silly question, just how flat is Chicago?

[knucklesandwich]

I've never been to Chicago, but my brother just moved there. When he last visited me we went biking a little bit and he got pretty fired up about getting one (he's a bit taller than I am and was riding my rigid SS mtb like a little BMX). So, in the spirit of always dreaming about building/buying bikes, I'm selfishly hoping that if he wants to buy one, I can help him out (and hopefully he'll get one and learn a few routes before I get the chance to go visit him sometime.)
I don't think he'll ever be a roadie, so I'm thinking something flat bar'd, and if there's truly no hills in the area, maybe singlespeed.

[CyLowe97]

Are you talking about the city of Chicago itself? The city is pretty darned flat. To find hills of any substance you'd need to travel north or northwest into Wisconsin.

In the suburbs, there are some short steep climbs, but usually they are concentrated near river valleys. I can think of a few right near the Fox River. There may be more up in Lake County, but not sure where.

The wind, rather than gravity, is usually the biggest resistance to forward motion in these parts.

[walterk46]

Agreed, the city is pretty flat. I commute from the north 'burbs to downtown. I have my commuter bike set up with a single 44T chainring and a 12-25 cassette. It is more than enough gearing to get around the city. I don't use the 25 much, and the only time I've spun out on the 12 is trying to draft a CTA bus. I've thought about going to a single speed, but then I get one of those windy days and I'm glad I can gear down and spin into the wind.

[Kenal0]

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=229226

Anything here resemble even the slightest incline? The steepest thing in these photos is the slope on the velodrome!

We have another form of hills called WIND!

Kenal0

[CyLowe97]

Anything here resemble even the slightest incline? The steepest thing in these photos is the slope on the velodrome!
Yeah, why didn't we get some of those crazy overpass climbs photographed that day? :rolleyes:

[patester242002]

The real hilly areas where i live are the steep hills a block south of I-80 in Rockdale and the curvy Hansel Rd. west of Ridge Rd. near Minooka just before going by Dollinger Farm (near the canal trail and the Illinois River). There are some hilly areas on a couple n-s roads near Minooka but they're pretty manageable if you gather enough speed downhill before going uphill again.

[jjvw]

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______________________________________________________________flat_______________________

The steepest hill I have ever ridden here is the parking ramp entrance up to Trader Joe's. There is also Halsted Hill just north of Lake when you cross over the railyards. Also you can't throw a rock and not hit a SS or fixed rider in this city.

[big dane]

Like everyone is saying, along the lake trail there are a few "hills" but because it's right along the lake it's windy as hell and that mimicks any hill.

It's nice though because you can zip along Michigan Ave no problem because all the buildings block the wind and there is basically NO resistance.

p.s. fixed gear ftw

[Kenal0]

Yeah, why didn't we get some of those crazy overpass climbs photographed that day? :rolleyes:

Because I did not have a zoom lens on my camera and was with JT stopped at a light watching the peleton get farther and farther away!! By the time I caught up we were in Highland Park and at that point the camera was put away until the finish. I will be sure to get some overpass shots next year.
Kenal0

[Psimet2001]

Because I did not have a zoom lens on my camera and was with JT stopped at a light watching the peleton get farther and farther away!! By the time I caught up we were in Highland Park and at that point the camera was put away until the finish. I will be sure to get some overpass shots next year.
Kenal0
Wow...still remembers the epic breakaway. Remember I was the poor sob left out in between both groups. If Cy hadn't dropped back I would have been cooked. I still like how all three of us bombed that last bit behind super tri-girl.

..."did you guys see my friends?" "Uh yeah...their zero-gravity brakes must have been too heavy because they just couldn't keep up with you.":D

[get_nuts]

The city levelled any hills and made it a totally flat grade some time ago, as well as raising the overall height of the city because of flooding. Like many cities, it was built on a swamp.

The only hills are bridges or a few downtown when the street ramps up to allow for a multi-levelled street beneath. The only hills are man-made. Singlespeeds are very popular here. All of the hills can be avoided any ways, unless, of course, you need to go somewhere that sits at the top of a hill.

Lots of potholes from all the heavy trucks, though, (as well as some non-maintained streets) so fatter tires help.

[Kenal0]

Wow...still remembers the epic breakaway. Remember I was the poor sob left out in between both groups. If Cy hadn't dropped back I would have been cooked. I still like how all three of us bombed that last bit behind super tri-girl.

..."did you guys see my friends?" "Uh yeah...their zero-gravity brakes must have been too heavy because they just couldn't keep up with you.":D

I remember Super Girl taking us the wrong way also, but I still remember the monster pull north of Waukegan directly into a fierce wind. A fine Chicago day.
Kenal0

[slim_77]

Flat except for "The Chicago Hills":

1. Roosevelt Road west of state street for 100m...40+ feet? (broken up by a stop light!!!:roflmao: )
2. Lake front trail at the 47th street bike overpass...50-75m, 35-40ft?

#2 is good for repeats...sprint up, ride down. Turn around. Repeat.

[jjvw]

I heard there is a very old man with a very long beard on top of the Roosevelt Hill. He'll answer any question for a small donation.

[slim_77]

I heard there is a very old man with a very long beard on top of the Roosevelt Hill. He'll answer any question for a small donation.

They got rid of him and put a target w/starbucks there instead.:D