Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Glenn on November 18, 2009 at 1:26pm

Me and my other half were thinking of doing the same thing, basically. Sadly the trails I have ridden on in winter don't get plowed(XC-skiing). Lots of walking over snow mounds and the crushed gravel tends to get mushy and hard to pedal on. Mountain bike recommended. Riding can be a bit slower but still fun.
We were going to try for a shorter ride to Chain O' Lakes SP and camp though. not enough money for a room someplace.

I say go for it!

Permalink Reply by pistola on December 15, 2009 at 6:37am

I think the big issue that's overlooked with winter touring is lack of daylight. I did a tour a couple of years ago down south and it would get dark around 5:30-6pm. That seriously limits the distance you can cover. Riding out in the burbs in the dark not on a bike path without excellent lights sounds like suicide to me.

Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on December 15, 2009 at 7:13am

The lack of daylight does sound like a good point. It's looking like I might not be able to do a ride until late January or early February.

I guess I'd assume to do an early wake up and to take advantage of what daylight there is. If it's limited to just 50 miles a day, it shouldn't that hard to cover with limited daylight, right?

My first winter trip might just be to Illinois Beach State park and the lodge there as there are metra stations and trails the whole way.

Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on December 15, 2009 at 7:19am

The Green Bay Trail is not maintained during the winter. The rest probably aren't either.

Permalink Reply by Glenn on December 25, 2009 at 10:04pm

your right... darn XC skiing/snow shoeing :)

envane x said:

The Green Bay Trail is not maintained during the winter. The rest probably aren't either.