Chicago to Milwaukee - Riders? Routes?

I plan on riding to Milwaukee tomorrow, spending the night, and then riding back on Friday (or taking the Metra if I'm too lazy to go the whole way).  

Does anyone want to join, or does anyone know of any good route in particular?

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Permalink Reply by Anne B. on June 13, 2012 at 4:50am

This thread has some good info: 

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/biking-from-chicago-to?x=1...

Report back on how it goes- I wanted to go a few weeks back but it was too hot.

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on June 13, 2012 at 5:13am

I've been dying to ride to MKE. Where do you plan on sleeping?

Permalink Reply by Alex Moroz on June 13, 2012 at 5:14am

I plan on finding the cheapest hotel I can get :)  Right now I'm making a route based off of other people's routes and my own experiences going up to the border.

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on June 13, 2012 at 5:17am

Damn it.

 

Reading comprehension > me.  I thought you were leaving on Friday night. Alas, I am but a peon working for the man. :(

Permalink Reply by Alex Moroz on June 13, 2012 at 5:29am

Ah, too bad (I'm a teacher and have some time off).  

I just mapped out this route as the framework for how I'll get there: http://goo.gl/maps/oesY

Permalink Reply by David Barish on June 13, 2012 at 5:58am

The Evanston Bike Club used to do a ride to South Milwaukee. I did it once and the route is nice.  Once you get there you will find a nice trail that goes all the way up to the north burbs of Brew Town.  The cue sheet is in the EBC Cue Sheet libarary. Here is the link- http://www.evanstonbikeclub.org/ASP/cuesheetlist.asp

Permalink Reply by Alex Moroz on June 13, 2012 at 6:03am

Fantastic, thanks!

David Barish said:

The Evanston Bike Club used to do a ride to South Milwaukee. I did it once and the route is nice.  Once you get there you will find a nice trail that goes all the way up to the north burbs of Brew Town.  The cue sheet is in the EBC Cue Sheet libarary. Here is the link- http://www.evanstonbikeclub.org/ASP/cuesheetlist.asp

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on June 13, 2012 at 8:49am

Taking the Des Plaines River Trail instead of the Robert McClory to the IL/WI border is about ten miles longer, but 5000 times more fun and scenic. I suggest you take that route at least one way up or back. There's also plenty of Metra Bail out points on the DPRT

Permalink Reply by Alex on June 13, 2012 at 8:56am

McClory is boring, yes, I would agree with a different route one way at least.

Especially for a weeknight, I've gotten great deals on nice downtown hotels in Milwaukee through Hotwire, which is the best friend of the touring cyclist with a smartphone traveling through/to big cities who is too lazy to set up his tent. 

Permalink Reply by Alex Moroz on June 13, 2012 at 9:53am

I was actually planning on taking roads or paved paths only (I'm too afraid of getting a flat).  I've never been on either trail, though.

Permalink Reply by Ride it like you stole it on June 13, 2012 at 12:29pm

The McClory trail passes some seedy areas up north. Keep your eyes peeled.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on June 13, 2012 at 12:49pm

Alex - The portion of the DPRT from Lake Cook road to the State line is extremely well maintained and very nice, no flat worries there... I find the entire trail (including Cook Co.) to be entertaining and basically risk free as long as have +25mm tires and watch where you're going. If you don't take it this time, be sure to ride it at a later date. Because of it's great length, varied & natural setting, and number of over & underpasses that avoid street crossings, it's really a different kind of trail than the others in the Chicago area.

And yea, I found a big folding knife on the McClory trail one time. Right in front of a playground...

Edit - and the McClory trail isn't paved. it's crushed limestone.

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