Bike Training / Racing around Chicago?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m considering moving back to Chicago. I grew up in burbs but don’t know of any cycling in the area

Is there good riding? Better to live northern or western burbs?

Is there a road racing scene?

Thanks

2

Great riding in the northern burbs (Barrington or farther north). Not so great riding out west. Done a little riding around Naperville/Aurora…pretty boring and congested. Up near Starky’s stomping ground on the state line (Wauconda area) it gets really good.

3

I live in Oak Lawn (southwest burbs) and theres great riding around there. The cal sag trail is nice and you can get 60+ miles on it never having to see a car. Theres also the frontage roads along side I-55

4

Is cal sag more of a multi-use trail or can you ride groups / fast?

5

There is ok riding once you get south and west of Naperville/Aurora. If you head south towards Morris, there is an endless number of flat roads with little traffic. Heading west, you can find some hills (Illinois hills) out in Kendall and LaSalle counties in the Fox River valley. These roads also have light traffic My weekly rides leave from Naperville/Plainfield area and head one of these ways depending on whether or not I want flat or hills. I prefer these rides to anything in the Barrington area in terms of traffic and road condition. Although, I do agree that the further north you get to the IL/WI border, the riding gets better.