Milwaukee 2.0

Alright folks, here it is


Alright, the long-awaited Chicago-Milwaukee ride that all the kids are abuzz about is here. Milwaukee 1.0 back in April was a smashing success this will likely be the last Milwaukee ride I host before I move back out to Boston so let's make it snappy, eh?

There will be two categories:

racers and rollers (everyone else.)

First, the rollers. this is a social and fun ride so no one should be daunted by the 80 mile distance. If you can ride 25 continuous miles, you can definitely ride up to Milwaukee with us. The route largely follows amtrak/ metra routes so if you get ill or something there's plenty of bail points, which we will map out for you. Basically, if you're a first time to milwaukee (or first time distance rider) all you have to do is show up at the start with a functioning bike and we'll do the rest, I'll post route maps, bail points and suggested rest stops in this link. Invite your friends, the more the merrier!

We will leave Chicago at 7 AM. That means we will meet at our mass start (the starbucks at 5300 n clark) at 630. We will end the ride at Palomino's pub in Milwaukee for beers and fried pickles/lunch (veggie-friendly) Also, I will call ahead and reserve us some spots at the sprecher brewery tour for those who are interested. Hopefully, some of our milwaukee brothers and sisters will amtrak down from milwaukee friday night, crash in chicago and ride up with us saturday. Also, hopefully others will meet up with us IN milwaukee for bike-related hijinx.

RETURN TRIP: If you're really intrepid bike back. failing that amtrak service to chicago is like 20 bucks (plus a fee for a bike box, which they provide)

racers: New for milwaukee 2.0 is the racer category. If you like to roll light and fast let's have a friendly competition. Everyone who wants to race will chip in a predetermined amount into a pot, pot is won by first person to palominos (I think we should all follow the same route to keep things sporting but would be amenable to a "whoever gets there first by whatever route they want" style as well.

My summer is almost totally booked up, so I propose July 18th.


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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by DonRay A.K.A. Zesty on July 8, 2009 at 7:46am
I used Chris Cream (woah) last time, and I've used it since! I highly recommend it!! Where's all the 1.0 guys over here, sheeesh?
I'm most likely gonna stay over night if anyone wants to throw down and crash in my room.

Chris said:
...and I might as well add my famous "chamois cream" speech. 1. WEAR BIKE SHORTS WITH THE PADDING IN THEM

2. USE A TON A TON A TON OF CHAMOIS CREAM. Mix 1 tub vaseline, 1 tube neosporin and 1 tube anti boil cream. and slather about three to four fingers worth on the inside of your bike short padding (called a chamois pad) before you slip em on for the ride.

while you uncomfortably waddle around your apartment making an "eww" face, take pride in knowing you are now a hardcore cyclist.

(oh and youll be comfortable in the saddle and prevent yourself from getting saddle sores too)
Permalink Reply by DonRay A.K.A. Zesty on July 8, 2009 at 7:46am
I used Chris Cream (woah) last time, and I've used it since! I highly recommend it!! Where's all the 1.0 guys over here, sheeesh?
I'm most likely gonna stay over night if anyone wants to throw down and crash in my room.

Chris said:
...and I might as well add my famous "chamois cream" speech. 1. WEAR BIKE SHORTS WITH THE PADDING IN THEM

2. USE A TON A TON A TON OF CHAMOIS CREAM. Mix 1 tub vaseline, 1 tube neosporin and 1 tube anti boil cream. and slather about three to four fingers worth on the inside of your bike short padding (called a chamois pad) before you slip em on for the ride.

while you uncomfortably waddle around your apartment making an "eww" face, take pride in knowing you are now a hardcore cyclist.

(oh and youll be comfortable in the saddle and prevent yourself from getting saddle sores too)
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on July 8, 2009 at 8:00am
Where are all the 1.0 guys? Well, this one (as well as Brett) will be on the way to Iowa. Bummed that I gotta miss 2.0, because it sounds like it's going to be even better than 1.0. Unfortunately, I'll be busy getting ready to get severely sunburned in Iowa (seriously - not leaving the state without sunblock).

Have fun Josh, and enjoy the fried pickles.

DonRay A.K.A. Zesty said:
I used Chris Cream (woah) last time, and I've used it since! I highly recommend it!! Where's all the 1.0 guys over here, sheeesh?
I'm most likely gonna stay over night if anyone wants to throw down and crash in my room.

Permalink Reply by Chris on July 8, 2009 at 8:02am
Yeah man, I am pissed I couldn't scare up ragrbrai plansthis year (I thought I would be in italy right now teaching, which fell through because of the dumb economy)

so good luck at ragrbrai, I'm jealous!

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Where are all the 1.0 guys? Well, this one (as well as Brett) will be on the way to Iowa. Bummed that I gotta miss 2.0, because it sounds like it's going to be even better than 1.0. Unfortunately, I'll be busy getting ready to get severely sunburned in Iowa (seriously - not leaving the state without sunblock).

Have fun Josh, and enjoy the fried pickles.

DonRay A.K.A. Zesty said:
I used Chris Cream (woah) last time, and I've used it since! I highly recommend it!! Where's all the 1.0 guys over here, sheeesh?
I'm most likely gonna stay over night if anyone wants to throw down and crash in my room.

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on July 8, 2009 at 8:05am
Just go Milwaukee-and-back 2 and a half times. :)

Chris said:
Yeah man, I am pissed I couldn't scare up ragrbrai plansthis year (I thought I would be in italy right now teaching, which fell through because of the dumb economy)

so good luck at ragrbrai, I'm jealous!

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Where are all the 1.0 guys? Well, this one (as well as Brett) will be on the way to Iowa. Bummed that I gotta miss 2.0, because it sounds like it's going to be even better than 1.0. Unfortunately, I'll be busy getting ready to get severely sunburned in Iowa (seriously - not leaving the state without sunblock).

Have fun Josh, and enjoy the fried pickles.

DonRay A.K.A. Zesty said:
I used Chris Cream (woah) last time, and I've used it since! I highly recommend it!! Where's all the 1.0 guys over here, sheeesh?
I'm most likely gonna stay over night if anyone wants to throw down and crash in my room.

Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on July 8, 2009 at 8:18am
I'm interested in going, though I might have something else that Saturday, if it falls through I would do the ride. If I do go, I'd want to crash overnight.
Permalink Reply by Chris on July 8, 2009 at 10:31am
Just a note (this is based on my knowledge of bicycling science/book knowledge, i have not ridden an atb or hybrid on a long trip personally)

The difference between a road/racing bike and a hybrid, cruiser etc (particularly when you can't get in a more aerodynamic posiiton than fully upright) is SIGNIFICANT.

Maybe when I get home to my reference books I'll post the details but you're looking at probably a 4 mph difference for the same energy output.

Interesting, if you do this on a hybrid that would be awesome and give a ton of useful information! If you have a friend etc maybe the two of you could set out an hour or two earlier with the route map and I could be available by phone for emergencies/directions, which would give you more time to have fun in milwaukee?

hmm, cool!



Brian Kennedy said:
Hey, Chris. Open road with no significant head wind and with pacing in mind, I'm at 14-15 mph. No road bike for this dude, hybrid only. We're pretty close on our estimates. Roadies will finish in about 6 and I'll be rolling in probably around 8 hours. I got you on the starting time. 7 AM it is.

Chris said:
While being on the bike for 9 hours is super impressive and hardcore in its own right, what's your average capable speed? (in other words your onbike speed during a commute in downtown chicago might be 10 mph, but what about when you have wide open roads? I am assuming you're on a road bike with "drop" handlebars?)

Keep in mind there will be no traffic almost the whole way. I feel like a good average speed for moderately fit cyclists on road bikes not including stops is 15-16 mph. the trip should take 6-8 hours.

730 PM is last train outta milwaukee, but I am not comfortable starting the ride any earlier than 7 am (first, let's be honest for most folks that drink even 7 am is a stretch, and second, in my experience even if we tell people 630 7 is when most show up)

Brian Kennedy said:
Okay, so I have downtown Milwaukee pegged at 86 miles from the start point. At my typical rolling speed (I always estimate 6 min/mile on my commute but our route may be less congested), I calculate it will take me 8h 36m to reach Milwaukee with no stops. So, with stops, that puts me in Milwaukee between 4pm and 5pm. I see the last couple of Hiawatha runs on the 18th are at 5:45pm & 7:35pm. Are we all pretty much looking at catching the 7:35pm train do you think? I want to use my Amtrak Rewards, so I have to book ahead of time. Pain in the butt, but it will be free so what the heck. How do all of my assumptions sound?
Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on July 8, 2009 at 11:58am
OK.....but I'll have a bit of a head start from Evanston - and I'll be on trails...will plan on cutting to the Oak Leaf east via Route 32. No chamois cream for me though - I guess I haven't done enough centuries to know what those sores are like. My mileage might still be really close to yours considering that I'm taking the scenic route. Hope to make it for Palomino's and then I'm heading directly to Union Station.
Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on July 8, 2009 at 12:22pm
Chris said:
Just a note (this is based on my knowledge of bicycling science/book knowledge, i have not ridden an atb or hybrid on a long trip personally)
The difference between a road/racing bike and a hybrid, cruiser etc (particularly when you can't get in a more aerodynamic posiiton than fully upright) is SIGNIFICANT.
Maybe when I get home to my reference books I'll post the details but you're looking at probably a 4 mph difference for the same energy output.

Interesting, if you do this on a hybrid that would be awesome and give a ton of useful information! If you have a friend etc maybe the two of you could set out an hour or two earlier with the route map and I could be available by phone for emergencies/directions, which would give you more time to have fun in milwaukee?

hmm, cool!



I've ridden a solo century on a hybrid. It took me 8.5 hours. Its not some herculean feat. However, I do not recomend it, and anyone doing distance rides should go ahead and get a road bike.
Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on July 8, 2009 at 1:41pm
h3 said:
What Evan said. The difference is not really riding position/aerodynamics-- it's having a lighter, more resilient frame that doesn't leave you fatigued from road shock, and maybe a little less weight and less rolling resistance. There's not really that much difference aerodynamically between riding on the hoods of a road bike (nobody's gonna do 100 miles in the drops) and using a flat h-bar on a hybrid.

Its depends on what hybrid, which is a pretty meaningless term. It can mean some goofy upright thing like this:

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/citizen/09_citizen1.html

Or something like a roadbike with flatbars:

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/allegro/09_allegro1.html

Even if you set your flatbars low, gripping the bar palms facing down will force your elbows out, which is not very aero at all (and it looks goofy as hell when riding on pavement).

Not that it really matters if you're cruising at 15 mph.

Anywho, the main advantage to roadbikes for non-race distance riding are the drop bars, which offer multiple hand and body positions.
Permalink Reply by Rick lightburn on July 8, 2009 at 2:16pm
I'm in, I think.
Permalink Reply by Smash on July 8, 2009 at 5:57pm
envane x said:
Anywho, the main advantage to roadbikes for non-race distance riding are the drop bars, which offer multiple hand and body positions.

Yea, that's why I love drops. I've come up with some bizarre hand positions throughout a long ride on mine. I might apply for a patent/trademark on a couple. ;)

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