Is it just me or has the Lakefront path become rougher than usual for road-biking this summer? It seems like there is a definite increase in the number of potholes, cracks, bumps, uneven pavement, crumbling curbs, and other surface problems. Maybe it's always been this way, but I don't remember the path being quite this beat up in previous years.

Just something I was thinking about since destroying my tire on my morning ride today.

Is it just me or has the Lakefront path become rougher than usual for road-biking this summer? It seems like there is a definite increase in the number of potholes, cracks, bumps, uneven pavement, crumbling curbs, and other surface problems. Maybe it's always been this way, but I don't remember the path being quite this beat up in previous years.

Just something I was thinking about since destroying my tire on my morning ride today.

How about the sand between Fullerton and North covering one complete side of the path. I was glad I was on foot.
Kenal0

Oh yeah, I forgot about the sand dunes up north. There is also a rather big sand trap developing on the trail down around 3900 South.

Stay well clear this weekend. Pro beach vollyeball at North ave.
kenal0

and dont forget lallapalooza (sp?)

I reckon it's the winters that mess with the pavement. I haven't lived here for enough of them to notice a steady decline. But the sand situation really is out of control. They can drive cop cars and landscaping trucks down the trail in the middle of the day, yet they can't seem to keep the sand away?

It is unusual for them not to run the sweepers for this long. I have not seen it this bad for a while.
The winter definitely takes its toll but I believer Sig11 can confirm that the same holes and cracks have been spray painted in yellow for 2-3 years now. They should have saved the money on that darn Bean at Millenium park and fixed the path!
Kenal0

At least, to my surprise, they are completely resurfacing the North Branch trail. The pavement on there is so bad in places that I nearly crashed.

I've been here about 8 years and have never seen the path quite as bad as it is now. I've also never seen them go this long without running the sweepers----last summer it seemed like I saw the sweeper out almost every other morning near North avenue.

-D

They should have saved the money on that darn Bean at Millenium park and fixed the path!
Kenal0

Ah yes, the bean! But let us not forget that strange bean's awesome and freakish power to attract the tourist, some of whose money goes eventually to do things like sweep and repave trails. . .at least I believe that's how it's supposed to work in theory:rolleyes:

The sand is getting pretty bad on both the north and south paths. I encourage all Chicagoans to call 311 and report it. I know that most people think that it won't do any good but, trust me, it will. 311 generates service requests that go to the various department heads who have to take some action. It may not happen as quickly as you'd like but something will usually get done.

Yep the sand is getting really annoying. I've been noticing in my chain drive after every single ride. I will call 311 and report it as that seems like the best route. Thanks for that info bibliobob!

You're along the lakefront, some of the most beautiful scenery of all kinds anywhere. There's a little sand? Be careful and deal with it. Learn to clean your chain. It's the yin of bicycling. Can't yang all the time!
pkgman

I do clean my chain regularly. However, I think it would be nice if they cleaned the sand off every once in a while before it is more than just a little sand.

Well, it was more than a little sand. There were portions where the entire path was covered in an inch or so, which is definitely more than a chain hazard at 20 mph.

However, the girlfriend rep[orts that they cleaned the path about a week ago. She rides the south path two or three times a week.

South of the North Ave ped bridge, just where the path bends into the beachfront, a guy last night got caught in the sand covering the asphalt. Went back in an ambulance with his head braced. I hope it wasn't as bad as it looked.

The sand just at this point whether blown by wind or washed by rain is one of the most treacherous places on the LF trail. I myself took a header there.

I've never seen sand as bad as this before.

I agree the trail has some sand on it. And, in many spots there are cracks and holes. My previous comment to "deal with it" was somewhat tounge--in-cheek. Point is, why risk getting hurt when all you have to in most cases is walk a few yards to go through, or around, the sand. Besides, the scenery is usually pretty nice where there's sand. I figure a few steps is better than ruining my day.
As for the cracks and such, they're a bit harder to deal with. The city has tried to mark them with yellow paint, so that helps a bit. But, as the crown-jewel of Chicago bicycle trails, it should be in better shape.
Having said that; it would help a great deal if the speed demons would show a little more respect to their fellow cyclist by slowing down. It's a recreational path, not a race course. I find these folks to be a bigger hazzard than that path surface.

pkgman

its chicago, There is a pot hole that has been growing out side of my apartment for a month a few cars have drove into it and all it has is a orange cone near it, And i suggest not riding that path during the summer, First there is all the little kids that can't ride a straight bath and have almost ran me into a tree trying to avoid them, there are the people that just don't pay attention, Riding on the street seems safer ....

I was down on the path last sunday, 9/9. They've put up a lot of construction fencing around Belmont and Montrose avenues with Detour signs. It appears there is going be some work done to the path. The path a little north of Belmont is in need of repair. But farther north it seems okay, don't know why they would want to 'fix' it. It would be money better spent to improve the North avenue area.

I hope they start doing some repairs, I have been running there lately and it is not as bad on foot as on wheels.
Kenal0

interesting. i plan to run my 20 miler this weekend along the lake front. sounds like i might get in a little hurdle practice too. :)

later.

You will definitely be with a large contingent of marathon runners.
Kenal0

I was down on the path last sunday, 9/9. They've put up a lot of construction fencing around Belmont and Montrose avenues with Detour signs. It appears there is going be some work done to the path. The path a little north of Belmont is in need of repair. But farther north it seems okay, don't know why they would want to 'fix' it. It would be money better spent to improve the North avenue area.Haven't lived in Chitown for 22 years, but reading the thread, the Q that comes to mind is the old political machine one. U know, elect a non-machine alderman (lake shore liberals), and don't expect any services. Be a community without politcal boundaries (cyclists), and you don't exist. I hope things may have changed a bit, but it is still the son of "Da Mayor" in the mayor's office.

You will definitely be with a large contingent of marathon runners.
Kenal0

correct. i am running an "organized" training run with CARA. there could be almost 2000 people in our little group. should be different and fun. later.

correct. i am running an "organized" training run with CARA. there could be almost 2000 people in our little group. should be different and fun. later.

I saw the little Sept 16 event warning signs all over the path. Is this your long run before a taper?
Kenal0

^^^^ yep. i did 16 last weekend. 20 this weekend. going with a two week taper with long runs of 13 then 8. good times. later.

Maybe you can post your number when you pickup your packet so we can follow your progress throughout the race, unless you will be in the lead pack and then we will see you on tv. Turning any 5:15-5:30 miles yet? :)

Kenal0

^^^^ why would i run it that slow? :)

I was down on the path last sunday, 9/9. They've put up a lot of construction fencing around Belmont and Montrose avenues with Detour signs. It appears there is going be some work done to the path. The path a little north of Belmont is in need of repair. But farther north it seems okay, don't know why they would want to 'fix' it. It would be money better spent to improve the North avenue area.

The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation keeps an up-to-date page on Lakefront Trail conditions. You can find it here: http://www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=57_0_6_0

Duppie

Here is a link to today's Tribune article on the Lakefront trail. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-trail12sep12,1,3147991.story
It gives more detail on what they are planning to do.
I am hoping that with the new soft surface side trails, runners/walkers get a little more room. More room for them means more room for me.

Duppie

Looks like the Chicago Park District reads this forum and listens to all the complaining.....
Yesterday I noticed that they have started to patch potholes and bumps in the road, right now between Gold Coast and North Ave.
Duppie

Noticed the same this morning. The buckled asphalt on the stretch N of Michigan was patched and they removed that huge speed bump at the Oak Street curve. Sweet ;)

I also called 311 and complained about 3 weeks ago.

The stretch around McCormick Place has had repairs to the trail, I noticed Monday. A big road hazard is gone and several declivities in the asphalt smoothed out. The bend n of Monroe to the CYC big boat is getting potholes repaired too.

I'd strongly encourage calls to 311. Liberally sprinkle your call with words like "hazard," "liability," and "lawsuit."

I'd strongly encourage calls to 311. Liberally sprinkle your call with words like "hazard," "liability," and "lawsuit."

City of Chicago- hazard," "liability," and "lawsuit= nothing!!!

These repairs were budgeted and planned a year ago. Anything less than a sink hole able to swallow up cars will be put in line and gotten too when they can. I have seen the same dangerous cracks and problems on that path for years! A fresh coat of yellow paint is all they can muster. They blew the budget on the Bean!
Some stretches are really nice and others are bad no bike wheels.
Kenal0