Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Simmons on May 21, 2009 at 3:08pm

Jen - not sure where you're located, but Busse Woods (by Schaumburg) is always a great place to ride. The loop is about 8 miles. As long as the kids are in a trailer or trail-a-bike you shouldn't have to worry about speed demons. The trail does get pretty busy on the weekends. During the week, you can really enjoy some solitude on the trail.

After the ride, there are pleny of open spaces that the kids can run around in. Lots of places to picnic as well. There are plenty of parks in and around Elk Grove if you're really intent on finding one, but they are not right along the trail.

Permalink Reply by Chris on May 21, 2009 at 3:21pm

The glen in glencview is nice too. Paved path playgrounds and ice cream nearby walk. Best part is no cars

Permalink Reply by RobS on May 22, 2009 at 1:36am

The Chicago Lake Front Trail probably has the most kid-friendly stops along a trail, but is also the most congested option. North Branch Trail, Old Plank Trail, Green Bay Trail, North Shore Channel Trail, Skokie Valley Trail, if fact just about every major bike trail I can think of goes near/through a playground and/or a place to picnic.

One previous commenter mentioned The Glen in Glenview, an additional attraction at The Glen would be the Kohl Children's Museum.

Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on May 22, 2009 at 8:54am

The North Branch trail is great for this. It's the one that starts at Devon/Milwaukee and eventually ends up at the Botanical Gardens. There are places to stop all along it, and lots of wide open spaces and nature.
Summer weekends it gets a congested the later you go, but still pretty nice.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Mach on May 31, 2009 at 3:16pm

Hey guys, great suggestions. I am definitely looking for a location with both a playground and a picnic area-- something like the 31st street beach on the South lakefront bike path. Rob, can you provide more specifics-- perhaps an approximate location for a playground on one of the trails you mentioned? I don't have a ton of time to scout locations.

David, I am in Chicago on the NW side.

Keep those cards and letters coming, these are great suggestions! I will let you know when the ride happens.

Cheers, Jen

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Mach on June 9, 2009 at 12:12am

Okay, for the first ride, I am trying the North Branch Trail with an unspecified stop midway, then lunch at Superdawg. You are welcome to join us! Here is the Chicago Cycling Club listing:

Sunday, June 28, 2009 9:30 AM
Social Ride: Training (Wheels) Ride: A CCC Playdate
REMOTE START: Milwaukee and Devon, North Branch Bike trail parking lot
10 miles, 8 to 12 mph

Bring out your trailers and trail-a-bikes, this is a ride for
the kiddies. We will start from the parking lot for the North
Branch Bike trail at Milwaukee and Devon, ride up the trail for
a bit, stop to play, then come back and hit Superdawg for an
early lunch.

The pace and length of the ride will be
adjusted to the participants and the ride will likely break into
multiple groups. Potty training not required.

Contact Jennifer Mach via chainlink to RSVP or with questions.