Chicago?

[hans2]

Looks like I might be moving to Chicago next year, from Boston. What are trails like out there? I'm considering buying a Santa Cruz Heckler this year, I don't want it to go to waste if Illinois is all flat.

[Crash_Tested]

hell we don't know. It is snowing here. But most of us southerners don't know shiot bout Chicago. Cold windy big lake. I might make a visit up there in March. I'll report back then. Wait did we really get piled in with the Mid-west what the hell. :p

[hans2]

Chicago seems to fit in the black hole of geography I call the midwest

[igotabike]

most people that post in here and know what theyre talking about live in or near austin.

[KrusteeButt]

I used to live there. It's pretty flat, but getting better. When I used to live there, the only place that people could get even close to mountain biking was in Palos Heights (and it was a stretch to call it mountain biking!). But I've been told that since I've left, things have been picking up quite a bit. I believe there's a place out in Elgin that's supposed to have some nice "manufactured" trails. And just a couple hours north of Chicago, in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin, there's supposed to be some great downhill stuff. I think I remember hearing about some pretty big DH competitions held there.

The other thing....Chicago's a great city to live in. There's ALWAYS something to do.
Being from Boston, I'm sure you're used to cold-arse winters. That's what you get in Chicago. Snow doesn't get too bad, but the wind-chill is sometimes bad enough to close schools and businesses.

Good luck to you!

[Dbuck]

Hey I'm up in Rochester, MN. Chicago has some awesome urban riding and trails are getting better, check out the following links for more...Chicago Freeride (http://www.chicagofreeride.com/) , Team Sally.com (www.teamsally.com) , also if you get on MTBR, there are a ton of midwest riders on that forum. Me being one of them. Hopes this helps.
L8R
Buck