Washington DC to Chicago (or vice versa)

[easmd4604]

Does anyone have experience going from DC to Chicago, or the reverse?

I am looking to ride to Chicago in mid- to late September. So far I've looked at the ATA and C&O canal going from DC to Western PA. My next thought was to go all the way up to Lake Erie and then follow the other routes I've seen getting across to Chicago.

The ride would be a camping trip trying to avoid as much cost as possible.

I have minimal experience doing a ride like this, so any and all advice is appreciated.

Would it be better to go across South OH and IN and then up to Chicago from there (avoiding Gary)

Thanks

[roadrunner]

I did a tour in 2006 from Baltimore to Rock Island, Illinois, that went through D.C. and Kankakee, so passed near Chicago.  An objective of the tour was to include as many trails as practical.  From D.C. I rode the C&O Canal Trail and GAP Trail to Pittsburgh, the Montour and Panhandle Trails south and west of Pittsburgh to Stubenville, Ohio, on the Illinois-Ohio border, then across Ohio (through New Philadelphia, Mt. Vernon, Marion, and Lima) and Indiana (through Blufton, Logansport, and Rensselaer) to Illinois.  Other than a half day of climbing on the south end of the GAP Trail and two days of stiff hills in eastern Ohio, the route involved almost no hills and was on trails or country roads.  Rode the I&M Canal and Hennepin Canal trails across most of Illinois to Rock Island.

I can send you the itinerary and journal of the tour if you're interested.

[easmd4604]

That would be great. I've got a map from the Ohio DOT just recently, but seeing your itinerary would be really helpful. Do you want my email address?

Let me know what's the best way.

Thanks again!

-Eric

[roadrunner]

Eric - e-mailing the itinerary would be the easiest way to get it to you.  My e-mail address is listed in my profile (click on my "roadrunner" user name).  Just e-mail your address to me and I'll forward the itinerary and journal to you.

[easmd4604]

I sent you a message. Thanks again.

[roadrunner]

Eric -- I haven't received your message.  Did you send it to my "jpwettack3" address?

[bikepak]

Hi Roadrunner,

I am interested in looking at your route from DC to Chicago.

Can you send it to me at
bikepak@gmail.com?

Sounds like a great route.

Thanks

[bikepak]

I've been neglectful in publicly thanking roadrunner for his/her itinerary.
It is so professional.
What a route.
Thank you 1000x for sharing this.
May the wind be always at your back.
pk

[mitch537]

I did a tour in 2006 from Baltimore to Rock Island, Illinois, that went through D.C. and Kankakee, so passed near Chicago.  An objective of the tour was to include as many trails as practical.  From D.C. I rode the C&O Canal Trail and GAP Trail to Pittsburgh, the Montour and Panhandle Trails south and west of Pittsburgh to Stubenville, Ohio, on the Illinois-Ohio border, then across Ohio (through New Philadelphia, Mt. Vernon, Marion, and Lima) and Indiana (through Blufton, Logansport, and Rensselaer) to Illinois.  Other than a half day of climbing on the south end of the GAP Trail and two days of stiff hills in eastern Ohio, the route involved almost no hills and was on trails or country roads.  Rode the I&M Canal and Hennepin Canal trails across most of Illinois to Rock Island.

I can send you the itinerary and journal of the tour if you're interested.

I came across this post. My son and I are looking for a ride from Chicago to the east and thought your ride was great. can you send me the route? I tried to email you but the address was hidden in the profile.
thanks

[roadrunner]

mitch537 -- I'm traveling now, so will send you the information when I get home around November 21st.

[roadrunner]

Mitch -- I'm home now.  My e-mail address, which should show up on my profile, is jpwettack3@msn.com.  If you'll send me an e-mail with your address, I'll send you the itinerary and journal of the tour.