I took my bike to Navy Pier Thurs. night to see Cirque Shanghai at the Skyline Theater. It was the first time I’d hit the lakefront path this summer heading south.
I’d planned to bike to work this summer… once I got caught up after my Peru trip, hit my big work deadline and the intense heat and humidity passed. But as any Chicagoan knows the weather forecasters are as likely wrong as right and circumstances will never be perfect. We just have to get out there and do our thing anyways.
At my Montrose starting point, there is a lot of park between Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan and a lot of paths, paved and unpaved. But as you head south, the lake waters get closer to the drive and funnel all park-goers and -doers into a narrow concrete band.
It’s a chaotic mix of joggers, walkers, bikers, bladers and sunbathers when you reach North Avenue Beach. Many seem blissfully unaware that anyone else is using the path - or of any conventions or courtesies for sharing roads, such as staying to the right and allowing others to pass on the left.
I wonder how many collisions, injuries or other troubles occur on this path on an average summer day - and who keeps track of such things. Chicago Magazine, for starters: http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2009/Lake-Advisory/
Some people point out that it is the Chicago LAKEFRONT Path not Bicycle Path. But the painted images of bicycles on the paved path along the drive with dashed-yellow-line (like a road) suggest otherwise.
Bike Chicago, which rents bikes including 4-person big rigs seen along the lakefront, says Chicago’s lakefront is a “biking paradise.” And this site applauds the city’s great 18-mile bike trail: http://www.great-trails.com/lakefront.shtml .
Bike Chicago also organizes tours including one of President Obama’s ‘hood with sights such as the Osaka gardens, DuSable Museum and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House as well as the Obamas’ home and the place Barack and Michelle had their first kiss (who could resist that?): http://www.bikechicago.com/tours/
“No swimming after 7.”
As I biked between Fullerton and North avenues I heard a booming male voice over the speaker system say the beach was closed. No swimming after 7:00 p.m., it said, but feel free to come back tomorrow when the beach re-opens at 11:00 a.m. Wait, huh?!
There are thousands of people out and dozens in the water getting much-needed exercise and fresh air --- and the park district is forcing them onto dry land - when it’s still in the upper 80’s and humid?!
It is true, according to the Chicago Park District beach site -http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/resources/beaches/ - it says: “Starting this season swimming is allowed at beaches from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise posted.”
According to the site, Montrose and 5 other beaches open early, at 9:30 a.m. The others are: Leone, North Avenue, 31st Street, 63rd Street, South Shore and Calumet. My guess is lifeguard hours were cut to save money due to budget shortfalls - but it seems harsh to have our already short summers and summer activities cut even shorter.
I pedaled along.
A woman walked a tiny dog, barely visible in the dimming light as it weaved back and forth. Adults with kids walked in the middle or on the wrong (their left) side of the path. Bikers talked – even texted – on cell phones with no hands on their brakes despite the crowds and congestion. It seemed like one accident-waiting-to-happen after another.
The ferris wheel at the pier came into view as I rounded the curve of LSD, pleased to have navigated successfully and safely through the crazy crowds. I was trying to count the neon-capped lap swimmers near Oak Street Beach as a gray-haired biker approached. As he zoomed by, he called out “On your left, babe.”
Thanks for the heads up, dude, but skip the nickname next time. Let’s leave it at left.
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