Any riders in the Chicago area???

I'm a new member to the VFR site and I live in Crystal Lake Illinois, just north west of Ohare about twenty miles. Any members in the area? Oh yah I just turned the big 40 so I enjoy sport touring and a little track time as well!

 

I do not live in Chicago but go often for business. Once the weather breaks if I can rent a bike up there would be willing to go out and see the local roads. I am in New Jersey but with new job will probably be there a week a month.

 

Hi Jackson!
That would be great. Keep my cell number and give me a call if you can arrange a set of wheels when you get a chance. I have created a new member in the area by selling my 91VFR to one of the fellas that works with me so now there is two plus one if you come to town. I'm still relatively new to the area myself so there are plenty of places to explore. Traffic is our biggest issue here in the burbs as I'm sure it is in any large metro area. Wisconsin is close tho and so is Road America!!!

Regards
Brad Taylor (AKA Jethro911)
847-636-7732

 

I am in the chicago area now mostly. I ride a '98. Unfortunately there isn't much good riding that I have found in this area. I'm used to riding out my door into some of the best roads of SE Wisconsin. Here there is just traffic lights and gridded road blocks for hours heading out of town...

 

I have to agree with your position on the roads here. Boring and deadly are the best ways I can describe them.

Where are you in Chi town?

 

I'm in town right off of Logan Square (corners of Milwaukee/Diversey/Kedzie) So it's pretty close to the Kennedy and getting out of town towards the West. I'd be up for some riding with guys who know the area but I'm not a speed-burner. I like to scrape the pegs every once in a while but raw speed doesn't interest me or paying the tickets that comes with it. I prefer smaller, more technical stuff all the way down to cow-trails Pavement quality doesn't bother me either. I've ridden quite a few 2-tracks on road-bikes even but most of the people I know of don't ever want to even set one wheel off the pavement so I don't do that much anymore

I've been reading the ChicagoRider's Internet Forum and have concluded that there are a lot of squiddy kids on there and don't really have too much interest in riding with folk like that. Might be OK to check them out just in case but I don't have many expectations...

-Jim

 

Hey guys,
Road America Super Bike Weekend 2006 May 1-4 is here! http://www.roadamerica.com/2006/races_ama.htm
I live about 5 miles from the track in Plymouth WI. I happen to have a newly remodeled Apartment Vacant. FREE?? for the weekend?
Let me know if you or anyone you know is going.
Cheers! Ride Safe
John
jbbcd@hotmail.com

 

I will be there this weekend for a two day NESBA track day, Monday and Tuesday, but we are planning on camping with the other track whores. :biggrin:

A really generous offer, I will contact you if I or someone I know is fortunate to attend. I will be using up all my points to ride the track and the following weekend will likely be filled up with sweet honey-doo.:frown:

 

i,m in chicago

 

Hi Jethro911:
I'm a new VFR800 owner and I'm sure that I live only 1-2 miles from your location. I live in lake in the hills off of miller road. You can contact me at jerryrisch@aol.com if you would like. I occasionally watch the VFRworld for new posts and discussions. Let's try and get in touch soon. Midwest weather gets cold fast.

 

Hey Jethro911:
If you would like to contact me by Phone my number is 847-458-2811 and ask for Jerry. About 13 years ago I went to a Superbike school at Road America and I really got to appreciate the size/speed of that track. I moved to Lake in the Hills 1 1/2 years ago but just purchased a new bike in July. I've logged over 1000 miles this month alone. I'm sure we'll be in contact soon. Talk later.

 

Chicagoland riding

I'm over in Warsaw, Indiana on US 30. I can't make every sunny afternoon ride you guys go on, but I'd be in to tripping to Road America with a group next year. I usually do with a buddy who has a Super Hawk.

I keep waiting for it to grow the other two cylunders...

 

Hi Jethro,
I am a hundred miles south (around Bloomington) of you but get up to the city once in a while to teach. I also would be interested in going to Road America next year. It would be even more fun as a group.
I am a former Harley rider and went to the races around here ( Peoria TT, Springfield Mile) alot. I haven't ever been to a road race but a couple years ago I got to sit in the infield of a track in Phoenix and watch a school that Jason Pridmore put on.
Jerry, I have taught at the Lake in the Hills/Algonquin Fire Dept too.
If you guys get a group organized, let me know.


Eric

 

Road America is a real trip. I was up there with a buddy earlier this month. It was well worth the ride and the cost of admission. We stayed in a little B&B in Plymouth and had a great time even though it rained Saturday and Sunday.

If you ever go, make sure and buy the armbands to go on the "Sentry Insurance Salute to Riders Parade" -you get to go out on the track and ride around behind the pace car for 1/2 hour at noon each day you buy the armband for.

They say it's 45MPH and no passing but, hey. . . nobody follows the rules. Lots of hooliganism was taking place and it was a great time. Some idiots were out there with zero gear and with all the yahoos weaving all over the place I sure as hell wouldn't go out there without gear. It was interesting as hell and not too dangerous. I saw a couple crashes and a few guys stuck in the kitty litter in some corners on Saturday but nothing serious. It's worth it and a lot of fun.

Check out my Grouprider.com profile and my photoalbum about the race http://vfr_serenity.grouprider.com/

 

Hey guys I live in Joliet. We should meet up some time and go for a ride.

 

I'm in the city on the north side. Count me in for a ride.

 

OK,
Who is going to take charge and set up the ride to Road America for next year. We will have to do some planning to all get together. Either starting with me from the south and picking people up on the way or setting up a spot to meet around Rockford so we can jump on I-39 to head up into Wisconsin. Or somewhere else if anyone has a better plan.
But we can also set up some rides prior to then if anyone is in. Let me know.

 

I'm in Palatine. There is a bike night on Wednesdays at Strats in Villa Park. Located just west of Rt. 83 on North Ave. Those of us from the NW Burbs usually meet at Streets of Woodfield between 7:00 and 7:30 and then we go to Strats.

We meet in the parking lot across from the Starbucks. We are the group with all the gear on. Not the squids that park closer to the stores. :tongue:

Check us out at www.chicagolandsportbikes.com

 

Why do you need gear to sit in a parking lot? And why would someone want to sit in a parking lot with their bike, gear or no??? I don't get "bike nights." I wanna go RIDE, not pose next to my bike.

 

We don't sit in the parking lot with are gear on. We MEET at SOW and then we RIDE to Strats. Then we usually meet up with others and after bsing we organzie ride(s) out from Strats. And if you lived in Schaumburg or anywhere near there, you would know why I made the squid comment.

We do a lot of riding otherwise. I've done 5K this year already. Bike night is once a week and its for socializing. Maybe you don't get it because you are not socially adjusted. :wink: