Big Blues Ramble 2007

Friday, Oct. 19: Meet headquarters:
La Quinta Inn - Chicago Willowbrook (2-9pm)
855 79th Street
Willowbrook, IL 60527
Phone: (630) 654-0077

Directions to Meet Headquarters:
From Chicago, take Stevenson Expwy (I-55) southwest approximately 19 miles to exit at Kingery Hwy (Rt 83) – North. Notice LaQuinta Inn on right as you exit. Then exit Kingery Hwy at very next right-turn opportunity, circle back, heading south, to enter LaQuinta parking lot. Packet pick-up will be in Conference Room just off lobby.

Friday, Oct. 19: Model Event: (click for more details)
Willow Springs Woods; Willowbrook. (2-6pm)

Directions to Model Event:
To get to the Model Event from O'Hare airport, follow signs toward Chicago onto the Kennedy Expressway (I-190) and soon thereafter take the Tri-state Tollway - South (I-294) toward Indiana for approximately 22 miles to exit at 95th Street. Go west on 95th St approximately 3.5 miles to turn right at Flavin Road. Proceed north on Flavin Road about 800 meters, to make a quick right turn into forest preserve parking lot. Caution: You will be coming downhill in fast traffic just as the side road appears. We will be selling maps in the shelter.

To get to the Meet Headquarters and Packet Pickup at LaQuinta Inn afterward, turn right from the parking area, back onto Flavin Road, heading north. Turn left at next traffic light (Archer Avenue) and proceed southwest about 4 miles to turn right (north) on Kingery Hwy (Rt 83). Proceed north approximately 3.5 miles to exit right onto frontage road at light, just after crossing I-55. As you cross I-55, note LaQuinta Inn to your right, on NE corner of the intersection. Return back south on frontage road to LaQuinta parking lot.

To get to Model Event from LaQuinta Inn, reverse these directions. Be careful turning onto Flavin Road from Archer Avenue: Signs at the intersection may be confusing since Flavin Road north of Archer becomes Willow Springs Road, so signs bearing both road names are sprinkled around the intersection. And once on Flavin, the left turn into forest preserve parking comes up quickly, as you're rounding an uphill turn in heavy traffic. So suggest activating your left-turn blinker immediately after turning off Archer.

If you experience any difficulty, my cell phone is (312) 401-1325.

Clark Maxfield

Saturday, Oct 20: Day 1 - Middle Event and Sprint:
Busse Woods, Elk Grove Village (8am-3pm)

Directions to Middle Event and Sprint:
From Meet Headquarters, reenter Kingery Hwy (Rt 83) – Southbound, and take ramp onto I-55 south. Continue for 4 miles to I-355 – northbound (toll). Follow I-355 for 16 miles, continuing onto I-290 – north. Exit at Higgins Rd – east (Rt 72), which you will follow through the Busse Woods Forest Preserve to turn left after approximately 1-1/2 miles into the parking area. Look for orienteering signs on Higgins Road. Drive all the way north on the forest preserve road to park in the lot at the far north end.

Sunday, Oct 21: Day 2 – Long Course:
Country Lane Woods, Palos Park (7:30am – 1pm)

Directions to Long Course Event:
From Meet Headquarters, reenter Kingery Hwy (Rt 83) – Southbound. Continue south approximately 3-1/2 miles to cross the Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary Canal, and old I&M canal. Turn immediately soft left after exiting bridge onto 107th St – eastbound. Note: this will take you slightly south of Archer Avenue, which you used to get to Friday’s Model event. Continue on 107th St for approximately 3-1/2 miles to turn left into parking at “Pioneer Woods Forest Preserve.”