Road Cycling - Awesome new Training Route--Chicago

Hello,

Yesterday, I took part in a training session with members of the Chicago Cycling Club (found 'em on the web, at www.chicagocyclingclub.org, worth checking out). Everyone was really friendly, and you don't have to be a member to take part. The training sessions are every Wednesday, from 6.30 pm.

Needless to say, they went at a very brisk clip (35-40 km/hr), while I was trudging along at 28-32 km/hr, so after a while I was left behind. That's ok--I'm new to cycling and have some conditioning work to do.

In any event, I really liked the route they took, which started off in the city and headed North and West and then Back East. The only two bike routes I know are the North Branch and Lake Shore Drive routes, so it was cool to learn about this one.

I'm gonna train on it again tonight, who knows, maybe after a while, I may be able to keep up (side note: need to lose about 30 more lbs..) The total distance is about 55 km, and here's the route in full:

Starting Point: Dunkin' Donuts at Lincoln and California
North on California (becomes Dodge) to Church
Left on Church to Central
Right on Central (becomes Harms) to Glenview
Left on Glenview to Wagner
Right on Wagner to Old Willow
Right on Old Willow to Happ
Left on Happ to Sunset Ridge
Right on Sunset Ridge to Skokie Blvd.
Right on Skokie to Tower
Left on Tower to Forest Way*
Left on Forest Way to Hohlfelder Road*
Straight on Hohlfelder to Westley Road
Right on Westley to Green Bay Road
Right on Green Bay to Tower
Right on Tower to Forest Way
Left on Forest way to Willow
Left on Willow to Hibbard
Right on Hibbard to Illinois
Left on Illinois to Hunter
Right on Hunter to Crawford
Bear Right on Crawford to Church
Left on Church to Dodge
Right on Dodge, becomes California
End at Dunkin' Donuts @ Lincoln/California

Hope this information is useful: I apologize if this is a common, well known route--I've only started getting into cycling on a serious level in the last year, so it's all new to me.
Cheers,
Nav

Oh, forgot to mention, where I put an *, that's where the road is kind of sketchy--potholes and the like. Otherwse, the roads are ok, condition-wise.

That is great you met up with the CCC. I have always wanted to go and ride with them, but I always felt like I wouldn't fit in. I am very conditioned and 22 years old, but sort of new to large group rides...are they open minded and what not to new riders in the group??

Yes, everyone was pretty open minded and welcoming, I think, and friendly. I just couldn't keep up with them speed-wise, but they were pretty encouraging.

I'll definitey go again--they meet every wednesday at 6.30.

They also have other, more "touring-oriented" rides on weekends. You should check out their schedule on the website.
--nav

ChicagoPhil, I just noticed that you have a "Hum" logo on your avatar--do you know the band members? I went to high school and first year of college with Jeff Dimpsey. If you see him, tell him Nav says hello (haven't seen him in several years!)
Thanks,
nav

many years back i used to live off the corner of dodge and church. and yes, the roads around there sucked back then too. i meet up with 2CC/Judson or the Plaza del Lago ride or the VCR (Velo Club) rides. there are many good routes >>even better early early in the morning and on weekends.
yes, it can be intimidating, but the only way to improve is to ride with better riders. look to see what gears they are pushing, get comfortable at drafting, learn your peloton manners...hint**when the chatting stops and it gets really quiet, its about to get really fast. if you don't jump you've got no chance.

you are one good off-season program away from having good rides with these groups. enjoy.

RiphRaph,

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, I agree with your assessments: it's better to test oneself against others.

By the way, can you recommend any good routes/trails, (other than the Lake and North River Paths)??

I'm fond of riding Sheridan north from Evanston to Highland Park and back. Makes a nice 25 mile loop with some hills and flats. The road is somewhat crappy until you get to Kenilworth, but it isn't too bad since cyclists are frequent on the road and the cars pay attention.

Fatbomber,

I used to run on the Sheridan road route, mainly from Rogers Park to the Bahai Temple and back-I vaguely remember that there were certain stretches (e.g., in Glencoe) where, for some reason, cyclists were not allowed on Sheridan Road. Or at least there were some signs posted to that effect.

Hopefully, that's no longer the case. The more north you, Sheridan Road has a penchant for disappearing for a bit, so I remember it can get a bit trickly.
--Nav

There is a stretch where you are supposed to go around this ravine up around Tower Road. The ravine is super twisty on the north end and steep on the south end.

I ride it on the way back south to ride down the winding downhill and then power like Ullrich to get back out. I know that I'm not supposed to, but it is really fun and I've never had a car get ornery with me for being there.

Breakin' the law! Breakin' the law!