Psimet2001 

This thread is a clearing house of ride information for those in the Northern Illinois / Northwest Indiana / Southern Wisconsin area. Attached is a ride schedule showing rides that many of us on this forum have done and will do again this year.

This file is updated as informaiton changes. I track all of the changes in this firts post and put dates on my notes.

1/21/2008 - Updated file for 2008 rides
2/27/2008 - Updated file again with more 2008 ride info. Pretty finished list at this point. I may be adding some races here or there. Post your plans so I can tag the list.

aham23

Great Idea. By the looks of things it appears I am stalking you again this summer. Good Times. Later.

Hipcycler

Psimet.....you must be a Virgo.
My former producer would always tease me about being so organized and being such a planner.

Greg--"Do you still have that e-mail from the guest for Thursday's show?"
Hip--"Oh no, I clean out all my accounts a couple times a day."
Greg--"Of course you do, you're a Virgo."

Now, being perhaps the most anal planner ever, I'm thinking after seeing your efforts here that it is time to once again try my idea of a summer ride up here. I think I've got one that will work for you guys.

https://whiterivercycleclub.com/festival.html

Sat. Aug. 4th.

I did the 30-mile ride by myself a few years ago. It's very pretty, well-marked, and has rest stops that had great home-made snacks at them.

It's one of those deals where you just show up...check in with them and ride....no mass start or anything like that. We could all meet there...pose...ride...party.

This area is about 15 minutes away from our weekend lake home.
If we have a small enough group, we could gather there after the ride for a little grilling, boating and water frolics. Of course my luck, it'll rain on Aug. 4th.

Thoughts?

aham23

small, hum, where do i RSVP? i must get at least one ride in with the Hip this summer and this weekend looks to be open! later.

Hipcycler

You just did!
Now we'll see if this gets on the Psimet MASTER BFNIC LIST....

Small...yeah...you know...like about what we had for the century ride last year or you just-concluded BFNIC ride....something like those numbers will work. It can't be too big...so perhaps we'll see how it goes and take reservations as they come in to keep a count.

CyLowe97

Psimet, the HHH doesn't have a 300k option. You can take out the 187 mile option on that one.

Will get you a PM soon.

DEK

hmmm. I don't know. The Virgos I knew would file all their emails into appropriate folders and then print another copy to keep in a file cabinet.

Psimet2001 

Hip's ride is added. Hip also note I have the Cream City Century on there for this year. It was a good ride, and although I know you won't be riding the 100 again I am sure some of us will make it up there for it.

Also note the Kenosha-Racine ride. Starts same location as the Cream City did. You can make that one....

BTW - Sagittarius

Kenal0

I am going to mark this one down as a must as well. I look forward to riding with Hip and the coach again.
Kenal0

dave342

I will also mark this one down. Will CyLowe 97 bring the Wine again?

Hipcycler

I hope so....otherwise, there's plenty of spring water from the lake!

CyLowe97

Screwtop, real cork, or synthetic cork?

aham23

i am telling you that people in the know say the screwtop is the new cork and forget the synthetic. so i vote screwtop. frogs leap and big house red come to mind. later.

Flywolf

Very nice idea Psimet2001, I will positively try to make few of those rides.

CyLowe97

Frog's Leap is a bit spendy for my low-budget tastebuds.

Big House Red... from Bonny Doon Vineyards. Now we're in my price range. One of my favorite wines has always been their Sirrah Syrah, which started sporting a screwcap a few years ago. They are an innovative winery and have been touting screwcaps heavily. They point to this site in NZ for more information on why screwcaps are, indeed, the new cork.

And perfect for that after ride spaghetti. No corkscrew accidentally poking through gels in the jersey pockets!

aham23

"Screwcap wine seals eliminate the threat of 'cork taint' and premature oxidation."

well, we surely don't want any taint issues!

Big House Red is my current favorite. over the winter i was really into Jacobs Creek Shiraz/Cab which is a great wine at a great price. T-Birds in Plainfield stocks Jacobs Creek at $6 per bottle! yep, i said T-Birds . i will have to give the Sirrah Syrah a try. the world of red wines is still a bit new to me. later.

jtm1631

Nothing worse than taint issues for a cyclist.

Nice ride list Psimet. Looks like I better get my a$$ on the bike and start building up some miles.

iab

Anyone out here in the sticks want to share gas money to Bike the Drive? I'll do it alone but I am pretty cheap and I would like some company. I just got a Saris off of Craigslist so I can carry 3 in the Honda with no problem.

Psimet2001 

I want to go, but I think it will be one I ride with the whole family. So I'll have trailer, 2 rigs and a whole mess of mommy neccessities (things mommy wants to bring because she thinks we'll need them) .

Might be a possibility for you to hop in (there should be room for 1 more).

Kimbercop

Mrs. Kimbercop and I are planning on bike the drive, and were thinking of getting a room on the drive for the night before. She would rather spend the $$ for that than get up earlier to drive in. I would love to hook up with the group while down there tho and ride. We're already registered so its a go, it just depends on wether we commute or stay there.

Not sure what other rides I'll be able to make as Ive only got weekends off until July 8, and more than likely will be working alot over 4th of July and I'm in Quebec bear hunting in June for 2 weeks and dont get back from Phoenix until April 29th. I'm gonna try for the Udder for sure.

BTW, Sunny, 92 degrees and no wind today in Phoenix. Heading out to play a little golf but not sure where as I'm a guest of someone up in Scottsdale. Can't wait to see my surprise, I'm sure its gonna be a great course and I am a true golf nut.

iab

Hmmm.... a whole mess of mommy necessities, a baby that poops their pants in a small confined place in which I could be trapped for over an hour, domestic conversations by an old married couple about people and things I know nothing of (again, over two hours for the round trip).... a very generous offer and although it could be considered a carpool of a lifetime, I think I may have to pass at this time. Third wheel - see definition above.

Anyone else?

CyLowe97

iab, jump on the Metra. $5 for an all weekend pass.

Then you can be the stinky one on the ride back.

Shemp

I'd nominate the Old Mill Century in Oregon, IL on August 19th as a ride. I've done it twice in the past, the stops are good and well stocked, roads are well marked, and traffic out this way is non-existent. I plan on riding it again this year. Their website is down for some reason, but it's oldmillcentury.com It's the closest big ride to me.

I also realize this is probably bad form, but dare I mention the Sugar River Bike Tour 15/30/50/100 out of Brodhead, WI is the same day as the 9/29 Psimet invitational? I had that ride on my calendar.

Anyhow, my ride schedule:

• 5/26 Blackhawk Roads (60)
  
• 6/9-10 TOMRV (106/100)
  
• 6/16 Carroll County Cycling Event (race) (62)
  
• 7/6-7/16 Wife and I are riding from Jasper to Banff to Kananaskis to Calgary
  
• 8/4 Hip Invitational
  
• 8/19 Old Mill Century (100)
  
• 8/26-8/30 Riding the Maah Daah Hey, woo hoo!
  
• 9/29 Sugar River Bike tour (100) or BFNIC (100)

Psimet2001 

Hey now...he only poops once a day...but it is usually first thing in the morning.

iab

Who said I was talking about your son.