wandering vagabond <-----<-----
 

So...

The girlfriend/roomie is leaving for a week to go to Cleveland to visit friends.

I've been itching to go on an overnight/two night road/bike trip.

I scored a cheapo 2-3 person tent (read, perfect for me and my bike!) at the Army Surplus on Lincoln, just south of Belmont.

I've put together a short list of things I think I'll need, packed them up last night, and it seems like a manageable load for 65-70 miles a day.

Then, I went downstairs to our bike room, looked at all the rusted over beaters that nobody has touched for years, hijacked some old, crusty water-bottle cages, duct taped them to my frame, and VOILA! touring vehicle created!!!

Thinking about heading up to Southern Wisconsin, Kenosha County. I'll find me a nice little hideout near the lake, setup camp, spend the night, do the same thing the next day.

Oh, and I won't forget to take my iPod so when I'm doin' my Yoga near Lake Michigan I'll have some Yanni and Michael Bolton (yeah, THAT no-talent-ass-clown!) to relax to.

cF

I am guessing your custom made, Hemp Timbuk2 Yoga bag with optional Hawaiian Floral panel finally came in.

...all smartassed-ness aside, have a good trip!

Sounds like a good trip. The solo kind are nice, lets you reflect a little, get a little perspective and what better way to do it than on a bike. Something I need to do soon myself.

hey, you don't tour with the girlfriend?

I hope she has fun here, and visits tremont. If she's here tonight there's a cool show @ the asterisk gallery.

my girlfriend and i just got back from our first overnight (illinois beach state park) 100 miles round trip from argyle/damen - bike paths 90% of the way. campground is way "local" feeling, lots of RV's - which means lots of beer. our neighbors offered me a miller light about 30 seconds after we pulled in.

if you want a route description - i can post it. super easy ride, liquor store right next to the camp ground (if you're into solo drinking).

Doubt she'll stop by Tremont...we had enough of Tremont when we lived there...we were an east-side couple..Shaker and Cleveland Hts. Parents live in Chagrin Falls/Bainbridge area.

No, I don't tour with my GF. Her idea of touring means a car, A/C, music, and a Ritz. She's not a sun/summer worshipper.

yeah, I'd like that route if you dont' mind. Although, I don't drink, and I don't really feel like staying in a campground with tons of people and RV's. Ya know? Id still love to hear about your trip, though..

*this is taken from http://www.neiu.edu/~rkastiga/bike/chi2wisc.htm and modified accordingly (in bold)
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1. START: Devon and Caldwell in Chicago, the beginning of the North River Bike Path. Take this all the way north, continuing through the Chicago Botanical Gardens, exiting at Lake Cook Road. 16.5 MILES (This is an off-road path)

2. Lake-Cook Road right (east) to the Green Bay Trail .5 MILES (lake cook road is ALSO called countyline.. and the green bay trail is a little past green bay road, you cross railroad tracks before it)

3. Green Bay Trail left (north) to downtown Highland Park. 3.0 MILES (This is an off-road path)

(these directions through highland park are sorta long/confusing.. we just muddled our way through)

4. Continue in the same direction north on St. Johns Avenue. Watch the signs, there's a quick left-then-right turn. When it ends at a T-intersection (Walker), turn left (west) to Sheridan Road. Follow the Sheridan Road signs north. As you approach Fort Sheridan (on your right) there’s a wide sidewalk to ride on, off road. Continue to Old Elm Road (stoplight). 3.1 MILES

(1999 update to 4. - Just take St. Johns Avenue north. Where it meets Walker, there are signs posted for a nice off-road sidewalk path, clearly marked. This path takes you all the way to Old Oak Road, where the off-road path continues on the west side of the highway. 2002 update: there is a sign posted.)

5. At this juncture, there's a paved path on the opposite side of the road, the west side. Cross the intersection and take this path north. Ignore any bike-path signs that may lead you elsewhere. This path ends in North Chicago, at the railroad tracks. Cross the tracks. The intersection is actually Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. 7.4 MILES (This is an off-road path)

6. Cross the tracks, and continue straight ahead (west) on Martin Luther King Drive. You're looking for Commonwealth Avenue, a stop light. .1 MILES * i turned right on sheridan - i wouldn't advise this! just cross the tracks, cross sheridan, and the trail is on your right a block or two down, past the hobby shop on your right. its also pretty low-income for a bit here, no big deal though

7. Off on your right at this intersection is the Robert McClory Path. At this point it's actually a bike lane in the street, but it will lead you to a crushed stone path. Continue on this path north, all the way to Kenosha, Wisconsin. 15.3 MILES (This is an off-road path) (we exited at beach road - took that east then north on sheridan to the campgrounds as described below).

(1999/2002 update: if you want to camp along #7, about a half-day ride from Chicago is Illinois Beach State Park and Campground. Intersecting the path is Beach Road - and easy exit - then right or east to Sheridan Road, Rt. 137 then left north to the entrance. Alternately, continue north along the path to Wadsworth Road (an uneasy exit) then to right or east directly into the park and campground.

if you want to keep going north - there is better camping about 15 miles further.. check out the site above for directions.

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have fun - we had some veggie chili mix explode in my carradice, bad times. and apparently, billy (our neighbor at the campsite), "don't do any of that fancy cookin' ".. (we had offered him some basil/dill that we picked up from a friend's garden along the way).