20/40/60: Best bike routes in Chicago area

If you want to see more of the bike trails (versus bike lanes) Chicagoland offers, this guide is for you.

Why it matters: While Chicago has continued to add bike lanes to our streets , many folks prefer to use the dedicated trails for going longer distances.

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Driving the news: Local cyclist Dave Stanford shared some routes he likes around the city and beyond.

20 miles: Buckingham Fountain to 18th Street Brewery in Hammond, Indiana

Start here at the Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain. Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Why we love it: This route takes you on the city's preeminent bike trail, the Lakefront, but the southern portion of the path gets less traffic than the northern and can be more peaceful.

Where to stop along the way: You'll hit many beaches and Promontory Point going south that all offer water, bathrooms and snack shops. Don't forget to look back north at the skyline!

Pro tip: The South Shore Chicago Cultural Center is open to the public, and there's a secret beach on the other side of the main building.

Getting back: The South Shore train station is 1.5 miles from the 18th Street Brewery . Download the South Shore app for help getting tickets and seeing when the train stops in Hammond.

• Plan wisely: Bikes aren't allowed on the train for Lollapalooza or Chicago Air and Water Show weekends.

The route: Map it out

40 miles: River Trail Plaza to the Botanic Garden via North Shore Channel

The Chicago Botanic Garden. Photo: Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Why we love it: The Chicago River is undergoing beautification efforts, as evidenced by all the new plants and wildlife.

What to watch along the way: The Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park has some swerving trails around the artwork, with new sculptures showing up every year.

• Some Frank Lloyd Wright houses and sculptures are also just off the trail in Glencoe. Grab a snack at Hometown Coffee & Juice , and then meander onto Franklin Road to check it out.

Turnaround point: While bikes can ride through much of the Chicago Botanic Garden for free, the main attractions have an entrance fee.

Fun fact: The Skokie Lagoons were made by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1940 to help control flooding in the area.

The route: Map it out

60 miles: North Avenue Beach to Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park in October. Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Why we love it: Northwest Indiana has some great bike trails that many Chicagoans never see.

• Indiana Dunes National Park features woodlands, prairies, wetlands and beaches, but car parking there on popular days is terrible.

Where to stop for lunch: Hobart, Indiana , has a lot of restaurants along Main Street, from divey bars to cute sandwich shops to delicious Mexican restaurants.

After a swim, take the South Shore line home.

The route: Map it out

If this sounds too hard: If you don't want to deal with making your own rides and routes, or want to ride with other folks, you can find many options with Chicago Group Rides .

• You can find both speedy and slower rides, like the Chicago Bike Sox ride to Guaranteed Rate Field or rides with Femmes & Thems, which are casual group rides for women, nonbinary and trans folks.

If this doesn't sound hard enough: If you want even longer bike adventures, Out Our Front Door publishes their bike camping routes, which you can do on your own (or book with them).

Dave Stanford races bikes in Elmhurst. Photo: Courtesy of M. Reschke Photography