ashtin
05-11-10, 03:22 PM
We need help! What are some good resources we can look at to figure out a route to connecticut/new york from chicago?
Touring - bike tour from chicago to connecticut
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Cyclebum
05-11-10, 07:35 PM
http://maps.google.com/, bicycling and/or walking option. Good for roughing out a route which you can then transfer to paper maps, or to www.ridewithgps.com and program a gps with the waypoints.
You can also do a search for cycling routes in the various states. Those states probably have maps with recommended cycling trails. Google will take you out of Chicago mostly on cycling trails.
Or, check with www.adventurecycyling.org for routes that will fit your plans. The ACA maps take much of the guesswork out of touring.
You can also do a search for cycling routes in the various states. Those states probably have maps with recommended cycling trails. Google will take you out of Chicago mostly on cycling trails.
Or, check with www.adventurecycyling.org for routes that will fit your plans. The ACA maps take much of the guesswork out of touring.
Spokesrider
05-11-10, 08:10 PM
I use the UniversalMaps to get across Indiana and Ohio. I've never ridden further east than that. Actually, in Ohio I often use the Puetz county maps, too. But they are no longer in print and would add bulk to your load.
The UniversalMaps don't tell you which roads are paved and which are not, but in Ohio most are paved. In Indiana one can guess.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has excellent bicycling maps online. I haven't used them in Chicago, but have used them to places just outside the metropolitan area.
Northwest Indiana can be tricky. A few years ago after a ride that took me from Valparaiso to Crown Point and then into Illinois, I said I wouldn't do it again without better maps. But BikeMichigana.org has posted links to a relatively new bicycle map of the area which I haven't yet used.
The UniversalMaps don't tell you which roads are paved and which are not, but in Ohio most are paved. In Indiana one can guess.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has excellent bicycling maps online. I haven't used them in Chicago, but have used them to places just outside the metropolitan area.
Northwest Indiana can be tricky. A few years ago after a ride that took me from Valparaiso to Crown Point and then into Illinois, I said I wouldn't do it again without better maps. But BikeMichigana.org has posted links to a relatively new bicycle map of the area which I haven't yet used.
Torrilin
05-12-10, 06:48 AM
We need help! What are some good resources we can look at to figure out a route to connecticut/new york from chicago?
I'd probably try to minimize your time on PA roads, since that kind of route means the deeper you go into PA, the more you're hitting the worst parts of the Appalachians. PennDOT has state bicycle routes, but for large portions of Pennsylvania flat means "oh, it's only a 5% grade". Erie is pretty damn flat compared to the rest of PA, so I'd prefer to duck from Cleveland to Erie to Buffalo. (note... I grew up in PA, and like many Pennsylvanians, it doesn't actually register as a hill to me until it's a 5% grade or steeper.)
From Buffalo, there are probably good ways to duck up to the Erie Canal. This would let you skip out on the mountain problem some more.
I'd probably try to minimize your time on PA roads, since that kind of route means the deeper you go into PA, the more you're hitting the worst parts of the Appalachians. PennDOT has state bicycle routes, but for large portions of Pennsylvania flat means "oh, it's only a 5% grade". Erie is pretty damn flat compared to the rest of PA, so I'd prefer to duck from Cleveland to Erie to Buffalo. (note... I grew up in PA, and like many Pennsylvanians, it doesn't actually register as a hill to me until it's a 5% grade or steeper.)
From Buffalo, there are probably good ways to duck up to the Erie Canal. This would let you skip out on the mountain problem some more.