Accessing the Cal-Sag Trail from Centennial

[Victoria Tate]

I went on a little adventure Tuesday. I needed to put in some mileage and wanted to avoid cars. I rode from Downers Grove down to Bluff Rd. and hopped on to the Centennial connector. I went all the way West, all the way East and instead of turning around to go back, I thought I'd see if any progress was made on the connection to Cal-Sag. Here's what I wish I found:  

1. The sidewalk is ride-able even though the sign states it is closed (a construction worker shouted from his truck that the sidewalk goes through and so I continued on). 

2. Travel at your own risk. There are portions of paved trail as well as sidewalk along Route 83 (Archer Ave) that are pretty rough and in desperate need of sweeping. (Perhaps on the weekend the traffic on the road is lighter and that would be a better option, as it was this day-nope!)

3. After the bridges, there is new trail that looks like it goes to the corner where you can cross Archer at the light. It abruptly ends at the bottom of a steep embankment. I had to double back and was able to cross the four lane road when traffic cleared. 

3. There are no signs pointing you to the North End of the parking lot where the trail-head is. Don't be confused by the new trail you see just after you cross the road. That only takes you up the hill , around the corner and then it ends. 

4. When I finally found the trail it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I was in fresh tarmac heaven! There are some blind corners going under viaducts that slow you down but for the most part, it is wide open. I snagged the QOM's without even trying.

5. There were some "tree trimmers" with trucks parked in the middle of the trail having lunch on my way out and a siesta on my way back. (No wonder it takes so long to get things done.) I had to walk my bike around the trucks-stay on the pavement or you will sink your lovely bike shoes a foot deep in mud!

6. Once the trail goes along Route 83, the party is over. You begin to cross intersections with traffic so slow down and watch out. 

I can't wait for the rest of the trail to be completed next year!

Vicky

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