Great Lakes - Barrington Hills Ride ... Nice Rollers

Here is a far superior training ride to the Bull Valley area (at least under present conditions) IMO.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/hoffman-estates/679220920

The ride starts at the Target shopping center at 59 and 72. Head across 72 (be careful - has full shoulder) and then head out on Old Sutton Road (good shape). Take a right on Penny Road (roughest road, watch for potholes, no shoulder). Take a right on Bateman (new road, nice rollers). Take a short right on County Line Road (good shape, little busier). Take a left on Meadow Hill Road (new road, nice rollers). Take a left on Spring Creek Road (nice road). Take a right on Braeburn Road (nice road, nice rollers). Take a right on Plumtree Road (nice road, little busier, nice rollers).

If you want to hammer a steeper hill turn into Rock Ridge Lane (little rough road) but nice steep hill at the end. Repeat to you hearts content, then head back and take a right on Plumtree again. Take a right on Ridge Road (nice road, nice rollers). Take a right on County Like Road (nice road, little busier) and then a left onto Old Sutton Road (nice road, nice rollers).

As you might have guessed, you can loop at this point and stay at four points if you have a favorite area, Spring Creek Road, County Line Road, Donlea Road, or Penny Road until you get back to Bateman for those who want think 22 miles is too short and want another go at it. ;)

Nice potholes on Penny Road, eh! :eek:

Late spring to early fall, I ride this route (from Penny Road Pub) every Tuesday night. I have since '92. It's really a great route!

cycl,

Yes, Penny is by far the worst. There are some there that could wreck a rim and send you over the handlebars. There aren't a ton of them, but you have to be careful. The rest of the ride really is good.

What time do you ride Tuesday night? I live right in the area.

Yeah, cyclpsycho, when does the Tuesday group kick back into gear?

CC - The Tuesday night ride starts at the Penny Road Pub at Penny and Sutton. Much better than fighting across 72 from Target. It's a very similar route to the one you posted, except the first 'loop' goes further west down Spring Creek to Haeger's Bend and then north to east on River Road > Plum Tree > Ridge. They then head back west on Sping Creek to Haeger's Bend to River, but then come back south going up Braeburn. The ride finishes out east down Spring Creek to Ridge to Old Sutton, just like yours.

That's a gem of a ride hidden in the middle of a heavily populated area.

Good point, Penny Road Pub is a better start. Sometimes people like to begin where you can use "the facilities". So Haeger's Bend isn't too busy? I thought it might be.

Good point, Penny Road Pub is a better start. Sometimes people like to begin where you can use "the facilities". So Haeger's Bend isn't too busy? I thought it might be.

Haeger's Bend is a big downhill and not too busy. River Road is kind of busy, but has a couple of nice rollers and a very accomodating shoulder for riding. Plus it has another big sweeping downhill right before it gets to Braeburn and Plum Tree.

Off of Haegers, you can also cut off on Chapel Road to Church Road. Lots of options.

Did you see anyone else riding? I've always seen others riding or running or on horseback in that loop. I'm disappointed I couldn't ride yesterday, but woke up sick as a dog and figured there was no need to make myself more ill.

Caught one cyclist and rode for a while and saw two others, a jogger and a couple of dog walkers. Saw lots of deer and horses.

Did you know about the steep hill at the end of Rock Ridge Lane?

This route is very similar to the route for the Harper ride. http://www.harperride.net/route/route.htm This rides gets its name since it starts at Harper College every Sat morning. Haperride.net has more info on this ride but it is a faster group ride and people will be dropped. There are short cuts for those less speedy riders.

cycl,

What time do you ride Tuesday night? I live right in the area.

The ride started tonight. The "A" group rides at 6 PM and will move it to 6:30 once its light longer. We do 28 miles, usually @20+.

I'm not sure how many were there tonight, as I couldn't make it :(

The best thing about starting from the bar is, well, you end there :beer:

Judy from OnStar (aka-CyLowe97) why don't you put together a route on mapmyride of the route so that I can download it into my GPS....


....that way when I go out and get dropped I can find my way home.