Late night off road trail riding - anyone interested?

So I went for a lone cruise and found myself riding some gravel and dirt trails around my area and got to thinking, there is the Monday night crew in the city, why not some folks on mountain bikes going for short group rides?

I live on the nw side and used to spend hours riding local trails during the day as a kid and I revisited some tonight. Would anyone be down?

Obviously you'd need a good headlamp, I have a Magicshine 808E, but even a good flashlight might work too. We could get a group started and ride once a week or once every other week.

Thoughts? Anyone done this before?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on July 24, 2014 at 9:04am

Riding the North Branch Trail up to the Skokie Lagoons single track would be fun option if people wanted a longer mileage option. There's a lot of off-trail options up there. 

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on July 24, 2014 at 9:45am

I have been back there a few times, can be confusing but since it isn't a technical trail could be safe enough to cruise along at night.  Plus there are plenty of places to meet off the trail, maybe have meeting points headed north?

Side note:  Anyone ever ridden the horse trails?  

Mike M said:

I could be game. Have the appropriate lights and bike(s). North Branch trail woods?

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on July 24, 2014 at 10:00am

Yep!

Chitown_Mike said:

Side note:  Anyone ever ridden the horse trails?  


Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on July 24, 2014 at 11:06am

I was thinking trails like those or some of the unmarked ones in some of the other preserves.  Rooty or big rocks don't sound like fun in the middle of the night!  To me at least....

KevinM said:

Yep!

Chitown_Mike said:

Side note:  Anyone ever ridden the horse trails?  


Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on July 24, 2014 at 11:09am

I would agree. The NBT horse trail or DPRT would both be fun. 

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on July 24, 2014 at 12:20pm

Totally cheesy but there should be a group name on here and Facebook, something like the Midnite Windigo or zashiki warashi (Japanese for "playful child spirit"), something that relates to being there but not being seen.  Especially because we will be in the woods.

I'd be down for a ride tonight if anyone is available.  Otherwise I am busy this weekend until Sunday evening.

Permalink Reply by Chris on July 24, 2014 at 8:05pm
What is / where is the DPRT ?
Permalink Reply by Michael A on July 25, 2014 at 12:13am

DPRT=DesPlains River Trail, It runs along the river all the way north to the wisconsin border. It is a combo of dirt/old asphalt/crush limestone. Most days it can be handled on a bike with 28mm tires. I prefer using a cyclocross bike with file treads unless it is wet. 

Please take care on the  trails not to ride them when it is muddy, you make ruts in the trails that takes a long time to flatten back out.

Permalink Reply by David P. on July 25, 2014 at 3:47am

Other than Tuesdays, I'm probably about as available on one night as another.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on July 25, 2014 at 4:18am

I am on CAMBr's site and will see pictures from time to time of the work they do in the area as well as the damage done by careless cyclists.  Especially the fat tire bikes.

Michael A said:

DPRT=DesPlains River Trail, It runs along the river all the way north to the wisconsin border. It is a combo of dirt/old asphalt/crush limestone. Most days it can be handled on a bike with 28mm tires. I prefer using a cyclocross bike with file treads unless it is wet. 

Please take care on the  trails not to ride them when it is muddy, you make ruts in the trails that takes a long time to flatten back out.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on July 25, 2014 at 4:26am

Who would be down for a ride this Sunday the 27th?

Possibly ride up the dirt/horse trails off the North Branch Trail or ride the DSRT and have a meetup at the Mariano's parking lot on Cumberland and Higgins.  Weather depending of course.

Permalink Reply by Mike M on July 25, 2014 at 4:33am

Looks like I will actually be out of town this weekend, sorry guys. Next time!

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