going to Colorado Springs and Chicago

[Ken Robb]

My wife has meetings in C. Springs 6/26-30 and I'll be looking for fun things to entertain myself in the daytime. Staying at The Antlers Hotel.

7/1-7/8 we'll be in Chicago.

Any ideas for an old guy who likes road and mtn. bikes? Places to rent bikes?
Non-bike stuff that I shouldn't miss?

[slowgoing]

A few ideas:

Colorado Cyclist is in CS and has a showroom.

I don't know if you can get in, but the Olympic Training Center is in CS.

The Air Force Academy is a nice day trip on the north side of CS.

A trip to the top of Pikes Peak on the cog railway is always fun. It's about a three hour trip if I recall. It starts in Manitou Springs which is a touristy native Amerian type of town.

Mountain biking is nice in Palmer Park although I'm sure there are many other good trails.

Have fun.

[Chief]

I am heading to the Springs to my son's place in a couple of weeks to get acclimated to the altitude before going on to Park City, UT for the Masters National Road Race on June 30. I believe Criterium Bikes rents MTB. They are located right next to the Sante Fe bike trail that runs north and south and is a great trail to ride. It runs up north of the Air Force Academy. The latter is also a great place to ride, but since 9/11 it is closed to visitors and is difficult to get onto. If you are really into MTBing you can take the trail to Monument south of Palmer Lake where you will find and old dirt road up Mt Herman. Ask a local for the name of the road. It is a about a 5 mile climb to an elevation of 9,000+ feet. Great views. For a pic of Mt Herman go to: http://www.townofmonument.net/

[Don]

For Chicago information, check out the Evanston Bicycle Club at >evanstonbikeclub.org>. They're a very active group of great people who have an extensive ride schedule. Members have set up friends of mine with bikes for use when they've visited. And, I'm sure they can tell you about rentals.

The best and most attractive riding for a visitor is along Lake Michigan on the bike path in Chicago and north from Evanston along Sheridan Road to Lake Forest. Lots of cyclists and some of the most fantastic homes along the route.

Don

[pbbob]

the spouse mouse and I are in chicago on 7-1 to 7-3 also. going to do the usual museum thing. the cubs are in town also. a Taste of Chicago is going on in grant park at this time.

[Hard Fit]

Cruiser bike and pedal cart rentals are available on the lakefront in Chicago. Check out Millenium Park. Eat at Greek Town, Chinatown, or the fancy restaurants on the Gold Coast. Check out the museums (Field, Shedd Aquarium, Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute). The theater district is also located downtown. The usual tourist trap is at Navy Pier.

Links:

http://www.chicagoreader.com/
http://www.bikechicago.com/
http://www.bikeonechicago.com/

[Hard Fit]

Also check:

http://www.chicagocyclingclub.org/rides/
http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Special+Event s&entityNameEnumValue=38

[Ken Robb]

thanks for the hints guys.