Wilson Skate Park to Botanical Gardens Loop

23 Interested
  • Date: Saturday, June 2, 2018
  • Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location: 700 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago IL 60640, United States

Event Details

We will start this ride at 10am from Wilson Skate Park, located at Wilson and Lakeshore Dr, just on the east side of LSD. There is a parking lot on site as well as plenty of parking on Wilson, north towards Foster, and south towards Montrose. Most of the parking is free.

All streets on this ride will be marked bike paths. Pace will be medium on the streets, faster pace on dedicated bike trails with no auto traffic.

West on Wilson Ave towards Elston Ave.

Elston Ave north to Milwaukee Ave

At Devon jump on the North Branch Forest Preserve bike path

Head northwest through the woods up to Botanical Gardens.

~24.1 miles from Wilson to Botanical

~30 min rest/stretch/enjoy Botanical Gardens

From Botanical east on the North Branch trail via Lake Cook Rd.

South east on the Greenbay Trail

East on Lincoln St.

South on Sherman to Chicago Ave

East on Devon

South on Winthrop to Ardmore

South on Lakefront Trail back to Wilson Skate Park

~17.4 miles

Total: ~41.5 miles

Wilson Skate Park to Botanical Gardens Loop

Discussion Board

Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

New Group Ride!

https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Events/Detail/363

4 Jun 2018 - 8:56 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

What a great turnout. Thanks to everyone that came out. I hope to see everyone on one of those Monday night rides! I'll post another group ride in a week or so.

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2 Jun 2018 - 2:45 PM
John Harriman
John Harriman

Home safe and tired. Great ride guys! Send me that photo please 312 391 8952

2 Jun 2018 - 2:37 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

If anyone needs anything in the AM or on the ride here's my number:

773 706 1193

1 Jun 2018 - 9:47 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

Meeting for the ride:

Once you cross LSD on Wilson Ave the skatepark is immediately on your left. There is a big parking lot there. We will meet on the EAST SIDE of the parking lot. There are 4 large garden planters, we will be there.

Looking forward to a great turnout!

31 May 2018 - 7:45 PM
James Lemke
James Lemke

10 am meet up time?

1 Jun 2018 - 6:43 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

You got it. Figure will head out no later than 10 after

1 Jun 2018 - 8:42 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

All the interest for this ride is getting me pumped! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on the 2nd. Please feel free to invite friends and share this ride on your social media pages to gather more interest. If anyone has any questions or concerns feel free to reach out to me. I'll update late next week with the marker I'll use at Wilson to gather the group.

Fingers crossed for good weather!!!!

18 May 2018 - 3:29 PM
James Lemke
James Lemke

I cant wait! I usually ride solo for all my rides, long and short. I am excited about riding with others for a change. I look forward to meeting all of you on the 2nd. See ya then.

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18 May 2018 - 6:42 AM
James Lemke
James Lemke

I cant wait! I usually ride solo for all my rides, long and short. I am excited about riding with others for a change. I look forward to meeting all of you on the 2nd. See ya then.

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18 May 2018 - 6:42 AM
Susan Haack
Susan Haack

If I were describing my biking style, I would compare myself to the tortoise in "The Hare and The Tortoise." I have endurance, but not always speed. I am older (pushing 70) and wondering if someone biking at an average 12 mph speed would slow the group down. I don't want to hold anyone back. What do you think? Please be honest.

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11 May 2018 - 12:25 PM
Susan Haack
Susan Haack

See, I just did an "old lady" think and accidentally posted a picture with my query. Can you tell me how to get it off?

11 May 2018 - 12:27 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

I'm suspecting there will be several paces held on this ride, causing the group to separate once we hit the forest trail. I'm sure there will be other riders that hold a similar pace to yours. if you are comfortable doing 41 miles I think you should totally come out! but keep in mind there may be separation. riders can always stop wherever they feel fit along the ride. i would also like to stay in a group leading to the north branch trail so street traffic sees us.

11 May 2018 - 12:40 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

you may also feel more comfortable my checking out the route map.

11 May 2018 - 12:44 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

sorry for the chopped up responses. i guess my original message was too long

10 May 2018 - 12:19 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

John - I'm curious about those new trails that have been added in that area. I'm very familiar with the trail head at Devon and Milwaukee, so that's the route I usually take, but haven't taken the time to explore the extensions. If on the day of you would like to lead us through the newer trails that would be awesome! Plus getting off the street sooner than later is always a plus.

10 May 2018 - 12:19 PM
John Harriman
John Harriman

Hey Ben! 2 days! I also wanted to clarify that Wilson does not quite go through to Elston. In Albany Park near Pulaski, the streets become diagonal and it is not quite straight forward to get to Elston, but it is very near and not a big deal. Just wanted to state that the directions above are not quite complete. I will be happy to help navigate a bit.

31 May 2018 - 9:33 AM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

Usually what I do is take a left on Pulaski, then a right on the first side street next to the police station. Follow that west which runs in to another diagonal north west, then left on the first street which runs in to elston. Or we can go right on Pulaski, left on Lawrence, right on Elston. Probably just do the second option.

31 May 2018 - 9:40 AM
John Harriman
John Harriman

Sounds great

31 May 2018 - 10:21 AM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

I road down Wilson tonight to check out the street conditions. There is a slight "weird" patch once you cross Ashland, but plenty of room for bikers to stay off the uneven pavement. Once you cross Kimball the road gets kind bumpy but should be alright.

Once we get to Pulaski, going north gets a little rough to Elston, so we will cut through the neighborhood taking the side street next to the police station.

31 May 2018 - 7:43 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

I usually average 14mph in the streets if that helps. Once we get on the forest trail it's a straight shot up to Botanical, so if the group splits based on pace I think that's , and we can regroup once we get to Botanical. What to expect? Hopefully some beautiful late spring weather, meeting some fellow cycling enthusiasts, getting a good workout, and raising money for the kids. I'll purchase a flag of some sort to have with me when we meet at Wilson so we all know who's there for the ride.

10 May 2018 - 12:18 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

Hey Jaclyn, this is my first year doing GCC. I was surprised there was no group ride in my area, so decided to host one myself since I'd be doing this ride that day anyways. Since we are riding in the street to the north branch trail I figure we won't ride in a tight pace style while on Wilson, but still in a single file line in a group. I think it would be nice to ride together in the streets to make our presence.

10 May 2018 - 12:18 PM
Ben Cebulak
Ben Cebulak

test

10 May 2018 - 12:17 PM
John Harriman
John Harriman

Also, I am not in charge of this ride and don't presume to be, but with the extended path we can get on a bike path earlier than Devon/ Milwaukee near Forest Glen. Exit Elston and we will be off of streets for the rest of the 'there' leg.

10 May 2018 - 11:38 AM
Jaclyn Riffle
Jaclyn Riffle

This is my second year doing GCC. What's it like riding in a group like this? What kind of thing can i expect?

7 May 2018 - 6:24 PM
John Harriman
John Harriman

I have ridden in the GCC 3 years running but have never taken part in a group ride. I do ride to the Botanical Gardens and back frequently and enjoy it. I assume we will prioritize staying together and having fun. I live further west so normally I am avoiding the lake front part of this scheduled ride, but I am also quite familiar with it. The group is small now, but if it grows by the time of the ride maybe it will naturally split into some what faster and slower riders.

10 May 2018 - 11:34 AM