Great Lakes - Roll Call -- Great Lakes area locals

Hey, with the new regional sub-forums, it would be great to know where everyone in the region is located.

I'll get it started.

I live near Elgin, about 40 miles NW of Chicago. Usually ride around the farm roads of the ever-developing Kane County. Tons of club 'charity' rides start around here in the summer.


Check in everyone!

dude you know Where I live..... OK not everyone does so here it is Cross Plains, Wisconsin just west of Madison with lots of hills for road and trail.

I live in Zion, Illinois. I ride anywhere between North Chicago, IL, and Racine, WI, but my usual route is a 40 mile loop centered around Pleasant Prarie. I often hang out at Crank Daddy's in Milwaukee and use their indoor training set-up, too. I ride year round, day or night, seven days a week. I usually ride solo as my work schedule is about as irregular as can be, but am always looking for partners or group rides as well.

Take care,
T

I live in Elgin IL. I commute to work 2-3 days a week and try to get 1-2 more rides in per week, but have been failing miserably of late. My biggest ride to date is a 50 mile leg of the Udder Century earlier this year. Unfortunately, my rotating work schedule has prohibited me from joining the BFNIC on any other rides lately, but I hope to catch back up after October 9th when I change shifts again.

Hey, cool sub forum. I live in Plainfield, IL, but I ride where the BFNIC takes me. So far this year that has taken me to way up North to towns like Union and into Wisconsin, down through Flatsville (Joliet/Beecher), and across Indiana!! My normal rides take me 30 to 50 miles west of Rt 59 towards the likes of Plano and Oswego, Silver Springs State Park, Sandwich, and so on. If you are in my area lets ride. Later.

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.

I live in Lake Forest and ride solo most of the time. I ride up to the Wisconsin border and down into the north side of the city. I ride mostly along the lake for my longer rides. I have ridden with a few of the guys from here and hope to ride with more on Sunday. Definitely makes a ride go by much faster.
Kenal0

Dekalb Illinois, home of Cornfest,...http://cornfest.com/..... come on out this Sunday and see Survivor for free ( I hear they might actually have a few of the original members!)

River Forest IL here - 10 miles due west of downtown Chicago. I average about 4K/yr mostly commuting and group rides. I saw this happening yesterday - it's very close to me. It was fun to watch - like a big erector set.

--------------------
New bridge to connect CTA Blue Line and Prairie Path
--------------------

By Victoria Pierce
Special to the Tribune

August 23, 2006, 7:57 PM CDT

Two cranes carefully lifted separate spans of a pedestrian bridge into place over the Des Plaines River Wednesday, speeding the day when thousands of bicyclists, lawyers and residents of the western suburbs will be closer to their destinations.

The bridge, which is expected to open in the fall, will link the Illinois Prairie Path with the CTA's Blue Line.

Cyclists will be able to take the Blue Line to the last stop in Forest Park where they can pedal as far as Elgin or Aurora. Likewise, west suburban bicyclists will be able to tour the lakefront without using their cars to get downtown.

And for many employees and patrons of the Maybrook courthouse {lt**add2{gt**{gt**in Maywood, the bridge will provide a short walk from the "L" line to the courthouse on the west bank of the Des Plaines River in Maywood.

"A lot of people take the train to get to the courthouse. They'd either have to hop on a bus or take a long walk around. That's a huge convenience factor," said Maywood Village Manager Robert Nelis.

Although crews from K&K Ironworks in Chicago deftly maneuvered the sections into place and bolted them together Wednesday, the 190-foot bridge won't be open until a path leading to the iron structure is built and several security measures are completed, said Forest Park Village Manager Michael Sturino. An Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman said the bridge likely will be opened in late October.

Among the safety measures will be lighting and emergency call boxes. The bridge also will be able to accommodate a patrol car if an emergency arises.

"There's a full-blown Sheriff's Department right by the courthouse," Sturino said.

The villages of Forest Park and Maywood are already envisioning the possibilities the bridge will bring to their communities.

Forest Park is looking to attract recreational cyclists to the village's main stretch of shops and restaurants on Madison Street, Sturino said, noting that bicyclists like to explore new areas.

"We're really excited about it," he said.

Nelis said Maywood sees the potentialfor easy access to downtown Chicago. And the village has long hoped toredevelop the 30-acre ComEd facility between 1st Avenue and the courthouse into a shopping district. Access to transportation and proximity to the Prairie Path will be important factors for economic redevelopment, he said.

Fans of the Illinois Prairie Path are also happy the final link will be in place -- after many years of discussion.

"The No. 1 question I'm asked in Oak Park is how do we get to the Prairie Path?" said Paul Aeschleman of Oak Park, a board member of the not-for-profit Illinois Prairie Path organization that cares for the trail.

The route to the path from the Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest areas is now a convoluted combination of side streets. With the bridge connecting the two sides of what was once a railroad right of way, that route will be much easier to pick up, Aeschleman said.

"It will certainly improve usage," he added.

Aeschleman said he has met over the years with local officials in Forest Park and Maywood about getting a bridge. He credited state Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) with finally securing the $540,000 needed for the project.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is building the bridge, although the project required an intergovernmental agreement between Maywood, Forest Park, Cook County, the CTA and the state.

Lafayette, Indiana here, about 2 hrs from the Windy!http://ziza.ru/smiles/ziza.ru_smiles_39.gif

Just outside of Dayton, Ohio.

A lot of folks from Illinois I see. I spent some of my formative years in Bolingbrook, up in Will county. That's where I learned to ride like Evel Kneivel on my 5 speed Stingray (about 35 years ago). :D

Milwaukee, a great place on a great lake - oops! that's not our slogan anymore! :(
Milwaukee, land of beer, brats, da Brewers (only 4 games outta the wildcard slot!) and cheese! :)

Milwaukee, a great place on a great lake - oops! that's not our slogan anymore! :(
Milwaukee, land of beer, brats, da Brewers (only 4 games outta the wildcard slot!) and cheese! :)

Voted by Forbes mag as the 'drunkenest city in America'....That ain't water in our water bottles!

I'm in Caledonia, about a mile from Wind Point lighthouse. Im usually out riding the flat (for the most part, with some rollers) roads of western Racine Co, usually 30-50 mile loops out to the Wind Lake area...

I live about 30 miles west of Chicago in Naperville, Illinois. Most of my rides this year has been out the door onto the Pairie Path which heads west to the Fox River and up past Elgin, Illinois or south to Aurora, Illinois. Also just started to ride on the roads with the local bike group.:)

Oakland County

Hammond Indiana, just south east of Chicago.

Hello from Jefferson WI. 1/2 way between Madison and Milwaukee.

Ride often , Ride safe

Trash man.

Chicago here.... My commute in the AM is 12 miles straight down grace to the lake front path,
home is 8.5 down Elston ave (too many people on the lake after work go figure)

South of Cleveland, Ohio

Down river Michigan

Smack dab between Wooster and Massillon

St. Charles, Il here. Southern part of beauteous Kane County. I've ridden some of those farm roads, and done a few of those organized rides in that area. I ride the Fox River trail a lot (5 minutes from my house). Without a map, I get lost on those roads in your area, but its some nice riding. Do you do much weekend riding?

I live in Royal Oak — a suburb 10 miles north of Detroit. The roads around here blow for the most part.

For 6 years I lived in Oak Park, IL and commuted to a job up in West Dundee. I wish I was riding then—all around West Dundee/Barrington/Elgin and up to NIU seems like it would have been great for riding.

I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, about 25-30 miles West of Detroit.

Hello from Jefferson WI. 1/2 way between Madison and Milwaukee.

Ride often , Ride safe

Trash man.

I ride out of La Grange and the bike store there quite a bit....not far from you at all when I am based out of the Palmyra area. Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine provides some beautiful roads in our area....but ya gotta be able to stomach seeing a lot of corn!

North of Columbus, OH and yes Dayton area has tons of rail/trails.

Voted by Forbes mag as the 'drunkenest city in America'....That ain't water in our water bottles!

WOO HOOO!!!!:D Hey Wait!!! Is that something we're supposed to be proud of?:eek:

Milwaukee for me, lot's of riding on local trails/paths, commuting to work, waiting to afford a road bike again so I can join Hip and the others on occasional rides. Crank Daddy's is my shop of choice - See Andrew, he's a good guy!

Sorry...I have had a rough week at home and found this forum late...

Elgin, IL - psuedo acting president of BFNIC (Bike Forums Northern Illinois Chapter). I have ridden with the following BF riders to date:

CyLowe97
Aham23
Jtm16(something - sorry Jim)
Kimbercop
Kenal0
53x12
TT_Vert
Signal11
Nothingman
...I apologize if I missed anyone

Will soon add Hipcycler and CPCyclist to the list as well.

I am in the middle of creating a "Lake Michigan" BF jersey and would be willign to open it up to "Great Lakes" if there is interest.

I am also organizing a local century, metric, and 30 miler for BF'rs to give everyone in the area an opportunity to ride together at least once.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Sorry...I have had a rough week at home and found this forum late...

Elgin, IL - psuedo acting president of BFNIC (Bike Forums Northern Illinois Chapter). I have ridden with the following BF riders to date:

CyLowe97
Aham23
Jtm16(something - sorry Jim)
Kimbercop
Kenal0
53x12
TT_Vert
Signal11
Nothingman
...I apologize if I missed anyone

Will soon add Hipcycler and CPCyclist to the list as well.

I am in the middle of creating a "Lake Michigan" BF jersey and would be willign to open it up to "Great Lakes" if there is interest.

I am also organizing a local century, metric, and 30 miler for BF'rs to give everyone in the area an opportunity to ride together at least once.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Nothing Psuedo about it. With all that you are doing to further the greatness of BFNIC you are the acting President :) !

Sault Sainte Marie, Meeeeeeeeeechigan!

Mount Horeb, WI out west of Madison where all rides are hilly.

East of Cleveland on the Northern Tier route, where btw, construction should be completed for the Lake Shore Blvd bike lane, October '06.

I live in Novi, Michgian. It is between Detroit and Lansing.

cminter: I've been to Mount Horeb and cycled on the route used for the Horribily Hilly Hundred. I paid for the ride one year and had trouble getting off work. But since the route is posted, I went there and stayed at a small motel and visited a cave nearby. I only cycled about 40 miles per day for two days. I don't think I could ride 100 miles of those glacier hills in one day.

Hey mudskipper you have any good routes in A2? I am planning on riding out there this semster and I am having a hard time finding places where students are not in the way. any help?

Hey mudskipper you have any good routes in A2? I am planning on riding out there this semster and I am having a hard time finding places where students are not in the way. any help?

Hi Cheezerod, I think the nicest ride is along Huron River Dr., starting out on the North side of the city, heading N.W., out to Dexter. There is also a MUP following along the Huron River, and not following any streets at all. Just the river and trees. It goes from near the U of M medical center at the back of Mitchell Field, going through Gallup Park, and ends at another park I think, out past N. Dixboro Rd. Or did you mean routes for getting around the city?

Here is the city bike map:

http://www.ci.ann-arbor.mi.us/CommunityServices/Parks/images/bike.pdf

Beloit, Wisconsin, here. Center of the state right on the border of Illinois.

Hey thanks that a big help. I will keep that map onhand for sure. maybe sometime we can ride together you never know. But I have to ask you do visit two wheel tango, right? I really love that shop.

First time,from Roseville,Mi.

Hey thanks that a big help. I will keep that map onhand for sure. maybe sometime we can ride together you never know. But I have to ask you do visit two wheel tango, right? I really love that shop.

Yeah, that Two Wheel Tango is a great shop. I only just started going in there this year. For years ive gone to Great Lakes Cycling.

Crystal Lake, IL, 45 miles NW of Chicago. No organized rides with the BFNIC. I unfortunately have had no time. I am looking forward to 07.

I enjoy a good sense of humor, long walks on the beach at sunset and the occasional crushing of souls.

I live on the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior. Lots of nice riding here.

Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Yeah, I got my bike at two wheel tango. At least for now you can see the sticker on my avatar :)

Cheeserod and Mudskipper99 Check out aabts.org They have about 35 bicycle routes posted on their website. Most of the rides begin at Wheeler Park which is can be seen from Depot and 5th Street, close to Main Street. They have a ride down huron every saturday with about 70 riders of all different abilities, 13-over 20 mph). Last time I went there were plenty of college kids, although most of the older riders can kick their butt. My daughter went on a ride with the "old timers" when she was a student at Michigan. They posted a sentry on each turn so we would not be dropped. She was amazed at how fast the old geezers rode, but on Saturday they consider it a beginner's ride and someone will ride sweep. You can either ride to Dexter (20 miles total) out to Chelsea, Waterloo, or even further. Some people even do a double century (200) miles.

Cheeserod and Mudskipper99 Check out aabts.org They have about 35 bicycle routes posted on their website. Most of the rides begin at Wheeler Park which is can be seen from Depot and 5th Street, close to Main Street. They have a ride down huron every saturday with about 70 riders of all different abilities, 13-over 20 mph). Last time I went there were plenty of college kids, although most of the older riders can kick their butt. My daughter went on a ride with the "old timers" when she was a student at Michigan. They posted a sentry on each turn so we would not be dropped. She was amazed at how fast the old geezers rode, but on Saturday they consider it a beginner's ride and someone will ride sweep. You can either ride to Dexter (20 miles total) out to Chelsea, Waterloo, or even further. Some people even do a double century (200) miles.

Hey thanks outashape. I didnt know about that. I have always just done rides by myself. Some Saturday I will try and get to that. I will have to take off from work for that though. Unfortunatly, I work Mon-Sat mornings. Uhg.

Hi kill.cactus, lots of folks from A2!

I'm from Livonia, MI. I commute to work 4 times a week and do as much riding as I can in between. this area is not bike friendly. riding in the street around here is considered a crime by most. even the local law enforcement officers seem to have issues with it. I may not be able to change this by myself, but who knows. luckily I work midnights so at least my ride to work is semi un-eventful. I do most of my pleasure riding in the local neighborhoods, on hines drive, the I-275 bike path, and a few local parks. I'm considering checking out mayberry state park since it's close and I already have a state parks pass.

I'm from Livonia, MI. I commute to work 4 times a week and do as much riding as I can in between. this area is not bike friendly. riding in the street around here is considered a crime by most. even the local law enforcement officers seem to have issues with it. I may not be able to change this by myself, but who knows. luckily I work midnights so at least my ride to work is semi un-eventful. I do most of my pleasure riding in the local neighborhoods, on hines drive, the I-275 bike path, and a few local parks. I'm considering checking out mayberry state park since it's close and I already have a state parks pass.

I lived in the area about 3 years ago for 4-5 months. I lived off Hagerty just South of Ford. We have a plant on Plymouth road just South of 5-mile (across from the Unisys building). Still debating whether or not I'm going to make it to their annual golf outing that's coming up. We play a course out on N. Terrtorial out past Fox's Den, close to Ann Arbor. Rolling Meadows.

I know what you mean about not being bike friendly. I really didn't get out much when I was there. I rode the 275 path a little, but that was pretty much it. I'll have to drop you a line if I make it back up there for business and have my bike with me...

Crystal Lake, IL, 45 miles NW of Chicago. No organized rides with the BFNIC. I unfortunately have had no time. I am looking forward to 07.

I enjoy a good sense of humor, long walks on the beach at sunset and the occasional crushing of souls.

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!

I lived in the area about 3 years ago for 4-5 months. I lived off Hagerty just South of Ford. We have a plant on Plymouth road just South of 5-mile (across from the Unisys building). Still debating whether or not I'm going to make it to their annual golf outing that's coming up. We play a course out on N. Terrtorial out past Fox's Den, close to Ann Arbor. Rolling Meadows.

I know what you mean about not being bike friendly. I really didn't get out much when I was there. I rode the 275 path a little, but that was pretty much it. I'll have to drop you a line if I make it back up there for business and have my bike with me...
sounds good. I must say though, that the path has kinda gone to crap the pavement is torn up and it's overgrown in places...needs more use!!!