>There are some nice long distance bike trails here as well.  Missouri, I
  >believe, has one called the Katy trail that runs the length of the
  >state.  I'm not sure if it's complete yet, but I understand they do have
  >the land.  The state of Wisconsin has trails that go almost the width of
  >the state.  I think they are the king of states for trail system.  They
  >aren't paved, however.
  >Our bike club here is having a hike on a bike trail New year's Day.
  >It's supposed to be warm so I think I'll go.  They've done this in local
  >forest preserves as well, and then there's always a stop for breakfast
  >or lunch afterward as a group.  It's fun.  Used to be only biking and
  >skiing for the club and now they've introduced other activities.
  >Time to go.  Watch for that message in Travel.  TTYL,
  >Leah
  >___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
  >--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12

Hi, Leah...I've been reading your messages for a while, and wanted to
respond to some, but have had not enough time recently.  I have been on
several rides along the Chicago lakefront - they have a walkway system
that is also used for bikes and rollerblades - which has to extend 25
miles or so.  They used to have a ride in September called "anything on
wheels" that benefitted the women's rehabilitation center.  It was
short, only about 16 miles or so, but since it was designed for all
wheels, including wheelchairs, they had rest stops with all kinds of
goodies every four miles or so, plus a nice meal and many manufacturer's
samples at the end.  I would put all my bags on the bike (empty) and
come home with weeks worth of snacks!  Also went on a nighttime ride out
of, I think Grant Park that left in waves between 9 and 10.  They went
right up Rush St., about 8 miles to the north, then came back along the
lake and ended up at Navy Pier.  I was told there were approx. 7,000
bikes on that one, and they reached what is referred to as "critical
mass," where no vehicular traffic could travel on the streets!  Probably
was a good thing that we had several police officers throughout the
group, riding with us, since there are always motorists that get quite
irate.
        The bike club I ride with always used to go out on New Year's
day also, kinda like our version of the polar bears, then to a brunch at
someone's house, but since the gentleman moved 2 years ago, there has
not been a ride that day.  I sure miss it... couldn't get the ambition
to go out alone yesterday, even though, as you said, the weather wasn't
bad at all.
        Wisconsin does have a fine trail network, and it should soon be
able to go from north of Lacrosse to just about the Racine county line
at Lake Michigan.  (I'm from Milwaukee.)  While, for the most part, the
state trails are not paved, they use a type of crushed stone on them
that compacts hard, and the well traveled parts (like the one that runs
from Elroy to Sparta) are pretty much like concrete.  Rode the 400 trail
last fall that runs from Reedsburg (close to Wisc. Dells) to Elroy, and
found out that we were in Elroy (birthplace of the Governor) for their
big party and grand re-opening of the main street and downtown area!
Free food & drink most of the afternoon, all kinds of flea market
booths, and got our picture taken with hizzoner Gov. Thompson.
        Have you ever thought about doing one of the rides across a
state, like BAMMI?  We have one here, which used to be sponsored by the
Milw. Sentinel, which goes the first week in August, lasts a week, and
covers a little over 300 miles.  I have gone on that one for the last 9
years or so, it's only about 50 miles a day, get in about lunch, and
have the rest of the afternoon to explore the small towns we stop in!
We stay in school gymnasiums, those who want privacy can tent on the
grounds, our baggage is trucked from overnight to overnight, and
breakfasts are provided at the school every morning.  This works well
for me, since, though I love riding, I can't see spending my entire
vacation on a saddle and not seeing all the neat things in the small
communities we pass through!
        I plan on going to the midwest bike expo at Rosemont, usually in
February some time, where I usually get dates for all kinds of rides
around Chicago.  Maybe we can link up & ride together some time!
                                         ---Dale
---
 þ QMPro 1.0 12-3333 þ And on the 8th day God said, "Murphy, you're in charge."

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