suggestions for a country day ride on Monday?

I've got a three-day weekend and would like to take that extra day to go for a nice, long ride - preferably out in the country. Or, since I live on the NW side, to and as much in the country as possible. Off the top of my head I know I can:

-take the NBT and Green Bay Trail towards Milwaukee; I've only been as far north as the Botanic Gardens and it isn't exactly country but at least it's not city streets.

-ride out to Forest Park (more or less) and then pick up the Prairie Path; a lot of city riding to get there, and I've only been on the PP around Wheaton. 

...but I'm not familiar with much else. 

Since I know there are many of you who have done any number of rides like what I want, I thought I'd plumb the knowledge here a little bit.

I'd prefer riding out my back door (I live in Avondale), but I'm willing to drive somewhere if it's really worth it for spending more time on country roads. Metra is fine too, though i am a little wary of running into trouble with being allowed to bring my bike on the train. 

I have to be in Andersonville by about 6PM but I've got all day before then, from whenever I get myself up. 

Road surface isn't important - gravel and dirt are great, especially if I ride the 650b bike. 

I did try looking for some past threads but my search-fu isn't very good today. 

And if anyone else wants to go, company is just fine!

thanks,
David 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on March 4, 2012 at 10:36am

Have you ever ridden around the Barrington Hills area? It's definitely worth the drive/Metra. The roads out there are a blast; lightly traveled, hilly, and beautiful. You should be able to find a number of routes by searching on mapyride.com

Permalink Reply by Ride it like you stole it on March 4, 2012 at 6:42pm

I Would stick to the streets myself, like the Barrington Hills or even McHenry area. The Fox River and Prairie path with the recent weather I would think to be puddled as hell if not flooded in some spots, but I am not sure of it. It may also get gross once you get into Crystal Lake near the sand mine thing they have up there. 

Permalink Reply by Lee Rogowski on March 4, 2012 at 8:21pm

I have mapped 60 rides into http://ridewithgps.com/ preparing for this season's bike riding group with our church. If you have an Android phone you can access these rides with an app called cuesheet. Login to the website first and then seach for bike riders you can find the rides I've mapped. Or you can search by starting point, like put in Naperville, IL or Avondale, IL and 50 miles you'll come up with all sorts of rides. Most of the rides I've mapped are loops. Have fun. Let me know which days you are going to ride and the area. I like to ride. I have some 3 day weekends in March too.

 

The limestone trails around Naperville are still in winter mode, ie. wet or frozen.

 

Lee Rogowski

Permalink Reply by Lee Rogowski on March 5, 2012 at 8:41pm

So it was cold Monday, where did you ride?

 

Lee

Permalink Reply by David P. on March 6, 2012 at 3:25am

A desire to not drive and to meet my girlfriend in Evanston on the way up meant that I went up the Green Bay Trail a ways. I thought the weather was rather nice, though - not too cold, and largely sunny. I will go to Barrington Hills the next time I devote a weekend afternoon to riding, though - sounds like just the thing. 

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