Will this (finally) be the year I do my first overnighter? This guide is really emboldening me to go for it. A few questions though:
1) I really love your ideas for “micro camping” and have a hammock but every time I ride out in search of a good spot to hang, I seem to not really find anything (I’m talking north branch trails). Or at least I can’t ever find a good spot that won’t get me side-eyes from people walking by. Or maybe I’m being too precious about it? Any tips on this? I also wasn’t sure how to walk my bike through the woods but maybe I just need to be bolder.
2) I have never done an overnighter and would like to do it with at least one other person but the people I would have tapped for an adventure partner just had a baby so they are not going anywhere for a while. Do you know of any existing groups/meetups that do overnighter trips? Or maybe it’s another offering for you to consider 👀
Hi Rose! First off, the best group for overnight camping in Chicago is hands down Out Our Front Door (oofd.org). Definitely check them out. Awesome people. I don't know if their ride registration is open yet, but the ride schedule is posted.
For "microcamping" I would probably start with some of the bridle paths off the North Branch Trail. They are wide enough to ride a bike, and don't get nearly the traffic that the main trail gets. I like the area on the east side of the river in Linne Woods (between Dempster and Beckwith), or various places around Skokie Lagoons. Another good place is Gillson Park in Wilmette. It's right by the beach, and the south end of the beach is kind of wild and not supervised like the official beach. My best suggestion for getting over the weird feelings (I've had them....) is to go with a friend first.
Will this (finally) be the year I do my first overnighter? This guide is really emboldening me to go for it. A few questions though:
1) I really love your ideas for “micro camping” and have a hammock but every time I ride out in search of a good spot to hang, I seem to not really find anything (I’m talking north branch trails). Or at least I can’t ever find a good spot that won’t get me side-eyes from people walking by. Or maybe I’m being too precious about it? Any tips on this? I also wasn’t sure how to walk my bike through the woods but maybe I just need to be bolder.
2) I have never done an overnighter and would like to do it with at least one other person but the people I would have tapped for an adventure partner just had a baby so they are not going anywhere for a while. Do you know of any existing groups/meetups that do overnighter trips? Or maybe it’s another offering for you to consider 👀
Hi Rose! First off, the best group for overnight camping in Chicago is hands down Out Our Front Door (oofd.org). Definitely check them out. Awesome people. I don't know if their ride registration is open yet, but the ride schedule is posted.
For "microcamping" I would probably start with some of the bridle paths off the North Branch Trail. They are wide enough to ride a bike, and don't get nearly the traffic that the main trail gets. I like the area on the east side of the river in Linne Woods (between Dempster and Beckwith), or various places around Skokie Lagoons. Another good place is Gillson Park in Wilmette. It's right by the beach, and the south end of the beach is kind of wild and not supervised like the official beach. My best suggestion for getting over the weird feelings (I've had them....) is to go with a friend first.
Awesome - thanks!!
An excellent guide!