Pitching a Tent

Comment

Comment by igz on April 30, 2013 at 4:16pm

june 15/16?

Comment by igz on April 30, 2013 at 3:41pm

any interest in checking out Shabbona State Park?  Metra to Aurora, ride out 30miles.

Comment by daWillinChi on March 25, 2013 at 10:38am

Just signed up for Le Tour de Shore

Comment by Robert on March 15, 2013 at 10:41am

Does anyone take their gear with them, I have panniers i use for work but would like to take them along with a cago cart to see how I do. But I dont want to be left in the wind if my bike is to heavy to keep up.   

Comment by spencewine on March 8, 2013 at 2:03pm

+1 for Tour De Shore. Awesome event...I'm looking forward to riding again this year.

Comment by daWillinChi on March 8, 2013 at 1:27pm

Definitely down for this

Comment by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 8, 2013 at 11:13am

There were a few folks who were meeting people in Michigan and staying another day or so.  There were also a few folks who had their own support crews or family/spouces (spice?)  traveling with them that met them in the campground on the first night and then again at the end.  Then they all drove back together.

But I think, by and large, most folks opted for the bus ride back. 

There were 4 full charger buses and they filled 3 rental trucks full of bikes.

Comment by daWillinChi on March 8, 2013 at 10:31am

Are there usually a lot of people opting to ride back instead of taking the bus?

Comment by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 8, 2013 at 9:06am

The website could be better.

If you look at the map of the route you can plainly see the distances between each stop.  Of course you need to add them up yourself to get the daily mileage. 

In the first paragraph of the main page (right below the video) it tells you that the first day is 66 miles and the second day is 34. 

Camping is at Indiana Dunes state park, or if you prefer not to rough it there are motels available for sissies who don't want to pitch a tent.  

It's a fully-supported ride with all meals included and actual SAG stops with food (which is more than I could say for the GITy Up which was a bit lacking in this department IMHO) and a huge dinner at the campground and at the end. 

Then there is an option for an extra fee to get bused back to Chicago and they haul all the bikes back in big enclosed rental moving trucks.  

I agree that the website could be better done.  It is hard to find all the info.  There were also mistakes in the dates last year for the advance gear drop-off locations and times.  They have the gear drop-off/registration in Bucktown and somewhere out in the burbs a few days before the event.  Or you can drop off your camping gear the morning of the ride.    

The nice part about the gear drop-off is that you don't have to haul your stuff in that morning and can simply ride down to the McMooby's Bike Center downtown that morning.  

The only issue is getting home from the center when they drop you off the next evening after the bus ride.   I just strap my camping gear onto my bike for the 7 mile ride home but my stuff is all bike-camping/backpacking gear and all fits into a small duffle bag.  I could go without the gear transport but it makes for a nicer lightweight ride without panniers.  

The ride is FULLY supported, way more so than GITy Up.  The food and drink is also 595% better and 762% more plentiful. 

Comment by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 8, 2013 at 6:26am

Speaking of supported camping rides there is also the Tour de Shore in Indiana/Michigan. 

If one thought the GITy Up was the most fun one ever did on a bike le Tour de Shore will BLOW you away.  The two were not even in the same league although the daily mileage and pace expectations are a bit greater than the GITy Up.

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