Great Lakes - Naperville to Wrigley Field?

Well it's that time of year again when we make our pilgrimage to a CUB game. This year we're staying at a Fairfield Inn in Naperville (hwy 59 and Diehl).

Any of you Chicago area riders have suggestions on best routes from our motel to Wrigley? Like last year we are riding our tandem (not allowed on the Metra). :D

Or maybe we should find a parking spot somewhere near Navy pier and ride from there? Is parking an easy thing to do near the pier area?

What is the Millinnium Park Bike Center all about? Is there parking there?

There is dedicated bike parking at Wrigley Field nowadays. Head over to the carwash at Clark and Waveland.

A question, though. Why in the world are you staying in Naperville when you want to go to Chicago?

Or maybe we should find a parking spot somewhere near Navy pier and ride from there? Is parking an easy thing to do near the pier area?

What is the Millinnium Park Bike Center all about? Is there parking there?

My trips to/from Naperville have all been by Metra train, or in a car via the tollway/espressway, so others are better suited to suggest a bike route.

Car parking is more limited at Navy Pier than at Grant Park, or Monroe/Millennium parking garages (each is underground, accessed via Michigan Ave or Lake Shore Dr; the rates may have recently gone up, but last time I was there it was about $16/12 hours; higher rates for special events).

On the roof above Millennium garage is the park, in which is the bike station, with free bike parking, and cheap shower/lockers with membership.

McDonald's Cycle Center
McDonald's Cycle Center is located by Michigan and Randolph across from the AON Building (the former Amoco Building) at Upper Randolph Street on the North East corner of Millennium Park.

Address
McDonald's Cycle Center
239 East Randolph Street
Chicago IL 60601

Toll Free: (888) BIKE-WAY (888-245-3929)

Email: info@chicagobikestation.com

Hours and Dates of Operation
Spring & Fall
Mon - Fri: 6:30am to 7pm
Sat - Sun: 10am to 6pm

Summer
Mon - Fri: 6:30am to 8pm
Sat - Sun: 8am to 8pm

Winter
Mon - Fri: 6:30am to 6:30pm
Sat - Sun: Closed

24 hour access available to members.

My trips to/from Naperville have all been by Metra train, or in a car via the tollway/espressway, so others are better suited to suggest a bike route.

Car parking is more limited at Navy Pier than at Grant Park, or Monroe/Millennium parking garages (each is underground, accessed via Michigan Ave or Lake Shore Dr; the rates may have recently gone up, but last time I was there it was about $16/12 hours; higher rates for special events).

On the roof above Millennium garage is the park, in which is the bike station, with free bike parking, and cheap shower/lockers with membership.

McDonald's Cycle Center
McDonald's Cycle Center is located by Michigan and Randolph across from the AON Building (the former Amoco Building) at Upper Randolph Street on the North East corner of Millennium Park.

Address
McDonald's Cycle Center
239 East Randolph Street
Chicago IL 60601

Toll Free: (888) BIKE-WAY (888-245-3929)

Email: info@chicagobikestation.com

Hours and Dates of Operation
Spring & Fall
Mon - Fri: 6:30am to 7pm
Sat - Sun: 10am to 6pm

Summer
Mon - Fri: 6:30am to 8pm
Sat - Sun: 8am to 8pm

Winter
Mon - Fri: 6:30am to 6:30pm
Sat - Sun: Closed

24 hour access available to members.

Thanks for the info! Do you think the parking garages can handle a Grand Caravan with a rack and tandem on top?

I don't think so. I've gotten a Suburu wagon with a rack in and out, but the roof clearance is usually pretty limited. I would definitely either call or have very definite backup plans. The more I think about it, the more I think "no way". A van, yes. A van plus a bike on a carrier, no.:(

Thanks for the info! Do you think the parking garages can handle a Grand Caravan with a rack and tandem on top?
No, my guess is not a chance. You could also probably park near Soldier Field if there is not a football game or McCormick place. It is conveniently located near the Lakefront bike path which can take you right down near Wrigley.

http://www.soldierfieldparking.com/Source/ParkingRates.aspx

Kenal0

you could ride the illinois prairie path from naperville to oak park I think then street riding through the west side of chicago up to wrigley.

try this map, but it does not really work too well, don't try with firefox

http://www.dot.il.gov/bikemap/STATE.HTML

or drive and park at the museum of science and industry (57th and LSD) and ride the lakefront path up to the game

you could ride the illinois prairie path from naperville to oak park I think then street riding through the west side of chicago up to wrigley.

try this map, but it does not really work too well, don't try with firefox

http://www.dot.il.gov/bikemap/STATE.HTML

or drive and park at the museum of science and industry (57th and LSD) and ride the lakefront path up to the game


I think the PP actually ends around Manheim road in hillside. You can pick a different path up on the other side of Manheim, but my memory fails.

It sounds like a fun trip, but you're going to have to get back to Naperville, right? You're probably in better shape than I am (no doubt), but after the 30+ miles to get from naperville to wrigleyville, the game, and celebrating after, I know I'd be in no shape to ride back to naperville.

I'm also going to guess that Metra will be no help since I think they ban bikes from the trains on weekends.

Good luck!

...I'm also going to guess that Metra will be no help since I think they ban bikes from the trains on weekends.

Good luck!

The game we have tickets to is on Monday. Looking at the bicycle policy for Metra I found they prohibit tandems any time.

We'll probably opt for a closer location such as Soldier Field or something. You are right the ride out would be good, but back might be a bit tiring.

Metra to Union Station, then El to Wrigley. Leave the bike at home.

If you are in the city though, you should know that Wrigley offers free "checked" bike parking (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/bike_program.jsp).

Metra to Union Station, then El to Wrigley. Leave the bike at home.

Yes a viable way to get to the ball game. We have done it that way before. Not a bad way to go, that is until it is time to leave...the El is a madhouse and impossible to get on for hours.

Yes a viable way to get to the ball game. We have done it that way before. Not a bad way to go, that is until it is time to leave...the El is a madhouse and impossible to get on for hours.

No, it's not. Forget the scrum at Addison.

Walk north up Sheffield about three blocks to the Sheridan red line El stop.

Or walk down Sheffield four blocks to the Belmont stop for a Red or Brown Line. Or an extra two blocks to Wellington and catch a Brown Line train.

Or, do like everyone else and find a bar to relax for a while until the neighborhood settles back down. That's part of the Wrigley experience.

...Or, do like everyone else and find a bar to relax for a while until the neighborhood settles back down. That's part of the Wrigley experience.
Yep, that was the experience on one occasion. :D Even that was a tough find though. :o

Yep, that was the experience on one occasion. :D Even that was a tough find though. :o

The key is to get away from the chaos of the immediate bars (Murphy's, Cubby Bear, Hi Tops, etc).

Walk a few blocks from the field and there are plenty of decent watering holes. Head over to Southport and there are good places with sidewalk seating, or head down Sheffield to the bar Sheffield's where they have a side beergarden.

If you can't find a place to sit, relax, and enjoy a beverage in Wrigleyville, then you can't find one anywhere. :D

i wonder if you could drive to the lake shore and find street parking (like near navy pier or soldier field or mccormick or the museums? then you could ride up the path and over to wrigley from there. maybe someone more familiar with the city could let you know if this is doable.

i wonder if you could drive to the lake shore and find street parking (like near navy pier or soldier field or mccormick or the museums? then you could ride up the path and over to wrigley from there. maybe someone more familiar with the city could let you know if this is doable.

Drive down a little early, forget the bike thing, forget the L thing and park at the church about 3 blocks north of Wrigley on Halsted for 20 bucks and call it a day.

Kenal0

OH RIGHT!! WE HAD A GREAT TIME!!! We ended up putting the tandem inside the van with us and drove up to Millinium Park garage. It was raining pretty good all the way in but quit as soon as we hit Chicago.

In the garage we got the tandem out and began looking for a way out. It wasn't long before a woman who thought she had some authority told us to walk our bike in the garage...RIGHT lady we'll just do that. We ignored her, does she require motorcycles to be walked too?! I don't think she liked that much.

We found our way to the Lake Shore Dr path easy enough. Boy that route is sandy the tandem is a mess!!! We had a good ride up to Belmont where we cruised to Halsted, then Addison and around Wrigley to the bike check on Waveland.

When we left we went down Addison passing cars that were gridlocked in the post Cub game mess...that was great!!! We threaded through traffic with great ease on our tandem!

We had so much fun we're planning to do it again!

Thanks everyone for the tips on Chicago!!

Did you go to Monday's game, then? If so, cool to see a Cards victory (even though the Cubs took 2 of 3...).

Go Redbirds!

Did you go to Monday's game, then? If so, cool to see a Cards victory (even though the Cubs took 2 of 3...).

Go Redbirds!

what? to think i have shared a gym floor with you too :eek:! later.

Did you go to Monday's game, then? If so, cool to see a Cards victory (even though the Cubs took 2 of 3...).

Go Redbirds!

What the H#$L's the matter with you??????

Kenal0

What the H#$L's the matter with you??????

We all have our dirty little secrets. Mine just happens to involve a lifelong dedication to a winning baseball club based in the town where I was born.

Yep. Bleed that Cardinal red. Makes living in Chicago(land) fun.

We all have our dirty little secrets. Mine just happens to involve a lifelong dedication to a winning baseball club based in the town where I was born.

Yep. Bleed that Cardinal red. Makes living in Chicago(land) fun.

Well at least it is good to know you do not bleed Packer Green.

Kenal0

Did you go to Monday's game, then? If so, cool to see a Cards victory (even though the Cubs took 2 of 3...).

Go Redbirds!

Cubs threw the Birds a bone to help 'em feel better about their season. :rolleyes: