Best Bike Rides Chicago: The Greatest Recreational Rides In The Metro Area (Best Bike Rides Series) - Softcover

Villaire, Ted

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0762746890 ISBN 13: 9780762746897

Publisher: Falcon Guides, 2011

Synopsis

Written for the cyclists of all stripes, Best Bikes Rides Near Chicago marks the debut of a new series that offers a diverse array of scenic tours in some of America’s largest urban destinations—from easy excursions for the Sunday cyclist to challenging treks for the veteran. Here, veteran author and cyclist Ted Villaire presents 35 diverse rides in and around the Windy City.

As amply demonstrated by this guide, Chicago’s heritage as a transportation hub has reaped huge rewards for local cyclists. Twenty miles of lakeshore parkland and an elaborate system of leafy boulevards connect a series of mega-parks throughout the city. Coupled with this is an ever-expanding cycling infrastructure featuring more than 100 miles of bikes lanes. The Illinois Prairie Path, which runs between the Des Plaines River and Wheaton, was one of the first linear trails in the nation converted from a railroad line—and today it is part of the most extensive collection of rail trails in the Midwest, perhaps the nation.

About this title

About the Author

Ted Villaire is the author of Road Biking Illinois and Best Rail Trails Illinois (both FalconGuides) as well as 60 Hikes with 60 Miles: Chicago. He is also a regular contributor to the Backpacker magazine website, backpacker.com. 

From the Back Cover

Written for cyclists of all stripes, Best Bike Rides Chicago presents a diverse array of scenic tours in and around one of America’s prime urban destinations—from easy excursions for the Sunday cyclist to challenging treks for the veteran. Author and cyclist Ted Villaire describes thirty-four rides in and around the Windy City.

This guide indeed has plenty to choose from. Chicago and its environs offer gentle terrain, the lakeshore, an abundance of bike paths, and unique neighborhoods and communities to explore. Farther out—whether you’re in the collar counties, Indiana, Michigan, or Wisconsin—you’ll find scores of parks with rivers, lakes, woodlands, wetlands, and restored prairie . . . not to mention quiet farm roads, charming towns, and unforgettable restaurants and shops.

 

Inside you'll find:
• GPS coordinates
• Detailed, mile-by-mile directions        
• Descriptions of what you’ll see along the way
• A Ride Finder for the best rides for seeing rivers, lakes, beaches, views, and historic places
• Safety tips, and notes on the availability of food and services

Edition details

• Publisher: Falcon Guides
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0762746890
• ISBN 13: 9780762746897
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272