Found a new favorite bike path
La Souterraine, originally uploaded by Zesmerelda.
The Google map gives you a rough idea of my path, but it's not nice for mapping out non-motorized pathways. Basically, I pick up River Park near Lawrence/California, take it to Devon/Kedzie, and then bike on the street a bit to the start of the Skokie Sculpture Park which can be followed all the way to Green Bay Road. Round trip is about 12 miles.
It's a lovely ride. Even though there's no way to avoid all the urban mess, there are long stretches without crossing streets, lots of art, and no crowds, unlike the Lakefront Trail.

I love that path, it is really near my place. if you want someone to ride with let me know. If you go a bit more north you can catch Green Bay Trail, it runs along Metra and some trees.