Visiting Appleton and Chicago!

[Thorn]

Appleton? Hmm...not an area of the state I'm overly familiar with (hopefully someone from around there pipes in). If I were in the area, I'd consider riding around Lake Winnebago ( http://www.midwestsportsevents.com/m...MapFinal09.pdf ).

But, if you're driving from Chicago to Appleton, I'd suggest taking the long route and going via Madison, in particular, Mt. Horeb and ride the proposed 2012 (?) Olympic Bike course ( http://www.tourofamericasdairyland.c...escription.php ). I'd start with the Uphill Grind for bike rentals ( http://uphillgrind.net/ ).

Any ride west of Madison is going to be worth it -- rolling hills, low traffic roads and great scenery. Some consider it some of the best riding in the country. I'm not sure about that, but it is the best riding in the midwest.

Now, as for Chicago--nope, too big of city; too much traffic; too busy for this woman. I try very hard to stay away. You might try posting your question to the Great Lakes form on Bike Forums (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=233 ) Unlike some of the groups on bike forums, the guys on the great lakes forum are well behaved. Most of the regulars are from the Chicago area (even if they do talk about riding in southwest Wisconsin more than Chicago!)

[Thorn]

Oh, wait, you're from Norway....uh...you may find SW Wisconsin "odd". A lot of the early settlers were from Norway so there are still Norwegian names, Norwegian styling and there are still people who think they speak Norwegian. However, it has been nearly 200 years and their interpretation of Norwegian can be...uh..err..different than what is Norway today and the language they speak I've been told is not Norwegian.

By example of "odd"...I sent a visiting German co-worker to German Fest one year (Milwaukee was settled by Germans and every year the community puts on a large festival). He came back a combination of mortified, amused, and confused.

How you see Mt. Horeb? -- well, it just depends (note: even Wisconsinites can find Mt. Horeb "odd", but the land is pretty--it reminds me a lot of areas of Britain and Wales)

[Aquila]

I ride in Appleton when I go to visit family there. The roads are good (paved well), drivers pretty courteous out in the country (which takes a few minutes to get to, even from the center of town). There's also a bike trail near my brother's house, and probably more around town, but I haven't really explored them. Here's a site that you may find helpful: http://wibikeroutes.net/Wisconsin%20Bike%20Links.htm

But I probably wouldn't rent a bike if I were there just to ride. The one bike shop I know in town seems really friendly and well-equipped, and it looks like their website has information on local riding. (Wheel and Sprocket)

If you'll have a car, you might want to drive up towards Door County, which is beautiful.

If you like to hike, the Ice Age Trail isn't too far: http://www.iceagetrail.org/countyhike.htm, and that's way cool (at least what I've seen). There might also be trails along the Fox river. (Here's one I found.)

There are other things to do in Appleton, too. Last time I was there, we went to the Paper Discovery Museum and made paper (appropriate for kids and adults).

I can't think of why you'd want a wet suit there, though.

If you like birds, you're a couple hours (by car) from the Horicon Marsh or the Crane Foundation (One of the places that's trying to create a new Whooping Crane flock), and those are both interesting.

As for Chicago, it's a GREAT city, with so much to do! I've never ridden there, but the Art Institute is incredible, as is the Museum of Science and Technology (erm, I may have the name wrong). There's also a really good chocolate place right in that area... but I can't think of the name off hand, alas.

I hope you have a wonderful trip. If you have other questions, I'd be happy to try to answer, though I live on the other side of the state.

[Trigress]

I knew this was the right place to ask! Thanks a million!

I'll get back to this afternoon, it's morning here now, and I'm on my out to be a bike referee in a crit race, so I need to get back to you with more detailed questions!

Thanks, you're great!

[Brandi]

I used to spend my winter's there, in both cities. Gotta try the pizza in Chicago and the brats in Appleton. As far as what to do? Since I spent winter's there i could not say. But a wetsuit I [romise you won't need. And it rains a lot during the summer and can be hot. So dress light and bring a bathing suit.

[Thorn]

Gotta try the pizza in Chicago and the brats in Appleton.

Second the brat...Wisconsin brats are unique and not anything like their namesake the German bratwurst. As a vegetarian I broke my diet and ordered a bratwurst when I was on a business trip to Germany. Blah....bland and disgusting. A good Wisconsin brat is spicy.

Also, when in Wisconsin, you *must* stop at a custard stand. While you can now find custard stands outside the Midwest, we probably have more than most. Custard is really rich ice cream made with egg, made fresh every day. A good custard stand will only offer 3 flavors--vanilla, chocolate and some special flavor of the day.

[Trigress]

Good heavens. I'm running out of time!

Thanks a million for your advice, I certainly will take a pair of trekking shoes, and some cycling gear, and I think now that I will hire a car in Chicago and drive the scenic route to Appleton. You've changed my plans! I'm a bit worried about driving a car in the USA, but sometimes one simply has to take a step out of one's comfort zone...

I will check out the brats, the custard stand and the pizzas, and then I'll have to see what I can squeeze in the remaining days!

Thorn, when the departure is approaching, I'll get back to you on hiking trails, ok?