| Author | Message | ||
     Chrisb |
Who going to the homecoming? I'm going to try my best to get there. Along with that I'm trying to figure out if I want to yank the stock tires now and save them for fall/winter wx and run something else that gets better "life" for the summer. Its either the Syncs or Road Attacks on my short list. how many miles are people getting out of the Syncs? Thanks Chris | ||
| Snub13 |
The wife and I are going to homecoming. We're leaving sometime on the first and hope to make it to Gary,IN. This will be our first real long trip and I don't want to push it too much. With the new wind screen from Daves and the Special OPS heat barriers, we should be good to go! Another concern is driving through Chicago on the bike, I've done it several times in a cage and that was a pain, I will be very happy to get to see the skyline in my mirrors! | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Unless you know the area, you may want to reconsider, Gary In. as a stop over. The last I heard Gary held the record for the most murders in a year. Also the Dan Ryan is under construction. I've been watching the morning traffic reports, and as early as 6:00am the North bound traffic is jammed up on the weekdays. It might be OK on the weekends?? | ||
| Snub13 |
I don't know the area other than driving through on the Interstate. What would you suggest? We could stop short or continue on but I'm not sure what time we will hit that area and if it's too late pushing on will be hard. Also; last year we drove through that area and it was under construction, what a mess! The only good part was that it was about two or three in the AM, so no problems. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Looking at the map, I would make the Indiana Dunes as my furthest western stop before heading into the Chicago area. Basically, the southern tip of Lake Michigan was hit hard by layoffs in the steel industry. Towns/cities east of the In. Dunes should be OK. I'd get a fill up before attempting the South Chicago hwys. I'd also avoid those highways from 6-8 am and 4-6pm on the weekdays. Weekends should be OK. If there's an accident, you're toast, no matter what time of the day it is. 2-3hrs to get around Chicago. But once you're past it, its smooth sailing. This is an opinion from someone that lives north of Chicago. Maybe someone closer to the action can give additional or better advice. | ||
| Smcnamara |
I agree that the Dunes or the Michigan City area would be good places to make a stop. Once you get as far as Gary, you'd probably want to push forward to Chicago, but then you are stuck paying Chicago rates for a hotel room. Also, I-90/94 is torn up south of downtown Chicago and should now be avoided at all costs. It might be worthwhile to look at picking up the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route once you get around Michigan City. It's not as fast as the expressway, but has some nice scenic sections to ride, and less traffic than the interstate. At the very least, you should look to cut north on Rt. 41 once you get into Illinois, which becomes Lakeshore Drive and will give you some great skyline and lake views as you pass through the city. There is a little more traffic than usual since people are using it to avoid the 90/94 madness, but it's still a much nicer way to come in. I can provide more detail if this sounds like a way you'd like to go. Not sure what your travel schedule looks like, but let me know if you want to meet up for coffee or such. I live about 1/4 mile west of the Chicago Loop. | ||
| Snub13 |
Thanks for the info guys. I'll have to look it over on the map. I'll let you know as time gets closer. Thanks. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
I'd say pass on the Dan Ryan. Ponder the ferry maybe? It's a bit extra $$$, but would make a nice bit of the trip. Or try to do the whole south end of the lake thing at a weird time, even weekends can be bad. Take I294 around. Hotels can be had in the 'burbs for a reasonable price. Do ask before you stay to avoid the crap areas. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
Mileage on Syncs.....I have 3500 miles on them and they have.. at the most.. 300 miles left..They were nice tires, very sticky no complaints.. except not enuff mileage for the long haul.I have a set of Pilot Roads ordered as I have trips planed to WV and Utah. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Ponder the ferry maybe? It's a bit extra $$$, but would make a nice bit of the trip. You leave Michigan. . . the moment the Lake Express clears the breakwater, they dump the coal to it. It will be quite obvious where the term "Fast Ferry" comes from.  You sit in a lovely cabin, eat, sleep do whatever you please for 2-1/2 hours.  And after about 2 hours you begin to see Milwaukee in the distance....no Chicago hassle.  | ||
| Chrisb |
Gotta love google http://www.lake-express.com/ | ||
| Snub13 |
SOLD! Chicago?, what Chicago?  Thanks to all. | ||
| Carpedium81 |
If anyone is interested, i talked to Buell and lake express and hooked them up- so now there is a nice discount for Buell riders wanting to use the ferry from Muskegeon to Milwaukee for homecoming. Just an idea, and a great way to beat the Chicagoland traffic! Matt |
