Photo TR: Biking through Chicago North Shore..

[Cameron]

Good-evening all,

 

In years past I have managed to go for 20-30 mile bike rides almost every weekend, however this year I've been so busy that I've only ridden twice (including today). I am bummed that I haven't been able to ride more this year, and I'm terribly out of shape, but really enjoyed the ride today.

 

It's 25 miles round trip from my apartment in Evanston, to downtown Highland Park and back; and it's one of my favorite rides even though it goes through some horribly rich and boring suburbs. Hopefully I'll get to ride lots more before the snow starts to fall...

And all of this was brought to you by... Thanks for reading.

The best part about doing this ride is stopping at Mustard's Last Stand for a delicious Chicago Style hot-dog (and fries). MMmmmm.

Almost home and I ride past Ryan Field, the football stadium for Northwestern University. Pound it, dude..

Just as I was getting ready to leave, a lady walked up with her dogs. One was so hot and tired that he just lay-down right in the fountain. I'm not a dog person, but damn that is cute!

About half way home now, and I stop for a drink by this cute fountain in Glencoe. Note the Metra train in the background, remember that the bike path runs next to the train tracks. (I do not like Glencoe either, but this is a convenient place to take a break).

This is downtown Highland Park, and isn't it awful?! I know I'm a total anti-snob; the grittier the suburb, the more I like it. But this is just appalling. It is so boring up here that the town had to push businesses to stay open longer just so the kids would have something to do! (I guess being young, beautiful and rich wasn't enough ). There's no-one from Highland Park on TPR, is there?

I'm in southern Highland Park now, and the trail is deep within the trees. As much as I hate Highland Park, I just love the trail up here. It was at least 85 degrees today, yet the trail was smooth and cool. Only thing you need to watch out for are suicidal squirrels!

Just north of Lake-Cook Rd is Ravinia, a large park where white yuppies gather every Saturday night to eat cheese, fruit and wine on the lawn. The odd thing is that they're all listening to live music (which they can't see) over a PA system. I have only been once, two weeks ago, to see Dave Brubeck live. We sat in the pavilion, and it was freaking amazing .. the guy is a genius!

Back on the bike-path now and I'm crossing Lake-Cook Rd, which runs along the border between Lake County and Cook County Illinois. Those who have driven to SFGAm from Chicago may recognize the name of this street, which is just a tiny, quiet road this far east.

This neighborhood is unique in that it has a bridge designed by Frank Lloyd Wright - supposedly one of the only in existence. It's a very peaceful and beautiful spot, surrounded by trees, shade and birds.

Second Wright house that is across the street from the previous, nice car in the driveway! There is a 23 mile, self-guided ride that one can do through the North Shore that passes 16 Wright houses. I have done it, and it is great!

I took a small detour to ride past this fabulous Frank Lloyd Wright house (and there's another across the street - see next photo). In 2004 I saw the FLW Falling Water house near Pittsburgh, and it was amazing .. Since then I've really been interested in these.

The southern-most portion of this ride runs along roads and alleys, but now I'm on the actual Green Bay Trail (which actually runs all the way up to Kenosha WI!). Most of this path is built along the rite-of-way for the old Northshore Electric Line, which was an electric train/streetcar/light-rail that ran from Chicago to Milwaukee until 1963. The Metra train still runs along here, and you can see it to the left of the bike path.

This cute little fountain sits outside the Kenilworth train station (in Kenilworth!). This small town borders Lake Michigan, and was a planned community. It is very wealthy, and I find it a little awkward to ride through..

Riding along Lincoln Ave in Evanston, crossing the North Shore Channel. This was completed in 1910 to flow into Chicago in order to flush sewage out of the Chicago River. Now it's used for boating and is teeming with wildlife. Further south, there is a bike path running along the channel - I shall ride that soon.

First scenic stop on the way is the Grosse Point Lighthouse - which was built in 1873 and is now a National Historic Landmark. It's a beautiful building, and a lovely lighthouse. (This is on the shore of Lake Michigan).

Starting out in Evanston, just north of Downtown. This street has been torn up for the last few years, and it's just now all nicely put back together.

[Guest]

I live a few streets down from Ravinia and used to play baseball next to the Kenilworth train station all the time as a kid...thats a pretty good distance you biked.

[ebl]

That looks like a really nice place. There's something about the Chicago area that intrigues me, and I'd really like to visit the area sometime. A good friend of mine is originally from there, and probably rode that old rail line where the Metra trains run now.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Eric

[mcjaco]

The North Shore line was home of the Elctro-liner, a high speed streamlined articulated train that ran between Chicago and Milwaukee. One of them is out at the Illinois Railway Museum. Really quite cool.

 

I'm not originally from Highland Park (grew up in Northbrook), but I always hated Highland Park. It really is quite boring and has no character.

 

Cam, we must go ride together. There's a great leisurely ride in September that originates from Evanston. Abra and I try to ride it every year.

[Scaparri]

Mhmm Chicago hot dogs. What I would give right for a hot dog from Portillo's or Superdawg right now. So good.

 

Really cool TR, Cameron! It makes me miss Chicago quite a bit.

 

I'm not originally from Highland Park (grew up in Northbrook)

 

Bueller....Bueller...

[mcjaco]

Bueller....Bueller...

 

Except that was Shermer, IL.

 

A little bit of Matt movie history: in the scene where Ferris shows up to pick up his girlfriend, I am running around in gym class behind him. I couldn't tell you which one, but I'm back there. Also, the house he runs through towards the end was my best friend's. His Dad is actually the one who yells, and you can briefly see my friend in the kitchen.

[arrowfanman]

Yay! A Cameron PTR!

 

 

 

If you find a way to cut the ride in half, the next time I make it out there, I'll join you on a ride!

 

Ok, ok, who am I kidding? Cut the ride into a quarter!

[Scaparri]

Bueller....Bueller...

 

Except that was Shermer, IL.

 

A little bit of Matt movie history: in the scene where Ferris shows up to pick up his girlfriend, I am running around in gym class behind him. I couldn't tell you which one, but I'm back there. Also, the house he runs through towards the end was my best friend's. His Dad is actually the one who yells, and you can briefly see my friend in the kitchen.

 

Ha yeah, a buddy of mine who is from Northbrook had mentioned to me that they filmed the movie at his high school (Glenbrook North).

 

And who knew that one of our own was an extra in Ferris Bueller's Day Off! That's pretty cool though.

[Cameron]

The first time I watched Ferris Bueller was when I was home from school, sick!

 

Papas: Sorry for my negative comments about the North Shore! There really are some wonderful little pockets up there, and being within walking distance from Ravinia would be pretty sweet.

 

Matt: I'd love to do a ride with you one day! I really want to ride up along the Des Plaines river, and I think the trail is finally complete from Chicago (Devon/Caldwall) all the way up to northern Lake County.

 

Jahan: You come to Chicago, and I'll get you in shape for the ride - You'll love it!

 

Scott: Hotdogs is just part of all the awesome food I'd miss if I were to leave Chicago. I was in New York City late last year and I was seriously craving a hotdog, but alas there were none to be found. I did recently learn that Portillos now has a store near Knott's (8390 La Palma Ave Buena Park) - everyone should go try it out; although I don't know if they'll use Vienna Beef franks out there.

 

Cameron.

[BeemerBoy]

A little bit of Matt movie history: in the scene where Ferris shows up to pick up his girlfriend, I am running around in gym class behind him. I couldn't tell you which one, but I'm back there.

 

And who knew that one of our own was an extra in Ferris Bueller's Day Off! That's pretty cool though.

 

I got paid to watch Demi Moore strip - FTW!.....j/k, Matt. Your's is actually pretty cool, too. I mean, who wouldn't wanna be in a scene with the "Sausage King of Chicago?"

 

Cam, another cool report. Unfortunately, it makes me realize that I need to get my lazy a$$ off the couch and exercise more.

[Guest]

Papas: Sorry for my negative comments about the North Shore! There really are some wonderful little pockets up there, and being within walking distance from Ravinia would be pretty sweet.

Hell I agree with you about everything you said, there are some serious assholes that live on the north shore who have way too much money. Even though I live near Ravinia I have never actually gone to a concert there. I can also see the "Save Ferris" water tower outside my door...though it obviously doesnt say it anymore.

[larrygator]

I was in New York City late last year and I was seriously craving a hotdog, but alas there were none to be found.

 

Are you sure you were in NYC? You can't throw a rock without hitting a hot dog cart. Now granted we have high quality franks and don't ruin them by sticking a salad in the bun.

[piers]

Cameron, your very clever at riding and taking pictures at the same time.

I would have fallen to my death after the very first attemp.

Looked like a lot of fun though!

[mcjaco]

I can also see the "Save Ferris" water tower outside my door...though it obviously doesnt say it anymore.

 

You work in Northbrook?

[Guest]

I live in Northbrook, and as of last week work in Northbrook also .

[mcjaco]

Ah my old stompin' grounds. In fact I'll be there tonight for softball (Techny South).

[mr_teisco_delrey]

Great shots Cameron. I grew up in Park Ridge (Almost as boring as Highland Park). I used to ride a Forest Preserve trail from Devon Ave up to the Botanical gardens. It's good to see more trails in Chicagoland. The way things are going, I am guessing those are the expressways of the future. So much for my flying car.

 

Mc Jaco - Good call on the North Shore Electroliners. I rode on when I was about a year old. The year before the North Shore line abandoned them. Now it is Skokie Swift to Dempster St. Is Techny Towers still there? I remember recording a record there about 31 years ago when I was in high school. What a cool cathedral.

 

When is LSD closed for the bike ride? I would love to do that ride.

[mcjaco]

Techny Towers is still there. Although they've recently sold off, er I should say long term leased, almost all their land to developers. The fields are all gone, now it's all commercial districts and townhomes.