Great Lakes - Itching for another double metric, GLR 200K Brevet Any Good?

So, I'm looking at another 200k ride or maybe (250 whatever), and I'm trying to figure out if the Great Lakes Randonneurs 200k brevet would be worth the 1.5 hour ride out of Chicago (to Hampshire IL), in addition to the fees, rules, etc. I'm not looking for any medals, just trying to train up for a double century (or maybe two) towards the end of August or mid-September.

So . . . has anyone previously done it? I'm mapping out a route (thanks to help in another thread) up to the Chain O' Lakes, going a pretty far North (obviously avoiding some of the more "interesting" areas) and then switching to the West to get the rest of the way, and then around the entire chain.

Any other BF'ers want to join or contribute to the route? I'm thinking of leaving from Chicago's loop, and getting partially northwest by the way of the NBT (I love that trail). I'm assuming we would let the competitive nature come out and move brutally fast, and scare the people on the 'bent's and crusiers with a wicked paceline. :thumb:

Thanks in advance!

I'm also interested in hearing about this ride.

I live right by the Chain. Nice roads as long as you stay off 176. I could do part of the ride depending on the day you decide to ride. Do you have a definite route yet? I can get from the loop to Libertyville easy enough. I can get from Gurnee to Antioch. I don't know of any good routes from Libertyville to Gurnee, or Libertyville to Antioch except 137/83 which I wouldn't recommend.

I live right by the Chain. Nice roads as long as you stay off 176. I could do part of the ride depending on the day you decide to ride. Do you have a definite route yet? I can get from the loop to Libertyville easy enough. I can get from Gurnee to Antioch. I don't know of any good routes from Libertyville to Gurnee, or Libertyville to Antioch except 137/83 which I wouldn't recommend.

Almost, I'm working on the route currently. I did a double metric a few weeks back with another BF member and it was a really great ride.

When I was kid, we would visit relatives by the Chain, but it's been a really long time. I figured it would be a fun route, and as long as it works out to be 200K or more I'd be happy.

Do you have any good routes, fairly scenic, fairly safe, around the lakes themselves?

I'll keep you posted on the routes/plans.

EDIT: Last time up that way, we went up to Russell, and turned around by way of Gurnee. So if you can get Gurnee to Antioch, and some suggested routes by the chain, that would be awesome!

. I don't know of any good routes from Libertyville to Gurnee, or Libertyville to Antioch except 137/83 which I wouldn't recommend.

Depending on where you are in Libertyville... I'd suggest St. Mary's Road, prior to 137 you cut through the subdivision and pop out at O'Plaine. Take O'Plaine all the way up into Gurnee to Old Grand. Cut over on the sidewalk to Rt 21, go north about 1 block to GLendale > Fuller north to Stearns School... West on Stearns school to either Dilley, Hunt Club, Beck ( wherever you want to go)

Something like this...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3071548

When are you doing this ride to the Chain o' Lakes?