Author Topic: Biking from NYC to Chicago, Need Help!  (Read 4182 times)

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Offline adjectivenoun

Biking from NYC to Chicago, Need Help!
« on: February 04, 2010, 12:33:12 am »
The Pitchfork Music Festival was just announced for the weekend of July 16-18th. I've been wanting to go for a while, given that 3 day passes are only $90, and I really like a lot of the artists who usually attend. This got me to thinking, I am a pretty serious biker, and have been meaning to take a serious cross country ride for a while now, so why not bike to the festival from where I live in NYC? Well, a lot of reasons, I have no idea which roads/trails to take, I have no idea what I would need to bring, and no idea how long it would take. I've done a little research on Google, but figured I could use some wisdom to help me plan my trip. Here is what I want to know before I really get to planning:

-what roads/routes can/should I take? I'd prefer more scenic routes, but time is a factor, so it has to be pretty direct

-how long should I expect to take?I'm pretty serious biker, I've biked as much as around 75 miles in one trip over lightly hilly terrain, and fully expect to meet or exceed that on a daily basis

-what should I bring with me?I know I'll need lots of water, but besides that and the clothes on my back, what should I bring?

-how much will it cost? I want to start saving now, so I need to know how much I can expect to spend, assuming I'll want to stay at a motel some nights, but would be ok to camp others, I do need to buy a tent.

Well, that's about all I can think of right now, I'll definitely be reading your responses and posting my feedback, also if I get this project off the ground I'll definitely be taking photos and doing a trip thread about it!

indyfabz

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Re: Biking from NYC to Chicago, Need Help!
« Reply #1 on: February 04, 2010, 10:29:00 am »
Some information that will help others give you advice:

1.  What is your time frame?

2.  Are you looking to buy a touring-specific bike?  If not, what bike are you planning on riding?

3.  Are you planning on cooking meals during your trip?

Have you looked at the maps/routes section on Adventure Cycling's web site?  Their Northern Tier route passes within about 90 miles (south) of CHI.  If you can get yourself to Pt. Jervis, NY you could take PA Bicycle Route Y from Milford, PA (across the river from Pt. Jervis) and hook up with the Northern Tier route around Erie, PA.  The Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey is one potential resource for routes up your way.  And I am sure there are clubs in the CHI area that might be able to help you out.