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Comment by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 27, 2014 at 6:57am

Best of luck to you and your journey, and keep the rubber side down! :-)

Comment by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 27, 2014 at 6:55am

Credit for the 2012 tour goes to envaneX.....New Glarus was really great! But I've decided that it's time to do something different, and Madison is more of a chore for me now than an interesting and even fun challenge. There are so many places to explore and so many other things I could do, and frankly need to do. So really, thanks guys. You've been the greatest friends and good sports

Comment by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 27, 2014 at 6:41am

We have always been able to get through around 180-230 miles without a serious incident, save for a couple very minor cuts or bruises. After 5 years of hosting group tours, four to Madison, and raising a reasonable sum of money for wounded veterans, it's time for me to walk away standing tall.

Comment by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 27, 2014 at 6:30am

So I'm on my way to Chicago Union Station on the bus. Just luck, but I can officially say O'Hare isn't the only way back to the city. As a final note to this tour, I am glad to report that have had incredible luck for each tour since I started solo in 2008. When I started group tours in 2009, I was always concerned with safety, schedules, mechanical failure, and potential "highway robbery".

Comment by Matt M. 18.5KM on May 14, 2014 at 1:38pm

In other words, after the pre-ride meeting which occurred on April 24, any other riders on this tour attend by invitation only.

Comment by Matt M. 18.5KM on April 24, 2014 at 4:06pm

OK - We have three riders.  Wish us luck!  No other riders will be accepted without approval from the entire group and any group member can veto said application.  Thanks for your interest!

Comment by Tricolor on April 1, 2014 at 5:58am

Last year Van Galder was running double deckers downtown and single deckers to the airport.  The space on doubles is very limited and while they could handle a bike or two it's not easy and at the discretion of the driver.  The single bus has a ton of luggage space and plenty of room for many bikes.  The catch is it goes to the airport.  A van into town is probably better than riding the blue line in with a loaded bike unless you can have someone pick you up.  

Comment by Matt M. 18.5KM on March 23, 2014 at 1:16pm

Campsites are set.  Important route changes or updates made.  Ride meeting is tentatively set for Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 7:30 at Tommy Nevin's Pub in Evanston.

Comment by Matt M. 18.5KM on March 23, 2014 at 4:16am

For the ride back - Van Galder offices ( 800-747-0994 ) are only open on Saturday and Sunday on Memorial Day weekend, however they will have the schedule set on Sunday for single and double decker buses.  Early buses will likely be single decker going to either downtown Chicago or O'Hare.  Later buses will likely be double deckers, but O'Hare buses are mostly single decker capable of carrying a bike.  When I get to O'Hare, I'm planning for a 303 van cab (big enough for maybe 2-3 bikes), so if you'd like to split it with me or do the same for yourself that expands your transportation options.  I'm assuming everyone knows the CTA Blue line leaves O'Hare.  The nearest Metra stations to O'Hare are O'Hare Transfer (North Central Service line to Union Station), and Des Plaines (Union Pacific Northwest Line to Ogilvie Station).