Closest hills to Chicago?
07-18-18, 05:50 PM
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Closest hills to Chicago?
Currently when I want some hills I drive up to the area near Kewaskum Wi which is about 2.5 hours from Chicago. It's pretty hilly and rural so low car traffic, but I'd love to find something closer. Anyone know of any good spots?
07-18-18, 08:02 PM
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The "driftless area" in Wisconsin is only a little further than Kewaskum and has even more hills:
https://driftlesswisconsin.com/getting-here/
https://driftlesswisconsin.com/getting-here/
07-19-18, 06:43 AM
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Farther than Kewaskum, but the New Glarus area has lots of monster hills.
You're in Northern Kettle Moraine when you ride Kewaskum, Southern Kettle Moraine around/north of La Grange has some great low traffic roads with hills. Search for Backyard Bikes in La Grange(Whitewater) as they have a webpage with LOTS of mapped out routes. There is also lots of mountain biking around the La Grange/Eagle area (John Muir Trail, Emma Carlin Trail) if you want to do some hill intervals..EC is pretty rough.
Search Ride With GPS ("Find" up on top menu) around cities by you, or anywhere, and add in the Keyword "hills". You can also search on individuals on RWGPS by clicking on their names. If you find a rider that likes hills, click on them and see where they ride.
You're in Northern Kettle Moraine when you ride Kewaskum, Southern Kettle Moraine around/north of La Grange has some great low traffic roads with hills. Search for Backyard Bikes in La Grange(Whitewater) as they have a webpage with LOTS of mapped out routes. There is also lots of mountain biking around the La Grange/Eagle area (John Muir Trail, Emma Carlin Trail) if you want to do some hill intervals..EC is pretty rough.
Search Ride With GPS ("Find" up on top menu) around cities by you, or anywhere, and add in the Keyword "hills". You can also search on individuals on RWGPS by clicking on their names. If you find a rider that likes hills, click on them and see where they ride.
07-19-18, 07:37 AM
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Another vote for the driftless area. Galena area and to the east is good if want to stay in Ilinois (Why would you? LOL). West of Madison has some terrific hill riding. Blue Mound State Park is where the Horrible Hilly Hundred starts and finishes. There is some decent hill riding around Lake Geneva Wi. but not a lot of distance to cover. I'm near Rockford and don't know of anything significant between me and Chicago.
07-19-18, 12:02 PM
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The "driftless area" in Wisconsin is only a little further than Kewaskum and has even more hills:
https://driftlesswisconsin.com/getting-here/
https://driftlesswisconsin.com/getting-here/
Chicago folks are welcome to come ride with us anytime!
07-20-18, 08:31 AM
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Lemont. Pull off the Centennial trail head out to Lemont subdivisions. Some nasty climbs there if you want to stay really local. Galena is great and Blue Mounds/driftless area. Horrible Hilly Hundreds takes place in the driftless. I know one climb alone went for over a mile.
07-20-18, 09:55 AM
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07-21-18, 11:20 AM
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Lemont. Pull off the Centennial trail head out to Lemont subdivisions. Some nasty climbs there if you want to stay really local. Galena is great and Blue Mounds/driftless area. Horrible Hilly Hundreds takes place in the driftless. I know one climb alone went for over a mile.
07-21-18, 11:54 AM
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I did an Honor Ride in "Barrington Hills" last year and it was a sufficiently hilly area. Nothing like I'm used to here in New England, but, it was as hilly nonetheless. I think it was only about 30 miles outside the city if i remember correctly.
07-22-18, 09:29 PM
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Use one of those online strava segment finders and you will find a ton of segments. Focus on Orland Park 108th St west through Homer Glen, Lockport and Lemont, between I 55 and I 80 you will found lots of hills with inclines up to 11% in some places.
