Psimet2001 

Although I have not made an announcement about the 1st annual WI, IL, IN area BF riders century (final child care arrangements have to be confirmed first) I do have the routes planned.

I will be attempting to pre-ride the routes this weekend. The intent is to verify that the route is going to work out traffic, and stop wise. Some of us are fairly familiar with the roads, but there are some specific roads that I have never ridden before.

It looks like it will be Sunday, with one request to make it Sunday 10-11ish start. Each loop is between 30-40 miles (there are 3 loops). We might not ride all of them, maybe just two of them.

This ride is taking place just West of the Chicago area. The starting location is the Hampsire Forest Preserve:

Link to Map

Anyone want to ride along on the pre-ride??

CyLowe97

I'll be there, unless the cold I've picked up takes some nasty turn. Currently downing the Zicams like Floyd was downing the water on Stage 17.... maybe that will help?

aham23

Be Right Back.............Honey................?

CyLowe97

If they ask, just let 'em know that they should be glad we don't golf on a regular basis.

Kenal0

I will have to try and work some magic. My son has hockey on Sunday 17th and my wife will take him so I may ride the North Shore Century then he has hockey the next weekend at 9:20 to 10:20. I might be able to shoot out for the 2nd and 3rd loop(if there is one) but I am sure I will have very little chance of two Sundays in a row of shunning my responsibility.
Kenal0

Psimet2001 

Then you might want to save them up for the big event. The official ride will be that last weekend in Sept. I will be sending out notice to a LOT of riders and posting a thread or two to drum up attendance. This pre-ride is totally un-scripted and meant strictly to verify that the roads are all paved (seriously...I have made that mistake before) so if you need to spend time making a deposit into the marriage bank (sounds like something dirty) then by all means.

If not - we'll see ya there!

Psimet2001 

Wife just told me to call her mom to have her babysit on Saturday...to ride on Saturday....tomorrow...anyone OK with that??

CyLowe97

What time you want to roll on Saturday? From Hampshire FP?

The cold I picked up is starting to make its presence known, so I'm going to be tenative about the distance I can ride so I don't put myself out of commission all weekend.

Psimet2001 

Not sure yet...still waiting to hear from my wonderful, perfect, all-knowing, helpful, benevolent mother-in-law....(her husband is on this forum)

Kenal0

I thought that was what the post was about. Sorry, last weekend in Sept is good. The week before is not. The 24th is when I have the hockey and since I am doing the century the week before I would be pressing my luck but a two week span is good.
Kenal0

Psimet2001 

uhh...you're gonna kill me - The "Official" ride is tentatively planned for the 23rd - 1 week after the North Shore Century.

The 30th or the 1st might actually work better for me though....anyone else?

CyLowe97

I'll be out of town the weekend of the 30th/1st. Up in Michigan for the Apple Cider Century out of Three Oaks on the 1st.

It's a huge ride, so if you feel like braving the Expressways & Skyway or the crush that is 80/94 into Indiana, Three Oaks is right across the border in Michigan...

I'll be coming from the opposite direction and the in-laws place in Jones, MI that day.


[edit] If more folks can do the BFNIC ride on the 30th/1st, by all means, set it up then! I'll just slow everyone down anyway....

aham23

I am confussed. We got pre rides, the ride, and apple cider???

What time is the pre ride starting tomorrow? I likely can NOT make the pre ride, but let me know the time.

The REAL ride on the 30th/1st weekend works for me, but so does the 9/23. Sept 24th would be a no go for me.

I just got back from a 30 mile ride and all I can say is, WIND BAD! Later.

Psimet2001 

Ta Da!!!!!!!!!!!! I got word from my mother in law.


1st. Pre-ride is on for tomorrow morning. She will be at my house at 8 which means I can probably be riding by 8:30. I must be back in time for her to leave at 3:00pm. That will be pushing to get a full century in. How about 2 loops tomorrow morning and then possibly the third on Sunday(morning)?

2nd. She confirmed the ability to babysit on Sept 23rd. I am willing to run the ride on the following dates:

23rd, 24th, 30th, 1st.

I will start a poll this weekend to let everyone vote.

Who is in tomorrow morning at 8:30ish at Hampshire Forest Preserve??

CyLowe97

You are a glutton for punishment!


I'll be there tomorrow morning around 8:15 to be ready to roll at 8:30. Can you bring a pump with you? Mine's still at the in-laws....

Shemp

That, and there's a century ride on the 30th in Brodhead, WI a little northwest of Rockford, that I was planning on riding.

Psimet2001 

Looks like it's probably going to be the 23rd then.

aham23

Yeah for the 23rd!!!!!!!!!!! Cant make the pre ride tomorrow. I do plan on some solo suffering in the flats of Plainfield. Later.

iab

Looks like I'm going solo.

But let me know if you change it to the 24th or the 1st.

dekalbSTEEL

Can someone send me the actual route map? I might ride up from dekalb to meet you guys instead of driving.

Kimbercop

As far as the "Real Ride" goes, the 30th or 1st works better for me. I'm already off that weekend due to a shift in the schedule due to some training I'm going to. If its the 23rd or 24th, then I'm probably gonna be out, since it would require a SSD (strategic sick day) and since I came home early today and dont expect to go in tommorrow due to a cold, then that would be too many sick days on weekends and I'm sure some suspicions would be raised.

Looks like once again, I'm gonna be out, which is better for you guys anyway cause now you can speed it up and dont have to worry about me.

I have made enough deposits in the account to get to go to the North Shore Century, and I'm already off, but wont be doing the 100.

Psimet2001 

Arrrgh....I'll post a poll. I can do it either weekend....

Wait a minute....why don't I ride it BOTH weekends!




....yeah, I'll post a poll.

S_DOG34

Damn, you guys organize too fast! I don't know about the pre-rides, but count me in for the final one, whenever that may be.

Work + School = sad cyclist

CyLowe97

Here are the three loops making up the century. They all start/end at Hampshire FP, which is on Allen Road just west of US-20 and east of the main part of the town.

Here are the three routes:
https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=398208
https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=398219
https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=398229

Psimet and I rode the first loop this morning and it's a great ride. Maybe tweak a few things to avoid some of the more busy roads, but for the most part it's solid. It was around 38 miles and there was a place to stop for drinks at 22 miles in.

Psimet was going to ride the second loop, but I was not able to make that part of the ride.

Psimet2001 

Second loop looks good except for one section of un-paved road. I have a few work arounds.

I will finalize the route tomorrow and make the announcements about the ride schedule (maybe a thread to discuss best date...*here we go*)...