ERE Marching Meetup Series

[brainstorm]

Sounds good to me! Thanks, Jacob, for the recommendation.

@Dave, shuttle from the train station would be great. I’ll let you know an ETA once I have it (tomorrow). Many thanks!

[jacob]

Walked (slid and almost slipped) 13 miles on the Salt Creek trail and saw about ~15 very friendly/tame deer.


Same deer as above. It just stood there looking kind of smug. Probably knew something that we didn't.

[Dave]

It was a nice day for March #8. Low 30s F, sunny. We logged ~13 miles in about 4 hours, pretty good clip considering the ice.

Enjoyable conversation with a recurring theme of accepting lower and lower goalposts as we age . @brainstorm's map interpretation skills outperformed Google & me ("The Google says...") We discussed launching a Congress Cloning mutual fund to generate Pelosi-caliber returns. And lots of wildlife sighting, as with the deer @jacob shared but also a squirrel dropping an acorn on my head. Karma for hunting.

A great day. I'd be interested in doing this one another time sans ice!

[brainstorm]

Feeling very grateful for the dry wool socks I have on now glad you could make it!

[Scott 2]

Looks like a great time. @Dave are those the barefoot shoes? I found mine were absolute trash on ice. Super fun in fresh snow, but even then, all my body heat was sucked out through the feet. Glad you made it!

[Dave]

Looks like a great time. @Dave are those the barefoot shoes? I found mine were absolute trash on ice. Super fun in fresh snow, but even then, all my body heat was sucked out through the feet. Glad you made it!

The boots were these - https://xeroshoes.com/shop/boots/denver/

Traction is OK, definitely not anything to write home about but not the worst I've had. Bigger problem was they soaked through ~1/3 of the way through the hike. The boots are "water resistant", but when you combine deep enough snow to fall on top with every step, temperatures right over freezing causing slow melting, and sun, it's a recipe to get wet without legitimately waterproof shoes.

All good though, just an opportunity to channel one's inner Goggins .

[jacob]

Legs are definitely feeling it today (day two DOMS). I'd say 20km of snow = 40km of hardtop. I'm very glad that I didn't bring the heavy ruck along!

We also talked about PrUn, so I wrote an intro which hopefully explains it better than I did in person waving my phone around in front of @brainstorm. I already tried to recruit @Dave, who, by the way, is definitely going to cave eventually. It's only a matter of time, I'm sure.

Talking to @brainstorm about randonneuring made me consider dusting off my dusty road bike. I actually looked into "local opportunities" for riding when I moved to Chicago in 2012 (having done a few centuries and achieved a functional threshold (20 min effort) 3.7W/kg level output (about half of a TdF rider or IIRC 2/3 of @C40) but saw few opportunities in Chicagoland traffic other than death by collision. Turns out that there's now an active rando club, so that is something to consider. I've been looking for a new (or old) sport for a while now, which kinda ties into the whole "for what purpose?" discussion we had in terms of getting in shape beyond "good enough for an old guy". I prefer the event/racing format over "leisure cruising". Same with sailing when I did that.

[Scott 2]

@Dave - I've got a pair of their boots, though not that model. My experience was similar. Certainly better traction than the shoes.

@Jacob - Getting to the low traffic areas is rough. When I was exploring, I'd trawl the garmin connect heat maps. Centennial trail felt safe, though at the volume of work you're talking about, the leisure riders will be annoying. Dunno that I'd want to hit some of the bumpier parts with a road bike either. My Dad bikes a lot. His solution has been to start at dawn, especially favoring Sunday morning. I did a couple hours with him at one point. Traffic was chill.

[jacob]

Weather is looking up. Time to get marching again?

[Smashter]

I moved a couple hours further north, so it will be tough for me to do Chicagoland marches. I will keep an eye on what develops though and would still love to join if it makes sense!

[brainstorm]

Would be great if possible, Smashter! I haven't explored much to the north. I'm interested too, just need to coordinate around my weekend plans.

Dates: So far I'm free except for next weekend and then the 31st/1st. I'm also up for a Thursday or Friday to play retired

Throwing out some location ideas:

• ??? Up for most anything
• West: DPRT southern terminus in Melrose Park. The trail is generally nice, but underpasses tend to flood so should avoid if recent rain
• East: Lakefront trail isn't too bad early in the morning and on the south side. 2-abreast would be fine, same as many trails. We could start from ~McCormick Place and go down ~8.5mi to Rainbow Beach
• North: Illinois Beach State Park: North Unit Trail? Not sure how this trail is. North end of DPRT is in the same general area too
• City: The north branch trail is close (I haven't been on it). The north shore channel trail is even closer and also nice, but I think it's a little narrow for groups.

[Scott 2]

I can definitely make something in the West. I'd figure out lakefront, but it's not my first choice. Heading up north - I wish everyone well, but that's more travel than I enjoy. Hope the move is rewarding @smashter. I imagine life is more chill.

My schedule is flexible. I'm guessing @dave is the most constrained. Not sure when he's around.


Another early season option in the West is Swallow Woods. There's an 8-9 mile loop that's mostly gravel, with some mild elevation changes. The stairs could offer intensity for those carrying a ruck:

https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/swallow-cliff-woods/


There's a variety of other trails in that same area. I'd enjoy seeing more of the Palos preserves, though I tend to get lost.

Later in the season, I've found mosquitoes get bad around there. Cook county seems to limit abatement efforts. DuPage is very proactive, both on the standing water and trimming back tall grasses. They've cut back huge areas of undergrowth in Waterfall Glen recently. Many stretches look more like park than preserve. I'm curious to see the impact.


Centennial trail could be picked up off the Columbia Woods parking in Willow Springs, then taken west. It would make for a faster out and back style ruck. Flat, mostly paved. It's popular with bikers, so probably better for a weekday. Running along the river, there's less shade. Not a big deal early, but a different vibe.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cente ... FQAw%3D%3D


I kinda doubt a paid location is on the table, but I'd also be open to Morton Arboretum. 9am open for non-members, 7am with membership. Daily admission is ~$20. Location is about 2 miles from the Lisle metra.

[VolcanicAsh]

I would be very keen to join. If possible, it would be great to meet up somewhere that doesn't require driving. Happy to get public transport (I haven't tested the limits of the CTA yet!). I am around this weekend 10th & 11th of May and then not until the 1st June

[birding]

Mabye this should go on the ERE Travel Thread, but I the Marching stuff sounds cool.

It's way off, but I have a work thing in Chicago the first week of August. I will be free on Friday the 8th after work. I haven't booked travel yet, so could stick around that weekend and possibly into the next week of the 11th. Throwing it out there early. Is anyone around to meetup and/or for a [light death] march? Also, I totally don't want to impose, but would be up for couchsurfing that weekend if anyone is up to host. I was active with the couchsurfing community a few years ago driving to Alaska, and I hosted before and after that trip.

[brainstorm]

I got pretty busy, sorry. @Scott/Ash/jacob - interested in Swallow Cliff Woods South at ~8am on Saturday the 14th or 21st? As far as alternative times, the bus schedule also allows for 9am on Saturdays or for 9:30am on Sundays.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jwJjHmp59qzn9bh48 - we can hop on the 8 mile unpaved loop (link) and add stairs as needed for extra fun.

@birding - Sure, interested in meetup/march too

[Scott 2]

Yes, both days work for me. IMO 8am is preferable.

Is the South lot better? I've only ever parked at North, since that's where the stairs and main concession are. They seem pretty close to each other.

[brainstorm]

Nice, thanks Scott.

The South lot is closer to the bus stop (45/123rd) and seems accessible by foot, although a very poor walk on 45. The North lot doesn’t seem accessible by foot at all based on Google Earth. If someone were willing and able to provide last-mile delivery, then I don’t have a preference.

[Scott 2]

Got it, I see there's a bathroom building in the lot and shelters. So that's all good. I agree keeping things accessible via public transit is preferable.

It looks like there's a trail just north of the intersection, heading out of the equestrian center, that cuts under 45. Depending how the horse nerds are, it could be a pleasant walk.

I'm happy to pick you up in that area too. We can coordinate via text.

[The_Bowme]

I’m interested if there’s room for another! Long ride from Albany Park by transit so think I’ll have take the motorbike.

[brainstorm]

Sure! Welcome.

I'll say let's plan for 8am next Saturday, the 14th, at the south parking lot linked above.

Appreciate the offer, @Scott! I think I'll take you up on it, but I'll confirm in a few days.