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06-07-09, 09:49 AM
Yesterday, I participated in the Burnham Plan Century: http://burnhamplan100.uchicago.edu/events/id/956
"Burnham Plan Century: Make No Little Rides
Saturday, June 6, 2009 9:00am to 7:00pm
The ride is in honor of Daniel Burnham's visionary 1909 Plan of Chicago, and aims to celebrate the plan's centennial anniversary by highlighting 10 major off-road trail facilities along the 100-mile route. Another goal of the ride is to raise awareness of the need to link these facilities together since most will not directly connect. Where gaps exist, event participants will be routed along bicycle-friendly roadways with good pavement and low traffic volumes.
The ride will leave Lake Forest at 9 AM, and arrive in Michigan City by 7 PM CST traversing through 18 Illinois and Indiana communities.. The midpoint of the ride will be Lansing, Illinois".
Well, the ride went very well. I traveled 114 miles in 8 hours of riding time. I stayed with the group for most of the ride since the route was point to point and a little complex in places. Three of us did the whole event from start to finish. We had up to 25 riders during some of the ride, as people joined for part of the distance. I added about 8 miles to the standard route, I avoided some city streets in Chicago by taking a MUP, but it really added miles. Even so, I stayed ahead of the rest of the group and was the first to finish (even though that really has no meaning).
The bike was flawless, as fast as I wanted, comfortable, zero operational issues. Near the end we took a gravel trail that was flooded in spots and could be soft enough for my tires to sink. I think I was the only road bike to do that section. The Soma Cyclocross bike with Gatorskin tires ran perfectly.
The weather was very good, cool with temps from 50 to 65, mostly overcast with a few drops of rain. Minimal sunburn risk. We had a beneficial wind for about 70% of the way and never had a difficult headwind.
The motor ran well and wanted to run faster. I'm sure I have a six hour century in me. I had some minor foot, back & seat pain, but not worst than my normal 45 mile rides.
The mental aspect was good while riding and I enjoyed the scenery. I got a little impatient while standing around. I had some additional traveling to do before reaching home and was concerned that I might be cycling at 11 PM on city streets.
The group started to take frequent re-gathering stops during the last 1/3 of the route, we spent about 2.5 hours at stops.
Well, I'm addicted. I'll try to do a century once-a-month or more.
Michael
"Burnham Plan Century: Make No Little Rides
Saturday, June 6, 2009 9:00am to 7:00pm
The ride is in honor of Daniel Burnham's visionary 1909 Plan of Chicago, and aims to celebrate the plan's centennial anniversary by highlighting 10 major off-road trail facilities along the 100-mile route. Another goal of the ride is to raise awareness of the need to link these facilities together since most will not directly connect. Where gaps exist, event participants will be routed along bicycle-friendly roadways with good pavement and low traffic volumes.
The ride will leave Lake Forest at 9 AM, and arrive in Michigan City by 7 PM CST traversing through 18 Illinois and Indiana communities.. The midpoint of the ride will be Lansing, Illinois".
Well, the ride went very well. I traveled 114 miles in 8 hours of riding time. I stayed with the group for most of the ride since the route was point to point and a little complex in places. Three of us did the whole event from start to finish. We had up to 25 riders during some of the ride, as people joined for part of the distance. I added about 8 miles to the standard route, I avoided some city streets in Chicago by taking a MUP, but it really added miles. Even so, I stayed ahead of the rest of the group and was the first to finish (even though that really has no meaning).
The bike was flawless, as fast as I wanted, comfortable, zero operational issues. Near the end we took a gravel trail that was flooded in spots and could be soft enough for my tires to sink. I think I was the only road bike to do that section. The Soma Cyclocross bike with Gatorskin tires ran perfectly.
The weather was very good, cool with temps from 50 to 65, mostly overcast with a few drops of rain. Minimal sunburn risk. We had a beneficial wind for about 70% of the way and never had a difficult headwind.
The motor ran well and wanted to run faster. I'm sure I have a six hour century in me. I had some minor foot, back & seat pain, but not worst than my normal 45 mile rides.
The mental aspect was good while riding and I enjoyed the scenery. I got a little impatient while standing around. I had some additional traveling to do before reaching home and was concerned that I might be cycling at 11 PM on city streets.
The group started to take frequent re-gathering stops during the last 1/3 of the route, we spent about 2.5 hours at stops.
Well, I'm addicted. I'll try to do a century once-a-month or more.
Michael