Suburban Gravel Grinder
07-29-12, 08:37 AM
#1
Have bike, will travel
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Location: Lake Geneva, WI
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Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
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Suburban Gravel Grinder
Most of my cycling starts in Chicago and takes me out to the suburbs. None of my local riding is rural. I need to carefully find bike friendly streets and keep an eye out for reckless drivers. Chicago has some great MUPs, but heavy use by pedestrians and their dogs make these routes unusable during peak hours.
I must be a country boy at heart. I not only enjoy the fitness benefits of cycling, I like good scenery and a little adventure. I really enjoy the cycling away from Chicago in places like Ohio, Wisconsin and central Illinois.
I've wanted to find some off-road gravel travel that increases the sense of exploration, provide a more natural setting, and help me avoid vehicular traffic.
Yesterday I found my cycling asylum. I like all-day bike rides and try to complete several century rides a year. I rode 98 miles and spent 40 miles on the Des Plaines River bike trail. The trail is good quality gravel, except for a few sections that become more like singletrack. A Cyclocross bike with big tires is ideal for the mixed road and trail travel. The 98 miles took 6 hours, 25 minutes excluding two breaks for food.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/204049929
I must be a country boy at heart. I not only enjoy the fitness benefits of cycling, I like good scenery and a little adventure. I really enjoy the cycling away from Chicago in places like Ohio, Wisconsin and central Illinois.
I've wanted to find some off-road gravel travel that increases the sense of exploration, provide a more natural setting, and help me avoid vehicular traffic.
Yesterday I found my cycling asylum. I like all-day bike rides and try to complete several century rides a year. I rode 98 miles and spent 40 miles on the Des Plaines River bike trail. The trail is good quality gravel, except for a few sections that become more like singletrack. A Cyclocross bike with big tires is ideal for the mixed road and trail travel. The 98 miles took 6 hours, 25 minutes excluding two breaks for food.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/204049929
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 07-30-12 at 04:52 PM.
07-29-12, 08:42 AM
#2
Have bike, will travel
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Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
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More pics;
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
07-29-12, 11:20 AM
#3
Senior Member
That does look like an idealic cycling spot. Seeing the pic of your bike though, I'm consumed by curiosity over one particular side note: Why is there a fender only on the rear wheel? 
07-29-12, 11:33 AM
#4
Have bike, will travel
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In damp weather I run front & rear fenders;
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 07-29-12 at 11:39 AM.
07-29-12, 12:35 PM
#6
Have bike, will travel
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We should talk about this :-)
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
07-29-12, 01:19 PM
#7
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
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Looks like a really nice ride with some beautiful scenery. Maybe a little too pristine and flat for a real "gravel grinder".
It is great having a bike with the versatility to work well on paved and unpaved roads. I have been pleasantly surprised at how well my own monstercross bike works at both ends of that range, limited only by weight for fast road riding and lack of suspension for the rough trails. Plenty of room between those extremes, especially if speed is less of a concern.
I've been curious why you refer to your CX700 as a "Monstercross/29er" as it is clearly not a 29er, which is a type of mountain bike.
It is great having a bike with the versatility to work well on paved and unpaved roads. I have been pleasantly surprised at how well my own monstercross bike works at both ends of that range, limited only by weight for fast road riding and lack of suspension for the rough trails. Plenty of room between those extremes, especially if speed is less of a concern.
I've been curious why you refer to your CX700 as a "Monstercross/29er" as it is clearly not a 29er, which is a type of mountain bike.
Last edited by BluesDawg; 07-29-12 at 01:36 PM.
07-29-12, 01:58 PM
#9
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
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More important, how do you like the Revelate Tangle bag? Is it as useful as it looks? Do your legs ever rub against the bag when it is loaded?
07-29-12, 02:21 PM
#10
Senior Member
What a beautiful place to ride ! I see you have some sort of slick tires. I like some knobs on my gravelgrinder tires (Racing Ralph on the CX and Furious Fred on the Rigid Mtb) Slicks are a bit too sketchy in fast turns IMO.
07-29-12, 02:36 PM
#11
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Nice pics of beautiful ride. Nice bikes too! As a kid living in Chicago in the fifties I enjoyed going out to the Fox river or the forest preserve and walking on a trail. Other then passing through O'Hare have not been back to visit the city since the mid sixties.
07-29-12, 02:37 PM
#12
Watching and waiting.
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Nice pics! What is all that green stuff on the ground? I leave my rear fender on my Cross Check for the same reasons as you. The front rattles a little so It only goes on for rain. I've only had it on for testing. I love how silent the bike is and wildlife lets me get really close.
07-29-12, 02:45 PM
#13
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I live right by there. It's a nice trail. Last year I took it up to Independence Grove and back. Today I was tooling around with my wife on it. This post reminds me that I need to take another long ride along that trail.
07-29-12, 03:25 PM
#14
Have bike, will travel
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I like to use other tires, like the Schwalbe Marathon Cross, for more slick conditions.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 07-29-12 at 03:55 PM.
07-29-12, 03:35 PM
#15
Have bike, will travel
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Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
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Let me know, I'll join you.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
07-29-12, 05:02 PM
#16
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
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Side load bottle cages might help with the Tangle.
07-29-12, 06:54 PM
#18
Senior member
Nice looking trail Michael, and one that I could probable get to some day. looks like a fairly short ride out Russel Road from I94 to the trail. There is a TA truck stop right there, so some evening if I'm heading up behind the cheddar curtain for an am delivery, it would be very doable.
How is the surface on the north end? Would my 27 X 1 1/4 tires be OK?
How is the surface on the north end? Would my 27 X 1 1/4 tires be OK?
07-29-12, 07:26 PM
#19
Have bike, will travel
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Nice looking trail Michael, and one that I could probable get to some day. looks like a fairly short ride out Russel Road from I94 to the trail. There is a TA truck stop right there, so some evening if I'm heading up behind the cheddar curtain for an am delivery, it would be very doable.
How is the surface on the north end? Would my 27 X 1 1/4 tires be OK?
How is the surface on the north end? Would my 27 X 1 1/4 tires be OK?
Yes, 27 X 1 1/4 should be OK. A 27 X 1 1/4 is an ISO (ETRTO) Size: 32-630 , if I have that right.
I rode the north end of the route with a 32 wide tire last year during dry weather without any problem. I would avoid wet weather without a wider tire with some tread on it.
95% of the trail is as firm as asphalt, a few sections are a little more loose and sandy. A little common sense should be enough to avoid any problems.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
07-29-12, 08:02 PM
#20
Senior member
Hi Dan,
Yes, 27 X 1 1/4 should be OK. A 27 X 1 1/4 is an ISO (ETRTO) Size: 32-630 , if I have that right.
I rode the north end of the route with a 32 wide tire last year during dry weather without any problem. I would avoid wet weather without a wider tire with some tread on it.
95% of the trail is as firm as asphalt, a few sections are a little more loose and sandy. A little common sense should be enough to avoid any problems.
Yes, 27 X 1 1/4 should be OK. A 27 X 1 1/4 is an ISO (ETRTO) Size: 32-630 , if I have that right.
I rode the north end of the route with a 32 wide tire last year during dry weather without any problem. I would avoid wet weather without a wider tire with some tread on it.
95% of the trail is as firm as asphalt, a few sections are a little more loose and sandy. A little common sense should be enough to avoid any problems.
07-31-12, 05:09 PM
#21
Senior member
Well, unless I get thrown a curve ball in the meantime, and weather permitting, I plan to ride the north end of the trail Thursday morning. I'll be starting from Russel Road, just south of the Wisconsin line. Anybody in the area up for a ride?
07-31-12, 07:39 PM
#22
Dirt Bomb
Nice pictures. How far north did you go? Growing up, we used to fish near hwy 120, west of Waukegan. Weren't no bike paths then.
Doesn't look like the drought is affecting you guys up there. Where's that dam at?
Doesn't look like the drought is affecting you guys up there. Where's that dam at?
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08-01-12, 04:36 AM
#23
Have bike, will travel
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Hi, sknhgy,
Click the link for a map, and then click on the parts of the map where you would like to see greater detail.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/204049929
The dam is west of Lake Forest in the Wright Woods Forest Preserve, near the corner of St. Marys Rd and Everett Rd. A pedestrian bridge along the path crosses the river. I took the picture from that bridge. See;
https://www.lcfpd.org/preserves/index...&object_id=218
This map might be useful, scroll down and view the South Map, the bridge is near the middle of that section.
https://www.lcfpd.org/docs/map_22079.pdf
We were as dry as I've ever seen up until two weeks ago. A few rain storms have refreshed the meadows. The farms in northern Illinois are still in bad shape.
Click the link for a map, and then click on the parts of the map where you would like to see greater detail.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/204049929
The dam is west of Lake Forest in the Wright Woods Forest Preserve, near the corner of St. Marys Rd and Everett Rd. A pedestrian bridge along the path crosses the river. I took the picture from that bridge. See;
https://www.lcfpd.org/preserves/index...&object_id=218
This map might be useful, scroll down and view the South Map, the bridge is near the middle of that section.
https://www.lcfpd.org/docs/map_22079.pdf
We were as dry as I've ever seen up until two weeks ago. A few rain storms have refreshed the meadows. The farms in northern Illinois are still in bad shape.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 08-01-12 at 04:39 AM.
08-01-12, 05:10 AM
#24
Have bike, will travel
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Join Date: Feb 2006
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Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
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https://www.lcfpd.org/docs/map_22079.pdf
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
08-01-12, 05:52 AM
#25
Senior member
Dan, print out this map. It's for the northern section in Lake County.
https://www.lcfpd.org/docs/map_22079.pdf
https://www.lcfpd.org/docs/map_22079.pdf
