View Full Version : Bike the I-355 Extension
hyunelan2
06-04-07, 09:42 AM
A coworker was telling me that prior to the opening of the I-355 Exetension (SW of Chicago), they are going to open it up at 11pm for cyclists to ride. Has anyone else heard of this? Google didn't help much.
CyLowe97
06-04-07, 09:46 AM
That would be cool. Keep us updated if you find anything out on this.
Can't wait for the extension to be finished. Will knock 20 minutes off the trip down to the in-laws when they get it opened up.
Open to bikes and 18 wheelers. No cars.
kenal0
CyLowe97
06-04-07, 11:00 AM
Open to bikes and 18 wheelers. No cars.
So it's going to be like the drafting scene in Breaking Away.
60 mph in the little ring! Woo-hoo!!
Psimet2001
06-04-07, 11:07 AM
So it's going to be like the drafting scene in Breaking Away.
60 mph in the little ring! Woo-hoo!!
So...like Shider yesterday...
CyLowe97
08-23-07, 07:33 AM
Bump. Anyone heard anything further on this?
RacerX99
08-23-07, 08:26 AM
I found this from Google, but could not find a followup
http://www.biketraffic.org/biketraffic/BT1106/spell.html
RacerX99
08-23-07, 08:27 AM
I found this from Google, but could not find a followup
http://www.biketraffic.org/biketraffic/BT1106/spell.html
opps wrong link
http://www.beezodogsplace.com/Calendar/November2007.htm
so they plan to have the road open this year? cool, but it seems to my eye to be a ways off? of course, i have absolutely no expertise to base this thought on. later.
Recycle
08-23-07, 11:03 AM
I'll have more to post on this after the tonight's Folks On Spokes club meeting.
atomship47
08-23-07, 02:13 PM
Can't wait for the extension to be finished. Will knock 20 minutes off the trip down to the in-laws when they get it opened up.
sicko!
CyLowe97
08-23-07, 02:47 PM
sicko!
yeah, but it'll be 20 minutes closer to home, as well...
;)
http://www.folksonspokes.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?b-otherevents/m-1182140463/
All the info you need keep this link bookmarked :)
CyLowe97
08-23-07, 03:17 PM
Excellent. Thanks for the link!
Psimet2001
08-23-07, 08:57 PM
I'm in.
voldemort
08-23-07, 09:26 PM
I'm thinking this sounds way too cool to miss. How many times are you gonna get to ride on an expressway, and live to tell about it.:rolleyes: Plus, the pictures would be awesome:D
Somebody (read Psimet) keep this puppy alive for a BFNIC (end of Year?) ride.
Elisdad
08-24-07, 06:03 AM
I'm in.
hyunelan2
08-24-07, 10:09 AM
Son of a !!! Why does it have to be that weekend? I'm in a wedding on the 10th, so that's definately out, but if the ride is on Sunday the 11th, then MAYBE I'll be able to do it.
Scummer
08-24-07, 11:07 AM
I'm in.
wonder if I can talk to wife into a new road bike by then MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..... :P
but honey look at all the Year end "SALE" "CLEARANCE" prices :P
lowbike
08-24-07, 02:50 PM
i'm for this all the way
it would be nice to go out and do a fast ride without car traffic and average about 27mph.
Hmmm, count me on this one too. What's the total distance up and down the 355 extension?
Heck, I might even make the trip from Wisconsin!
Wrafl: Its about 12 miles
Scummer
08-24-07, 09:57 PM
12 miles of all out cycling without stop signs and traffic. TT material :D
Elisdad
08-24-07, 10:00 PM
It'd be nice if we could tie a couple of loops together to get a 50ish miler out of it.
Heck, I might even make the trip from Wisconsin!
Wrafl: Its about 12 miles
Thanks Sage23.
Perfect for doing a century circling 8-9 times. I might improve my average speed since the only traffic would be other riders.
richjac
08-25-07, 04:30 PM
How many times are you gonna get to ride on an expressway, and live to tell about it.:rolleyes:
I did - once. It was on I-290 at Biesterfield Rd just before they opened it up - I think I was in High School, so early 70's... I'd make the trip back to Elk Grove just to do it again!
sisyphus321
08-28-07, 11:36 AM
I-355, huh? Wonder if I should bring my road bike or my mountain bike :\
whitesox
08-28-07, 11:49 AM
I would be interested in that... but I'm not sure it's worth a tiny 12 miles:mad:.... maybe if they offer some loops:p
Here's the official info:
http://www.rollthetollway.org/
20 mile loop, fully supported rest stops, $25 registration fee -- pre-registration only. Proceeds go toward building the trail along the route.
Tribune Story (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northwest/chi-tollway_30aug30,1,3182915.story?ctrack=3&cset=true)
The Trib story talking about the bike ride and a 5k run on 11/11. Just an fyi kind of thing. Later.
Recycle
09-07-07, 07:13 PM
New notes copied from http://www.folksonspokes.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?b-otherevents/m-1182140463/
The folks at the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation report that there already more than 500 registrants for the November 11 ride. They say that, “the new partnerships with Joliet, Blue Island and Folks on Spokes is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and renew relationships. These clubs have been simply a joy to work with.”
[...snip ...]
From the CBF publicity on the ride, “Ever had a six-lane interstate expressway all to yourself? Neither have we! Get a bicycling sneak of the I-355 extension 8 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11 before it opens to car traffic. This once-in-a-lifetime bicycling event benefits local bicycle clubs' efforts to build a trail that runs parallel with I-355. Roll the Tollway tickets are available now at http://www.rollthetollway.org/.”
Mayonnaise
10-10-07, 10:53 AM
giving some thought to doing this ride. It's Sunday morning and it's November and until dawn breaks on that day, I don't know if I'm going to be able to make it. Certainly not enough to register online early and pay the money for my wife and myself. And they're not accepting same-day registration.
I know, I know, but I don't feel like making a chairtable donation right now.
I've done many of these rides and know no one really checks to make sure you've got your number or wrist band or whatever.
You think it would be easy to crash the party?
Psimet2001
10-10-07, 11:52 AM
giving some thought to doing this ride. It's Sunday morning and it's November and until dawn breaks on that day, I don't know if I'm going to be able to make it. Certainly not enough to register online early and pay the money for my wife and myself. And they're not accepting same-day registration.
I know, I know, but I don't feel like making a chairtable donation right now.
I've done many of these rides and know no one really checks to make sure you've got your number or wrist band or whatever.
You think it would be easy to crash the party?
Most likely. Personally I also consider doing it, then my concious makes me fork over the money. I spent a lot of time lying as a kid. I've worked too hard for my honesty now, and I find it's just not worth the $20-$30 for me.....in these situations.
$200-$300 now we're talking. :D;)
nietsmas
10-10-07, 01:42 PM
Here's the official info:
http://www.rollthetollway.org/
20 mile loop, fully supported rest stops, $25 registration fee -- pre-registration only. Proceeds go toward building the trail along the route.
why do they need a rest stop for a 20 mile ride?
Elisdad
10-10-07, 01:50 PM
Not everyone is an avid cyclist who puts in 20+ mile rides. Expect to see lots of Kmart bikes and once a month (at best) cyclists on the day of the ride.
Psimet2001
10-10-07, 02:57 PM
why do they need a rest stop for a 20 mile ride?
It's for those of us who will do it 2-3 times.
nietsmas
10-10-07, 02:59 PM
It's for those of us who will do it 2-3 times.
ah, that makes sense.
CyLowe97
10-11-07, 07:03 AM
You think it would be easy to crash the party?
If I make it to the ride, I'm just going to put my I-Pass on the handlebars.
:)
mwrobe1
10-11-07, 11:53 AM
I'm in. I'll probably do it twice depending on how early one would be able to get started...once solo and once with a coworker that will be doing the "Go Vertical" Sears tower stair climb that morning! :eek:
Wonder how cold its going to be? :)
whitesox
10-15-07, 09:44 AM
I'm signing up for this today.... I hope it doesn't snow!!, and I think I'm going to bike there from Tinley Park. Anyone interested in biking to the expressway from the south burbs, let me know :)
lowbike
10-15-07, 05:57 PM
Hello:
where can we park on the north end of the extension?
Psimet2001
10-15-07, 06:46 PM
When is the sign up deadline?
lowbike
10-16-07, 09:05 AM
When is the sign up deadline?
BOOTLEG
youthcom
10-24-07, 10:07 PM
Per an email received today.
"Roll the Tollway is more than 80 percent sold out. "
Now to figure how to get out there from Chicago w/o a car.
ColorChange
10-25-07, 06:02 AM
I should have my new ride ready before that. Maybe I'll be there.
CyLowe97
10-25-07, 06:49 AM
Now to figure how to get out there from Chicago w/o a car.
Check out the Metra lines (http://www.metrarail.com/System_map/index.html). Bike friendly on weekends.
Metra Heritage Corridor line would work, but it doesn't run on weekends (http://metrarail.com/Sched/mhc/mhc_all.shtml), apparently.
The Rock Island line (http://metrarail.com/Sched/ri/ri.shtml)gets down to Joliet on weekends.
Psimet2001
10-25-07, 07:22 AM
I was thinking yesterday that I should sign up. 20 mile route on fresh pavement...3 hours....we should be able to do the loop 3 times...
SmokinMiles
10-27-07, 06:09 AM
I was thinking yesterday that I should sign up. 20 mile route on fresh pavement...3 hours....we should be able to do the loop 3 times...
I just logged on to register and it says "sold out" !!! Registration is closed. I didn't realize there was a cap :mad:
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