BICYCLE ILLINOIS
Kankakee to Chicago

Overall Route Description
As we leave Kankakee and head toward downtown Chicago, you'll be surprised the country's third largest metropolitan area is so close. Even as things get more congested and the traffic naturally becomes heavier, we will travel through some surprisingly scenic and well-maintained south suburbs along an easy to follow route with low traffic. You'll also see quite a bit of the infrastructure that has made Chicago one of the world's leading industrial cities.

One of the more interesting things you'll see after leaving rest stop 3 at William W. Powers (Wolf Lake) State Recreation Area is an old Nike Ajax missile warhead displayed on a pedestal. During the Cold War, two areas around Wolf lake were used to create Nike missile site C-44, part of an air defense system for Chicago and its heavy industries. It was one of many such sites that formed a ring of defense running from Indiana to Wisconsin. Click Here for more information.

Even though you're cycling across Illinois, you will have the option of briefly crossing over the Indiana border and taking a picture at the "Welcome to Indiana" sign. This option only adds 0.5 miles onto the main route, and the century options do not depend on whether you decide to do it or not. You could literally be cycling in two states at once!

As we travel north through the city of Chicago we'll ride on the bike path along the brand new "New Lake Shore Drive" which goes through 600 acres that are currently being redeveloped that once housed U.S. Steel's South Works plant. After that we'll follow the world famous lakefront path directly along Lake Michigan. One of the most amazing things you will ever see is when you catch your first view of the Chicago's awe inspiring skyscrapers and beautiful lakefront and know that your goal is in sight!

Finally, you will end your journey in downtown Chicago at DuSable Harbor in downtown Chicago, surrounded by Chicago's towering skyline! Even though the ending location is located in the heart of downtown don't worry because you'll be riding on the lakefront path the entire way and won't be riding on the street at all! DuSable Harbor will also serve as rest stop 1 if you are continuing on the Tri-State Tour Chicago Century #2 the next day, Our ending location is easily accessible by friends and family for baggage pick ups and your baggage will be laid out and ready for you to pick up. It is also within easy biking distance of our supported services and facilities in downtown Chicago and bathrooms will be available.

Century Option
The century options from Kankakee to Chicago get a little more confusing and depend on whether or not you will be continuing on the Tri-State Tour Chicago Century #2 the next day.

If you are not continuing on the Tri-State Tour Chicago Century #2 you will arrive at the ending location in downtown Chicago and do a loop up and down the beautiful Lakefront path along Lake Michigan in Chicago to complete the century.

If you are continuing on the Tri-State Tour Chicago Century #2, you will arrive at the ending location in downtown Chicago and bike back to the third rest stop at Wm. Powers Recreation Area (Wolf Lake). You will then bike to the Hammond hotel from there. And don't worry, you'll ride up the beautiful Lakefront path beyond our ending location the next day as part of the Tri-State Tour Chicago Century #2.

Satellite Imagery Overlay

• Click Here for all rest stops overlaid on satellite imagery.

RIDE ITINERARY

All Participants:

Rest Stop 1 Peotone Community Park Peotone, IL 22.4 miles from the main lodging site 19.8 miles from the supported hotel Rest Stop 1 will close at 8:45 am.

Rest Stop 2 Sesto Park 1899 Western Ave. Chicago Heights, IL 60411 21.9 miles from rest stop 1 Rest Stop 2 will close at 11:15 am.

Rest Stop 3 William W. Powers (Wolf Lake) State Recreation Area Chicago, IL 21.6 miles from rest stop 2 Rest Stop 3 will close at 5:30 pm.

Not Continuing on the Tri-State Tour Chicago Century #2

DuSable Harbor 111 N. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 742-3577 Click Here for more information 18.4 miles from rest stop 3 (base route) 18.8 miles from rest stop 3 (Indiana option)

Continuing on the Tri-State Tour Chicago Century #2

End - Hammond Hotel Days Inn 4000 S. Calumet Ave. Hammond, IN 46320 (219) 931-0900 Click Here for more information 3.4 miles from rest stop 3 We will not have a supported rest stop at the Hammond Hotel. You should replenish yourself with snacks and sports drinks at Rest Stop 3.

Route Profile Data

Each Ride Segment

Ride Segment Summary

Every Potential Route

Arrival at ending location in Chicago:

Arrival at Hammond hotel: