Hi all,

Back in March I attempted a century, my plans were to bike from the north side of Chicago to Oak Park, then west to Wheaton, and then go to Aurora and up to Elgin. After a few miserable miles on the crushed gravel, however, I soon relized I was not going to make 100 miles that day. A lot of the path was waterlogged, and my road tires were too thin to ride at a decent speed without burning out. I could not coast at all; if I stopped peddaling, my bike would come to a halt in the muddy gravel.

Has anyone been on any parts of the path lately? I know it has rained a little lately, but my hope is that the warm weather will mean a dryer path. I am thinking of going out again on Sunday, but I'd like to know what I might be up against this time.

Any insights would be appreciated!

Haven't been on the prarie path myself lately, but a guy 2 offices down just commuted in from Wheaton on it this morning (we work in Aurora). He was riding a "hybrid" of sorts that is a 29er (700X32 tires). He had a lot of crap on the bike.

I commuted down from Elgin on the Fox River and there are sections that are crushed gravel as well. It is pretty water logged. Slick in spots. I ride 700X25 in front and 700X23 in rear. I handled just fine, but I remember that the Prarie Path is much worse gravel.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the response. I might just skip the IPP and take the Metra to Aurora or Elgin and stay on the Fox River.

I ride 700X25 in front and 700X23 in rear.

Sorry, I can't help the OP out, but I have to ask, why the larger tire in front? Not uncommon with MTB but a little different for a road bike...

a little different for a road bike...

Yes,

He's quite different for a road biker :D

Sorry, I can't help the OP out, but I have to ask, why the larger tire in front? Not uncommon with MTB but a little different for a road bike...
I'd like to give you a wonderful well thoht ou answer, but the truth is not that interesting. I ordered Michelin Prorace2 tires in 25s for my Flyte build (my "fast" commuter). Turns out there is virtually no clearance under the brake bridge on the rear triangle. Any tiny bit of grime or mud would lodge in there and drag against the tire. Dr. Pete had the same issue with that frame.

So I swapped the rear with a 23 I had lying around. Left the 25 on the front. I'll ride that one off of it, and then put the other one on. After that I'll go to a 23 just to keep all of my tires the same.

Yes,

He's quite different for a road biker :D
...and how....

I ride the prairie path every day on my Specialized Allez road bike or my mountian bike and it is never easy going. 20 Miles on the path feels like 40 no matter wet or dry. You just don't coast on that crushed stone, the friction is sick.