Great Lakes - Ride route in Crystal Lake area

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nscrbug
07-09-08, 02:27 PM
I'm looking for a 40-50 mile route in the Crystal Lake or general McHenry County area. I'll be up in that area on July 12th for the Crystal Lake open water swim race. I'd like to haul the bikes up with us, and go for a ride in the area after I'm through with the swim (provided I don't drown..:eek:)...sort of a swim/bike brick workout. I'm not at all familiar with the area, so I would most likely have to carry some turn-by-turn directions with me, so that I don't get lost. Was thinking of parking my car at Main Beach (where the swim race is held) and heading out on the bike from there. Any suggestions? Thanks!

iab
07-09-08, 06:06 PM
Here are 2, 30-mile loops out of the main beach parking lot.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/lakewood/524045934
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/crystal-lake/118875446

This is a 60-mile loop out of the lot, it would be easy to shorten it off of the north end.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/hebron/1138275727
Psimet2001
07-09-08, 09:16 PM
Here are 2, 30-mile loops out of the main beach parking lot.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/lakewood/524045934
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/crystal-lake/118875446

This is a 60-mile loop out of the lot, it would be easy to shorten it off of the north end.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/hebron/1138275727

+1 - I assume this is the iab BFNIC Spring Classic route from 2 yrs ago. Nice route. Good ride and starts in that parking lot. I would highly recommend it.

EDIT: Just be sure to do the Bull Valley bits....;) Bring a climbing gear.

TurboTurtle
07-10-08, 07:56 AM
Here are 2, 30-mile loops out of the main beach parking lot.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/lakewood/524045934
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/crystal-lake/118875446

This is a 60-mile loop out of the lot, it would be easy to shorten it off of the north end.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/hebron/1138275727

Clockwisw or CCW? - TF
Psimet2001
07-10-08, 09:00 AM
Clockwisw or CCW? - TF

First one is clockwise.

Second one is clockwise as well.
iab
07-10-08, 05:42 PM
Clockwisw or CCW? - TF

I go both ways. But if you don't ask, I won't tell. ;)

Clockwise is "easier" in terms of traffic but throws the hills at you at the end of the ride.
nscrbug
07-14-08, 04:54 AM
Thank you for the routes...they do look great. However, due to the bad weather that blew through the area on Saturday morning...I opted not to do the swim race in Crystal Lake - assuming that it would be canceled or postponed to another day. It's at least a 1.5 hour drive from where I'm at, and I didn't want to waste the gas driving up there if I thought the race might not go off. Well...to my surprise, it did go off...a little later from what I was told - but nobody notified any of the partcipants to let them know. Oh well...didn't get to do my open water swim...but I did get some nice bike routes for the area the next time I'm up that way. Thanks again!

Linda