Ah, the open road, that stretch of asphalt that ends only when you decide to stop your car. And with gas prices the way they are, you may be stopping sooner than you imagine.
May we offer an alternative? Find your old bike. Dust it off. Take it to a bike shop and get a tuneup. Pack a pannier (What? Sorry. Saddlebag) with some clothes. Jump on Metra.
Let’s do some good old-fashioned exploring and travel the northwest suburbs by bike. When was the last time you rode through the wooded preserves of Barrington Hills or along the Fox River Trail? When was the last time you stopped in downtown Algonquin, all pastoral and charming, and grabbed a bite at the Port Edward Restaurant?
You haven’t? Don’t worry. I did it. And I’ll show you where to go, what to check out and where to stay on your three-day getaway.
Day 1
(Estimated distance: 19 miles)
1. From the city, jump on Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line at Ogilvie Transportation Center and take the train to Barrington. (A weekend pass is $5; one way during the week is $5.15.) The train drops me off at the Barrington station, about a block from Northwest Highway (201 S. Spring St.).
2. After riding through Barrington Hills and past some of its palatial estates, I enter Spring Creek Valley Forest Preserve. It’s one of the lesser-known preserves within Cook County, but I’m sure the deer and other woodland creatures I spot along this debris-covered trail don’t mind. FYI: Look out for tree branches.
3. After a hellacious climb through the slim, winding streets of Fox River Grove, I make it to River Road, which sits alongside–you guessed it–the Fox River. Along this stretch are quaint little piers where neighbors tie up their boats. Watching people zip on Jet Skis, I get a little jealous.
4. Algonquin is the self-proclaimed “Gem of the Fox River,” with its quaint downtown lined with wooden frame houses with plaques identifying their construction (founded in 1834, Algonquin soon became an outpost for farming). If you feel like a bite, stop by the Port Edward Restaurant (20 W. Algonquin Rd., Algonquin; 847-658-5441), which sports as much nautical kitsch as you can take and a great view of the river.
Detour: Stop for the night at the Victorian Rose Garden Bed & Breakfast (314 Washington St., Algonquin; 847-854-9667). This B&B offers spacious, decorative rooms with antique claw-foot tubs, full breakfast and a huge patio with porch swing if you want to relax after your day of biking.
5. If you have six more miles in you, then bike down the McHenry County Prairie Trail. Mostly a straightaway, this ride is a great way to end the day.
6. Stop for the night at The Mansion Bed & Breakfast (305 W. Oregon Ave., West Dundee; 847-426-7777). Built in 1907, it retains its historic facade while adding some great modern amenities like oversized whirlpool tubs. After a restful bath, head down to Emmett’s Tavern & Brewing Co. (128 W. Main St., West Dundee; 847-428-4500) for a bite to eat and a sample of their house-brewed beers–try the Victory Pale Ale.
Day 2
(Estimated distance: 17 miles)
1. Get onto Big Timber Road in Elgin. Here, you have two choices: Jump back on Metra and take the Milwaukee West Line back to Chicago, or keep going northwest on Big Timber. It’s a two-lane road with lots of cars and no shade. But if you’re up for it, there’s a pay-off at the end.
2. Once you hit Illinois Highway 47, you’re about 6 miles from your next stop. You’re also in prime farmland.
3. The end of the road is an historical and architectural treasure. There’s a small driveway off Rohrsen Road in what used to be Plato Center. Take it to find the Muirhead Farmhouse, a Frank Lloyd Wright gem where you can spend the night.
For a full review, SEE PAGE 4
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Which way did we go?
With some help from the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, we put together this 48-mile trip through parts of Cook, Kane and McHenry Counties. Here’s a quick turn-by-turn description of our three-day route, from Chicago to Barrington to Hampshire and back.
Day 1: Take Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line to Barrington. From the Barrington Metra station, ride a block east on Klingenberg Lane to Northwest Highway. Make a right onto Northwest Highway. After about three blocks, make another right onto Hillside Avenue. Head west on Hillside for less than a mile to Dundee Avenue. Make a left onto Dundee Avenue, then a right onto Otis Road heading west about 2 miles. Make a right onto Old Sutton Road and ride until you hit the entrance to the Spring Creek Valley Forest Preserve on Donlea Road. Make a left into the preserve and head west. Exit at Donlea and Bateman Roads. Turn right and head north on Bateman Road. Make a right onto Lake Cook Road, then a left onto Meadow Hill Road. Ride for about a mile to Spring Creek Road, make a left and head west. When you reach Braeburn Road, make a right and head north for a few miles. At River Road, make a left. Take River for about 4 miles until you reach Algonquin Road.
To reach the Victorian Rose Garden Bed & Breakfast: From Algonquin Road, make a left at South Main Street, then a right onto Washington Street. The inn (314 Washington St., Algonquin; 847-854-9667) is two blocks down.
From Washington, make a right onto South Main Street, then a left onto the McHenry County Prairie Trail at Huntington Drive. Head south for about 5 miles (it turns into the Fox River Trail once you enter Kane County) until you reach East Main Street in East Dundee.
To reach The Mansion Bed & Breakfast: Make a right at East Main Street, and head west across the Fox River. Make a left at Third Avenue and head south one block to find the inn (305 Oregon Ave., West Dundee; 847-426-7777).
Estimated distance: 19 miles
Day 2: Get back on the Fox River Trail and head south. At Interstate Highway 90, make a right at the wood bridge underneath the tollway and across the river. Following the trail west to Illinois Highway 31, then make a left. Make a right onto Big Timber Road. Bike about 8 miles to Illinois Highway 47, then make a left. Head south for about 6 miles, then make a left onto Rohrsen Road.
To reach the Muirhead Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast: Bike for a mile until you see the driveway leading to the farmhouse (42W814 Rohrsen Rd., Hampshire; 847-464-5224).
Estimated distance: 17 miles.
Day 3: A 10-mile ride south on Illinois Highway 47 takes you through Lily Lake and into Elburn. Take two quick lefts — one at Keslinger Road, another at South Anderson Road, and you’ll arrive at the Elburn train station, the last stop on Metra’s Union Pacific West Line.
Estimated distance: 12 miles
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Before you saddle up …
*Check out Metra’s rules: Metra permits bikes on trains only during certain times of the day. To find out when, go to: metrarail.com/general.html#Bikes
*Get a pannier: Unless you feel like lugging along a backpack, a pannier is the best way to carry your essentials (clothing, toiletries, a cell phone to call a cab). You can pick one up at Kozy’s Cyclery (219 W. Erie St.; 312-266-1700) or at a number of other bike shops.
*Pick up a map: Stop by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (9 W. Hubbard St.; 312-427-3325, www.biketraffic.org) and pick up a bicycle map that covers all the trails in Cook, Lake, Kane, McHenry, Will and DuPage Counties. The map also highlights streets in different colors, indicating how bike-friendly they are.
*Get another map: And since all farmland looks the same, it may be a good idea to pick up a Kane County bicycle map as well. You can get one by contacting the county’s department of transportation (41W011 Burlington Rd., St. Charles; 630-584-1170) or at several bike shops in Kane.
— G.J.
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gjeffers@tribune.com
STAYCATIONS: IN THE WEB EDITION
Save your gas money and plan a summer vacation around one of our “staycations”– local getaways tailored for you.
Families: Blackberry Farms in Aurora
Active getaway: Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca
Relaxation: Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Read the details at chicagotribune.com/staycations
