Lets talk: Brevet - Chicago Milwaukee area FOR all C&V'ers
11-15-14, 06:34 PM
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 423 Times
in
282 Posts
Lets talk: Brevet - Chicago Milwaukee area FOR all C&V'ers
Time flies but last week had a fun meet and ride with fellow Chicago C&V'ers. (A terrific group and my thanks again to Bob and Mark for organizing and host.) I'm impressed by how many in the Chicago, Milwaukee region (includes all in the upper Mid-west ) are into C&V bikes. Always a treat to see the amazing machinery but more so in action. And to all of the others not mentioned but have hosted prior events, you're all top of the podium!
Anyhow, being optimistic its going to be quite awhile before I put a bike in hibernation and its play time for some cross riding. When up and near the IL/WI border, I keep discovering all sorts of hidden gem single track off-road trails networked to faster groomed gravel. Weird though that many of the off-road single track are legal use state property but un-marked. ATB bikes are not needed for these routes and an old road bike is just fine. Some of the single track trails are just challenging enough and so be it if one has to hike up a few rough grades. Road and tarmac is still the majority.
Moving along, the thought entered my mind of how neat it would be having a small gathering and try a variation of a brevet.
More like a flavor of and exploring some different riding with old road bikes. I'm thinking one could be staged for Spring 2015 and trial. If all goes well, could follow up with another- perhaps modify, try a different location or route.
This would be for those whom might be up to an early start, daytime randonneur, mixed terrain longer loop and criteria of riding C&V bikes. I've never done anything like this with group but only solo at a casual pace. I'd like to hear from others whom may have done such type of an event, open to thoughts, ideas and suggestions.
A few thoughts for start:
Yes, no or completely nutz the thought of taking fine old rides into the wild?
As mentioned above, would be a brevet 'variation'.
OK now, at this juncture would not really be a competition but a feel for it and in the spirit of old rides. It wouldn't be a point A to B and do whatever it takes for the shortest distance, trespass, etc but rather an interesting, scenic mixed terrain ride.
Older or new classic bikes (no modern CF, or ATB). Put away the GPS and phone, instead use a map, cue sheet, timekeeper and know bike survival.
Self supporting, meaning no SAG.
However for a first event, it would be a no drop and primarily keep riders together. If one gets spread too far apart, is lost or emergency, resort to a bailout by phone.
Who knows but maybe later could make the ride a point earned for whatever's, type of bike, handicap bonus by choice of tire, age group, timed like a rally (ie: can't arrive too early or late and its penalty), poker run, etc..
No doubt would do a test loop, determine times to destination check points, but carry along swift enough and attempt to meet timed goals. Most important and above all, the ride would be paced with respect to all's abilities and endurance. Want it to be all about the fun and camaraderie!
That said, its about covering some distance over a variety of terrain with just enough gear and equipment for the task. Not so much as easy peasy so a lightweight is still important. For a first event, day light only and lighting equipment could stay home. Dress the bike as you wish and having mudguards probably wouldn't be needed for a clear forecast. BTW: This would be a rain or shine ride. Thats how it goes....
Ride distance-
Open to ideas and type of terrain. Trial a 30 miler? Is 60 miles enough, up to 80? Keep in mind the off-road portions but would not be the majority of it. Interesting and challenge spots make it fun. This could even be an unrideable short uphill in the woods, creek crossing, cow pasture, etc..
Location of start / finish-
There's some terrific riding on and off road in the lower Kettle Moraine, WI. A lengthy less gnarly connector single track trail is used for the ATB trail riders but might work for us roadies. Although could be more on the punishing side. Not ruling it out as it has fast sections for road bike and can overtake some ATB's. This area could be a loop with 40 percent off-road, 60 percent road, hilly and sweepers. Open to whatever total miles but was basing on 50. Limited vehicle road traffic.
There's many other gravel type, groomed near the state line border and easy destination for those from Milwaukee and Chicago. Also, further northwest of Chicago (60 miles from downtown) there's some good mixed terrain and many loop / route options. For a sampler we could test our abilities and bike, with a short fun 35 miler, limit the percentage of off-road terrain (but expect some rugged), fast groomed gravel and then paved road.
Expanding wild ideas: Could select a more remote and less road traveled near forest. At the start, do a wild hare and make it a point A to B. Just go for it over any terrain, thru fields, woods, road, or combination of. Map only AND NO GPS!
Anyhow, being optimistic its going to be quite awhile before I put a bike in hibernation and its play time for some cross riding. When up and near the IL/WI border, I keep discovering all sorts of hidden gem single track off-road trails networked to faster groomed gravel. Weird though that many of the off-road single track are legal use state property but un-marked. ATB bikes are not needed for these routes and an old road bike is just fine. Some of the single track trails are just challenging enough and so be it if one has to hike up a few rough grades. Road and tarmac is still the majority.
Moving along, the thought entered my mind of how neat it would be having a small gathering and try a variation of a brevet.
More like a flavor of and exploring some different riding with old road bikes. I'm thinking one could be staged for Spring 2015 and trial. If all goes well, could follow up with another- perhaps modify, try a different location or route.
This would be for those whom might be up to an early start, daytime randonneur, mixed terrain longer loop and criteria of riding C&V bikes. I've never done anything like this with group but only solo at a casual pace. I'd like to hear from others whom may have done such type of an event, open to thoughts, ideas and suggestions.
A few thoughts for start:
Yes, no or completely nutz the thought of taking fine old rides into the wild?
As mentioned above, would be a brevet 'variation'.
OK now, at this juncture would not really be a competition but a feel for it and in the spirit of old rides. It wouldn't be a point A to B and do whatever it takes for the shortest distance, trespass, etc but rather an interesting, scenic mixed terrain ride.
Older or new classic bikes (no modern CF, or ATB). Put away the GPS and phone, instead use a map, cue sheet, timekeeper and know bike survival.
Self supporting, meaning no SAG.
However for a first event, it would be a no drop and primarily keep riders together. If one gets spread too far apart, is lost or emergency, resort to a bailout by phone.
Who knows but maybe later could make the ride a point earned for whatever's, type of bike, handicap bonus by choice of tire, age group, timed like a rally (ie: can't arrive too early or late and its penalty), poker run, etc..
No doubt would do a test loop, determine times to destination check points, but carry along swift enough and attempt to meet timed goals. Most important and above all, the ride would be paced with respect to all's abilities and endurance. Want it to be all about the fun and camaraderie!
That said, its about covering some distance over a variety of terrain with just enough gear and equipment for the task. Not so much as easy peasy so a lightweight is still important. For a first event, day light only and lighting equipment could stay home. Dress the bike as you wish and having mudguards probably wouldn't be needed for a clear forecast. BTW: This would be a rain or shine ride. Thats how it goes....
Ride distance-
Open to ideas and type of terrain. Trial a 30 miler? Is 60 miles enough, up to 80? Keep in mind the off-road portions but would not be the majority of it. Interesting and challenge spots make it fun. This could even be an unrideable short uphill in the woods, creek crossing, cow pasture, etc..
Location of start / finish-
There's some terrific riding on and off road in the lower Kettle Moraine, WI. A lengthy less gnarly connector single track trail is used for the ATB trail riders but might work for us roadies. Although could be more on the punishing side. Not ruling it out as it has fast sections for road bike and can overtake some ATB's. This area could be a loop with 40 percent off-road, 60 percent road, hilly and sweepers. Open to whatever total miles but was basing on 50. Limited vehicle road traffic.
There's many other gravel type, groomed near the state line border and easy destination for those from Milwaukee and Chicago. Also, further northwest of Chicago (60 miles from downtown) there's some good mixed terrain and many loop / route options. For a sampler we could test our abilities and bike, with a short fun 35 miler, limit the percentage of off-road terrain (but expect some rugged), fast groomed gravel and then paved road.
Expanding wild ideas: Could select a more remote and less road traveled near forest. At the start, do a wild hare and make it a point A to B. Just go for it over any terrain, thru fields, woods, road, or combination of. Map only AND NO GPS!
Last edited by crank_addict; 11-15-14 at 08:06 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TimothyH
Southeast
17
03-25-18 03:08 PM
crank_addict
Classic & Vintage
13
04-28-15 02:42 PM
