...I used to ride there quite a bit but have not been up there this year. There is a bike path that goes along 176 from the Lake Bluff Metra Station.  at Waukegan Rd, Rte 43, you will have to take the street north until you get to the neighborhood you are seeking.  I have ridden that stretch of Waukegan, mainly south from that point to get to the area near Lake Forest Hospital. North is similar and is fine for cycling.  You will not be on that stretch very long.  If you want a longer ride, get off Metra at the Lake Forest station and take the path northbound. It passes the Lake Bluff station and bends around to the west paralleling 176.  Enjoy.
Permalink Reply by Liz on August 11, 2011 at 11:22am

Just keep a copy of the metra schedule with the number of bikes allowed on and the printed out blackout dates from the metra website. 

 

If anyone hassles you let them know it’s not a black out weekend.  You may get asked to leave the train if handicap people trying to get on.  I’m guessing the biggest conflict would be at Ravinia, maybe try to catch the next train earlier instead of the last one in case there are problems.  In my opinion Ravinia picnic goers take up way too much room themselves, and I think that someone with a giant cooler and a living room set should be turned away before you are but I don’t write metra policy.

 

Usually if I’m worried about getting my bike on and off a train or its during a blackout, I try to get my friends/relatives to give me a ride from the station.


Stolenbike Dot Org said:

Many thanks.

What would folks gauge the likelihood that I could be turned away with the bike?

I'd be traveling outward around 3:30, and be heading back . . . dunno, I guess 10:38 is my only option (ouch) . . .

Looks like the big act at Ravinia is Rufus Wainright with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at 5 PM.

Permalink Reply by Jared on August 11, 2011 at 11:36am
And in the event you are thrown off the train at Ravinia its not all that far a ride to the Purple Line terminus in Wilmette.

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