Suggested Bike Routes for the North Shore

May, apparently, is a busy month. It's Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, National Military Appreciation Month, and even National Moving Month. But wait, there's more. According to the American League of Cyclists, May is also National Bike Month. To celebrate, why not take a ride on some area bike routes? Short or long, near or far, on trails or on roads, the North Shore offers lots of local options.

Green Bay Trail

On the short, straight, and car-free end of the spectrum, the Green Bay Trail makes for a nice, casual ride. It runs just east of Green Bay Road, through Winnetka and Glencoe, and it's a perfect place to start getting your wheels under you, or if you want to take a ride with the kids. The only caveat? The trail can get crowded with walkers, runners, rollerbladers and dogs, so lower speeds and caution are required. If you're just taking up the sport, remember some basic etiquette: stay to the right, and pass people on their left, saying “On your left” as you approach. Keep in mind, walkers or runners wearing headphones may not hear you, so pass slowly and carefully.

North Branch Trail

If you're ready to step up to a longer ride, check out the North Branch Trail, which runs around the Skokie Lagoons and then heads south into Chicago. If you start at Tower Road, loop up to Dundee and back on the other side of the lagoons, then follow the path all the way to the southern end, you can get in close to 20 miles one-way. Again, there are pedestrians, dogs, runners, and even a horse-trail-crossing, but for the most part, it's a quiet, scenic ride through the woods.

Combining Two Trails

To the north, there are two other bike paths worth checking out. The Robert McClory/North Shore Bike Path begins at the northern end of Highwood and runs parrallel to the Metra tracks all the way up to the Great Lakes Naval Station. A little further west, the Skokie Valley Bike Path runs from Lake Cook Road, just west of 41, up to route 176 in Lake Bluff. Both paths are paved, have limited street crossings, and make for nice out-and-back rides.

Or, you could do what local cyclist Kathy Corbett suggests, and combine the two. After weaving your way north through Highland Park on roads such as Green Bay or Sheridan, pass through Fort Sheridan and pick up the North Shore (McClory) bike path at East Old Elm and Sheridan Road, near Fort Sheridan's Simonds Way entrance. Follow the path north to Lake Bluff, stopping in the village to grab a snack if needed. Then head west on Route 176 and turn south onto the Skokie Valley Bike Path. The Skokie Valley Path ends at Lake Cook Road, but if you want to keep going, you can head south to Dundee, then east to pick up the North Branch Trail. Or stop in at the Chicago Botanic Garden for lunch and a stroll around the grounds.

To Wisconsin

For longer road-based routes, many cyclists take East Old Elm from Lake Forest and head west, following West Everett, to St Mary's Road. St Mary's heads north, and from there cyclists can go north and west on loops in and around Grayslake and Round Lake. For those who want to go even further afield, local cyclist Nan Doyal shared with me a 75-plus mile loop that heads up into Wisconsin. Use local roads and paths to make your way up to Gurnee, where you then pick up Delany Road. Head north on Delany, west on Wadsworth, and then north on Kilbourne to the state line, enjoying the open spaces and scenic farmland. You can then head west and turn south on Hunt Club Road before making your way back home.

National Bike Month

As always, ride with a friend and bring plenty of supplies with you: water, food, sunscreen, clothes for unpredictable weather, spare tubes and tools to change a flat. If you're going to be riding on unfamiliar roads, it's probably worth driving your route in advance to assess road conditions such as traffic, potholes, and construction. Be sure to have a phone and map, just in case. Happy National Bike Month!