Hills within 2 hours of Chicago - The Chainlink2024-03-28T11:28:50Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hills-within-2-hours-of-chicago?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A733986&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAnother suggestion is a trip…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-08-01:2211490:Comment:7365082013-08-01T20:24:49.269ZDrewbaccahttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Drewbacca
<p>Another suggestion is a trip along the Fox River trail, there are some short but reasonably steep hills on the east side of the river around Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles. I sometimes just zig-zag up and down them when I'm feeling homesick for Pittsburgh. </p>
<p>Another suggestion is a trip along the Fox River trail, there are some short but reasonably steep hills on the east side of the river around Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles. I sometimes just zig-zag up and down them when I'm feeling homesick for Pittsburgh. </p> Thanks again, all. Good advic…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-08-01:2211490:Comment:7360362013-08-01T14:33:21.409Zprof.gfrhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/profgfr
<p>Thanks again, all. Good advice on not swapping out the Freewheel right before the race and also on checking out my brake pads. We will be doing Lake Geneva from the Harvard Metra stop. Reverse commute times allow us to definitely bring bikes on board and there's definitely some hills around the Lake. Chainlink is awesome. </p>
<p>Thanks again, all. Good advice on not swapping out the Freewheel right before the race and also on checking out my brake pads. We will be doing Lake Geneva from the Harvard Metra stop. Reverse commute times allow us to definitely bring bikes on board and there's definitely some hills around the Lake. Chainlink is awesome. </p> Agree with J.A.W. Plot a rid…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-29:2211490:Comment:7349682013-07-29T18:50:57.068ZSteve Courtrighthttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SteveCourtright
<p>Agree with J.A.W. Plot a ride from Arlington Heights to Lake Geneva, WI. You will get over 2,000 ft of hills on the ride up.</p>
<p>Agree with J.A.W. Plot a ride from Arlington Heights to Lake Geneva, WI. You will get over 2,000 ft of hills on the ride up.</p> Elburn, the Metra stop is lik…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-29:2211490:Comment:7348622013-07-29T17:58:10.540ZBezhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Bez
<p>Elburn, the Metra stop is like 2-3 miles from the Mound. It's where my dad used to take us sledding every year</p>
<p>Elburn, the Metra stop is like 2-3 miles from the Mound. It's where my dad used to take us sledding every year</p> check out johnson's mound in…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-29:2211490:Comment:7349952013-07-29T15:58:00.943Zdan brownhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/danielbrown
<p>check out johnson's mound in far west suburb. not sure what town; but it is a killer hill . asphalt paved</p>
<p>and switchbacks. very little car traffic. we used to ride there and do repeats to train for HH, HHH, etc.</p>
<p>it will kick your A$$</p>
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<p>there is a METRA pretty close - maybe UP West line to Elburn ? or Geneva</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=29">http://www.kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=29</a></p>
<p>check out johnson's mound in far west suburb. not sure what town; but it is a killer hill . asphalt paved</p>
<p>and switchbacks. very little car traffic. we used to ride there and do repeats to train for HH, HHH, etc.</p>
<p>it will kick your A$$</p>
<p> </p>
<p>there is a METRA pretty close - maybe UP West line to Elburn ? or Geneva</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=29">http://www.kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=29</a></p> Take a Metra to Crystal Lake…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-29:2211490:Comment:7349872013-07-29T15:28:03.109ZdaWillinChihttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JustWill
<p>Take a Metra to Crystal Lake and take the path to Lake Geneva. Some hills up there, some you'll probably walk on the first try.</p>
<p>Take a Metra to Crystal Lake and take the path to Lake Geneva. Some hills up there, some you'll probably walk on the first try.</p> Good advice. And if your brak…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-29:2211490:Comment:7347102013-07-29T14:11:02.890ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
<p>Good advice. And if your brake pads aren't fairly new, it may be worth a quick check to make sure there's enough left in them to do the job. If there's not much left of them, replacing them before your WI adventure may be worthwhile.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>John C. Wilson said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hills-within-2-hours-of-chicago?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A734824#2211490Comment734818"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>OK. I've done a lot of…</p>
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<p>Good advice. And if your brake pads aren't fairly new, it may be worth a quick check to make sure there's enough left in them to do the job. If there's not much left of them, replacing them before your WI adventure may be worthwhile.<br/> <br/> <cite>John C. Wilson said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hills-within-2-hours-of-chicago?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A734824#2211490Comment734818"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>OK. I've done a lot of riding in that area of Wisconsin. It is one hill after another. There is not a lot of flat. There is also a lot of downhill. Rest on the downhill. Go harder than you think is reasonable on the flat. And don't go any harder than what you could manage on the flat when the road goes up. ..</p>
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</blockquote> I've done it and it works. No…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-29:2211490:Comment:7348242013-07-29T14:08:23.855ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
<p>I've done it and it works. Not exciting, but you may be able to work it into your commute (my motivation), depending on where you live and work. When you don't have a lot of time to train, it can offer an efficient solution.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Lisa Curcio 6.5 mi said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hills-within-2-hours-of-chicago#2211490Comment733720"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>There is a member of the Chainlink who tells the story of…</p>
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<p>I've done it and it works. Not exciting, but you may be able to work it into your commute (my motivation), depending on where you live and work. When you don't have a lot of time to train, it can offer an efficient solution.<br/> <br/> <cite>Lisa Curcio 6.5 mi said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/hills-within-2-hours-of-chicago#2211490Comment733720"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>There is a member of the Chainlink who tells the story of training for hills by loading up her bike and riding up and down bridge overpasses. Boring, but effective training.</p>
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</blockquote> Good advice from John above.…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-29:2211490:Comment:7347072013-07-29T13:42:46.644ZAlexhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Alex278
<p>Good advice from John above. I'd also recommend against swapping out your rear cassette/freewheel unless you know for sure that your derailers and chain can take the extra 6 teeth without an issue. A few years back I swapped out rear freewheels for a lower gear without thinking it through before a century in SW Wisconsin - ended up unable to shift into the lowest 2 gears. I finished the (very hilly) century, but it was a little less pleasant, if only because I had to consciously think about…</p>
<p>Good advice from John above. I'd also recommend against swapping out your rear cassette/freewheel unless you know for sure that your derailers and chain can take the extra 6 teeth without an issue. A few years back I swapped out rear freewheels for a lower gear without thinking it through before a century in SW Wisconsin - ended up unable to shift into the lowest 2 gears. I finished the (very hilly) century, but it was a little less pleasant, if only because I had to consciously think about my shifting so much to make sure I didn't drop the chain or do something even worse to my bike. </p>
<p>As soon as you feel resistance on the uphills, shift!</p> Thanks - that is really reall…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-29:2211490:Comment:7349782013-07-29T13:27:53.592Zprof.gfrhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/profgfr
<p>Thanks - that is really really useful advice and I appreciate your experience with the terrain and honesty about strategies! </p>
<p>Thanks - that is really really useful advice and I appreciate your experience with the terrain and honesty about strategies! </p>