When something sits in front of you every day, it can be easy to forget it’s there at all. On the Northwest Side of Chicago, we have the North Branch Trail, and I am often surprised by how few people have been on it, or ridden its entire length. Some don’t even know about it. … Read more
I’ve been fascinated by Wolf Lake since I was a teenager, but — incredibly — I never visited it until this year. The lake straddles the Illinois-Indiana border, and the tollroad to Indiana Dunes bisects it, offering tantalizing views of wildlife, nature and fishermen on the west side, and massive industry to the east. The … Read more
There’s always the North Branch Trail or the Lakefront, and sometimes the Des Plaines River Trail (when not flooded). But maybe you’ve ridden those, and you want something else. Here are some of our best suggestions for best long bike rides near Chicago, plus several loop trails of 10 miles or more located within a … Read more
OK, so maybe Chicago doesn’t offer many climbing opportunities right out of your front door. Illinois is the second flattest state in the union (trailing only Florida), therefore you may have to be willing to travel a bit if you want to climb anything other than the steps of the Sears Tower (I’m a lifelong … Read more
For months, I’ve fantasized about doing a quick, minimalist solo Brompton camping trip. After all, what more perfect tool for a quick getaway than this stealthy, compact, uncluttered folding bike, with neatly fitted self-contained luggage options? What could be simpler? Pack a bag, hop a train, find a stop with good biking access to some … Read more
Bike overnight camping trips have several advantages over epic treks. You can do them virtually on the spur of the moment with little or no planning if you happen to find yourself with a couple of free days. Carrying and preparing food for a trip lasting not much longer than 24 hour is vastly simplified. … Read more
We love tent camping, especially in the Fall!! And we love finding places to camp that are a little off the beaten path and away from crowds. The best known camping areas around Chicago tend to be dominated by busy, RV-accessible parks. As tent camping enthusiasts, each year we set out to explore campgrounds that … Read more