The Chainlink has a large number of good routes through Chicago on its forum discussions, including here.
For others, search the forums with the word "routes".
Add your favorites here in the comments! Here are a couple of examples taken from the Chainlink discussion:
John Greenfield, Anne Alt and Duppie were so kind to share routes when I posted a discussion on the Chainlink today! I threw them up here a little quickly but wanted to get them out. Editing technology isn't my superpower yet but I am hoping to get some help and organize a bit better in the morning. Thanks to John. Anne and Duppie!! The comment on the bottom is my own.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite stealth routes is Wolcott (1900 W.) from Winnemac (5030 N.) to Diversey (2800 N.) If you're taking this northbound, at Grace (3800 N.) head two blocks east
to Hermitage (1700 W.) Although this route involves a few jogs and zig-zags, it's very pretty
and quiet and most of major intersections have stoplights or stop signs. I used to use this
route to commute from Bucktown to Andersonville.
John Greenfield
Anne seconded John's route heartily and kindly shared some of her own below:
#1. From Wellington (3000N) to Bowmanville (5400N), Leavitt is a pleasant northbound route. There are short sections that are two-way, but most of it is one-way northbound. It's very briefly interrupted on the north side of the 5-way intersection with Montrose and Lincoln, but going over the curb and walking through to the continuation solves that problem.
South of the Kennedy, Leavitt also works from Medill (2300N) to Harrison (600S). It's mostly one-way southbound until 600N, when it becomes two way.
#2. From the lake to Kedzie, Lunt is a great way to get across Rogers Park and West Ridge. It has stoplights at the major intersections. Traffic is light to moderate. It take one little jog at Ridge, but it's otherwise straightforward. It's a nice lower traffic alternative to Pratt.
It's one-way westbound from Sheridan to Clark. Greenleaf works as an eastbound route from Clark to the lake.From the lake to Kedzie, Lunt is a great way to get across Rogers Park and West Ridge. It has stoplights at the major intersections. Traffic is light to moderate. It take one little jog at Ridge, but it's otherwise straightforward. It's a nice lower traffic alternative to Pratt.
It's one-way westbound from Sheridan to Clark. Greenleaf works as an eastbound route from Clark to the lake.
#3 From Taylor St. (1000S) down to Cermak (2200S), Morgan (1000W) is a great alternative to the crazy congestion on Halsted St. It takes a little jog at 18th St. but has no other interruptions.
From Duppie:
Berwyn (5300N) from the Berwyn Red line stop (1100 W) all the way to the river (almost 3000 W), where you can take the North Shore Chnanel trail either north to Lincoln or south to Lawrence.
One way going West, with stop signs and traffic light at nearly all intersections (except Ashland and California(?))
Too bad, I haven't found a really good route going East
I'll also second both Leavitt and Wolcott as excellent north-south streets
From JeJ- Going south through the West Loop as I've mentioned before I use Peoria often (by the super playground!) and it is quiet for that corner of town with stops clear to the last street I cross- Jackson? which is a long wait then ride into the eastern exit area of the UIC Blueline. I then cross into campus which is a nice connection to then pick up Anne's Morgan ride south. We use Wolcott further south both ways and do love it with the guys so I am excited to hear from John that we could use it well further up.
Many many thanks again to Anne, Duppie and John for their help!
Ways to get on the North Branch to Glenview Jami Marie and Vivek Prachand from the Chainlink:
ReplyDeleteReply by Christa on May 7, 2010 at 12:04pm Thanks! I'll check google maps. I'm going to a friends off of Lake Rd., west of Waukegan and I know it's very close to the North Branch trail. jamimaria said: Google Maps doesn't give that bad of a route...though I don't know where you are trying to go in Glenview. You'll have to do some on-street riding, but you can pick some decent routes. The North Branch trail is pretty nice. You can get there either by taking Elston (which is pretty direct with a bike lane) or by taking the North Channel Trail to Bryn Mawr and then following the bike route signs to get to the North Branch Trail, this way is a little more confusing and the roads are kind of bumpy.▶
Reply by Vivek Prachand on May 7, 2010 at 4:59pm My 2 cents -- I like getting to NBT from Elston by taking Central to Lehigh to Caldwell to Devon (nicer than taking Elston/Milwaukee all the way to Devon). From NBT, head west on Glenview Road to Waukegan, then north to Lake. I have family in Glenview (grew up there), and wouldn't recommend riding on Lake (traffic 45-55 mph). I just did this ride last weekend from Bucktown, and I rode in the street in Glenview (not sidewalk, as 75% of cyclists in Glenview do) without any hassles. Have a great ride!