Chainlink Camping: July Edition: Discussion

The trip this weekend was nice....and I'm looking forward to riding the next one. Who's in? Where do we want to go? What weekend?

Would anyone be up for Chain O' Lakes State Park?

Its about 60 miles out, the campsites are quite a bit more private than the ones at the Indiana Dunes State park Campground.

The route to the park might need some work, but once there we could rent canoes or rowboats and hit the water.

It's also only about 5 miles from the Fox Lake Metra stop, so if you're worried about the riding, you have an easy escape option.

Who's in? What dates work best? I'd want to do a Friday to Sunday trip. Maybe July 17-19?

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Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on June 11, 2009 at 5:43am
I'm also thinking about doing a 4 day the Fourth of July weekend if anyone wants to join. Let me know if you're interested. I'd want to do 40-80 miles a day.
Permalink Reply by Chris on June 11, 2009 at 9:43am
Would definitely be down after the 24th.
Permalink Reply by Lindsay E. Stout on June 11, 2009 at 9:52am
Last weekend was so fun!!! I would totally go! I'm gonna be in Seattle...booo!
Permalink Reply by Chris on June 12, 2009 at 3:53am
yeah I've always felt "campsites" are stupid and defeat the point (except when in the wilderness where one packs in and out all their waste and there is an obvious need to reduce damage to the ecosystem)

Rogue all the way is fine with me. All on bike, even better.

M.A.R.K. said:
Just throwing it out there.. Idk how the rest of you feel about some DIY camping in some various woods somewhere vs. reserving spaces @ campsites and so on. With the abundance of woods surrounding the chicagoland area, to camp somewhere more local will not only kill the need for a car to haul extra gear that people don't want to carry or can't carry, but is also free of any cost outside of drinks and food for the night or two spent there. A bike, a tent, some food is all you need. I mean who really sleeps when camping anyway?
Permalink Reply by pistola on June 12, 2009 at 5:03am
It's really hard to do guerrilla camping in urban areas like Chicago. I don't know about Cook County Forest Preserve cops, but from my experience DuPage forest preserve cops are a pain in the ass after dark. Any camplight or loud noises or fire will attract unwanted attention, which could lead to trespassing charges. People in the US have a more extreme view of land ownership than other places in the world and most landowners will most definetly call the cops or show up with a shotgun if there are unwanted and unannounced visitors.
Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on June 15, 2009 at 9:53am
I'd really rather do a campsite. There are lots of woods around Chicago, but I like the idea of getting away from the city and I'd rather not get harassed or worry when I sleep...and I do sleep when camping! If we go to a state park there we could hike, swim, boat, etc.

If we plan and pack well, we should be able to do it self contained. Last time we didn't, but I think it would have been possible. Of course if we have someone who wants to come but doesnt or can't ride, I'm not opposed to having a car come along and having the car haul the gear does make riding easier, but it isn't necessary.
Permalink Reply by MM2000 on June 16, 2009 at 2:44am
This really is a case of apples and oranges, of two different trips. Since this plan is for Friday through Sunday the woods just wouldn't work. No bathrooms, no running water, being found and told to leave at any point, that would be tough for three days. 60 miles is far on a loaded bike, but that's about as close as any campground or state park is to Chicago. Some people would go for one trip and some for the other, and some for both. You just can't please all of the people, and sometimes it's hard to get even two people to agree on plans. If one trip doesn't work for someone, just wait for the next one or plan your own.
Permalink Reply by DonRay A.K.A. Zesty on June 16, 2009 at 9:29am
Chain o' lakes- the 4th? We would be up for this ride. Do you know if there is space available for the 4th? (no electric)

M.A.R.K. said:
If the Chain is the decided place here's some info.. 25 bones a night for site w/electric
12 for sited w/out
2 tents only per site - 4 people max.

If you figure out your route, can you please send me a copy of your map. I am already almost half way to the site, so if I go I will have to meet you along the way as I am not traveling to the city just to travel back out again.
Permalink Reply by pistola on June 16, 2009 at 10:17am
The Chain o Lakes on the 4th should be a good time, I'm considering going up there to take the boat trip to Blarney Island.
Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on June 16, 2009 at 10:39am
I'd be up for the Chain for the 4th. That will probably be a smaller ride, but it might work for me. I can call tomorrow and see what kind of availabilty they have for the holiday weekend. One consideration for the 4th of July weekend is going to be that bikes will not be allowed on the metra due to the Taste of Chicago. So, there won't be an escape route in that way. Because of that I was starting to consider other trip options since I'll have a little more time than a normal weekend.

I'll call tomorrow and see if I can get a spot. Since we'll have to do it without the metra, know that there are quite a few hills in the area and we'll have to do some biking on some busier roads. We should be able to do a lot of it on paths and some roads are okay, but there are some portions where the only way between the lakes is a bigger, faster road.

I'll start looking for a route. It will probably be about 60-70 miles from downtown chicago.

DonRay A.K.A. Zesty said:
Chain o' lakes- the 4th? We would be up for this ride. Do you know if there is space available for the 4th? (no electric)

M.A.R.K. said:
DIV>
Permalink Reply by DonRay A.K.A. Zesty on June 16, 2009 at 3:11pm
Do we have a total definate # of riders on the 4th? - I'm down for a shorter distance, but chain is fine too.



M.A.R.K. said:
Also Illinois Beach was mention too maybe.. That's the one in Zion right? Illinois Beach I believe is 30 a day with the same two tent/4 people per rule, and they have alcohol restrictions. Alcohol is permitted in campground sites: 150 -199, 200 - 217, 400 - 473, and 500 - 521. All other sites and areas of the park it is prohibited

And I believe the chain and Illinois Beach both charge an extra 10 dollars a night per spot on holidays and holiday weekends. So Illinois Beach wold be 40 for the 4th, And 22(non-electric), 35(electric) dollars a per night for the Chain.
Permalink Reply by DonRay A.K.A. Zesty on June 16, 2009 at 3:13pm
Also-I would leave the 3rd and return the 6th. Metra does not allow bikes on the 6th?

DonRay A.K.A. Zesty said:
Do we have a total definate # of riders on the 4th? - I'm down for a shorter distance, but chain is fine too.

M.A.R.K. said:
Also Illinois Beach was mention too maybe.. That's the one in Zion right? Illinois Beach I believe is 30 a day with the same two tent/4 people per rule, and they have alcohol restrictions. Alcohol is permitted in campground sites: 150 -199, 200 - 217, 400 - 473, and 500 - 521. All other sites and areas of the park it is prohibited
And I believe the chain and Illinois Beach both charge an extra 10 dollars a night per spot on holidays and holiday weekends. So Illinois Beach wold be 40 for the 4th, And 22(non-electric), 35(electric) dollars a per night for the Chain.

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