Mississippi River Trail to Chicago?

MRT to Chicago route anybody????

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on April 28, 2012 at 3:18pm

1. Route 66 to St. Louis. GITAP routes along I&M canal to 2. Quad Cities or near WI border to 3. Galesburg or a more northerly route to 4. Minneapolis. Do you have a preference?

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Permalink Reply by Cameron 7.5 mi on April 28, 2012 at 3:56pm

I haven't personally ridden very much of this route, but either leg of this loop should get you there.

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/greenwaysandtrails/Documents...

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Permalink Reply by Comrade Cycles on April 28, 2012 at 4:05pm

I've done the ride from Chicago to the trail just outside of St. Louis. I can't recall the exact route, but would be happy to look back at old maps and notebooks if you'd like.

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on April 28, 2012 at 4:32pm

American Discovery Trail.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie 13.5185km on April 28, 2012 at 5:05pm

GIT from Moline to Chicago.

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on April 29, 2012 at 1:14pm

Thanks. Looks like the "American Discovery Trail" got their route in Illinois from the GIT.

Duppie said:

GIT from Moline to Chicago.

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on April 29, 2012 at 1:16pm

I'll get back to you some time.

Mike Schwab said:

1. Route 66 to St. Louis. GITAP routes along I&M canal to 2. Quad Cities or near WI border to 3. Galesburg or a more northerly route to 4. Minneapolis. Do you have a preference?

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Permalink Reply by Crispien Van Aelst on May 2, 2013 at 6:48pm

Looking for a good route Chicago to Galena... any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on May 2, 2013 at 8:36pm

The quickest way without car would be to take the Metra to Harvard, and then ride from Harvard to Galena using Google Maps walking directions (which I believe is as close to "as the crow flies", compared to other possible routes): http://goo.gl/maps/NJQR8.

That would be 98 miles with train vs 160 miles with no train, which is a good chunk of a difference for one day of riding. I've never ridden it, but I would try that.

Crispien Van Aelst said:

Looking for a good route Chicago to Galena... any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by Crispien Van Aelst on May 2, 2013 at 8:48pm

Did not think about the train great idea thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Duppie 13.5185km on May 2, 2013 at 9:21pm

Grand Illinois Trail from Chicago to Galena:

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/greenwaysandtrails/Documents...

Look for page 7 thru 11 in the PDF

Crispien Van Aelst said:

Looking for a good route Chicago to Galena... any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by mark stetson on May 2, 2013 at 11:39pm

You could also take Amtrak to Mendota. It's about 110 miles from there to Galena, and over half that distance would be in some of the nicest terrain IL has for cycling.