Bike Route Resource
As I'm starting to plan some long bike rides I was wondering if EN had a resource - or could have a resource 
- where people post their long route bike options. For the most part I'd be interested to hear what routes people in the Midwest/Chicago area have created and any hints, cautions, problems, etc. that they have. But since I like to take a lot of small weekend trips, it would be great if I could pull up some of the routes other ENers might do in the area I'm traveling to, especially with some key information like the best times to ride, what to watch out for, and things like that. What do you guys think? Maybe in the wiki? Or other ideas?
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That could be helpful too.
Like others mentioned mapmyride is good, or check out different tri and cycling club websites for routes.
If you want to know your way around the Barrington area I can help since I feel like I am a weekend resident of all of the Barringtons (Hills, Lake, South, etc) all summer long. Between the various team members in the area I would bet we could come up with a route or two for every major area.
Speaking of which, We're off to this http://www.ichs.net/quadrupedal.html and this http://www.bike4autism.com/ this weekend
I use mapmyride. I went premium member last year when I organized the EN camp....
I would love to know Barrington routes -- especially ones that involve starting close to the Metra station.
Search mapmyride.com for rides in Barrington, IL. You could also try searching for Chicago Tri Club (Hayes?).
This 15mile loop starts a mile or two from the Barrington Metra station. The high school has a track and porto potties. I generally start from the hs and do variations of this loop and run on the track when doen.
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/i...9776936827
Perfect! Thanks, Hayes! (Now, just to swap out my 11-23 for a 12-27)
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm a member of CTC, so I'm familiar with their rides, was just looking for something different. But I definitely try to hook up with local tri clubs if I'm going somewhere, since, as mentioned, they definitely are a great resource. I've used mapmyride before but I've had some sketchy luck with rides I've found on there and was hoping for a more reliable resource. I know there are many riders out there that don't mind sharing the road with traffic that doesn't want you there, I'm just not one of them, especially when I'm trying to workout (I'd just prefer to be safe on my trainer in front of a window!) I'll have to check out Garmin Connect, and try heading out to Barrington for riding too.
Thanks again!
@Beth - let me know when you are going to head out there as I ride the loop that Hayes shared (and about 12 other versions) almost every weekend.
I'll probably be riding there both tomorrow and sunday if anyone is interested.
FWIW, the barrington hills are mini versions of IMWI, I've done it many many times with a 53/39 and 11-23. Definitely hillier than most areas in Illinois but not horrible at all.
I generally try and find as many supported rides as possible to break up the schedule. I usually get bored with Barrington by July and need some variety.
Mike B and Jim H ride starting from Gurnee but they start too early
I use this site for events in the Illinois/Wis/Ind area
http://www.mikebentley.com/bike/ilrides.htm#June
Udder Century is great. A few hills at the end, mainly flat.
Swedish Day - Found the route very boring. No hills - tons of wind though.
TOMRV - Outstanding. Two days of riding from Quad Cities up to Dubuque IA and back the next day. Two different routes for each day based on the mileage you want. I've done this one twice. Its fun. The overnight stay is at Clarke College in Dubuque. I went to college in Dubuque so I like going back.
Here is my report from TOMRV
http://www.endurancenation.us/en_fo...ight=TOMRV
Daireyland - Popular. Hilly.
Insane Terrain - Put on by the HHH folks. Same day was the Wiscon EN thing though....