Great Lakes - Is Chicago Lakeshore path rideable in winter?

This is the first year that I will be commuting year round. I ride from the North end of the path to Navy Pier and from there into downtown. From my previous years when I would run home once a week in te winter, I remember that most of the path would be cleared after snowfall, but that the area between Gold Coast beach and Navy pier was not maintained. But then again, I was on foot each time, so my focus may have been different.
Does anybody have any experience with commuting the Lakeshore Path in the winter? Any Do's and Don'ts?
Thanks, Duppie

I'm not lucky enough to be able to commute downtown everyday, but from what I remember last winter the path was pretty clear. No signifcant ruts that I can remember. The scariest section though would be near Oak St Beach right at the bend (where you'd be traveling). Water from the lake splashes up and freezes making that section an ice rink. Slow the hell down and hug the wall going around that corner. I've slid on it before and though I remained upright, I also finally stopped about 10ft from the lake. I think I'd rather ride down Clark after a snowfall, at least you know the streets would be plowed soon after a snowfall.

I'm not lucky enough to be able to commute downtown everyday, but from what I remember last winter the path was pretty clear. No signifcant ruts that I can remember. The scariest section though would be near Oak St Beach right at the bend (where you'd be traveling). Water from the lake splashes up and freezes making that section an ice rink. Slow the hell down and hug the wall going around that corner. I've slid on it before and though I remained upright, I also finally stopped about 10ft from the lake. I think I'd rather ride down Clark after a snowfall, at least you know the streets would be plowed soon after a snowfall.

Yeah, be careful there. The park district did have barriers blocking the path at Oak St last year at one point~can't remember exactly when. :eek:

For the most part it is pretty clear. Be careful though, when there is snow off to the side (yes they do clear the path regularly) and the weather warms just enough to melt a bit of it (bright sunny day, even if the temp is <32*F) it can freeze on the sidewalk, the result is a very tricky morning ride (esp before 7am). After riding out there and paying close attention to the variable conditions you will know the "danger zones" on your route.

Overall advice: take it easy and you will be fine.;)

I ran across this page this morning. Interesting stuff.

"Chicago Bike Winter" (http://bikewinter.org/main.php)

http://bikewinter.org/events/snowbiking/images/Pc110025t.jpg

A friend of mine ended up in the lake at Oak street after a gust of wind knocked him over and off his bike. He slid right into the water and two runners had to help him out. His bike didn't go in, at least.
Be careful through there!

If you have any other way of commuting, I would use it. Between, the freezing water and the nasty wind, it is not a great place to ride. Avoid if possible.
Kenal0

I made this mistake just once late last winter. It was cold and there was snow on the ground, but nothing fresh so the pavement was dry; I thought it would be a good change from my regular commute. The wind almost killed me. I would have been better off walking my bike. I lasted less than a half mile (from North up to the closest exit. I don't remember - It may have been a mile if I had to get to Fullerton to get off). The wind was far, far worse than I expected. I'd caution against it.

"Chicago Bike Winter" (http://bikewinter.org/main.php)Some great tips here; thanks for sharing! I'm gearing up for the first of hopefully many Chicago winters during which I will ride my commute every day. Those folks at REI and Performance and Bike Nashbar are making a killing off me!

I am used to riding Lincoln Ave, but I prefer the 5.5 miles of traffic-free LFP. I'll be sure to exercise caution when the wind and/or snow picks up, and choose my route carefully.

I'll be in Chicago Sunday for the IL State CX Champs ... will try to grab some shots of the path. (doubt that I'll bring my bike).

As of this morning, the LFP from Oak Street Beach to Navy Pier was not plowed. I pushed through it, but accumulated a lot of snow on my bike.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2157/2088509975_fb166292cc.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alforque/2088509975/)

The more open portions of LFP have snow drift accumulation, but not deep. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alforque/2088506793/)

Take caution when approaching the esses at Addison (where there is construction), not much salt there so it's a little slippery. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alforque/2089298262/)

Rubber side down!

Thanks for the update. I still plan on bike commuting tomorrow (my version of it anyways). I think I'll stick to the streets the whole way in until the path has been cleared. I think there will be less chance of hitting icy spots on the more traveled streets. Wish I had a cx bike to go through the snow.

As of this morning, the LFP from Oak Street Beach to Navy Pier was not plowed. I pushed through it, but accumulated a lot of snow on my bike.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2157/2088509975_fb166292cc.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alforque/2088509975/)

The more open portions of LFP have snow drift accumulation, but not deep. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alforque/2088506793/)

Take caution when approaching the esses at Addison (where there is construction), not much salt there so it's a little slippery. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alforque/2089298262/)

Rubber side down!

aaa, those are some great pictures!
Yesterday i rode my bike to the Metra station and took the train in.
This morning I biked all the way downtown (little over 10 miles), all on city streets. They were clear of any snow and traffic seemed remarkably light. The lack of wind made for a nice ride

Based on your pictures I will try the lakefront tonight, but I will get on to the path at Oak street beach. I have no desire to slide into the lake....
Duppie

I rode in and stuck to the streets as well. I'm so glad the wind let up. It's been pretty brutal lately. I'm sticking to the streets all the back though, I have no desire to tackle snow and ruts on my skinny tired everything bike.

I have no desire to slide into the lake....According to CBF, (http://www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=57_0_6_0) they don't plow and salt that section because of the slope. Unfortunately, I didn't heed their warning and went down on the ice. (http://dre-2k2-f4i.livejournal.com/99821.html) Normally, this would be a bit tragic; but when the mountain biker in front of you goes down and you follow suit a second later, well that's comedy.

^^Well, at least you didn't go in...talk about the worst day possible!

I'll be riding on the south side of the LFP tomorrow, it is not too bad except for near 38th street, there is always ice there (or there was all last winter)...

I'll be in Chicago Sunday for the IL State CX Champs ... will try to grab some shots of the path. (doubt that I'll bring my bike).

I may try to get there for this...I've never seen a cross race, must be fun. I am running an 8k at 9am at Lincoln park so I may just head up there for the masters races after 10.

AAA, tip o' the hat to you for riding the LFP

So tonight I rode home on the LFP. Can't say I liked it too much.
Got on at Oak Street. The underpass was barely passable First part until North was rather icy. Got a little better later further North, but until Addison there were fairly wide spread patches of ice/packed snow/slush
Only North of Addison, the path was rideable at close to normal speeds.

Either the park district did a crappy job, or my memory is playing games with me. I remember it to be better cleared....

There was one guy on a FG who passed me as if I was standing still. He had an orange frame. Very depressing.......:mad:

I think I will stick to the road tomorrow....
Duppie

aaa - hope you're not too bruised up. I'm sure it would've been funny to see, glad it wasn't me :)

AAA, tip o' the hat to you for riding the LFP

I think I will stick to the road tomorrow....
Duppie

I left work in the south loop, and headed up LaSalle, then turned onto Clark. The roads were clear and dry for the most part, much better than this morning, and traffic was normal. I'm sticking to the roads, stoplights and all. I've fallen on ice too many times to count, and I'd like to avoid any bad routes if I can help it. I AM going to need to find a suitable route to get to the South Side though.

Yeah, I think that same guy on the orange fixed passed me, too! Ha ha! I'm not sure if my LFP days will last much longer. The commute home tonight was sketchy at best. Like Duppie, I had problems just getting onto LFP from Oak St. Further north everything was getting better... but that was a quarter mile from my stop at Montrose. Go figure. I changed gearing from 42/15 to 42/17 for tomorrow's commute -- it's not like I'm going fast. I'll hit LFP for the ride in, and take the traffic-riddled route home (Wells to Lincoln).

I left work in the south loop, and headed up LaSalle, then turned onto Clark.

nvr,
When I take to roads to go North, I usually stick to Wells. It has bike lanes, and the speed of traffic is a lot lower than say LaSalle. Only problem is just North of the river, where Wells is a one way going South.

At the end of Wells (1900 N.) you can take Lincoln ar a quick right and get onto Clark.

Duppie

Thanks. I work at LaSalle and Jackson so that seemed the easiest route for me. Wells is one way here, going the wrong way for me, but I'll keep it in mind.

From Montrose to Oak Street Beach:
The path is plowed, and was being salted just after 9 AM this morning. Take caution: the ess at the construction at Addison was overly salted, so it's just like riding over gravel. At North Avenue Beach the east path going towards the lake is plowed and salted, but the west path heading towards the street is not -- a little slushy at some points. The Oak Street tunnel was salted on the lake side, but not on the street side.

Rubber side down!

From Montrose to Oak Street:
The path was damp at best, slushy at worst. Shallow puddles of water gathering at random places. No ice that I noticed. Oak Street tunnel was clear and rideable. Snow accumulated at eastern path at North Avenue Beach, stick to the western path and watch out for the small patch of snow at the light. Freezing rain is predicted for the evening forecast.

Rubber side down!

Did anybody ride the path after the snow we had this weekend? After a good week on Chicago roads I am longing for a relaxed, car-free ride on the path. Only if it is rideable of course....
Duppie

Did anybody ride the path after the snow we had this weekend? After a good week on Chicago roads I am longing for a relaxed, car-free ride on the path. Only if it is rideable of course....
Duppie

I'd like an update also. The temps will be mild Fri and Sat and the paths in the south suburbs are not rideable now, but a ride downtown would be great for getting rid of some cabin fever.

It's all clear from Diversey south (and north by the looks of it) to the underpass at Oak St but be aware that the southbound ramp down to the tunnel was also still slick this morning but ride-able. Also note that the path is clear but the feeder paths aren't - you may have to pick it up if you're coming in from the streets.

Sorry, wasn't sure if anyone wanted updates. On Monday morning after the storm, the path was plowed and salted from Montrose to Oak St. Beach; but the ramp to the tunnel was not plowed or anything. By the night, the Oak St. ramps were icy. As BootsyC mentioned, by Tuesday the Oak St. path was plowed, but not salted; so there were some slippery spots, but rideable if you dare.

Seemed like the path was more clear than the last storm, possibly because of the lack of snow after the big dump on Saturday.

I'm on vacation in Los Angeles until next week, so no more updates from me until next Thursday. I'm hoping to squeeze in a mountain bike ride somewhere in Irvine, though.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Montrose to Navy Pier: warm temperatures melted everything -- path is clean and clear, including the bit between Oak St. Beach and Navy Pier.

Montrose to Navy Pier: path is relatively clear. A couple snow drifts, but nothing major. Tons of salt on the road to keep it ice free. The ramps at Oak St. weren't packed down so they were ridable, but I suspect they will be icy by tonight; hopefully, they'll plow it and get some salt down before then.

Rubber side down!

The Oak St. ramps were starting to get slick and rutted at around 9am. I echo aaa's sentiments that they will be much icier tonight.

Oak St ramps plowed and salted. :)

Watch out for construction at Addison - some of the temporary fences were blown over and are in the path.

Montrose to Navy Pier was quite clear. Some snow scattered on the path here and there, but no major accumulation. The fences at Addison are fixed and upright.

ETA - snow began falling, well, more like blowing in the evening. Accumulation of about 1/8" on unsalted roads. I'll probably avoid the section to Navy Pier this morning.

Roads salted and relatively clear. I and a few others rode the section to Navy Pier -- no ice as of yet. Just about 1/16" of light snow. If temps stay this cold, it shouldn't ice over... but who knows.

Went out for a lunchtime ride today on the path. There's a ton of salt on the path from the museum campus to the museum of science and industry. It should stay pretty clear for the rest of the week unless we get a lot of snow on Thursday.

Flurries this morning were nothing -- no accumulation. Right now there's light flurries, but it's all melting once it hits the ground. This is making me scared for tomorrow's commute. Hope that ice does its job.

I entered the path around 19th street around 4:30pm today...ice everywhere!

I ended up getting off the path and taking the bus home

Yea it was crazy in the evening today with all the ice on untreated surfaces. The studs are definately coming out tommorow.

Yeah, it was pretty brutal out there on the ride home. I get to leave early on Thursdays so I was on the path at 3 pm. I start at the Museum campus and ride north to Bryn Mawr then on the road from there. The path was starting to accumulate in spots, but nothing too bad at that time of day. I bet it was iced over pretty good by late afternoon with the rain/snow/sleet storm we had. No comment for today's conditions since I'm working from home with a headcold (gee I wonder how I got it :o ).

This is cool. The path was completely un-ridable in the 90s during the winter. Also, you guys are champs for keeping folk informed. Wish I had the same for Lincoln to Skokie. There's just this little stretch in Lincolnwood that IDOT does and they're nowhere near as good as Streets & San. The side streets in Skokie were a sheet by 4 and worse by 6 when I finished work. I dressed out then found I had a flat--decided that was a sign from God so I got a ride for me and the rig. Saw two guys doing a lot of Flintstoning. Felt a little guilty.

Thanks for the updates. I'm moving tomorrow from Wicker Park to Rogers Park, so it'll be so-long to the 3 mile Damen commute and hello to a 12 mile Lakeshore path commute.

Of course, all the moving and house buying details made me lazy and I haven't ridden at all in a few weeks.

I'll be coming from Howard and Sheridan. Any advice on the best way from Howard and Sheridan to Hollywood? I don't think that i want to ride Sheridan.

bibliobob - I now head south on Clark to Bryn Mawr (McDonald's on the corner for a landmark) and head east a few blocks to jump on the path. I don't think Sheridan is too far east of Clark (or Chicago Ave...I don't remember where it changes the name, but it's the same road) Clark is nice because it's relatively slow traffic, and there's a marked bike lane all the way through Evanston, but watch out for doors opening, and people walking out from the parked cars in the afternoon.

Montrose to Navy Pier -- not too bad this morning. Salt and cold temperatures keep the snow from turning into ice. Snow is accumulating in little mounds due to drifts. Nothing a road bike couldn't handle, but I decided to use the cx because of the prediction of more snow in the evening. Here is what the path looked like from Oak Street to Navy Pier:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2209836436_f7d0b3546c.jpg

The headwind for the last two miles was unwelcome for a morning commute! I'm looking forward to a tailwind for the ride home.

Montrose to Navy Pier -- not too bad this morning. Salt and cold temperatures keep the snow from turning into ice. Snow is accumulating in little mounds due to drifts. Nothing a road bike couldn't handle, but I decided to use the cx because of the prediction of more snow in the evening. Here is what the path looked like from Oak Street to Navy Pier:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2209836436_f7d0b3546c.jpg

The headwind for the last two miles was unwelcome for a morning commute! I'm looking forward to a tailwind for the ride home.


that's crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

Yea it was crazy in the evening today with all the ice on untreated surfaces. The studs are definately coming out tommorow.
I'm sure glad I was out of town last week. This week a lingering cold is keeping me from riding downtown, so I am stuck with riding my bike to the Metra.....

Thanks to all for posting these updates....
Duppie

There was a water main rupture at Montrose, so I had to fight traffic on Irving Park to get to the path. UGH! I hate cars and buses and ..... take a few deep breaths

Irving Park to Oak Street: considerable snow accumulation. The trail was plowed, but not yet salted. My tires were picking up snow between the treads, and I lost control as I ascended the incline for the bridge at Diversey. If I had kept up my pace and shifted my weight forward, I'm sure I would have stayed upright. Instead, I was sitting on my seat and not pedaling as hard and slipped. No damage, just a bruised ego.

The ramps at Oak Street were neither plowed or salted. I was able to ride down it since there was no packed ice, but my gearing made it too difficult to ride up the other side.

Careful out there, everyone. Rubber side down!

Ride home was interesting. The path was relatively clear and salted. A few patches of ice here and there. And then, Bam!, a 50-yard section just south of the construction at Addison that was plowed but not salted -- about 1/4" of snow accumulated. But the interesting part was the full moon over the partially frozen lake, creating an imperfect reflection.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2213437220_c1f5e9aa64.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alforque/2213437220/)

Rubber side down!

South from Wilson to Oak Street: (Montrose is still closed at the Brown Line if anyone is interested. I took Wilson.) Road was mostly salted, especially further north. There is still an unplowed and unsalted section about 30-40 yards long just south of the construction at Addison. Oak Street ramps were unplowed and unsalted.

Rubber side down!

Oak St->Diversey

The path had accumulated 1-2 inches by 7pm tonight, but riding was smooth if you stayed in the middle and away from the footprints. The ramps at Oak St. still haven't been plowed and are pretty rutted, but you can make it up and down without slipping too much.

I've been taking Lincoln Ave. because of a closure at Montrose for a water main break, but I did head from Oak St -> Diversey Friday night. The Oak St ramps were plowed and salted, but I'm not sure what the new snow and rising temperatures of the weekend will do to it. The rest of the path was as BootsyC mentioned.

Navy Pier to Montrose: You guessed it -- path is clean and clear. A small patch of salt here and there, but nothing substantial.

I stopped at the park just south of Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course to pickup some blown over trash cans in the trail. A cyclist asked me if I was okay, I said yeah. He took hi-viz to another level: lights on his bar ends, shoulder, tail, helmet, and headlight. What was odd was that he was riding in the wrong lane yelling "on your left" at joggers in their correct lane heading towards him. Seriously guys: no drinking on Mondays, I don't care how bad your day went -- it's just too early in the week!