Great Lakes - BF Ride - Oct 1st (BFNIC) - Chicago-Rockford-Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee

WHAT: Open invitation to a ride for BF members (and lurkers)

WHEN: October 1, 2006. 8:00am, 10:45am, 1:15pm depending on your route.

WHERE: The location of the start of the ride will be the Hampshire Forest Preserve.

Map Showing Hampshire Forest Preserve (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Hampshire+Forest+Preserve,+Hampshire,+IL&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=13&ll=42.103699,-88.528519&spn=0.077818,0.158272&iwloc=A)

FORMAT: This ride will have a Century (100 mile) route, a Metric Century (62 mile) route, and a Half-Metric Century (31 mile) route.

The Century riders will start first at 8:00am. They will ride a 38 mile route ending back at the starting point. The Metric Century riders should be at the starting point, ready to leave with the Century riders at 11:00 am. This larger group will then ride the second leg (31 miles) and end up back at the start point. This group will then meet up with the Half-Metric riders for the final leg (31 miles).

No-Drop rule for the first 2 legs (could effect start times of second and third leg, but probably won’t – just be flexible). Faster riders will be allowed to ride at their own speed, but a sweep rider will be available for slower riders.

Only moral support is provided. You must provide your own fluid/food for the ride. There are optional stops (convenience stores) on the first 2 legs. The idea is that you bring your own and leave it in your car. Each time we return to the car you will then stock up for the next 30-mile ride.

Cue-sheets and maps will be provided. No road markings, but some of us know the route pretty well.

Currently we have no mechanical SAG support. If someone could bring a spouse or friend to help fill that role – it would be great!

WHY: This is meant as a social ride. It is an opportunity for Bike Forums members to get together and meet, and ride together in a group. It is also meant as an opportunity for riders to challenge themselves in a “safe environment”. If you have never ridden a century (Imperial, Metric, or even Half-Metric) before you will be surrounded by a lot of riders that have that can lend you support.

Feel free to bring non-BF riders as well, but remember this is not an “organized event”. This is simply a large group ride.

Please feel free to post any questions that you might have, and please spread the word to anyone else you think might be interested.

I'm most likely in for the half-metric. I did 22mi yesterday and felt pretty good (again, been riding for only a month after a 5+ year hiatus). Will know for sure in a week.

I'm in for the metric. I am in Palatine, so I could pick up someone West of me or join in with someone East of me.

Only moral support is provided.

Does 'moral support' mean the Specialized Angel (http://www.photoscene.com/sw/gallery/Cycling/20060224/Angel/IMG_1376.JPG) will be standing with her wings unfolded at the top of one of the incredible climbs along the route?


:p


Here's hoping for sunny weather for this great ride! (Too bad I can't make it... :( )

Depending on my newly injured back, I'm in for the century. I don't know if I will make it the distance but I prefer an early start. How will I recognize you folks? The Hampshire Forest Perserve must be packed with spandex at 8:00 am on a Sunday. :)

How will I recognize you folks? The Hampshire Forest Perserve must be packed with spandex at 8:00 am on a Sunday. :)

:roflmao:


It'll be REAL tough. Just look for the Garmin Edge 305 Appreciation Society banner. ;)

The parking lot has room for about 20 cars. It's not a usual meeting spot for large groups, so I think you'll find everyone pretty easily. Plus, Psimet looks just like his avatar. :D

Just wondering, why no drop for the first two legs but not the third? Shouldn't we support the new riders coming out to try the shorter distance on the third leg?

Just wondering, why no drop for the first two legs but not the third? Shouldn't we support the new riders coming out to try the shorter distance on the third leg?
Nobody's getting dropped on any of the legs. Nobody.

I think the theory was that the riders doing a century or metric would have more 'tired legs' by the time of the third loop. This is by design so that 'stronger riders' (I use that term very loosely) will tend to ride at slower speeds and the whole group will stay together longer on the last loop.

It's an inclusion thing.

Nobody's getting dropped on any of the legs. Nobody.Whew. Alright. I'm feeling much better already.

:D

We can have no-drop on all three legs, but there might be some extreme novices...Some of which might not mind being "dropped" (some people from my work). There will be a no-drop for BF members.

As for start times....I set this up in 3 loops. The first is approx 38 miles. The second is approx 31 miles and the third is another 31. Feel free to ride any loop you would like. The earlier the loop the faster it will probably be.

Like CyLowe97 said, I designed it so that the "stronger" riders would have a ton of miles in their legs before riding with riders that would be opting for the "shortest" route. That would help keep the group together.

I am at Purdue today and tomorrow recruiting so I might not respond quickly to questions, but leave them and I will definitely get back to you.

As for how to find us...it won't be a problem. View my profile for a pic of what I'll probbaly look like day of.....

View my profile for a pic of what I'll probbaly look like day of.....

Bwwaaahhhaaahhaahhhaaa!!!! :roflmao:

Speedplays rule all!

As for how to find us...it won't be a problem. View my profile for a pic of what I'll probbaly look like day of.....

I could have used you yesterday. The first rest stop is quite muddy and my cleats got full of mud. I went to clip into my speedplays as I was pulling out and it was a no go. Smacked some mud out of the cleats and managed to clip in but there was not much float until the rain cleaned things up.

I'm in, just not sure which leg to try. Probably start off with the 38 then call it quits.

But I'll be there.. We need to try and talk Hipcycler to get down here..

If I can wake up early enough to drive there by 8, I'm in for the full century.

Will Robin be there? If so, I'm in! :D

I think I would want to give the 31 mile route a go. It would be my first "organized" ride, I'm not worried about doing the distance.

But a few noob questions:

How fast should I be expecting to go on (what you call) a "social" ride? (i.e. I commute 36 miles roundtrip to work in an urban/suburban area once or twice a week with no pain whatsoever. One way [18 miles] is usually completed in an hour and 15 minutes...keep in mind there are numerous stoplights and slowdowns along the way...on Saturdays and Sundays I usually log around 50 or so miles, and days I don't commute the whole way...I go halfway...this is all weather permitting or course...I haven't worked up the nads to go out in the rain :) )

And I have to ask this...I have a 40lb DS MTB w/slicks (in perfect running order...meticulously maintained by moi) and I'm a total "Fred" (no bike shorts, shoes, gloves etc, due to the wife and kids taking all my money)...will I totally be out of place?

Honesty is appreciated.

All valid Qs. This will be my first organized ROAD outing myself. I'm just as interested as you are.

Trust me when I say, that these guys are good to ride with. I have done only 1 "Organized" ride in my life. I'm old and fat, and not the swiftest on 2 wheels, but these guys are true gentlemen on wheels. When they say "no drop" they mean it, no matter how fast or slow you go. Your bike or clothing means nothing to them either, even tho by looking at them you'd think they were true "roadie snobs", they are far from it. Obviouslyhowever, bikes and accessories for bikes are hot topics in the minipeleton.

As far as how fast we'll go. If you've never rode with a group, even a small one, you'll be suprised by the increase in your average speed. I usually ride about 15-18 on a flat road. When I rode with these guys for my 1st ride, we were cruising about 19-22 for the first 17 miles, until I had to break away due to a route change. Never noticed any trouble with the pace, and this wasn't a "paceline", it was just guys riding side by side, talking..

No need to fear guys, really ...I'll be there, I doubt any of you are much slower than I :D

Will Robin be there? If so, I'm in! :D

"got a spot at Lurkin'"

That's awesome. "Lukin" is one of the greatest songs of all time, bro. :beer:


Who's Robin? Make sure you let Robin know about the ride.

I commute 36 miles roundtrip to work in an urban/suburban area once or twice a week with no pain whatsoever. One way [18 miles] is usually completed in an hour and 15 minutes...keep in mind there are numerous stoplights and slowdowns along the way...on Saturdays and Sundays I usually log around 50 or so miles, and days I don't commute the whole way...I go halfway...

And I have to ask this...I have a 40lb DS MTB w/slicks (in perfect running order...meticulously maintained by moi) and I'm a total "Fred" (no bike shorts, shoes, gloves etc, due to the wife and kids taking all my money)...will I totally be out of place?

Honesty is appreciated.

Honestly? You ride more than most of us, I'd say! You won't be slowing anyone down, trust me. This is not some bike store club hammerfest.

Freds are always welcome, but Kimbercop is right. We talk a lot about gear and who's got what gear and what gear do we want Santa Claus to bring us, etc. There will be a lot of chatter. The miles just fly by when babbling on about the latest/greatest/must-have stuff most of us will only ever see in a catalog or reviewed by pezcyclingnews.

You're good to go!

Honestly? You ride more than most of us, I'd say! You won't be slowing anyone down, trust me. This is not some bike store club hammerfest.

Freds are always welcome, but Kimbercop is right. We talk a lot about gear and who's got what gear and what gear do we want Santa Claus to bring us, etc. There will be a lot of chatter. The miles just fly by when babbling on about the latest/greatest/must-have stuff most of us will only ever see in a catalog or reviewed by pezcyclingnews.

You're good to go!
Thanks man...I guess I'll see you there! I'll just take it as an educational experience if alot of gear talk comes up LOL. I mean...Christmas is coming up, and I'll just have to explain to my wife, "but honey, could you imagine how expensive it would be if I took up golfing?" :D

Thanks man...I guess I'll see you there! I'll just take it as an educational experience if alot of gear talk comes up LOL. I mean...Christmas is coming up, and I'll just have to explain to my wife, "but honey, could you imagine how expensive it would be if I took up golfing?" :D

That's funny because I just used the opposite line on my wife. When I thought my knee was toast again a week or so back, I went out and bought a new set of golf clubs. Since I only play once or twice a year, my wife thought I was nuts. So I said "yeah, but think of how much money I will save now that I can't ride any more this year". Two days later I was back on the bike and back at Performance buying some new gear! :o

Today I'm off to Pine Meadows to try out my new clubs.

<snip>This is not some bike store club hammerfest. <snip>

;)

Wow, I'd love to meet some of the local BF folk. I'm doing the North Shore Century this weekend, so we'll see what I'm up to for a long ride. I'd love to do the metric at least.

I have to check my schedule when I get home from work, but I'm pretty sure I can make it!

Longets I've done is just over a metyric and I don't think I avg even 12 mph! but Ive been commuting over 42 miles a day. I'll see if my bruised ribs have healed before then. How many days would you recomend I take off of my commute before the ride. I have only done all five days a week once this year (school year) because things happen.

Wow, I'd love to meet some of the local BF folk. I'm doing the North Shore Century this weekend, so we'll see what I'm up to for a long ride. I'd love to do the metric at least.

I have to check my schedule when I get home from work, but I'm pretty sure I can make it!

Don't forget, the BFNIC will have a strong showing at the North Shore too. Later.

Aw cripes, I'm out. I have an autocross that day. I knew there was another reason I voted for the other weekend.

Aw cripes, I'm out. I have an autocross that day. I knew there was another reason I voted for the other weekend.
Sorry to hear you won't be joining us. There will be other rides for sure.


Looks like CyLowe just might have the opposite kind of news though....

Alright. Gotta bump this thread. We need to slowly start building some enthusiasm.

Good news (or bad, depending on your personal view) is that I'll be there for the ride.

Hopefully PBK gets me my new pedals so I can learn how to clip in after stop signs/lights. ;)

Seriously I can't wait 'till you ditch those blocks that came off of Benard Hinault's rig....:rolleyes:


Come over when they come in and I'll help you set them up(and take my Hinault blocks back :D).

I am starting to get excited. I may end up with some people from work going. As I said before this is an open invite...bring whomever you want.

I'm gonna try to get a few guys from my work, we'll see if they do better at getting there than they did at the North Shore :mad:

I called my guy later that night and he decided not to come in that morning, good thing I didnt wait for him.

Since I'm only showing up for the last leg, I can bring refreshments for everybody.

I could just stop by Sam's and get a multi-pack of Gatorade and water or something.

:)

Since I'm only showing up for the last leg, I can bring refreshments for everybody.

I could just stop by Sam's and get a multi-pack of Gatorade and water or something.

:)


Ooh!! It'll be like little league. Make sure to bake cupcakes. I like when they have those multi-colored sprinkles on top of them.

;)

Drag, that's a great thought, but don't feel the need to bring supplies for everyone else. For those doing more than one loop, I think we'll each have a cooler with extras to load up each time back in Hampshire. As well, I know the first two loops have convenience stores around the halfway mark to let folks stretch or grab a slurpee.

Hmmm.... Hey Kenal0, just how many of those Shot Bloks did you nick at the North Shore ride, anyway?

This sounds like a fun ride.

Hey! Voltman! Slumming it the Great Lakes this morning, eh?

You're welcome to join us. It ain't the PCH, but there will be lots of corn. And soybeans.

BTW, this ride has been heavily influenced by all of the SoCal forum rides. You all seem to have a great time out there. We can't miss out on such homemade fun.

I am getting really excited about this ride. Hey Psimet, do you have a map of the route you can send me. I'm thinking about doing the first 38, just so I can ride and get on with other stuff that day.

I am getting really excited about this ride. Hey Psimet, do you have a map of the route you can send me. I'm thinking about doing the first 38, just so I can ride and get on with other stuff that day.

Yeah I'll have to send out the final links. Trying to get the whole thing on one map.

I've been thinking about trying to hook up the Forest Preserve shelter to have a cookout at the end...if you do the first leg, you'll have to come back for some brats (if we end up doing that....)

Hey! Voltman! Slumming it the Great Lakes this morning, eh?

You're welcome to join us. It ain't the PCH, but there will be lots of corn. And soybeans.

BTW, this ride has been heavily influenced by all of the SoCal forum rides. You all seem to have a great time out there. We can't miss out on such homemade fun.

Actually, it would be cool to traverse multiple states during one ride. Take lots of pictures. Especially if you have your own Sugar Shorts.

Would we get free corn?

I've been thinking about trying to hook up the Forest Preserve shelter to have a cookout at the end...Funny. I was just thinking maybe to bring some pre-heated hot dogs and buns. And maybe some chips.

:rolleyes:

Psimet, are you going to put out some road markings? I like the big Pink and Orange Arrows they had at the North Shore :) Seriously, are you going to do this?

I think the cookout idea seems like a winner. Oh yeah, I plan on coming and doing at least two loops and maybe the 100 if I am allocated enough time. Later.

Actually, it would be cool to traverse multiple states during one ride. Take lots of pictures. Especially if you have your own Sugar Shorts.

Would we get free corn?

Psimet thinks he's a Sugar Shorts, but that hasn't been working out for the rest of us. :D


Free corn? Yeah, there's tons of it, but it's that stuff they feed to cattle, so it will taste unlike the usual sweet corn. There are some farm stands along the way that will surely be selling some of the sweet stuff.

Oh yeah, we'll be confined to Illinois, but will be traversing through more than one county. How continental of us! Last weekend we did ride from Evanston, IL, up to Kenosha, WI, and back.

You know you're in another state when you can smell Wisconsin's derriere..... er.... Dairy Air.... ;)

I'm starting to look forward to this ride again. I figured after my embarrassment at the NSC on Sunday, I would take a pass on this ride. :o You guys are actually making it sound like fun.

I'm going to have to commit to the metric century for this one and maybe actually take some turns at the front other than for the photo ops! :D

Let's hope for good weather. I've been sitting hear at work all day resigned to the fact that the bike will be going on the trainer in the basement for my ride tonight. :mad:

Psimet, are you going to put out some road markings? I like the big Pink and Orange Arrows they had at the North Shore :) Seriously, are you going to do this?

I think the cookout idea seems like a winner. Oh yeah, I plan on coming and doing at least two loops and maybe the 100 if I am allocated enough time. Later.

I wanted to do the markings, but I don't know if I end up getting arested....hey Kimbercop...could you tell me if I need any approval before doing that?

Otherwise I was just going to hand out the cue sheets and maps (full maps, easy to follow) and links to routes that could be loaded into those darn Garmins. I'm dedicated sweep on this one so if you ride really slow you'll definitely know where to go...

I'm starting to look forward to this ride again. I figured after my embarrassment at the NSC on Sunday, I would take a pass on this ride. :o You guys are actually making it sound like fun.

I'm going to have to commit to the metric century for this one and maybe actually take some turns at the front other than for the photo ops! :D

Let's hope for good weather. I've been sitting hear at work all day resigned to the fact that the bike will be going on the trainer in the basement for my ride tonight. :mad:
Embarassment??!! Heck I'm embarrassed I didn't hang with you and talk you through the whole thing. It's tough when you bonk though. Nothing except solid, real food, brings me out of that...

This time I'm riding sweep so feel free to take that pull. If you bonk you know I'll be right next to you...maybe directly in front of you to let you draft, but with you at the very least...

(CyLowe and aham are probably getting a kick out of me throwing out all of this "I'll help you out stuff" because they know that even riding at the back I'll probably be struggling right along with whoever's with me....someone might have to sweep me....:D)

I'm starting to look forward to this ride again. I figured after my embarrassment at the NSC on Sunday, I would take a pass on this ride. :o You guys are actually making it sound like fun.


We're going to drop you like I was dropped on my head as a baby. The aftermath will not be pretty.

:mad:






(just kidding.... :p )

I'm dedicated sweep on this one so if you ride really slow you'll definitely know where to go...So you're saying you're gonna mount a baby trailer for me for when I pass out? ;)

So you're saying you're gonna mount a baby trailer for me for when I pass out? ;)

You're thinking of SAG. Sweep only means he'll call you a cab.

Don't worry, Psimet has mad roadside wrenching skills. Just ask Hipcycler and his detached nipple. :D

Psimet, you probably would need some type of permission "technically" (wink, wink, say no more, know what I mean)? If your'e determined to follow the letter, call the county highway department. Odds are since its not some type of "official" sanctioned event, they will say no. You could always use Kimbercop's credo, "better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6".

Gotta go school now, gotta git smert.

Psimet, you probably would need some type of permission "technically" (wink, wink, say no more, know what I mean)? If your'e determined to follow the letter, call the county highway department. Odds are since its not some type of "official" sanctioned event, they will say no. You could always use Kimbercop's credo, "better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6".

Gotta go school now, gotta git smert.

In light of this information...the route might be marked...but I will maintain plausible deniability.

So you're saying you're gonna mount a baby trailer for me for when I pass out? ;)
I was thinking something more like this...
http://www.towsure.com/home/images/products/t139.jpg