Steve Whitlatch 

Was wondering if anyone would be interested in a group ride along the Fox river trail next Saturday September 12th at 9:00 am? We will meet at 8:30 in the Otto Engineering parking lot at the old fallen bridge. We will be taking the trail about 12 miles to the north then coming back south again to a very nice French Cafe located on the trail in East Dundee for a snack. After that we can continue to ride south for another 10 miles through Elgin towards St. Charles and then back to the parking lot. Total ride of 40 miles. Being that this is a trail you can`t really get lost on , you can opt for a shorter ride or even longer ride if you want to make a long day of it. I will be doing this ride. It is pretty scenic and flat as a pancake. We can also opt to hit the cafe after the ride instead of in the middle. We can wing it. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ot...5dedd913ef9e01


Another cool event will be going on about a half a mile west of the river trail from were we start, at Raceway Woods. This is the home of what used to be Meadowdale International Raceway from the 50's and 60's. The 7th annual car show will be held at the old track that is now a forest preserve. Much of the 3.2 mile track is still there. You can ride the track on a bike but may need to walk up the "up hill climb". Very cool old cars will be there. This was a road racing track. https://www.dundeetownship.org/module...0005900478.pdf

plonz 

I grew up near that trail and have a lot of memories cruising from Aurora to Elgin and back. Have fun!

thinktubes 

Doing the Harmon Hundred on Sunday, but I'll vouch for the route.

Grew up in Crystal Lake and remember when they still had races at rhe speedway. Watched it slowly get swallowed up by the woods.

iab

I'm in.

gioscinelli 

Count me in, unless it's wet.

iab

I do have a request. Can we start going south?

Steve Whitlatch 

South it is.

crank_addict

I'll do my best to be there. And thank you thinkubes, think I'll do that Harmon 100 as well

---Meadowdale. I converted original family archival 8mm films from opening day 1958 or maybe it was '59. Incredible track. Apparently 100,000 spectators. Grandstands filled, garages, cars like 250 TR, Maser. 'birdcage', Dutov's exp C'vette, Meister Brauser Scarab. Had a 'Monza' bank that looked really rough. Short lived track but what a remarkable attempt at what could evolved to World-class US GP like.

link to a brief history:
https://www.mirpa.org/about-us-1.html


Also have films of Road America same period. And lastly, closed course road race track at Wilmot.

Steve Whitlatch 

I sure hope you can make it, Scott.

iab

I hope you don't mind, but I invited a few more folks to the ride. Don't know who will show, but I figure the more the merrier.

Steve Whitlatch 

No problem at all.

bikamper

I'm assuming the French Cafe' is The Measuring Cup. Good place for breakfast, try the Breakfast Panini with bacon and peppers.

I live just up the hill from the cafe'. If nothing has broken around the house during the coming week, I'll do my best to be there.

Steve Whitlatch 

I hope you make it. Yes the Measuring Cup is the Cafe. My wife loves the Quiche. I love the Breakfast Pizza. The lunch food is good as well. The desserts are to die for. I am in West Dundee.

wrk101

One thing I miss about Chicago are all the fantastic bike trails. Not sure why it isn't rated higher. Then dip down to Joliet, catch the I & M canal towpath (poorly maintained last time I was on it, but still enjoyable).

Steve Whitlatch 

There are so many paths that connect to each other. You could ride all day long.

Steve Whitlatch 

I rode the route to the south today to make sure there are no surprises. It is good to go.

bikamper

Just be aware of the flea market traffic on Saturday morning in East Dundee. Many unaware pedestrians* on the trail at that time of the day.




*Done it myself.

stephenyi

This sounds like great fun. If not for my son's soccer game, I would definitely be there.

Steve Whitlatch 

It looks like the weather is going to be perfect for the Saturday ride.

beech333

I'll try to make it.

Will this take us far enough south to the hills around South Elgin?

Steve Whitlatch 

Yes. We will go almost into St Charles . Depending on how everyone feels we could extend it another 4 miles on the south end?

crank_addict

A brother e' mailed and will be at the show along with a one owner (since 1967) racer from the Trans-Am era. Long documented race history.

Following weekend are the historic's at R/A - Elkhart, WI. If anyone is interested, I plan on going plus maybe get some cycling time in. On and off-road.

Steve Whitlatch 

Just a heads up. Since most of the interest is in the ride to the south, I have expanded that route to what I am guessing to be 22 to 25 miles out and making the north route optional after we eat lunch. I will post a map tonight. So this will be about a fifty mile ride with an option of 68 miles.

beech333

Oooh, those are the best part of my commute home, but got some groans the last time I took a group of C&Vers through there several years back. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the area, there are a few climbs that you may not see coming, depending on the route that Steve takes us.

crank_addict

Bump-

A bit of the tracks history
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