Anyone have a good route to the Morton Arboretum? - The Chainlink2024-03-29T12:03:57Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/anyone-have-a-good-route-to?feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks for the local perspect…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-05-21:2211490:Comment:8206762014-05-21T02:41:25.078ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
<p>Thanks for the local perspective. Much appreciated.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Jon Cunningham said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/anyone-have-a-good-route-to?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A820471&x=1#2211490Comment820471"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I live in Lisle. It's pretty easy to ride from the Lisle Metra TO the arboretum. I've done it many times. Straight north on Main St., left on Warrenville Rd. (you either need help from a car…</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Thanks for the local perspective. Much appreciated.<br/> <br/> <cite>Jon Cunningham said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/anyone-have-a-good-route-to?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A820471&x=1#2211490Comment820471"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I live in Lisle. It's pretty easy to ride from the Lisle Metra TO the arboretum. I've done it many times. Straight north on Main St., left on Warrenville Rd. (you either need help from a car to trip the stoplight, or just go when it is clear). Right onto the shoulder of RT.53. Watch for cars off your left shoulder, who might want to cross your path to enter eastbound I-88. Usually they will wait and enter behind you, but not everyone will, so watch for a right hook. Northbound 53 is not scary, because the shoulder is as wide as a car lane. Just watch to your right for cars exiting the tollway. Cars that will go south on 53 will have a stoplight (as will you) cars going north on 53 just merge in. You will need to cross their path, but there is rarely more than a car or two. It is not a popular exit, because cars cannot get back onto I-88 westbound. If they stop in Lisle for gas, for example, they will have to drive to Naperville Road to get back onto I-88 westbound. Now comes the hard part, BACK to Lisle from the Arboretum. All is good when first heading southbound towards Lisle from the Arb's entrance. Rt 53 has a big shoulder there as well. BUT, unlike the continuous northbound shoulder, the southbound shoulder evaporates, and actually becomes the ramp to eastbound I-88. How stupid is that? But at least there are pretty concrete leaves to view on the overpass of I-88. That concrete would have been better used for a bike path and bridge to separate bikes and pedestrians from car traffic, but hey, this is Lisle. So, my solution has been to ride that shoulder until it ends, and then stop and watch for a chance to dart across the two lanes of southbound traffic (there are usually gaps in traffic, because of the stoplight back at the arboretum/Park Blvd.). Then jump into the righthand left turn lane for Warrenville Road. Then back to Main Street south to downtown and the Metra. Main Street is quite tame. Just don't try this on Columbus Day weekend. Because of the Fall color, the cars jam Rt.53, and line up ON the shoulder, waiting to get in. It's hard to get past them on something even as skinny as a bike. The three foot law goes out the window.</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> I live in Lisle. It's pretty…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-05-21:2211490:Comment:8204712014-05-21T00:53:10.947ZJon Cunninghamhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JonCunningham
<p>I live in Lisle. It's pretty easy to ride from the Lisle Metra TO the arboretum. I've done it many times. Straight north on Main St., left on Warrenville Rd. (you either need help from a car to trip the stoplight, or just go when it is clear). Right onto the shoulder of RT.53. Watch for cars off your left shoulder, who might want to cross your path to enter eastbound I-88. Usually they will wait and enter behind you, but not everyone will, so watch for a right hook. Northbound 53 is not…</p>
<p>I live in Lisle. It's pretty easy to ride from the Lisle Metra TO the arboretum. I've done it many times. Straight north on Main St., left on Warrenville Rd. (you either need help from a car to trip the stoplight, or just go when it is clear). Right onto the shoulder of RT.53. Watch for cars off your left shoulder, who might want to cross your path to enter eastbound I-88. Usually they will wait and enter behind you, but not everyone will, so watch for a right hook. Northbound 53 is not scary, because the shoulder is as wide as a car lane. Just watch to your right for cars exiting the tollway. Cars that will go south on 53 will have a stoplight (as will you) cars going north on 53 just merge in. You will need to cross their path, but there is rarely more than a car or two. It is not a popular exit, because cars cannot get back onto I-88 westbound. If they stop in Lisle for gas, for example, they will have to drive to Naperville Road to get back onto I-88 westbound. Now comes the hard part, BACK to Lisle from the Arboretum. All is good when first heading southbound towards Lisle from the Arb's entrance. Rt 53 has a big shoulder there as well. BUT, unlike the continuous northbound shoulder, the southbound shoulder evaporates, and actually becomes the ramp to eastbound I-88. How stupid is that? But at least there are pretty concrete leaves to view on the overpass of I-88. That concrete would have been better used for a bike path and bridge to separate bikes and pedestrians from car traffic, but hey, this is Lisle. So, my solution has been to ride that shoulder until it ends, and then stop and watch for a chance to dart across the two lanes of southbound traffic (there are usually gaps in traffic, because of the stoplight back at the arboretum/Park Blvd.). Then jump into the righthand left turn lane for Warrenville Road. Then back to Main Street south to downtown and the Metra. Main Street is quite tame. Just don't try this on Columbus Day weekend. Because of the Fall color, the cars jam Rt.53, and line up ON the shoulder, waiting to get in. It's hard to get past them on something even as skinny as a bike. The three foot law goes out the window.</p> No doubt... but I'm unemploye…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-05-20:2211490:Comment:8205392014-05-20T23:43:12.938ZDrewbaccahttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Drewbacca
<p>No doubt... but I'm unemployed and supporting causes isn't in my budget at the moment. To bad I have to pay in order to enjoy their efforts. They also stand out among many of the organizations that they have agreements with to allow members to visit the other gardens (for example, the botanical gardens and Cantigny) in that only Morton charges cyclists to enter.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In an ideal world, I'd be a member and spend at least one or two weekends a month walking the grounds. Kinda bummed…</p>
<p>No doubt... but I'm unemployed and supporting causes isn't in my budget at the moment. To bad I have to pay in order to enjoy their efforts. They also stand out among many of the organizations that they have agreements with to allow members to visit the other gardens (for example, the botanical gardens and Cantigny) in that only Morton charges cyclists to enter.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In an ideal world, I'd be a member and spend at least one or two weekends a month walking the grounds. Kinda bummed that I couldn't even visit once when I regularly rode by on the bike. I wasn't going to play for a twenty minute long visit.</p>
<p></p>
<p><cite>Anne Alt said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/anyone-have-a-good-route-to?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A219434&page=2#2211490Comment820629"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I've thought about going there by bike/Metra, but was a bit hesitant due to the configuration of 53 and driver behavior there. I may attempt it on a weekend morning sometime, because I'd much rather get there without a car. I don't have a problem with paying, because I want to help support all the good things the Arboretum does (maintaining the grounds, having educational and other programs, doing research, etc.). <strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mortonarb.org/science-conservation/research-programs" target="_blank">Their research programs</a></strong> are quite substantial. </p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> I've thought about going ther…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-05-20:2211490:Comment:8206292014-05-20T20:11:45.138ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
<p>I've thought about going there by bike/Metra, but was a bit hesitant due to the configuration of 53 and driver behavior there. I may attempt it on a weekend morning sometime, because I'd much rather get there without a car. I don't have a problem with paying, because I want to help support all the good things the Arboretum does (maintaining the grounds, having educational and other programs, doing research, etc.). …</p>
<p>I've thought about going there by bike/Metra, but was a bit hesitant due to the configuration of 53 and driver behavior there. I may attempt it on a weekend morning sometime, because I'd much rather get there without a car. I don't have a problem with paying, because I want to help support all the good things the Arboretum does (maintaining the grounds, having educational and other programs, doing research, etc.). <strong><a href="http://www.mortonarb.org/science-conservation/research-programs" target="_blank">Their research programs</a></strong> are quite substantial.<br/> <br/> <cite>Drewbacca said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/anyone-have-a-good-route-to#2211490Comment800619"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I lived in Lisle for a year, and I don't know a good route. Sad, really... 53 is a terrible choice and should be avoided. It has too many areas where four lanes condense down to two lanes and that results in a lot of aggressive drivers trying to cut each other off and get around the slower moving vehicles before the next bottle neck.</p>
<p></p>
</div>
</blockquote> Now I really want to bike to…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-05-20:2211490:Comment:8205052014-05-20T15:06:03.646ZWolf-Puphttps://thechainlink.org/profile/YvonneValencia
<p>Now I really want to bike to the Morton Arboretum from Chicago.</p>
<p>Now I really want to bike to the Morton Arboretum from Chicago.</p> Fair enough... It's a comfort…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-03-06:2211490:Comment:8011172014-03-06T19:11:40.003ZDrewbaccahttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Drewbacca
<p>Fair enough... It's a comfort level thing; I feel safe on 31st outside of rush hour. 53 is crazy. Park is optimal.</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>Not too hip said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/anyone-have-a-good-route-to#2211490Comment800865"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Once the bike path is gone I would not do 31st - 2 lanes of traffic in each direction with no protection. For me staying on the IPP until Park feels much safer.…<br></br></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Fair enough... It's a comfort level thing; I feel safe on 31st outside of rush hour. 53 is crazy. Park is optimal.</p>
<p><br/> <cite>Not too hip said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/anyone-have-a-good-route-to#2211490Comment800865"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Once the bike path is gone I would not do 31st - 2 lanes of traffic in each direction with no protection. For me staying on the IPP until Park feels much safer.<br/> <br/> </p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Once the bike path is gone I…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-03-06:2211490:Comment:8008652014-03-06T02:37:19.440ZNot too hiphttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Idontmindbeinglost
<p>Once the bike path is gone I would not do 31st - 2 lanes of traffic in each direction with no protection. For me staying on the IPP until Park feels much safer.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Drewbacca said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/anyone-have-a-good-route-to#2211490Comment800619"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I lived in Lisle for a year, and I don't know a good route. Sad, really... 53 is a terrible choice and should be avoided. It has too many areas…</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Once the bike path is gone I would not do 31st - 2 lanes of traffic in each direction with no protection. For me staying on the IPP until Park feels much safer.<br/> <br/> <cite>Drewbacca said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/anyone-have-a-good-route-to#2211490Comment800619"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I lived in Lisle for a year, and I don't know a good route. Sad, really... 53 is a terrible choice and should be avoided. It has too many areas where four lanes condense down to two lanes and that results in a lot of aggressive drivers trying to cut each other off and get around the slower moving vehicles before the next bottle neck.</p>
<p></p>
<p>To get into the general area, talking the Prairie Path just past Elmhurst and then taking the Salt Creek Trailway down to York Rd isn't bad. From York, there is a side path along most of 31st street (crushed limestone) but 31st itself isn't too bad (four lanes, fast moving cars, but good visibility and plenty of room to safely pass a cyclist). Then follow the side streets around Ogden (there are a couple of spots where you will have to either ride on Ogden or the sidewalk... Ogden itself can be OK depending on time of day).</p>
<p></p>
<p>The best way into Morton from the north is to come down Park Blvd. From the south, if you have to take 53, the shoulder is plenty wide and it's safe enough heading north out of Lisle (again, riding on sidewalks at places); I would not ride on 53 heading south from Glen Ellyn/ Lombard. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I hate to say it, but the best way to Morton is by car. They will charge you the same whether you pull up in a car with a bike rack or you pull up on your bike. I've never been to Morton, actually, because of this. I've gone past it a number of times, but I refuse to pay just for the privilege of riding my bike through their grounds. </p>
<p></p>
<p>If you time it right, the Naperville bicycle club does rides into Morton on occasion and enough of the riders have yearly passes that someone can get you in as a guest. </p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> My friends with 23mm tires re…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-03-05:2211490:Comment:8006582014-03-05T01:55:36.100ZDrewbaccahttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Drewbacca
<p>My friends with 23mm tires refuse to ride on the gravel portions of the IPP. I ride it with 28mm tires without issue. </p>
<p>My friends with 23mm tires refuse to ride on the gravel portions of the IPP. I ride it with 28mm tires without issue. </p> I took (drove) my family to M…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-03-04:2211490:Comment:8003702014-03-04T17:12:32.066ZNarayanhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Narayan
<p>I took (drove) my family to Morton several times last year for bike rides. It's a good ride for families--not very long, several ways to "shortcut" if kids are getting tired, a nice balance of things to stop and see and hills (which, as everyone knows, build character...). And though it's a road you bike on at the arboretum, it's a very safe ride. If you get there early enough, you can ride before the roads are open to cars.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I see faster riders typically doing several laps…</p>
<p>I took (drove) my family to Morton several times last year for bike rides. It's a good ride for families--not very long, several ways to "shortcut" if kids are getting tired, a nice balance of things to stop and see and hills (which, as everyone knows, build character...). And though it's a road you bike on at the arboretum, it's a very safe ride. If you get there early enough, you can ride before the roads are open to cars.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I see faster riders typically doing several laps around the arboretum.</p>
<p></p>
<p>While I haven't gone to Morton via bike, IPP starting in Maywood to 53 then south is probably the best route. I don't like biking on 53 though. Also, you could definitely take a road bike on the prairie path, at least probably in mid-summer after trail maintenance. I see road bikes on the IPP all the time. </p> I lived in Lisle for a year,…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-03-04:2211490:Comment:8006192014-03-04T15:42:18.548ZDrewbaccahttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Drewbacca
<p>I lived in Lisle for a year, and I don't know a good route. Sad, really... 53 is a terrible choice and should be avoided. It has too many areas where four lanes condense down to two lanes and that results in a lot of aggressive drivers trying to cut each other off and get around the slower moving vehicles before the next bottle neck.</p>
<p></p>
<p>To get into the general area, talking the Prairie Path just past Elmhurst and then taking the Salt Creek Trailway down to York Rd isn't bad. From…</p>
<p>I lived in Lisle for a year, and I don't know a good route. Sad, really... 53 is a terrible choice and should be avoided. It has too many areas where four lanes condense down to two lanes and that results in a lot of aggressive drivers trying to cut each other off and get around the slower moving vehicles before the next bottle neck.</p>
<p></p>
<p>To get into the general area, talking the Prairie Path just past Elmhurst and then taking the Salt Creek Trailway down to York Rd isn't bad. From York, there is a side path along most of 31st street (crushed limestone) but 31st itself isn't too bad (four lanes, fast moving cars, but good visibility and plenty of room to safely pass a cyclist). Then follow the side streets around Ogden (there are a couple of spots where you will have to either ride on Ogden or the sidewalk... Ogden itself can be OK depending on time of day).</p>
<p></p>
<p>The best way into Morton from the north is to come down Park Blvd. From the south, if you have to take 53, the shoulder is plenty wide and it's safe enough heading north out of Lisle (again, riding on sidewalks at places); I would not ride on 53 heading south from Glen Ellyn/ Lombard. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I hate to say it, but the best way to Morton is by car. They will charge you the same whether you pull up in a car with a bike rack or you pull up on your bike. I've never been to Morton, actually, because of this. I've gone past it a number of times, but I refuse to pay just for the privilege of riding my bike through their grounds. </p>
<p></p>
<p>If you time it right, the Naperville bicycle club does rides into Morton on occasion and enough of the riders have yearly passes that someone can get you in as a guest. </p>