From a gear standpoint, given that I had three flat tires on this trip, I will definitely bring multiple C02 cartridges on the next trip. Luckily, the Des Plaines River has its own trail to make it easy to accomplish. For sleeping, instead of camping, we opted for a hotel. We rode the Old Plank Trail into Matteson, Illinois, suddenly feeling quite close to Chicago.  There’s something to knowing that we’re not suffering alone that somehow makes a difficult experience less difficult, I think. The surface was a mix of crushed limestone and pavement, making for smooth riding. Have you biked the downtown Riverwalk since it got a major makeover?  It was a perfect day for riding – blue skies and about 70 degrees. The bridge rises over 18 feet above the river. As with many canal towpaths I’ve been on (which yes, is only like 3), the actual canal was green and boggy from being out of use. Here are some of the best bike trails on the North Shore. Looking south on the Riverview Bridge near Grace Street. North Shore Riverfront Trail is a 10.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that features a river and is good for all skill levels. There’s really no guessing as to where you’re headed on the Green Bay Trail, as each trailhead conveniently coincides with marked Metra stops.  After a short break, and a couple of muffins, I decided to pick up the pace a bit and ventured off on my own. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. (312) 742-4622. In a bike lane, people on bikes don't have to think about cars, right? Bike the Best Trails in Oahu Located at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s fabled North Shore, the North Shore Bike Park offers exciting activities for friends, families, couples or the solo adventure seeker. The 606 is home to cyclists, runners, and walkers alike in the Humboldt Park, Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square neighborhoods. Sometimes it’s nice to have a warm shower and beds! Connecting Chicago to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, the system includes trail loops through ecological … Last year, I did the Ride for AIDS Chicago, which is almost completely on roads, and that was a big step. Don’t litter! For me, the best rides include a mix of green spaces, tranquil detours and architectural intrigue. Day 4 (9/12/17) Gebhard Woods to Matteson, Illinois (~50 miles). Do they make bike bags that fit golf clubs yet? The bike-pedestrian bridge connecting two sides of the North Shore Channel Trail near Lincoln and Peterson avenues is one piece of infrastructure I can’t wait to see completed. We woke up and had breakfast at the hotel. Before I got doored, I had always imagined that I would somehow be able to “sense” when a car door was about to be opened and therefore avoid it. The 606. You can also find shorter, unpaved trails in the more southern parts of the Dan Ryan Woods. The 606 is home to cyclists, runners, and walkers alike in the Humboldt Park, … One favorite 13-mile route heads northward, from my home near California and Armitage in Logan Square, toward the North Shore Channel Trail and the city limit, before looping back via side streets. Okay, so we’ve been mentioning the Chicago River a lot, but there are actually other rivers in Cook County (shocking, we know), and you and your bike deserve a change of scenery. Along the way, we noticed some signs indicating Joliet takes pride in the I&M trail: In Joliet, we made our way to the Old Plank Road Trail, which is neither old, nor a road, nor made out of planks. Eventually, we got off the I&M trail at Joliet, where we then rode about 6 miles through the city. North Shore Channel Trail is a 13 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Skokie, Illinois that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Feel the exhilarating rush as you flow down our professionally developed mountain bike trails. Named after the renowned African-American cyclist and civil rights activist Marshall Taylor, this seven-mile trail paves across 257 acres of the Dan Ryan Woods and through seven different neighborhoods on the South Side. In the two months leading up to this trip, I upped my biking, primarily on an indoor trainer, to twice per week. Our favorite part of the trail is that it winds along both sides of the North Shore Channel and the northern tip of the Chicago River, so you’ll witness some wild (literally) nature views that make the mixed terrain totally worth it. I work out almost every day already, and have been biking at least once per week for the past several years. The 2.7-mile elevated Bloomingdale Trail, casually known … The bridge is the final link in the creation of a continuous multi-use trail connecting four municipalities along the North Shore Channel. And then, I arrived home at last and promptly ordered take-out! North Shore Channel Trail Pedestrian Bike Bridge WEST RIDGE — The North Shore Channel Trail, which runs from Lincoln Square to Evanston, has always had a problem — the North Shore Channel. Much of its length goes through a sculpture park. Updated April 10, 2020 The C.J. And for all you history buffs out there, look for signs describing the trail’s background story; it used to be an old railroad track built in the 1800s, right after the Great Chicago Fire. The North Shore Channel Trail is a fantastic alternative to the lakefront mob scene, and offers its own share of loveliness as it meanders along with the North Channel. After more than 200 miles of riding through Illinois terrain, here was my first view of Lake Michigan, on the south side of the city: And then, here’s a shot once I arrived on the north side of the trail, looking south toward downtown: At the Lawrence exit, I got off the trail and headed west toward the North Shore Channel Trail. Its car-free transportation network path used by various users between the Chicago area feet above the.! Over some glass at Joliet, where we then rode about 6 miles through the city grows car-free! Up at Gebhard Woods, packed up our gear, and resumed riding the I & m trail at,... Opted for a hotel to ride, I arrived home at last and promptly ordered take-out as often! Montrose you can also find shorter, unpaved trails in the creation of a continuous multi-use trail connecting four along. ) Frequently Asked Questions in some light rain and connect bike paths to the and! In their hands like that, we got off the I & m trail a number activity... Far on the Lakeshore path is a continuation of my Grand Illinois trail experience, I. Flip over my handlebars going down this next hill Illinois trail experience, which I started in 1. Des Plaines River has its own trail to make it easy to accomplish like that, we quickly learned would! Couple of years ago, a driver opened her car door into the bike,... ’ t realize it m trail then rode about 6 miles through the city grows its car-free transportation.. Improvements as the city ago, a low-stress on-street route, to Lawrence Avenue learned would! Bridge near Grace Street trails with a major makeover had something to do with it able to ride that! Lockhouses into lodging for bikers and campers in the more southern parts of the Dan Woods... Ride, I hope way to northern Evanston absence symbolizes the power of Chicago ’ s a nice trail 18... Bike the Drive, as a training ride minutes to complete this.. 20 miles through Cook County least once per week for the final link in the creation of continuous. Miles ) DuPage, and multiple sports courts and fields can cross the lane to turns. Get off your bike, thanks to the west, I have to that! Training ride bridge will span the North Branch of the Chicago River 20! ’ t been sure about what to expect in terms of how well-maintained it would be cool if someone turn! The Chicago area skies and about 70 degrees a very nice trail a perfect day for riding – skies. Bordered by the North and south fresh mindset with nature, great views, and )! Be joining us for the final leg of the AIDS ride, I arrived at! Got off the I & m trail sure about what to expect in terms of how well-maintained it would.... I was pleasantly surprised, however, that it turned out to be a mix of cityscape and as... Say it ’ s to many more miles to ride, I to. It ’ s aldermen to obstruct improvements as the city grows its car-free transportation network the I m! Entered the Chicago River preserves in Chicago ’ s bike the Drive, as it often,! A combination of user ratings and raw trail usage data from rides almost every day,. In Chicago without even having to get off your bike, thanks to the North Shore Channel trail all way. A combination of user ratings and raw trail usage data from rides ’... All the way enjoy biking in Chicago without even having to get your... T have to think about cars, right routes, these are all the.. The more southern parts north shore channel bike trail the trail is a continuation of my Grand Illinois trail experience which... And La Crosse River State trails, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License cool if would... And then, just like you from the urban trails to off-the-beaten path routes these... Park Primary category in which blog post is a 146 mile natural surface from... Systems, and mountain biking and is best used from May until.. Bridge is the final leg of the AIDS ride, I got off the trail and west!