The Chainlink

Planning Cycling Route in Chicago.

I am writing to request your assistance in planning a cycling route in Chicago for 100 cyclists in September of this year.

 

Our group consists of top fundraisers who raised over $12000. for the Houston BP MS150 charity bike ride of over 13,000 riders raising funds to end Multiple Sclerosis. Each year we choose a destination for our incentive trip to encourage networking, best practices and in general have fun and get in a bike ride. We about 200 people in our group and about 100 riders.

 

This year we would like to visit Chicago for our trip and are interested in riding from the Downtown Hyatt Hotel perhaps on Lakeshore Drive for a portion or are open to suggestions. This is where I desperately need assistance.

 

Part of our team recently visited for an initial site visit and was able to identify the hotel but not a bike route that would be safe enough for our group.  Can you help?  

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on March 1, 2016 at 10:33pm
How far are you planning to ride? And what kind of ride. A sightseeing tour of Chicago, or an all-out aufferfest?
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on March 2, 2016 at 6:35am

And day of the week and time of day?

Permalink Reply by Jan Cohen on March 2, 2016 at 7:57am

Thank you for your response! We like to ride about 40-50 miles all levels. Not a tour of Chicago, but would like to be able to ride not just putter. Maybe a combination. We are open as long as it is safe. Our rides in Texas take us on lower trafficked country roads so we are not accustomed to city rides. I am just not sure our riders would know how or be comfortable in the city. Our visit schedule has us riding on Friday.

Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on March 2, 2016 at 9:25am

Any city riding will have many, many stoplights.   City riding during rush hour will be slow and hectic, especially in good weather when the bike lanes are full.   The Lake Front Path (Lake Shore Drive, the road, does not allow bikes and you don't want to ride it anyways) during good weather will be mobbed and not suitable for anything but puttering.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on March 2, 2016 at 8:35am

You may want to focus on what elements you would want in a ride and a route could be created around it. For example- lake front?  It is best early in the day.  view or ride by some city sites?  ball parks, neighborhoods, architecture, new bike lanes?  Most importantly,  where to stop to eat?  Great outdoor garden? iconic Chicago place? Hidden neighborhood gem?  picnic in the park?  

Do you want it to be all city or do you want to ride past the city border?  Based on your response to Duppie's question I might suggest a route along the lake front escaping to the north and then riding suburban routes north to about Highland Park and then a different but mostly linear route back. A rest stop along the way up, a lunch stop up north and  perhaps a stop at a brew pub such as Temperance, Revolution or Half Acre on the way back. 

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on March 2, 2016 at 10:04am

Hi Jan,

One of the routes is to head up North. You can stop in Highland Park (nice small downtown area with coffee shops and restaurants) or go a longer distance to Lake Bluff (this may be a little too long from downtown). 

I made the recommendation last year in Chicago Magazine:

FOR HARDCORE CYCLISTS

A Little Bit of Everything

ROUTE: Uptown to Lake Bluff

ROUND TRIP: 50 miles 

DETAILS: This daylong ride takes you from urban jungle to manicured suburbs to relaxed countryside. After navigating streets on the North Side and North Shore, take Forest Way north from Winnetka, passing the picturesque Skokie Lagoons. In Highwood, pick up the tree-lined Robert McClory Bike Path to charming Lake Bluff. Cool off with a beverage at Lake Bluff Brewery (16 E. Scranton Ave.) before you head home.

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/July-2015/Chicago-bike-r...

Permalink Reply by Duppie on March 2, 2016 at 12:08pm
From downtown to the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe is about 50 miles round-trip, with half of that on trails. The batinic garden is a great place for an outdoor lunch. on the way back you can take the Lakfront and also stop by Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs. If they are playing on the Friday when you are in town, it's a great way to saok up some atmosphere.

As far as riding in traffic it is pretty much. I unavoidable in Chicago, but keep in mind that 100 riders is plenty to command a presence on the road..

I'll try to give you a detailed route tonight.
Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on March 2, 2016 at 12:32pm

People without bicycles could get a 24 hour Divvy pass for $9.99.
https://www.divvybikes.com/pricing/24-Hour-Passes

Rides under 30 minutes between docking stations included.

Downtown Hyatt via Lakefront trail south to

1. Museum Campus is 2 miles one way,

2. Museum of Science and Industry is 9 miles one way,

3. Indiana Dunes is 47 miles one way (campout and return). Partial return via South Shore Train on weekends starts in April. http://www.southbendtribune.com/life/travel/outdoor/bikes-on-south-...

4. Downtown Hyatt via Bloomingdale elevated trail to Evens Field Picnic Grove 13 miles, then Des Planes River Trail north up to 47 miles to Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve(no camping) or Illinois Beach State Park (under 2 miles from Metra Station).

5. Downtown Hyatt via Lakefront trails to Illinois Beach State Park, Zion 46 miles. Return options of Metra (not all at once) or Overnight camping.

Permalink Reply by Maurice on March 2, 2016 at 4:44pm
For that many cyclists starting downtown, your best bet by a wide margin is the lakefront path that runs between Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive, especially the part that runs south of downtown past the Museum Campus, Soldier Field, Burnham Harbor, McCormick Place, the Museum of Science and Industry, the South Shore Cultural Center, etc.
Permalink Reply by Jan Cohen on March 3, 2016 at 2:01pm

All, Thank you for your input! I have so much to consider and will be back in touch.  Again thank you!

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