I want to ride from the city up to Ravinia, suggestions?

Hello!

So i'd like to bike up to the Ravinia area tomorrow to spend the weekend with some friends who live up there but haven't ever ventured north on any of those paths - does anyone have any suggestions for good routes and where I can find maps? The only one i found was a very broad un-detailed map of the North Branch Trail. HEEEELLLLPPPPPP!!!

And thank you. :-)
Carrie

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on July 2, 2009 at 2:31am
The Green Bay Trail starts at the Wilmette Metra station and more or less parallels the UP North Tracks all the way up to Ravinia. How to get there depends on where you're starting from, but I like California.
Permalink Reply by Reddog (Cliff) on July 2, 2009 at 2:31am
I do not know where you are starting from, but the North Channel trail (not North branch) will take you to the Green bay trail. The Green Bay trail will take you to the McClory trail up in Lake county. the McClory trail goes right past the Ravinia Music festival grounds.

the changeover from the the North channel trail to the Green Bay trail is a bit tricky, but once on the Green bay trail, all you have to do is follow the signs.

I found it with a bit of searching on Google maps by simply scrutinizing the photos. If you do a search for any of those trails, you might find some more comprehensive maps.
Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on July 2, 2009 at 2:43am
And you can get to the North Channel Trail from the North Branch (of the Chicago River) Trail, which starts at Lawrence and the river, which is just west of California.

Reddog said:
I do not know where you are starting from, but the North Channel trail (not North branch) will take you to the Green bay trail. The Green Bay trail will take you to the McClory trail up in Lake county. the McClory trail goes right past the Ravinia Music festival grounds.

the changeover from the the North channel trail to the Green Bay trail is a bit tricky, but once on the Green bay trail, all you have to do is follow the signs.

I found it with a bit of searching on Google maps by simply scrutinizing the photos. If you do a search for any of those trails, you might find some more comprehensive maps.
Permalink Reply by koala on July 2, 2009 at 3:09am
envane x said:
The Green Bay Trail starts at the Wilmette Metra station and more or less parallels the UP North Tracks all the way up to Ravinia. How to get there depends on where you're starting from, but I like California.

Green Bay Trail is the most direct route and takes you right to Ravina. However, I'd also like to point out that the Sheridan Road construction in Wilmette has recently been completed, and that if you prefer roads to paths, Sheridan to Ravinia is a nice ride.
Permalink Reply by Carrie on July 2, 2009 at 3:33am
cool - I'll do some research on the Green Bay Trail this afternoon. Thanks!
Permalink Reply by cutifly on July 2, 2009 at 3:56am
Hi Carrie, I live 1 block away from the NBT at Willow. Let me know if you want company for the last small leg of the trip. Marty
Permalink Reply by Rubani on July 2, 2009 at 4:17am
This is the way my friends and I tend to go. Let me know if the map doesn't work. North Shore Channel Trail — Ravinia
Permalink Reply by Carrie on July 2, 2009 at 6:15am
oh yeah, that google map is golden. THANK YOU! What's the path like? it looks like it follows the metra line - does that mean it's sorta lame and industrialish?

Rubani said:
This is the way my friends and I tend to go. Let me know if the map doesn't work. North Shore Channel Trail — Ravinia
Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on July 2, 2009 at 6:17am
Industrial? In the North Shore burbs?

Its tree-lined and pleasant.
Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on July 2, 2009 at 10:11am
Just a heads-up - Don't crash. My wife and I were riding sheridan rd up to highland park last summer, and my wife hit a pothole that sent her over the bars. It happened right in front of the ravinia gates (on st. johns/sheridan intersection). Before help arrived we tried to get first aid from the people at revinia, who were setting up for a concert that night. All they did was shout at us "no bikes, no bikes", and shoo us away. I was carrying my wifes bike which had a broken carbon fork, and my wife's entire right side of her face was dripping blood - all road rash. She's fine now; vitamin E and time healed the scars; but we're NEVER going back to revinia for a concert. They're lack of compassion to even get ice for an injured person on their doorstep is unbelievable to me.

It's a beautiful ride though, I go back and forth between the trail and sheridan depending on my mood. I tend to avoid the trail on the weekends due to crowds, but then again traffic on sheridan can be just as annoying even though it's a heavily biked street.
Permalink Reply by Carrie on July 2, 2009 at 10:26am
never can trust those Ravina lunatics......

but i don't plan on actually going to a concert there. i'm just hanging with some friends for the wknd.

i'll look out for the potholes though - :-)
Permalink Reply by Brian Bird on July 2, 2009 at 5:28pm
Assuming Evane X is correct about the Sheridan Road construction being completed, I'd take Sheridan Road all the way to Ravinia instead of the Green Bay Trail. That's my personal preference. On Sheridan, the vehicles (usually) know where I am on the roadway (as far to the right as practicable) and take extra care in passing me. I find that pedestrians (especially those toting little kids and/or walking their pets) on the GBT tend to dart quickly in front of my bike when I'm approaching from behind - even when I call out "passing on left".

Your choice. Either way works. Have fun!! Safe journey to you!!!

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