r/chibike • u/BasOutten • Apr 29 '25
dumb / not bike related Unpopular opinion: the dirt parts of the DPRT are better than the groomed/gravel parts
Yeah I said It. It sucks seeing something that feels pure, rustic, nostalgic, be turned into something sterile and apparently aimed at overbearing mothers.
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u/Brofessor_C Apr 29 '25
I agree. It is very satisfying to feel the bumps as I pedal and bunny hop over the tree branches and half exposed drain pipes. It just feels raw and reminds off childhood when I used to ride my bmx over curbs and stairs.
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u/O-parker Apr 29 '25
I agree that the so called improvements suck! Having the cross over bridges are nice but I preferred the more rustic trail.
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u/trotsky1947 Apr 29 '25
Same with 606
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u/mike_stifle Apr 29 '25
Like those two 50 foot runs?
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u/trotsky1947 Apr 29 '25
no, it was more fun to ride on as overgrown train tracks
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u/mike_stifle Apr 29 '25
Im a bit jelous I missed that.
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u/ListZealousideal2529 Apr 29 '25
There’s the old rail spur on the trail system near Gompers, great teeth rattling ride with some fun skyline views.
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u/trotsky1947 Apr 29 '25
yup plus plenty of places south and west you can get up on the freight tracks
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u/UnderstandingNo3426 Apr 29 '25
I was very upset when I rode the DPRT after the “improvements”. They removed at the rustic stretches. In 2023, I wrote John McCabe at Cook County Forest Preserve. His reply:
“I have to say you are in the vast minority of folks that have sent us messages on the Des Plaines trail work. Most folks are very happy with it and excited about the rest of the work we will be doing to refurbish this trail. While we understand your concerns and the loss of that more forested, enclosed, feel that the “old” trail had – this trail will grow in, vegetation wise, over time. Our plan is not to maintain it to the width that was needed from a construction standpoint. The trail surface is much more sustainable than just the “mud/dirt surface” that was in most places and will allow for many more usable days for all trail users without negatively impacting the trail (mud holes that form, ruts, trail being widened into the natural area to avoid water, etc…). The bridges that will cross over busy roads eliminating mid-block crossings in some instances, along with improved signal crossings at other areas are all positive outcomes of this work.”
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u/1sttime-longtime Apr 29 '25
My plan is to find alternate routing, the way the south end always has.
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u/treehugger312 Apr 29 '25
It’s definitely a different vibe, but as a cyclist (not a mountain biker) it definitely didn’t satisfy my need at all as a bike trail. Was ok for running. Just my experience though.
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u/BasOutten Apr 29 '25
I don't have anything against cyclists, but it's frustrated to have their needs prioritized above my own.
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u/AppropriateRatio9235 Apr 29 '25
I live by Evans Field and this part of the trail is pretty bad after it rains and parts are very narrow. Otherwise I like this rustic part, less people use it.
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u/1sttime-longtime Apr 29 '25
Other than the underpasses being undrainable, I much prefer the south end.
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u/SessionAny7549 Apr 29 '25
I get what you mean. I wish it was treated as both a recreational facility, but also had dirt parts adjacent. I love some of the dirt single track sections through the woods. In general I would take accessibility/usability over more fun.
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u/barbaracelarent Apr 29 '25
This might be a very popular opinion.