Biking in Chicago
258
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1116 days
triNick posted 9 weeks ago.
I hate driving in Chicago when I have to go there for work, I can't imagine biking around there, but I did once...
Not sure if you are in the city or the outskirts. I friend of mine drives like 30-40 minutes to a group ride on the weekend or else she rides really eary during he weekdays in town.
I was there for work one time and had to get a 100 mile ride in for IM training. I was working in Lisle. I hoooked up with the Elmhurst Bike or Tri Club and went with them. The first part of the ride was spent on city roads until we got out into rural areas. It was ok. The had shorter distances as well. Let me know if you need a contact, I can try to find it. I think if you search for them on the web you can find them. They were very friend to me as on outsider from MN.
TRImapper.com - visual triathlon finder
TRIJUICE.com - triathlon resource blog
71
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173 days
xc800runner posted 9 weeks ago.
There are bike paths in the forest preserves that are pretty good for rolling a few miles at a time without stopping. The North Branch Trail is a good way to get up into Lake county and out of the city bustle with avoiding Sheridan rolling north and all the construction/destruction associated with that street, especially through Chicago and Evanston.
http://www.fpdcc.com/tier3.php?content_id=68&file=map_68e
Let me know what distance of a ride you're looking for ad I can probably help you out with something better than the lakefront (don't even bother on weekends in the summer, you'll be moving about 3 mph).
44
Member
1468 days
smittycb10 posted 9 weeks ago.
head north into Evanston, Sheridan road north up to highland park, then you can take a loop that involves old Elm, Everret road and Saint Marys' road, come back south on Ridge or riverwoods road.
Here is the basic route outlined.
http://www.teamjudson.com/route/route.htm
I would not advise riding with the Judson group unless you have a road bike and are very familiar with high group rides.
Avoid Waukegan road too, that is on this route. Use Google street view to check out the traffic and road conditions.
view my blog at: http://smittycb10.triathlonlife.com/
44
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1468 days
smittycb10 posted 9 weeks ago.
I meant to say high effort group rides.
view my blog at: http://smittycb10.triathlonlife.com/
9
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94 days
GregL81 posted 8 weeks ago.
edmallon wrote:
Please refrain if you're answer includes "move back to Colorado."
Thanks all.
EDM
I too moved to Chicago from Colorado so I feel your pain. I've been riding the lake path in the mornings before work and driving out to the suburbs on the weekends. I've heard the North Branch Trail is much like the lake front...unless you get a very early start in the mornning it's brutal.
44
Member
369 days
Jetskr posted 8 weeks ago.
Sadly, the only biking I do in the City is commuter stuff. I don't try to really ride because I've found everywhere too crowded. Even going South from Field Museum on the lake front is too packed for me. I do my daily training on a trainer or in a spin class since I've managed to find a couple cyclists that teach spin classes. On the weekends it's out to Barrington for what the only hills in our area.
23
Member
116 days
HawkeyeFan posted 8 weeks ago.
xc800runner wrote:
There are bike paths in the forest preserves that are pretty good for rolling a few miles at a time without stopping. The North Branch Trail is a good way to get up into Lake county and out of the city bustle with avoiding Sheridan rolling north and all the construction/destruction associated with that street, especially through Chicago and Evanston.http://www.fpdcc.com/tier3.php?content_id=68&file=map_68e
Let me know what distance of a ride you're looking for ad I can probably help you out with something better than the lakefront (don't even bother on weekends in the summer, you'll be moving about 3 mph).
I've been on the northern portion of this trail many times and I like it. It can be busy, but most of the time I am able to ride as fast as I want and feel like I have done something. The loop around the lagoons is nice. You can continue on North through the Botanic Gardens and get onto the Sheridan Rd. trail from Highland Park to Kenosha (if you wanted). Old Elm to Everett to St. Mary's is a common bike route---you will see group rides most weekend mornings.
478
Member
1325 days
kona_expat posted 8 weeks ago.
If you're willing to drive a bit, there are going to be organized rides pretty much every weekend that will give access to nice roads and many targets (i.e., other riders to catch up to and pass). Check out mikebentley.com or chicagoaa.com for schedules.
I also ride from my home in Downers Grove to Fermilab (15 miles), and then loop around in there "n" times (16-mile loop) to get to whatever time/mileage I need. No traffic in there, nice prairie, animals, etc. Flat, fast, windy, and great for interval training. I do this ride usually at least one of the weekend days; sometimes twice if there are no other nearby rides to do. Some people just drive right into Fermilab and just loop around.
Also check with the bike shop Alberto's which is up north. I know there are cycling groups in Evanston/North Shore, and they know where to go just north of the city and get in good rides.
Although I'm afraid I already know the answer to this, does anyone have any nice 2-3 hour road rides in Chicago? My goals- avoiding the lakefront path (which is great but getting a little repetitive) and not driving. I want to jump and my bike and go with as few traffic lights and potholes as possible. Any suggestions? Am I living in a dream world here?
Please refrain if you're answer includes "move back to Colorado."
Thanks all.
EDM