Chicago lake front bike path - how do you maintain your sanity ?

[kiltedcelt]

I've been in Chicago for 10+ years but only ever rode the bike path along the lake front very sporadically. Now, I'm trying to train and rack up some miles so I've been riding the path a LOT more. How does anyone maintain their sanity riding the path? There are so many stupid people it's unbelievable. I'm surprised that the really hardcore racer guys that go blowing by me at 20+ mph don't go crazy. It's an exercise in frustration some days because there are so many people who just won't get the hell out of your way. From people walking across the entire path to people with small children running around oblivious to their surroundings... some days are just ridiculous. Also of issue are the folks running or rollerblading or riding with ipods who can't hear you call out "On your left!" anyway. I have a 105db electronic bike horn that I've been loath to put on simply because it's so ear-splitting, however after the number of idiots I had to deal with this evening, the loud Horn-of-pants-crapping is going on the bike. How do you guys/gals deal with it? I know I could probably find somewhere else to ride with a lot less people However, for convenience I can't beat the path, since I live down by the Museum of Science and Industry I can be on the path in literally in about two minutes.

[chi-james]

it is a pain when the weather warms up.... not just the path either. There are just more people out. I find other cyclists just as annoying, but I'm also just a grump and need to just relax a bit. Back to your topic though... the only way I can deal with it is to ride the path early in the morning 5-6am or just avoid it during the summer.

[DVC45]

I was going to ride there today, but there's this Taste of Chicago going on. I don't think I'd like the taste of it, so, I just rode on the North Branch trail.

[Wiswell]

I've been in Chicago for 10+ years but only ever rode the bike path along the lake front very sporadically. Now, I'm trying to train and rack up some miles so I've been riding the path a LOT more. How does anyone maintain their sanity riding the path? There are so many stupid people it's unbelievable. I'm surprised that the really hardcore racer guys that go blowing by me at 20+ mph don't go crazy. It's an exercise in frustration some days because there are so many people who just won't get the hell out of your way. From people walking across the entire path to people with small children running around oblivious to their surroundings... some days are just ridiculous. Also of issue are the folks running or rollerblading or riding with ipods who can't hear you call out "On your left!" anyway. I have a 105db electronic bike horn that I've been loath to put on simply because it's so ear-splitting, however after the number of idiots I had to deal with this evening, the loud Horn-of-pants-crapping is going on the bike. How do you guys/gals deal with it? I know I could probably find somewhere else to ride with a lot less people However, for convenience I can't beat the path, since I live down by the Museum of Science and Industry I can be on the path in literally in about two minutes.

Huh. This sounds just like what drivers say about cyclists and pedestrians in the streets.

[nixternal]

When I lived downtown I would do training anywhere around 10PM or 11PM in the loop. The loop is dead at that time, and you can usually claim a block to do some riding w/o a car in site. I am fairly certain it is the same way as I have friends who are still riding like this. Anywhere southloop at that time is closed. I used to do laps either around the federal building, or extend it and ride Jackson -> Michigan -> Van Buren -> Dearborn. We used to ride for hours and only come across a few cars, mostly cops or cabs.

[Seamless]

It's an exercise in frustration some days because there are so many people who just won't get the hell out of your way. From people walking across the entire path to people with small children running around oblivious to their surroundings... some days are just ridiculous. Also of issue are the folks running or rollerblading or riding with ipods [...] How do you guys/gals deal with it? I know I could probably find somewhere else to ride with a lot less people However, for convenience I can't beat the path, since I live down by the Museum of Science and Industry I can be on the path in literally in about two minutes.

1. Ride east to the lakefront path.
2. Turn south.

Notes:
Much lighter traffic on the path south of Adler and museum campus, to slightly south of Museum of Science and Industry.
Unfortunately school's out and teens are looking for something "fun" to do, so be alert.
If your daily schedule is flexible, there are times of relatively lighter traffic from downtown north to Sheridan/Hollywood, generally weekdays early A.M. and midday, but wait until after 4July.
Many people on the lakefront path indeed are ignorant idiots, are unable to recognize dividing lines on the path, and knowingly put their trusting children out there to be sacrificed; it's the way to go if you enjoy shrieks and squeals as they scatter in any and all directions (quantum-like) when you shout out/ring/yell.

[kiltedcelt]

1. Ride east to the lakefront path.
2. Turn south.

Notes:
Much lighter traffic on the path south of Adler and museum campus, to slightly south of Museum of Science and Industry.
Unfortunately school's out and teens are looking for something "fun" to do, so be alert.
If your daily schedule is flexible, there are times of relatively lighter traffic from downtown north to Sheridan/Hollywood, generally weekdays early A.M. and midday, but wait until after 4July.
Many people on the lakefront path indeed are ignorant idiots, are unable to recognize dividing lines on the path, and knowingly put their trusting children out there to be sacrificed; it's the way to go if you enjoy shrieks and squeals as they scatter in any and all directions (quantum-like) when you shout out/ring/yell.

Sadly, I typically head north from 57th where I get onto the path. That puts me smack in the path of idiots going to and from 31st Street Beach and 41st Street Beach. I typically ride north and for a short ride I stop at the Shedd or thereabouts then turn and head back. For slightly longer I ride as far as where the path goes under Lakeshore towards Navy Pier. I've headed south from 57th before but it's been so long since I've ridden that stretch that I can't remember what the foot traffic is like going that way. Of course there are probably three beaches heading that way so likely even more idiots than heading north. I've been riding after work which puts me in prime idiot-time. I'm thinking I'll just have to suck it up and deal with it and try to get my longer rides in during my one weekday off, and do those early in the day.

[kiltedcelt]

When I lived downtown I would do training anywhere around 10PM or 11PM in the loop. The loop is dead at that time, and you can usually claim a block to do some riding w/o a car in site. I am fairly certain it is the same way as I have friends who are still riding like this. Anywhere southloop at that time is closed. I used to do laps either around the federal building, or extend it and ride Jackson -> Michigan -> Van Buren -> Dearborn. We used to ride for hours and only come across a few cars, mostly cops or cabs.

Sounds like some of the "urban assault" rides we used to perpetrate when I lived in Atlanta. Except then we were on mountain bikes and were frequently making asses of ourselves by riding down long staircases or through parks, buildings with breezeways, etc. Riding in the Loop after hours sounds like a hoot, but that'd be past my bedtime. I'm 42 - gettin' old I guess. If I rode in the Loop I'd still have to ride up the path to get there, then I'd be sneaking back south on the path after it had officially closed for the evening. Either that, or I'd have to cart my bike up on the car and park the car there in the Loop somewhere.

[nixternal]

Sounds like some of the "urban assault" rides we used to perpetrate when I lived in Atlanta. Except then we were on mountain bikes and were frequently making asses of ourselves by riding down long staircases or through parks, buildings with breezeways, etc. Riding in the Loop after hours sounds like a hoot, but that'd be past my bedtime. I'm 42 - gettin' old I guess. If I rode in the Loop I'd still have to ride up the path to get there, then I'd be sneaking back south on the path after it had officially closed for the evening. Either that, or I'd have to cart my bike up on the car and park the car there in the Loop somewhere.

We used to do the urban assualt rides on BMX bikes in the early 80s. Man those were fun. We would sneak on a Metra train and go tear up the city. If my parents had any clue of what I was doing back then, I wouldn't be alive today I was probably 13 at the oldest when we did that. Good times! The only other suggestion would be to get up ass early then to hit the trail. At that time you only have the hard core, and seeing as you are old at 42 and 10/11 is past your bed time, I am sure by 6am you have had a pot of coffee and woke your bladder up

Though, at 37, 10/11 is closely approaching 'past my bed time' for me as well

[Seamless]

Sadly, I typically head north from 57th where I get onto the path.

More sad--I misread your post (sorry). So you already ride from Hyde Park north to the museum campus.
If you add a loop of Northerly Island, that's almost another mile.
Promontory Point loop adds a few feet.

You're got traffic pinches at the south beaches, but on the whole it's much more open than Oak St./North/Fullerton stretch.

[kiltedcelt]

More sad--I misread your post (sorry). So you already ride from Hyde Park north to the museum campus.
If you add a loop of Northerly Island, that's almost another mile.
Promontory Point loop adds a few feet.

You're got traffic pinches at the south beaches, but on the whole it's much more open than Oak St./North/Fullerton stretch.

Yeah, this last Monday was the first time I'd ever ridden north of Fullerton and it was bit earlier in the afternoon but still close enough to when all the people come out to play after work to make things somewhat interesting. I found the path to be slower and far more crowded once I got north of Navy Pier. I think if I'm going to do a ride north that far, it's going to have to be EARLY in the day to avoid there being so many people out there. I'll have to try riding south and see what traffic is like heading that way. I haven't been south on the path in probably two years. In past years I've never ridden the path more than a handful of times before getting lazy and giving up. I think now I've gotten over the hump and have begun to remember what I enjoyed so much about cycling years ago when I use to ride a LOT more. In spite of the idiots I'm having fun and getting back in shape. I wasn't aware that there was a path on Northerly Island. That might make a nice detour for the extra mile as I'm heading north. Maybe do it every other time or two for variety sake.

[IndianaRecRider]

Chicago lake front bike path - how do you maintain your sanity?

Not that I ride it all that often, but when I do it's usually at sunrise. Not too many folks out on it that time of morning. Less people = less stress and more sanity.

[lokeey]

Avoid the city and hit the tails. Less idiots to deal with AND you'll maintain your sanity.

[Mayonnaise]

More or less, I've ridden the LFP 5 times a week 9-10 months out of the year for many years and my hard earned, experienced based rule is:

No Training On The LFP

I use those rides for recovery or small chain ring spins (what I like to say is "the fastest guy on the LFP is the slowest guy on the LFP").

It used to be you could get in a Sweet Spot or some Threshold Intervals on the South Branch but with recent development projects the path has gotten tight in spots and much more crowded. And you know, it's not such a bad thing. File those rides in the "stop and smell the roses" file. The lake is always pretty.

Now, there are exceptions. Many times you're out there and have the path to yourself (early morning, cold days, Monday), then, go ahead, do you workouts, but do 'em South. On the North branch you'll just be frustrated.

Then there is the best kept secret in Lakefront cycling: a 1.25 mile loop which is often free of all traffic. I am not going to tell you where it is, but it doesn't take a genius to find it.

I've gotten cranky over the years with the stupidity of "serious" bike riders on the path; people who think they know what they're doing but don't:

Don't sit on my wheel if you're not wearing a helmet. I've towed many riders into the city with terrific north winds and don't care if they never took a pull but don't make me fish in your pocket and call your girlfriend to tell her you're on your way to the emergency room. BTW, if your helmet is more than a few years old, get a new one. The heat and sweat has weakened the styrofoam and you've dropped it a number of times anyway, so it's almost like wearing nothing at all.

Get rid of the Tri Bars. They have no place on the LFP. If you've got tri bars on your bike you probably have poor bike handling skills (once had a guy come up to me, huffy and puffy, perfectly kitted out, black and red everything, $3-$4K worth of stuff, he's tucked in when a burst of wind comes from the east, he quickly losses control, off the path, down the little hill, right into a tree. Funniest thing I've seen in a long time). What do you have out there: maybe a 6 minute stretch where you can work on your aero form and not worry? It might be crazy out there, but at least you'll learn how to handle your bike. There are TTs all summer where the roads are closed and it's safe. Register for those instead.

Lighten Up. Relax. Don't get freaked out by the kids running in front of you or the erratic roller bladers. They're going to be there no matter what you do so accept it and find a way to deal with it: anticipate and slow down. Don't take yourself too seriously because if you're on the LFP you are not serious. If you'd like to be serious sign up for organized rides or a few cat. 5 races: it's a perfect way to scratch the itch. Be forewarned, being serious often means being seriously humbled.

Don't come up to me all pissy because I don't shout "on your left" every time I pass something. I know what works out there and what doesn't. I spot grandma on her walker from 200 meters out and I know where she's headed. Stay safe, cool, and steady and pass quietly. You shout "on your left" and guess what direction grandma turns? That's right, left, directly in your path. Happens all the time.

Be smart, be quietly courteous, be predictable.

Number 1, do whatever necessary to ensure you can come back tomorrow and ride again

[kiltedcelt]

More or less, I've ridden the LFP 5 times a week 9-10 months out of the year for many years and my hard earned, experienced based rule is:

No Training On The LFP

I'm amazed at the number of guys who I would term "hardcore" who are out there in the club jerseys hammering like they're in a two or three man breakaway. They look like they're training I just can't see how they're able to do anything even remotely serious given the inevitable speed limitations of pedestrians and the safety issues of trying to ride that fast with crowds of people around. I dunno, maybe they're just stupid dicks?

Then there is the best kept secret in Lakefront cycling: a 1.25 mile loop which is often free of all traffic. I am not going to tell you where it is, but it doesn't take a genius to find it.

I think I might know what you're talking about. I have yet to ride this section but I'll try to check it out sometime this week.

I spot grandma on her walker from 200 meters out and I know where she's headed. Stay safe, cool, and steady and pass quietly. You shout "on your left" and guess what direction grandma turns? That's right, left, directly in your path. Happens all the time.

I've heard it said more than once that this supposedly tried and true courteous way of announcing your impending passing often has the effect of people only hearing "...left!" and they end up walking right into you. I think if you're going to yell something, especially if it seems like someone is going to walk or turn their bike right into you, you're better off just calling out, "Heads up!" Seems to work a bit better. Of course there are the idiots wearing headphones who couldn't hear an ambulance if it was about to drive right up their ass with it's horn blaring and sirens on.

Be smart, be quietly courteous, be predictable.

Good advice. I endeavor to not be one of those "hammer-head" dicks when I'm out there, after all it is the LFP and anyone with some sense knows you're just not going to be able to do any serious training other than just trying to put some mileage in. I just try to take it easy. I think I'm seeing more people who just don't seem to have a clue simply because I'm riding the path more than I ever have in the past. You mentioned group rides - do you know of any off-hand where one who is still getting their legs back can hope to tag along without getting dropped? I'm going to poke around Chainlink and see if I can find anything over there but I'm not holding my breath. Their groups don't seem to get a lot of traffic.

[nixternal]

Get rid of the Tri Bars. They have no place on the LFP. If you've got tri bars on your bike you probably have poor bike handling skills (once had a guy come up to me, huffy and puffy, perfectly kitted out, black and red everything, $3-$4K worth of stuff, he's tucked in when a burst of wind comes from the east, he quickly losses control, off the path, down the little hill, right into a tree. Funniest thing I've seen in a long time). What do you have out there: maybe a 6 minute stretch where you can work on your aero form and not worry? It might be crazy out there, but at least you'll learn how to handle your bike. There are TTs all summer where the roads are closed and it's safe. Register for those instead.

HAHA! Last week, or 2 weeks ago, I was out doing a solo training ride and saw a guy about 1/2 a mile ahead tucked in on his tri-bars. I thought it would be a perfect time to do an interval to catch and try to pass him. So I nail it, tuck my head down, and go hard. About 30 seconds of this, I take a look up to see how much I gained on him and he was gone. I was like WTF did he go? No way in hell he is that fast. Well as I approach the 1/2 mile mark, I see him climbing his way out of the corn field with his wheel facing a totally different direction than his bars, and his awesome Tour de Cure kit was tore up and covered in mud. I stopped to see if he was OK. It was his first time out on his brand new $5000 tri-bike and apparently the first time he has tried the bars. I couldn't ride worth a damn after that because I spent the next 25 miles laughing my ass off.

[Mayonnaise]

. You mentioned group rides - do you know of any off-hand where one who is still getting their legs back can hope to tag along without getting dropped? I'm going to poke around Chainlink and see if I can find anything over there but I'm not holding my breath. Their groups don't seem to get a lot of traffic.

consider joining a team. plenty of guys join teams and don't race much. it's a great way to network. guys are always going out on group rides with "no drop" rules.
It can be intimidating at first but most everyone in the bike racing community in Chicago is very nice.

[BikingCivic]

funny stories, Im not a city person. Seems like a big headache on the paths over there....

[tschwinn]

I live in the loop and go your way because it is SO much better then going North. For me, I just have to take a breath and relax, I tend to get more aggravated by the guys that zip by me at 20+ when I am being patient and passing walkers/runners. There was a family taking up both NB and SB lanes yesterday and really unwilling to move. The guy in front of me said "please move" and one of the kids about 5-7yrs old started yelling back at us. Ha, all part of riding the trail I guess.

[kiltedcelt]

There was a family taking up both NB and SB lanes yesterday and really unwilling to move. The guy in front of me said "please move" and one of the kids about 5-7yrs old started yelling back at us. Ha, all part of riding the trail I guess.

These are the people who truly cheese me off. I don't mind so much the folks that are just slow to get out of the way but will eventually move over. It's the ones that outright act like rude a-holes and just won't budge that piss me off. I've considered simply bellowing as loudly as I can and seeing if the simple shock-and-awe tactic might work as well. Thankfully you only get those idiots right around the beaches so one can steel oneself for the b.s. before arriving in those areas and simply try to get through them without running someone over.

[Cyclogenesis]

I've only ridden LSD a few times but it is similar to the Yarra Trail back in Melbourne... ie: Great for a casual ride, but if you try to push it you are better off on a good road... Too may people, dogs, kids etc...

[pkgman]

I can't believe what I'm reading here.
The Lakefront Path is a path for all the citizens of the area, not just bicyclist. All the "idiots" are folks who have every right to be there.
If you want to "train" go someplace appropriate to that activity.
pkgman

[kiltedcelt]

I can't believe what I'm reading here.
The Lakefront Path is a path for all the citizens of the area, not just bicyclist. All the "idiots" are folks who have every right to be there.
If you want to "train" go someplace appropriate to that activity.
pkgman

I don't think any of us have any problem with pedestrians using the path. No one on this thread said anything to indicate that we think the path is for us cyclists only. What is being discussed here is riding the path, even at a slow non-training pace and constantly having to dodge pedestrians who either walk without looking right across the path, or more rudely walk several people abreast, effectively blocking the entire path going both directions, or worst of all will see you coming and refuse to move over to let you pass as if it is their right to block the entire path and thus prevent other people from using it. Also of issue are those people who take their small children out and essentially turn them loose unsupervised so that they again run all over the place with the very real potential of causing bodily harm to themselves or other people on the path. Last year my wife was knocked off of her bike on the path by a kid who in spite of being called out to and told to "look out" instead veered right into her because he didn't look where he was riding. So, yeah they (pedestrians) have every right to be there, JUST AS WE CYCLISTS DO. What is being discussed is those people who are rude inconsiderate a-holes or are just plain dumb-sses with no common sense. I personally don't try to ride through heavily trafficked areas all balls out. There are plenty of other jerky cyclists who do that. However, when I'm riding through a crowded area and I politely call out to people to move over I expect a little common courtesy and unfortunately it seems to be in pretty short supply.

[ColombianGT]

While your post was made in June and I'm replying in September - I also felt the same pain you felt back in May, June, and July and so on lol.

I often run into groups of idiots walking who think they own the path and will take the entire both lanes. I usually go after 8-9pm now and the problem has been mostly solved but there are still stupid people just not as many.

[Mayonnaise]

About a week ago I was heading downtown on my daily commute. I caught up to 3 riders riding in a pace line. These guys didn't have much form but were energetic. As I passed, they jumped on my wheel where they stayed all the way into the city.

As we neared the city I figured I'd slow down. Last thing the lakefront path needs is 4 guys single file on a beautiful summer day with thick crowds.

They pass me. They then take turns looking back to see if I'm coming. No way, not me.

This part of the path has a couple of quick turns so they're out of my sight line quickly.

Not more than 30 seconds later I make it through the same series of turns and look up the path and see a guy drop his bike and run to the side of the path.

A little closer and I see a tangle of bikes piled up on the path. Closer still I see a long skid mark just before the crashed bikes.

As I pass I see the same 3 guys all banged up lying on the ground.

Then I see a woman sitting on the path, her crashed bike next to her, holding her arm in that distinctive way that says broken collarbone. The innocent victim of these boneheads.

As I am occasionally spiteful, had it have been just the boneheads on the floor I would have laughed, but seeing that young lady hurt really made me sad.