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Chainlink Tourers

A group for cyclists interested in traveling via bike. Veterans can offer addice to new tourers and we can all get inspiration from each other as we plan anything from an overnight at a B&B to a round-the-world aventure.

Members: 218
Latest Activity: Mar 6, 2022

Discussion Forum

Skydiving? 1 Reply

Started by Daniel Villarreal. Last reply by Michael Kerr Jun 22, 2021.

Reserved Spot for use @ IL Beach State Park Saturday 6/5 1 Reply

Started by Renee Patten. Last reply by Don Pollack Jun 4, 2021.

S24O from Chicago Trips 22 Replies

Started by BalloonBiker. Last reply by Erik Apr 26, 2021.

Worthwhile Mile Ride+Camp • Sonoran Desert • Sept 19-22

Started by Erin Stevenes Jun 27, 2019.

Route to Hide-A-Way Lakes, Yorksville via the Illinois Prairie Path then Fox River Trail from the city 1 Reply

Started by Renee Patten. Last reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo Sep 17, 2014.

Climate Ride Midwest

Started by Annette Mar 6, 2014.

Amtrak Bike Blackout - Springfield to St. Louis - May 1-10 and May 16-25 3 Replies

Started by Larry Mysz. Last reply by Bob Kastigar Sep 21, 2013.

weekend tour 4 Replies

Started by Robert. Last reply by Bob Kastigar Mar 15, 2013.

Touring Bikes Rivendell Atlantis? 2 Replies

Started by Dave D. Last reply by Dave D Nov 22, 2012.

looking for Pacific coast touring partners summer 2012 3 Replies

Started by Max B. Last reply by Chad McQueen Mar 23, 2012.

Comment Wall

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Comment by Brian Bender on September 26, 2012 at 3:04pm

Is there opinion/experience on state road IL 49? I am trying to plan a Chicago to Olne ride and 49 looks like the obvious choice, but i haven't seen it.

Comment by Duppie on July 6, 2011 at 10:07am

@ M.A.R.K.

Those Route 66 maps are in fact very good. We did the part from Springfield to Joliet. The roads they chose are generally low traffic, flat, smooth, and straight. We took 2 days to ride from Normal to Joliet, but we weren't in a hurry.

I would stay away from the old route 66 itself. It's largely a 2-lane 55 mph road.

Biggest complaint is that the views in that part of Illinois are kind of boring.

 

Comment by Dan Ciskey on July 6, 2011 at 10:00am

This is a somewhat old but useful set of cue sheets from the League of Illinois bicyclists:

http://www.bikelib.org/maps-and-rides/route-guides/route-66-trail/

Also see a thread I posted earlier this year for a route out of the city:

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/critique-my-route-from-chi...

I've done the route as far as Joliet; it's pretty decent. Parts of the Gaylord Donnelly trail are gravel, or extra thick limestone, or super rutty, but it's rideable on 32mm road tires.

If you're trying to do Chicago-Normal in two days, it seems like Braidwood is the best stopover point. I don't know if there's camping there but there are a couple of motels, it seems. I'm hoping to do this ride myself sometimes; my folks live in Normal and I think it'd be a fun ride.

Comment by Bob Kastigar on March 24, 2011 at 12:22pm

Another very useful map (mapmash) for Amtrak:

http://www.mapmash.in/amtrak.html

Plain Text URL:

http://www.mapmash.in/amtrak.html

 

I've included the link twice, because if you just click on the link on an open web page it doesn't seem to work correctly, at least for me.

 

Rather, open a new tab or page, blank with no URL and then copy-and-paste the text above and it turns into a full page which is very useful.

 

 

Comment by Kevin Mulcky on March 24, 2011 at 11:50am
That Amtrak map is awesome! thanks!
Comment by BalloonBiker on March 24, 2011 at 11:44am

In the realm of Amtrak:

The Path Less Pedaled is collecting information about bike touring and Amtrak in a survey here: http://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=4841a631-434d-44d7-aa01-1...

 

Also, this is one of the most useful Amtrak maps that I've ever seen:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/senexprime/4785807080/

Comment by Bob Kastigar on November 13, 2010 at 1:04pm
Just starting Nov. 8 2010 - the Hiawatha Service between Chicago and Milwaukee. Six trains daily, 7th Mon-Sat.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Route_C&pagena...

But NO CARRY ON BIKES, like the Illinois Service Routes, http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Route_C&pagena...

All of these train routes are subsidized by the state of Illinois - why can't they all accommodate carry-on bikes?
Comment by payton on October 17, 2010 at 11:43am
Or Van Galder bus all the way, every hour from O'Hare to Milwaukee. Metra to Kenosha, then a ride to Milwaukee isn't bad.
Comment by Bob Kastigar on October 4, 2010 at 4:59pm
Are there trains going to or from Milwaukee that accept carry-on bicycles now?
Comment by Barry Niel Stuart on October 4, 2010 at 4:03pm
As a member of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, I can get behind a well-thought-out train design that allows bicycles. Moreover, Milwaukee's Intermodal Station is getting a redo of the train shed to allow disabled and biking passengers to board the trains with more ease. The Americans with Disabilities Act also helps bikers.
 

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