The Chainlink

Getting to Downers Grove (McCullom park)

So, anyone have any good routes to Downers Grove?  I live on the far NW side of Chicago and have ridden out there before, HOWEVER I rode out there through Maywood and had some troubles in a few spots (aka someone broke a bottle right in front of me on purpose).  Plus some of the IPP is dirt/crushed stone and with all this rain will suck on 23mm tires, and I'd rather not ride my commuter/MTB out there.

I have the Bike Guide app (great app by the way) and tried Google maps but they both want to put me on the Illinois Prairie Path and through Maywood.  I have no issues riding on the road and busy streets don't bother me much, especially since this will be early morning (6 am ish) on Labor Day when I need to make the trek out there.  Any suggestions?

My options seem to be 25th to Butterfield to Meyer/Fairview and ride that in.  

Or 25th to a short trip on Butterfield to Wolf to Ogden to Naperville Rd and in.

OR 25th to Hillgrove (which looks passable on Google maps) and in.

I have a coworker that suggested 25th to Butterfield to Wolf to (or bypass Butterfield and Wolf) 31st west to Meter/Fairview and that leads me into the neighborhood that the park is in.

Distance really isn't an issue, I'll hammer out the 25-30 miles without an issue but safety is my concern and last time I rode side streets and it took stinkin' forever.

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Permalink Reply by OLB 0.1 on August 27, 2014 at 12:41pm

Both good suggestions.

rwein5 said:

Solid route. If I may, two recommendations:

1 - I recommend East Ave (just a few blocks east of Oak Park Ave) From North Ave south to Riverside Dr. You'll compete with far less traffic.

2 - Instead of going from Forest down to Brookfield Ave (point 13), stay on Forest, which changes to Ridgewood then Washington then Harding. Your current route takes you to Ogden, which is definitely a must-avoid street. Take Forest/Ridgewood/Washington/Harding until past LaGrange Rd and drop down on Catherine or a similar street to meet up with Hillgrove Ave

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 27, 2014 at 2:15pm

Thanks rwein, I made the changes and really didn't look at Ogden on satellite view until now.....probably better off for all the universe if no bike ever travels on there!  

rwein5 said:

Solid route. If I may, two recommendations:

1 - I recommend East Ave (just a few blocks east of Oak Park Ave) From North Ave south to Riverside Dr. You'll compete with far less traffic.

2 - Instead of going from Forest down to Brookfield Ave (point 13), stay on Forest, which changes to Ridgewood then Washington then Harding. Your current route takes you to Ogden, which is definitely a must-avoid street. Take Forest/Ridgewood/Washington/Harding until past LaGrange Rd and drop down on Catherine or a similar street to meet up with Hillgrove Ave

Permalink Reply by globalguy on August 27, 2014 at 2:20pm

We did the IPP yesterday all the way to the Great Western and both were surprisingly dry and well-drained.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 27, 2014 at 4:29pm

I know the feeling, I have found myself on the NST and RM trails on skinny tires that didn't like it.

Thanks for all the feedback for those who gave it, I will report back on the route I take.  Although looking at rwein's route and not hugging the train track might be nice too, but I will take mine and let others know.  Plus I'd prefer the (hopefully) lack of stops since most streets would dead end into the tracks.

rwein5 said:

Cool thanks. I've been duped by the North Shore Trail in Lake Bluff and The Robert McClory near Great Lakes. Always gotta double check. Might give it a go.

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