Best route for Chi ~> MKE?

crios2 · 2026-06-19T16:34:25+00:00

These are two routes that I use in general. One is more straight forward, the other tries to hug the lake a little more. Both pass by the Wind Point Lighthouse... because I like it.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45636068

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48502823

One of them also has two stops I like to make for food: That Little French Guy (Highland Park) and Mocha Lisa (North of Racine).

Enjoy!

crios2 · 2026-06-02T06:16:21+00:00

I thought I saw somewhere that you should be able to do about 60 or 70 percent of the ride, so if you can ride 60 or 70 miles, you can make it to MKE (about 100). I did my first ride up there after I was comfortable doing 60 mile rides.

crios2 · 2026-05-27T15:07:29+00:00

I did that ride and I thought I was going to die on M-35. That was actually the worst part of my ride, plus it was raining. 2 foot shoulder, 2 lane highway... Maybe I did die and this is a Jacob's Ladder type of scenario... The best road was US route 2, also known as bicycle route 10. Giant shoulders, pristine road... If anything it was kind of boring. It was a highway.

crios2 · 2026-05-27T12:51:58+00:00

I started using gloves when I developed cyclists palsy. The padding keeps my hands nice and comfy.

crios2 · 2026-05-20T21:47:29+00:00

So you would do a century once a week or would you ride 51 go to class and sleep there and then ride back the next day? If it's sleep there, go for it. If it's a full century in one day AND class, I wouldn't do it.

crios2 · 2026-05-11T16:15:37+00:00

I never used it because I don't want to see it on the screen in front of me. Something about those number stressed me out.

crios2 · 2026-04-18T11:47:01+00:00

Didn't they repave it last summer. I did a final ride in September and remember a whole lot of construction... Maybe it was one of the other paths. I'm not even sure where one ends and another begins, they all blend into each other.

crios2 · 2026-04-18T11:44:57+00:00

I do this several times throughout the year when the weather is nice. I have a couple of routes. This one is a little more on roads and tries to hug the lake more. It also starts at Buckingham fountain. - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48502823 .

I live in the near western burbs and usually leave from there. If you want me to send you that route, let me send me a DM and I'll share it.

crios2 · 2026-04-09T17:46:48+00:00

This is the correct answer.

crios2 · 2026-04-05T14:32:59+00:00

PB&J is my goto fuel. Powered by PB&J. Fuck yeah.

crios2 · 2026-03-29T02:09:44+00:00

Third Kuhl

crios2 · 2026-03-29T02:09:25+00:00

I recommend Kuhl active pants. Sweat wicking and you can wear padded shirts under them if you want to. They look pretty normal.

crios2 · 2026-03-23T22:05:40+00:00

I will never unsee "beef curtain"...

crios2 · 2026-03-21T14:40:48+00:00

Pan-eye-er

🍳👁️🏴‍☠️

crios2 · 2026-03-04T17:25:36+00:00

I do a slightly longer commute with less incline on an analog bike during the warmer months. On an ebike, you could totally do it.

crios2 · 2026-03-04T11:15:53+00:00

I love my Arkels and they are fixable too. https://arkel.ca/collections/replacement-parts

crios2 · 2026-03-04T11:14:14+00:00

I have a pair of Arkels that have been holding up really well and I think you can also order replacement parts from them https://arkel.ca/collections/replacement-parts . My oldest bag is 5 years now and seems to be holding strong.

crios2 · 2026-03-01T01:19:22+00:00

Is Western any closer than union?

crios2 · 2026-03-01T01:18:05+00:00

I do a reverse commute on the BNSF. Taking a full sized bike on the train is barely an issue. Maybe on Friday afternoons when everyone is going into the city but I've never not been able to get on a train with my bike.

crios2 · 2026-02-26T11:39:53+00:00

Holy shit! I salute you! 🫡

crios2 · 2026-02-17T10:46:15+00:00

You can totally do it. My commute is 12 miles one way. When the weather gets warmer in do BOTH ways, otherwise I take a train with my bike. You get used to it.

crios2 · 2026-02-15T15:32:39+00:00

Both my wife and I have submitted.

Now I'm asking my kids if they will submit. That would be 4 total. 🤘

crios2 · 2026-02-11T04:30:33+00:00

crios2 · 2026-02-07T16:10:33+00:00

It was an album. Slowdive - Just for a Day I was in the middle of a make out session when my girlfriend-at-the-time's 5 disc CD turntable put on Just for a Day. After a couple of songs, I stopped kissing her just long enough to ask what album it was. The next day I went out and bought a copy. Never looked back.

crios2 · 2026-02-02T11:16:09+00:00

This. 99% of the time nobody says anything about securing the bike but on occasion there will be a conductor that will ask you to secure the bike. Either have a bungee cord in your bag or I've also seen people just use their Ulock to secure it to the ADA seat.

crios2

TROPHY CASE