62 miles - a Metric Century (100 KM)

Get out of Dodge and into the country with zero carbon emissions. Avg. speed of ride leader for total ride (excluding stops) will be 14-16 mph, perhaps as high as 18 mph on straight aways with a tail wind! All riders of all paces welcome and detailed cue sheets provided.

We’ll meet at the Irving Park Metra station and head Northwest to the end of the line. Of course the Metra goes whether we’re on it or not so those emissions don’t count.

 

An $8 weekend pass (purchased on train) covers entire roundtrip Metra trip.  Bring a bungee cord or something to tie up your bike inside your train car.  Each train allows up to 20 bikes on board so there should be no issue getting everyone on.  More info about bikes on Metra trains. The Union Pacific NW Line train leaves at 8:43am, Irving Park station (3931 N Avondale which is just west of Pulaski), arriving at Harvard 10:20am.

 

The bike ride will travel through Sharon, Beloit, and Poplar Grove on asphalt roads and bike paths. There is about 4 miles of crushed limestone on the Stone Bridge Trail which has, you guessed it, a stone bridge. A road bike will be fine on this ride. Click for route: www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/446981964

 

Lunch in Beloit has your choice of 2 places which are side-by-side: Bagels & More or Bushel & Peck's. We can dine out front and watch the bikes so no need to carry a heavy bike lock unless you want a better workout!

 

Return trains leave Harvard at 3:35pm, 5:35, 7:35, 9:35, arrive Irving Park 5:05, 7:05, 9:05, 11:05pm

Fast riders can likely make the 3:35 train home but most will take the 5:35pm train.

 

Obviously, those who have the means can also drive to Harvard.

As an alternative, bikers can get on the train at Ogilvie station at 8:30 or Clybourn at 8:38, or anywhere along the line that's most convenient for you.  Metra UP-NW line schedule:  Metra ride schedule

 

Ride will be cancelled/postponed if high chance of rain.

There is no SAG on this ride so be sure your bike is in good working order. A bike computer is helpful for following cue sheet in case we get separated. Recommend you bring 2 water bottles, spare tube, CO2 or pump, sun screen, snacks (for pre- and post- lunch breaks), camera, and adventurous spirit.

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Comment

Comment by daWillinChi on July 26, 2015 at 4:25am

Let's plan on it this fall.

Comment by DerferMark on July 26, 2015 at 2:56am

Cool - thx for link. That's the problem with technology, you're SOL if it doesn't work, battery dies, or use lose it! LOL  I'd be up for this ride again this Fall perhaps. But I'll be catching the 3:30 train home next time. It's a bit of a push to make it and still allow for some breaks and lunch.

Comment by daWillinChi on July 25, 2015 at 4:44pm

Here's the link in case you're interested to put in on your own GPS or Garmin device: 

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/9473664

Comment by daWillinChi on July 25, 2015 at 4:43pm

I had recreated the route on RideWithGPS for turn-by-turn direction last night and I accidentally deleted it while on the train. And the phone GPS wasn't working very well and I had missed several turns.

Anyway, I've recreated the route on RideWithGPS and would like to do this ride again.

Comment by DerferMark on July 25, 2015 at 2:49pm

Sorry you missed us JustWill (get up earlier next time). And too bad you lost your cue sheet. Hope you made it down to the Long Prairie Trail.  We barely caught the 5:30pm train home as 1 guy was having cramps.  Nice hot day!

Comment by DerferMark on July 25, 2015 at 12:52am

Wake up JustWill! :)

See ya if we see ya.

Comment by daWillinChi on July 24, 2015 at 5:37pm

As of now I'm 85%. The only downside is whether or not I wake up on time tomorrow morning or if work has an emergency.

Comment by DerferMark on July 24, 2015 at 9:07am

Ride is on! Weather looks great in Beloit, only 3% rain chance Sat.!

http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/zmw:53511.1.99999

 

I’ll be at Irving Park Metra stop but another biker Ken will be boarding at Ogilvie. Aiming for last train car.

Cue sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9Pqw4mzSpeiSThPSFlfYlN4U28/view

I’ll have a couple extras with me. Bring your own binder clip to attach it to bike.

Comment by DerferMark on July 23, 2015 at 3:23am

No problem deciding last minute. Hope the weather stays mostly dry for ride. I'll post any update here late Friday.

Comment by daWillinChi on July 23, 2015 at 3:08am

I might join you. But I can't say for sure right now.

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