Great Lakes - Roll Call -- Great Lakes area locals

New Berlin, WI, here... might as well say Milwaukee (burp). I've been riding in ever expanding circles to the south - but only up to 25-35 mile rides, and don't think I'm fast enough for group rides yet. Next year I'd like to be a bit more ambitous, at least riding my age, if not a century. I mostly hang around the 50+ forum here. This is my first season riding, and it's going to be all too short! Mornings are already getting cooler :(

I'm just outside Detroit. Madison Heights specificaly. I agree with octaneTom, the roads here blow.

New Berlin, WI, here... might as well say Milwaukee (burp). I've been riding in ever expanding circles to the south - but only up to 25-35 mile rides, and don't think I'm fast enough for group rides yet. Next year I'd like to be a bit more ambitous, at least riding my age, if not a century. I mostly hang around the 50+ forum here. This is my first season riding, and it's going to be all too short! Mornings are already getting cooler :(

No reason to stop until the ice comes;)

Columbus Indiana, about 45 miles south of Indianapolis.

Canton MI. I ride to work and on Hines . Im looking for group rides.

Brian -

These guys have group rides along Hines Drive:
http://www.lmb.org/saddle/

I think the Dearborn Tri + Swim club also does rides along Hines Drive...
http://www.swimfasttrifast.com/

I haven't done rides w/ either group but found them both when I was looking online earlier in the year.

Carey,Ohio.It's like living in Mayberry.(Andy,Floyd,Barney,Goober........And that wierd crazy hillbilly boy that was always chunkin' rocks)

Fox Point, WI here, to be exact. I'm a daily commuter through Milwaukee, looking forward to some local weekend tours sometime. I just noticed this regional forum today, cool.

Brian 6751: If you are looking for group rides, check out lmb.org and then I think it is under resources. It lists all the bicycle clubs in Michigan. There is not really a club in Canton, although several members from my club live in Canton. Hines Park is home to 4 bike clubs that I know of.

My club is AABTS.org and they have a Far East Fringe group that starts in Plymouth Michigan behind the library and either rides out towards Whitmore Lake using Ann Arbor Road and 7 mile and they have daily rides down Hines park. Speeds are around 18mph and there are some slower rides for beginners and there is a group of about 8 guys that ride about 22-24 mph. The Ann Arbor group have rides every morning and night and on Sunday, the ride could go down to Jackson, out to Mason, Pickney or anywhere within a 60 mile radius of Ann Arbor. Nice variety when Hines gets boring.

Cycling Saddlemen have rides that start at Nankin Mills in Hines Park and go out west toward the Dump on 5 or 6 mile road. They ride about 19-21 mph, although they have some slower days that start in Dearborn, the other end of Hines. They also sponser individual Time Trials 4 times per year. You do not have to be a member to join.

Trails Edge is a bike store at Northville Road and Hines Park, they have cycling (16-18) along Hines and mountain bike rides.

Wolverines is a racing club and they ride alot with the Saddlemen. They have a Saturday ride out of Northville going to Whitmore Lake with cat 1-5 racers. They also have some slower rides in the Royal Oak/Beverly Hills area.

BikeSport in Dearborn is a triathletic club and they have organized rides down Hines.

Anyone from the St. Louis/Alton Il area familiar with Rowing Ridge Road north of Grafton? I rode it a couple of weeks back while in the area. My ride started at Pere Marquette State Park - I rode the bike trail for a couple of miles to Grafton, got bored, and thought I'd head for the hills. So I headed up what I thought was called Mason Hollow Road, but google maps has it listed first as Springfield Street, and then Rowing Ridge Road. At the base of the bluff I could see the top of the climb and my heart jumped. Holy crap it was steep. I got into my triple and started pounding away. Had I stopped pedaling I would have stopped immediately. Half way up it flatted out a bit and there was some shade, so I stopped to catch my breath. Don't recall ever having to stop on a hill before. Once I was pushing so hard on the pedals in order to keep moving that my front wheel lifted off the ground slightly. I'd love to find out what the grade is on that monster. I finished my ride by coming in the back way to Pere Marquette park - that is one fantastic place to ride. Smooth pavement, lots of hills and dips and turns, with minimal traffic. And most of it is shaded, which is great on a hot day in August in southern Illinois.

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=38.99057,-90.443745&spn=0.009556,0.017381&t=h&om=1

Fox Point, WI here, to be exact. I'm a daily commuter through Milwaukee, looking forward to some local weekend tours sometime. I just noticed this regional forum today, cool.

Do you do the oak leaf in the morning? What do you ride? I'm always walking a pair of springers back there in the morning.

I am setting up our own BFNIC ride for the weekend of Sept 23-24th. It will start out of Hampshire and include a 31-62-100 route options. Look forward to seeing you there!

Not to apply any undo pressure, but Sundays always work better for me than Saturdays.

hillbilly boy in Mayberry-Ernest T.

Not to apply any undo pressure, but Sundays always work better for me than Saturdays.
HA! - Most everyone else is saying the opposite. For me it has come down to whether or not my Mother-In-Law can babysit, and whether or not she can do it on Saturday or Sunday.

...funny how having a kid always seems to be the controlling factor in absoluteley every aspect of my life...

OH *slaps forehead* THAT'S what everyone meant when they all said, "Your life will totally change....no seriously it will totally change."

So far it lookss like Saturday might be the day. I am trying to verify/pre-ride the route this weekend. CyLowe97, and 53X12 might join me for at least part of it. Again it looks like it will be Sunday because of family arrangements, but you are more than welcome to come out and get a preview.

PM me for details.

"So far it lookss like Saturday might be the day. I am trying to verify/pre-ride the route this weekend. CyLowe97, and 53X12 might join me for at least part of it. Again it looks like it will be Sunday because of family arrangements, but you are more than welcome to come out and get a preview."

Oooooh a pre ride!! Hook me up with some details. I miss you guys. And I love the Saturday idea!!! Later.

"So far it lookss like Saturday might be the day. I am trying to verify/pre-ride the route this weekend. CyLowe97, and 53X12 might join me for at least part of it. Again it looks like it will be Sunday because of family arrangements, but you are more than welcome to come out and get a preview."

Oooooh a pre ride!! Hook me up with some details. I miss you guys. And I love the Saturday idea!!! Later.
It's a holiday weekend, so I'm good all three days. Been PM'ing w/ P2001 on details. We'll start an independent thread w/ some details in a little while so we don't threadjack the roll call.

Cool. I ment the Saturday Idea for the Official BFNIC ride later this month. You guys PreRide on your schedule. Just let me know about the PreRide. Jack what? Later.

Cool. I ment the Saturday Idea for the Official BFNIC ride later this month. You guys PreRide on your schedule. Just let me know about the PreRide. Jack what? Later.

"Jack what?" <---:roflmao:

Hey...thread started --------->http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=224769

Wow...I never noticed this subforum before!
I'm in Evergreen Park Illinois. The city of Chicago surrounds me on the south, east and north, with Oak Lawn and Hometown situated west of me. I originally grew up 3 blocks from Midway airport (planes took off and landed literally right over my house) 1 block away from Archer Ave, 1/2 block from north/south freight train tracks, 1/2 block away from the Midway L...needless to say I'm accustomed to alot of noise LOL.
Any udder sout-siders out there? And when I say sout-siders...I mean south of 35th street...not Madison Ave. :D

Do you do the oak leaf in the morning? What do you ride? I'm always walking a pair of springers back there in the morning.
I'm on the part of the Oak Leaf for most of my ride every day from Greentree to Green Bay to Bradley. I ride a brown Kona, and usually wear HI-VIS green jerseys.

Just to get the thread back on track, from Central Michigan area here. Nice to have a regional forum.

TassR700

Midland-Bay City-Saginaw TriCity area for me. Just moved here a year ago...and just started commuting to work this year :)

Glen Ellyn, Illinois (west suburbs/Chicago). Vetern of the praire path & fox river trail.

Anybody have any suggestions for roads in this area that are safe to ride on?

Glen Ellyn, Illinois (west suburbs/Chicago). Vetern of the praire path & fox river trail.

Anybody have any suggestions for roads in this area that are safe to ride on?

Keep an eye on this thread and the Great Lakes Sub-forum in the next few days. A bunch of Chicagolanders are planning a ride on 10/1 (I think). There are some links to the routes we're planning out of Hampshire Forest Preserve

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=225160

Lots of great roads, especially if you can get west into Kane County,, or northwest into McHenry County toward Wisconsin.

Glen Ellyn, Illinois (west suburbs/Chicago). Vetern of the praire path & fox river trail.

Anybody have any suggestions for roads in this area that are safe to ride on?

Definitely keep an eye on here for the upcoming ride(s). You're in the right place. A lot of riders in this area to ride with.

Finally chiming in. I'm from Addison, Illinois, a suburb 20 minutes west of Chicago. This forum has been a boon for me as I get back into cycling. The fact that there's a BFNIC support group to stop me from buying more bicycles is nirvana! You guys are gonna stop me from buying more bikes, right? Right? ;)

The fact that there's a BFNIC support group to stop me from buying more bicycles is nirvana! You guys are gonna stop me from buying more bikes, right? Right? ;)

Just don't mention getting new stuff to aham23. He can't resist the newest latest fun toys. :rolleyes: :p


We'll keep you in line. A new bike is not necessarily the answer. New wheels, new components, new gear? That's usually the answer! :D

New stuff? Where's the new stuff? Who has the new stuff? I love new stuff? Has anyone seen my new stuff?

New stuff? Where's the new stuff? Who has the new stuff? I love new stuff? Has anyone seen my new stuff?
I'll let you know later on today. The FedEx has my new shoes, pedals, brake pads, and knee warmers on the truck for delivery today.... <salivating.... ready to leave work early.... more salivating.... >

Then it appears I found the irght group. :D

Still waiting for my new shoes to show up too, and am currently in the process of selecting a new (featherweight) wheelset. :rolleyes:

<snip>new (featherweight) wheelset. :rolleyes:

*wiping tear away from eye* Yes, yes...you are home...

i'm from the detroit area, currently residing in kalamazoo for school :3

I'm in Waukesha, WI ("The Shaw") which is just west of Milwaukee. Nice to see an active sub-forum for the area here. I've just gotten back into riding (on my 1998 Trek 950) and am agonizing over the decision as to what road bike I'm going to get. Decisions . . . Decisions . . . :D

One here from South Bend, IN (home of the 'Fighting Irish'). Commute to work about 3 times a week, club ride with the Outpost Sports rides when we can find a sitter (yep, having kids changes your live, that's for sure).

Wife rides with me when possible, we're distinctive by the vintage iron we ride (both on 80's schwinns, but we like 'em).

Hey guys, I'm living in Toledo, OH for the moment. I do maybe 1/3 of my riding across the border in MI.

If anyone is ever in the area, let me know and I'll tell you some good routes that will keep you out of traffic. If you're looking for a hill, though, you're out of luck.
DX. I'll be in MIchigan/Calif. in like three weeks. But, I won't have a bike in Mich. WOnder if one can be rented near Ann Arbor. No hills? Over towards Adrian. ? Hillsdale. THat' s not too far away. I know Monroe county is about as flat as Ohio is? Curious to know of your recommendations.

DX. I'll be in MIchigan/Calif. in like three weeks. But, I won't have a bike in Mich. WOnder if one can be rented near Ann Arbor. No hills? Over towards Adrian. ? Hillsdale. THat' s not too far away. I know Monroe county is about as flat as Ohio is? Curious to know of your recommendations.

I'm not sure about bike rental. I've never quite made it as far north as Ann Arbor. I wish I could be of more help there. Maybe some other forum members can help you with that one.

There are hills in Hillsdale. I was just riding over there yesterday, as a matter of fact. I've never been to Adrian, but I could check it out for you. It's not that far from where I was yesterday. How long of a route do you plan on doing?

I'd play around with some google maps (toporoute.com is a good one to use) and look at the elevation profiles. Just a warning, though- in that area there are a lot of dirt roads and maps won't tell you which are dirt and which are pavement. I could help you out in that area if you wanted.

The first attachment is the end part of the route I did yesterday. That's Squawfield road, and it has some nice rolling hills towards the end. The first elevation profile is of the whole section highlighted on the map. The second profile is of the really good parts on Squawfield.

Instead of doing the route I did you might try a loop around Hillsdale to see if you can get hills throughout the entire route.

DX. How did you go about finding these roads. ? Most Michigan roads that come to mind have very narrow sholders.

There isn't any shoulder at all on Squawfield Road, but it's not busy. I doubt that any of the roads around Hillsdale are busy as long as you stay out of the very center of town and don't ride on any state highways.

i'm from the detroit area, currently residing in kalamazoo for school :3

You at WMU? I graduated from there in '03. Kzoo is a nice little town.

Another St. Charles, Illinois resident here. Some of you locals know of the Hideaway Hill or "the wall." That would be literally just outside of my front door. :) I'm building a new road bike after a many year sabbatical away from riding. Hopefully, I can get this thing finished before it starts to snow...

"Apexspeed"

You considering the BFNIC ride on the 1st?? your close..

I work in St. Charles

Well, unless I win a lottery or a rich relative dies, I don't have any plans to rush the build. I am waiting on a few pennies from the sale of a couple of old school mountain bikes to come in so that my pretty new frame can have a bunch of expensive Italian components bought for it. My goal is to have something to ride again within a few weeks, but even if my bike is ready, I don't know how much my body will be.

"Italian Components"

Drool.....

Any of you St. Charles people "lifers"? My wife spent many of her formative years there. Would have been a 1992 Grad of St. Charles high is she hadn't moved during high school.

Not me, only work there, grew up and still live in Elgin

You at WMU? I graduated from there in '03. Kzoo is a nice little town.

My brother goes there. I've got to go visit him some time and ride the Kal Haven. I haven't seen it since the Michigander in 02.

Evanston, IL, here, but just barely. I'm maybe 100 yards from Chicago. I commute 9 miles each way every day down to Wicker Park. The Lakefront Trail is too busy for me, so I've been heading north for most of my other rides. I've been winding along the Green Bay trail or just meandering the streets north. I haven't been doing much organized riding, just stuff for myself, but I'm proud to live around here where there are so many active cyclists!

And yes, I just noticed this subgroup as well. I think I fell off the BF wagon a bit when they pulled the ability to search down. I was mostly just checking the commuter forums the past few months. I'm happy to see they got searching back up.

My brother goes there. I've got to go visit him some time and ride the Kal Haven. I haven't seen it since the Michigander in 02.
Michigander, some say Michigan does not start until you are north of 45th latitude? Those yoopers , probably.

As far as I know, the 45th parallel is about 3/4 of the way up the lower peninsula. To be honest, the 45th parallel thing is my tribute to a very cool local rock band that I saw on the last Michigander. They live right on the 45th parallel, and thats why their band name is 45th Parallel.

The 45th parallel runs just north of Traverse City. Too bad for Ludington. IS the rock band any good.