Getting to Palos Forest Preserve by bike/bus/train

I live in the city and use my bike and mass transit to get around. Usually, this is all I need. Lately I've been wanting to try out the Mountain Bike Trails in Palos. Anyone ever rode out there or commuted? I was thinking of taking Orange Line to Midway and then biking down 63rd St. then Archer. I've never been out that way but something tells me 63rd St. and/or Archer might not be very bike friendly. But what do I know? Any thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Cameron 7.5 mi on August 3, 2012 at 1:46pm

If you're going during the week, the Metra SWS takes you right there. Unfortunately, that line has very limited service on Saturdays, and nothing on Sundays.

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Permalink Reply by Beau Sessions on August 3, 2012 at 2:49pm

Thanks Cameron. I did see the train with the extremely limited schedule!

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 3, 2012 at 4:13pm

Unfortunately Archer is not very bike friendly beyond Midway. Here's another option.

Take the Metra Rock Island to 95th St. (Beverly). Put your bike on the 381 bus (approx. 30 minute ride), which will take you all the way to Moraine Valley Community College - 88th Ave near 111th St. - very close to the Palos forest preserves.

Further south, the Rock Island is far enough away from Palos that it's not a very inviting ride - similarly hazardous to taking Archer from Midway.

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Permalink Reply by Phil Fox on August 3, 2012 at 7:53pm

I'd Zipcar that... though, that's not necessarily the most cost efficient way to get out there.

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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on August 4, 2012 at 2:25am

Don't do it this weekend on Metra - bike blackout until the first trains Monday morning (because of Lollapalooza).

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 4, 2012 at 8:58am

Good point about the bike blackout this weekend. The CTA/Pace alternative would be taking the red line to 95th, then putting your bike on the 381 Pace bus, as mentioned above - definitely a much slower ride than taking the Rock Island.

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Permalink Reply by Beau Sessions on August 6, 2012 at 11:08am

Thanks everyone. Some good ideas. Phil, I'm right with you on the Zip Car idea and Anne, thank you for the CTA/PACE idea. When you use the trip planner, it cannot get around that HC (limited timetable train) route.

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Permalink Reply by Liz on August 6, 2012 at 12:41pm

I was looking at the system map earlier today, it looks like the pace bus 379 takes you fairly close and runs on weekends. but it's a long ride on the Orange and then the bus.

http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/RTA_System_map.pdf

http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/maps/379map.pdf

http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/schedules/379sched.pdf

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams 6.6 mi on August 6, 2012 at 1:46pm

Archer is not bike friendly on either side of Midway. But it can be done. I've done it several times. It helps if you can be flexible about occasionally riding on the sidewalk and taking the extra time to ride though some neighborhoods when the four lanes of Archer get to be too much.

Here is an approximation of my route - http://goo.gl/maps/dxTS7 I'm sure I've never taken the same route twice.

Harlem is actually sort of ridable also - again assuming that you are willing to ride some sidewalk (don't worry - it is rare to see a pedestrian out there), and pretty interesting.

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Permalink Reply by Beau Sessions on August 6, 2012 at 2:31pm

Thanks Tony. I printed your route!

Tony Adams said:

Archer is not bike friendly on either side of Midway. But it can be done. I've done it several times. It helps if you can be flexible about occasionally riding on the sidewalk and taking the extra time to ride though some neighborhoods when the four lanes of Archer get to be too much.

Here is an approximation of my route - http://goo.gl/maps/dxTS7 I'm sure I've never taken the same route twice.

Harlem is actually sort of ridable also - again assuming that you are willing to ride some sidewalk (don't worry - it is rare to see a pedestrian out there), and pretty interesting.

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Permalink Reply by Beau Sessions on August 6, 2012 at 2:32pm

Good links thanks. I'm comparing it to the 381

Liz said:

I was looking at the system map earlier today, it looks like the pace bus 379 takes you fairly close and runs on weekends. but it's a long ride on the Orange and then the bus.

http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/RTA_System_map.pdf

http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/maps/379map.pdf

http://www.pacebus.com/pdf/schedules/379sched.pdf

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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Tkaczuk on August 12, 2012 at 12:52pm

I think the biggest issue getting out to Palos is if you're coming here to ride the single track courses, you are probobly more serious about the bike you ride which usually means tires not suitable for the road. The four sets that I use I would never take on asphalt or concrete but for a very short ride.