I started a new gig up near OHare (Higgins & 190 area) and wanted to hook in a great ride back and forth to work safely. I am amazed by several options that we have in Chicago if you look close enough. I rode from S. Naperville (near Knoch Knolls) up Naper/Plainfield hooked into the prarie trails near 87th to 75th. I continued North through Naperville til I hit Warrenville Rd and then up to the prarie path. I headed east until the end in Maywood (long haul). A mile north of the end is where I was able to hook into trails along the Des Plaines river and ride trails the rest of the way up to Higgins/190. The entire ride took 2:50 minutes to work and 3 hrs home due to the wind.
Therefore 3 hours of riding and 75% were trails (Illinois Prarie Path and Des Plaines River).
Keep riding!