k0guz

There's a new YouTube playlist up with eight videos averaging 45 minutes each, following every mile of the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin electric railroad along the Illinois Prairie Path. They were taken last August. If you've ever ridden on this iconic rail trail, you'll find something you didn't know in this meticulously documented history of the railroad and trail. If not, it may inspire you to take a trip.





Illinois Prairie Path, York Road, Elmhurst

BiciMan

Thanks for the link, k0guz. Have ridden the path several times, round-trip from Wheaton to St. Charles. Usually visit a bike shop, eat, ride by the Fox River, and return. Once or twice, we've taken the bikes on the train, from the Wheaton station, and only ridden back. Very nice, easy, quite-flat ride (as most of Chicagoland); also recommended.

smontanaro 

Thanks. Living in far eastern Cook County I don't get to the western burbs much. I'd never even heard of the Illinois Prairie Path. More places to explore.

BiciMan

Might you be new to the area? You do know the North Branch trail, closer to your area, right? Between you and I, that is my favorite Chicagoland ride, bar none, and maybe anywhere.

Cyclist0108

I haven't ridden it since the 1980s. Thanks for posting this.

smontanaro 

Well, I'm no native, but I've lived here since 1999. I've ridden way north and way south (as far as St Joe, MI a couple times). I am familiar with the North Branch Trail, Green Bay Trail, Des Plaines River Trail, Lakefront Trail. Still, I mostly ride on the road. I tend to think that the speeds I generally ride at (15-20mph) aren't conducive to MUPs.

My normal decision process when going for a ride takes place between the basement door and the sidewalk, "North or South today? Okay, how far?" That's about it. Going east/west in the Chicago area is generally not as bike friendly. I just mostly take the paths (or roads) of least resistance.

k0guz

You folks don't appreciate the biking gems you have in the Chicago area! I live in western Colorado, and included the Prairie Path in a rail-trail itinerary a few years ago. My ride was truncated because it was cold and rainy and my cousin lost his enthusiasm, but I plan to return as soon as the weather and Covid allows. I'm planning to stay with my cousin near Joliet, and to take my bike on METRA to visit a number of the trails....

Reflector Guy

For those of use near the Prairie Path, though, east-west is a breeze. The Prairie Path and the much-newer Great Western Trail more or less parallel each other out to western DuPage County and they make a nice loop because they connect at each end. Both are very well maintained and smooth and the Great Western is good for fast riding because it sees only about 1/10th the traffic and has much longer distances between road crossings.

As a railroad buff, I am drawn to the rail-trails to see what is left from "the old days". Old bridges, mileposts, signal foundations, depots.... Always stuff to look out for.

The real eye-opener is how much the western legs of the Prairie Path have filled in over the years with sprawl. It isn't "prairie" any more!

msu2001la

The Great Western Trail west of St Charles is awesome. Wide open, smooth crushed limestone and access to lots of adjacent quiet country roads. It's usually pretty empty out there and you can ride as fast as you want.

The Prairie Path is great too, but as noted there are many many more street crossings and more traffic, so definitely not a high speed route.

Reflector Guy

The Kane and Dekalb County portion is definitely on my list for this year; for a long time I avoided it because I assumed there would be fierce winds whipping across the farm fields LOL! Then I rode on it one time and found it to be very pleasant, smooth and shady like the Dupage section. Not crowded either, even on a holiday weekend.

feejer

I grew up riding all over the prairie path. We lived in Wheaton and Winfield, and both houses were only a block or two from the path. I have no idea how many miles I put in there as a kid and teenager, but I loved every minute of it. There were so many different branches you could end up anywhere. Half the time I had no idea where I was! A couple of years ago the wife and I discovered the Des Plains River Trail, which begins only a few miles from our current house. It's exactly like what I remember of the Prairie Path, only with way less road intersections. About the only good thing I can say for NE Illinois, is that there really are some fantastic biking options.

smontanaro 

Which part(s) of DPRT have you ridden? My minimal experience is that the section in Cook County isn't maintained as well as the Lake County section.

(Apologies for the thread drift.)

feejer

We’ve ridden all the sections from the trail head just over the WI border down to around Lincolnshire or thereabouts. The trail quality has always been excellent.I plan to hit a lot more of it this year, and really improve my ride distances. Can’t speak to the cook county sections yet, but the Lake County side is great.