Chicago or Denver?? (cabin, beaches, weekend getaway)

[DC's Finest]

This is ridiculous. Next you'll say the beaches on LM are comparable to Florida and California. Oh that's right. Someone already made that claim.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Exactly -- so saying that because your brother thinks it's world class, it must be, is not really a good argument.

Expensive equipment does not equal competency. If so, all the rich Texans would be the best skiers on the mountain.

Not that I'm saying your brother isn't competent -- he may well be but your argument that he knows what he's talking about because he owns an expensive bike is not really very valid.

He loves the fact that its not overcrowded, there are many very nicely groomed trails and rocky trails. He likes the slow sections and the fast sections, he loves the scenery. He rates it very high because of its availability, its overall experience, its cleanliness, etc. I said above that if anyone is looking for an experience youll find in the Rockies, youll be disappointed. But Kettle Moraine is a great park to ride in, and its relatively close, and is rated very high by riders and my brother. His expensive bike has nothing to do with his skill, just his intensity towards his passion: mountain biking. Would you listen to someone who loves racing everyday but owns a Ford Escort? No. My brother bikes all kind of terrain and Kettle Moraine is one of his faves, thats why I recommended it. The poor kid actually busted his face open on a trail in Kettle Moraine and had to have reconstructive surgery. The day they removed all the stitches he was back on his bike, cycling up to 75 miles a day. In other words, he's an avid mountain biker who I trust in his findings. After all, he's led me to MANY cool areas of the country that I never would have thought to explore just because him and his bike go EVERYWHERE.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by DC's Finest

This is ridiculous. Next you'll say the beaches on LM are comparable to Florida and California. Oh that's right. Someone already made that claim.

Thats all up to a personal opinion. And yes, there are some beaches along western Michigan's shores that are VERY nice. What doesnt make them nice? Lack of palm trees (like everyone seems to think)?

To me, these are just as nice as any Ive been on in Florida:
http://www.piersidelodgings.com/ffbeach.jpg (broken link)

http://www.catholicinformationcenter.org/353428734JXhbSf_ph.jpg (broken link)

[Steve-o]

Anyways, sorry Ive gone off-topic with the beach stuff. lol But Ive heard Kettle Moraine is a great place to mountain bike, and Ill stand by that. If youre expecting riding down sheer cliffs, youre not gonna find that there. But if youre looking for a fun day of riding tons of neat trails through different terrain, then Kettle Moraine is perfect. Ive posted many links, hopefully theyll be useful to the OP and others. It doesnt take a genius to figure out that IL and WI dont have massive ski resorts and trails like they do in CO, but we do have some here, and theyre fun.

[Fuzz]

Steve, Kettle Moraine may well be a great place to ride. But implying that there's little difference between living in Chicago versus living in Denver when it comes to snowboarding and mountain biking is simply not accurate.

However, it's really up to the OP -- Chicago and Denver have their strengths and weaknesses -- it really depends what his priorities are. Maybe he just wants to snowboard/bike every once in a while but go to museums, clubs, bars, and good non-chain restaurants all the time -- in that case Chicago will be great. If it's the other way around, then Denver would be the place.

[Steve-o]

[quote=Fuzz;2277622]Steve, Kettle Moraine may well be a great place to ride. But implying that there's little difference between living in Chicago versus living in Denver when it comes to snowboarding and mountain biking is simply not accurate[quote]

I never said there was little difference. All I said was that we have ski resorts, mountain bike parks, etc, too. I made it clear right off the bat that theyre nowhere near the types youll find in Aspen, you can read it again if youd like. I just wanted the OP to know that there are several around here within a relatively short distance. Everyone makes Chicagoland out to be some area that is completely void of outdoor activities, which I think is a complete hoax. In fact, I believe Chicagoland has more preserved areas than any other major city, but thats something Ill have to research a little more. Point is, Chicagoland is not all concrete/houses/stores. There are many great areas to enjoy the outdoors. I should know, I enjoy them all the time. No, youre not obviously going to have any fourteeners here, but who seriously climbs those? lol If youre just into casual mountain biking, casual downhill skiing or casual snowboarding (even pro), then Chicagoland and surrounding areas have many places that can fulfill many peoples' outdoor needs.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by aragx6

i think Steve-o was pretty clear on that. he says they're good if "you need a fix and aren't a professional" His comment was meant to offer alternatives and something to consider, not suggest Illinois was a snowboarding haven.

Thanks man. I missed your post. Im glad someone can read closely.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

And mountain biking is really right outside your door. Miles and miles of trails in the foothills that you can ride to (if you live on the west side of town), or can drive in 15 minutes. And they are world class trails -- many of my buddies who are pro riders, ride and train on these trails. And if you don't mind driving a bit farther for biking, here's what you get:
1 hour 15 minutes away (http://www.syedfaisal.com/Photo_Albums/Colorado_Trail/Panorama-North_Fork-01.jpg - broken link)
1 hour 15 minutes away (http://www.syedfaisal.com/Photo_Albums/NewHouse/LakeDillonPano01.jpg - broken link)
1 hour 30 minutes away (http://www.syedfaisal.com/Photo_Albums/Boreas-Pass/Boreas-Pass-Pano-4.jpg - broken link)
1 hour 45 minutes away (http://www.syedfaisal.com/Photo_Albums/VailAspen/Panorama03-large.jpg - broken link)

Of course, this is all assuming that snowboarding and biking are top priorities for the OP. If nightlife, culture, dining, and general urban lifestyle are more important, then Chicago's got Denver beat by many a mile.

Great pics once again, I assume those are yours?

In any case, those are lovely areas, no doubt. But those trails hardly look at all challenging.

[dragoro]

I've biked all over the country including col. The best trails I've found are in tucson Arizona.

[ILFlatlander]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Ill trust my brother, thank you very much. He's biked in Moab, Estes Park, etc, and he still swears by Kettle Moraine. Maybe your mountain biking tastes are different? My brother rides a Gary Fisher that cost over 5 grand and has about another 3 grand in crazy stuff on it. He knows what hes talking about. It might not be the steepest terrain in the world, but he says its one of the best mountain bike places hes ever ridden, and hes ridden MANY.

http://my.execpc.com/~jwamser/KettleSouth.html

http://www.trailville.com/wiki/index...hn_Muir_Trails

I've been biking Kettle Moraine since I was in my early twenties, both the North Trail - Emma Carlin and the South - John Muir. I've also ridden the Slick Rock Trail in Moab Utah, and Vail, Keystone, Breckenridge and Silverthorne in Colorado. If Kettle if for professionals only, then perhaps I should turn pro? I'm 41 years old, and I can fly through Kettle, where as the places I've been out west gave me pause and really challenged my skills. It doesn't really matter much you spend on a bike, I've done all this on a $1,500 Klein. I also road bike, and combined I put in about 3,000 to 4,000 miles. The last 3 years I have done a Lake Tahoe century (100 miler) road ride. Next, are you are going to say the the road biking here rivals that? Sorry, comparing mountain sports in a place with no mountains is funny.