Chicago Slap & Tickle: But in spandex

OPdate!!! 2013!!!!

Get it? We're devising a new plan for meeting up and riding this year, I'll update the OP as details emerge.

Also, per Wired's request, Thread title changed!

So I was thinking we can start from Humboldt Park, since I live pretty close to there (selfish, I know). We could meet at the boathouse (or whatever that building on the little pond there is) around 8 or 9 am. I'm thinking we ride out to the Prairie Path, take that to Two Brothers, rest and refuel (Food? Beer? Cocaine?), then ride back to the city.

Personally, I prefer riding loops, I don't really care to backtrack, but there aren't many 60 mile loops near Chicago without driving to get there (at least none that I'm aware of).

So, what do you guys think?

Sounds cool to me. Someone arbitrate whether we're doing 8am or 9am so I can figure out how early a Saturday I need to make of things and we'll go from there.

I would consider meeting you guys at said brewery.

That'd be cool, though I don't think we could give an exact time of arrival.

And let's say meet at 8, take off before 9?

Sounds cool. I'd suggest participants PM each other contact numbers so we can give each other a shout if running late etc.

I would seriously consider driving down there if I wasn't going to be on vacation and out of town that week.

pfft. Vacations. group rides are where it's at.

Super-awesome double post of derision and jest!

Well the problem is the first week of my vacation we are driving even further away from Chicago.

If you do this another week I'd be all over it.

No worries, I'm sure we'll set another up soon.

I'm hanging out with a visiting SirRockford that afternoon. Also, I don't have a bike. But that may change after I switch neighborhoods.

Another obligation has crept into things. Looks like I can't participate in Sunday's ride after all. [Rampant profanity here.]

Rampant profanity indeed. Looks like I'm going solo again

Well, my co-worker might be joining me somewhere along the Prairies Path, so there's that, at least

Not even the promise of beer can make people ride with WipEout...

WipEout wrote:

Rampant profanity indeed. Looks like I'm going solo again

Well, my co-worker might be joining me somewhere along the Prairies Path, so there's that, at least :D

I would totes go with you if I lived closer than 500 miles from Chicago.

Also, I would eat at Alinea every week.

Also, while I'm dreaming, how about a villa in the south of France?

Norfair wrote:

Not even the promise of beer can make people ride with WipEout...

My handle is a curse...

Minnie, you should move here. It's much better than other places.

You find me a high-powered executive job there and we'll talk.

As soon as I find one for myself, I'll bring you on.

Um... how fast are you guys?

Well, Schmutzli, it's not relevant now that I'm not going to be on Sunday's ride, but I'm guessing you're insinuating you'd like to get in on some future rides? That sounds good, by the way. Kick our asses about doing it. I'd like to get in on some.

Answering: I guess I'm adaptable? 19-21mph is about my ideal quick-but-not-killing-myself speed on the road bike. I'm fine going slower if someone else sets the pace, but they've got to be out front or we need to switch off frequently - I've got a bad habit of slowly increasing my speed without realizing it.

I love riding harder, but I'm not sure I could do 24+mph for long stretches this summer without the benefit of a tailwind. There was a training regimen for racing last year; this year, various factors curbed that.

If there's ever a call for a slow ride that's down in the 15mph area, I can always take my commuter.

ianunderhill wrote:

If there's ever a call for a slow ride that's down in the 15mph area, I can always take my commuter.

You realize a lot of people would consider 15 mph anything but "slow".

I'm not in the area, but I usually hit 17-18 when I'm by myself, and obviously a few mph faster than that in groups. Never underestimate the power of The Draft.

Minarchist wrote:
ianunderhill wrote:

If there's ever a call for a slow ride that's down in the 15mph area, I can always take my commuter.

You realize a lot of people would consider 15 mph anything but "slow".

Yes. I also realize a lot of people think grinding 40rpm at a dangerously wobbly 7mph constitutes riding a bike. At that point, I either try to encourage them to change their mind, or suggest they leave the bike at home and we all just go for a beer instead, because it'll be more fun and less frustrating.

Yeah, right now 15mph is more comfortable for me... of course that was with hills, and its pretty flat around here.

Yup. Throw in all the other benefits of a group ride and it gets even easier.

Re:hills/lack thereof - you're recently new to the area, or...?

ianunderhill wrote:

Yup. Throw in all the other benefits of a group ride and it gets even easier.

Re:hills/lack thereof - you're recently new to the area, or...?

I was working in San Francisco last year, and commuted to work by bike. 20mi/day, several 'nice' climbs.

That settles it - you're a machine. Not a damned thing to worry about here.

Into the thread, though I don't have a bike. /following

Schmutzli wrote:
ianunderhill wrote:

Yup. Throw in all the other benefits of a group ride and it gets even easier.

Re:hills/lack thereof - you're recently new to the area, or...?

I was working in San Francisco last year, and commuted to work by bike. 20mi/day, several 'nice' climbs.

Yeah, you're fine. Hell, I'd probably have a hard time keeping up with you at this point. My average around here (minus stop lights) is probably somewhere around 20mph, but when I was in San Francisco a couple years back I was averaging around 15mph, only because climbing Mt Tam or that first turn up the Marin Headlands off the Golden Gate can really slow a rider down (until you bomb down the other side, of course )

PM me with your details if you want to come along-- you're more than welcome. If you're looking for slower cruising speeds (15mph on average) we might not make it out to Warrenville and back in a reasonable amount of time (I expect the ride total will be a few hours), but I'd be willing to ride out until we decide to turn back. But if we did plan on more cruising speeds, I'd be happy to take out the fixie/commuter. Otherwise, I'll be bringing my "race" bike.

Which reminds me-- I need to clean the Green Bay Trail off my roadie....