WCCC Blue Island Trail Loop
Details
RIDE DETAILS: We will meet in Blue Island and leave promptly at 9:30am from Blue Island Beer Company. The Blue Island Beer Company is located at 13357 Olde Western Ave in Blue Island, Illinois.
Our ride pace will average 16-18mph with rolling speeds 18-20mph and the ride is 78 miles total, here is the route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37441681
If you drive, park in the brewery lot, furthest from the door, or parking along Old Western Ave is fine too.
Alternatively, take Metra Rock Island line ($3.75 each way) from LaSalle Street station 8:25am to Blue Island-Vermont station 9:07am arrival. Use bike car or bring bungee. The brewery is less than a mile away (take Chatham St. bridge).
Expect about 5 miles traffic near start getting to Homewood but, after that, we will enjoy 75% of the ride in trail bliss: Thorn Creek, Plank Road, I&M Canal, Centennial, and Cal-Sag Trails. The I&M is about seven miles of crushed limestone (this can be avoided if you choose to navigate yourself around) but the rest are paved. A road bike with road tires will work fine over the finely crushed limestone gravel.
AFTER THE RIDE, please join your fellow cyclists for a few fresh beers at the brewery: Blue Island Beer Company – Brewing on Historic Olde Western Ave, Blue Island, IL
Subject to change based on riders, but at minimum we will plan stops at
31 mi. - Frankfort rest area, water/ real toilets
44 mi. - Supermercado Joliet grocery and taco stand in back, toilets inside
74 mi. - Chick-fil-A or Portillo's -optional get food to go & ride 4 mi. to end of ride
78 mi. - end ride at https://blueislandbeerco.com indoor or outdoor seating (beer/craft sodas, BYOFood)
***Please note that any rider who is not a paid member of Windy City Cycling Club must complete and submit the following waiver at this link before riding: https://forms.gle/BfSfpE46z4MGNnLx9
To become a member (for only $25/year), click here and follow the prompts: https://wccc.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=60&club_id=770347&sl=875903113. The cost of an annual membership helps pay for club insurance and gives you access to other club perks and private events.
If you'd like a cue sheet for ride, please print and bring with you or download route to your device. Paid members have full access to the RidewithGPS club account, which includes turn-by-turn audio navigation.
This ride may be canceled or postponed if weather is bad. Please check this event the night before and morning of the ride for any last-minute updates.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Your bike (be prepared to ride 16-18 mph for 78 miles)
- A helmet (this is required)
- Water bottles
- Materials to fix a flat and knowledge to do so
- Snacks (such as a power bar)
- Money for food/drink stops and/or public transport if you think you may need it
See http://www.windycitycyclingclub.com for more information about the club and to see our full member calendar.
WCCC Blue Island Trail Loop