Tombaatar

I am headed to Chicago for a convention in a couple of weeks. I have never been before and would like to rent a bike to see the city. Doubt I will have time for more than 20 miles. Anyone have a suggestion as to where I can rent a bike and what route to take?

rm -rf

Chicago is perfect for bikeshare riding. It's flat, and stations are everywhere.

The Divvy bikeshare day pass ($15 for unlimited rides within 24 hours) is great for exploring the downtown area and the waterfront parks. I rode around the historic skyscraper district on a sunny,warm Saturday, and the traffic wasn't heavy. (Weekdays are likely to be more congested.) I think it's because parking downtown is so expensive and annoying.


It's great, there's bike stations every few blocks, so you can explore and drop off the bike whenever you see something interesting. Then grab another bike when you want to move on. The phone app will map nearby stations.

The bikeshare map is amazing! 580 stations. Zoom in!

Hiro11

Ride on the Lakefront.

stuart1865

We enjoy taking a trip on LSD every time we are in. Chicago!

Lake Shore Drive. In your car - NOT on your bike though!

aplcr0331

I rented a bike from Spinlister when I went to Chicago last year. It's a social app, list your bike and rent it out to people and vice versa.


I found a guy close to where I was staying in North Chicago and rented a nice Focus carbon road bike for like $50 a day. Did a couple of rides, including a longer one up to Kenosha which has a neat little area right on the lakeshore that was cool to see. Although North Chicago heading into Wisconsin was a bit sketchy, to say the least.


Anyway, that's another option.

rshelton

I love Chicago (in the Spring/Summer)! I always rent from https://www.bobbysbikehike.com/rentals/. You can pick what type bicycle you want to ride. They are located close to the lakefront bike trail (20 miles of trail), near the Navy Pier.

cyclist2000

there is the lakefront trail that is between lake shore drive and lake michigan. I haven't ridden it but I do see cyclist on it when driving Lake Shore Drive

I-Like-To-Bike

I enjoyed my bike rides on the scenic LSD and associated Museum Drive.

Milton Keynes

You mean... let someone else... ride my bike?

aplcr0331

I got the feeling these were N+1 bikes and not the main ho, so to speak.


And, interestingly enough I just looked at the website and they went out of business as of this month, so never mind.

fishboat

And bring proper clothing. If the weather continues as it has been (long range forecast looks brisk), a breeze off the lake will get your attention.

rm512

Bring plenty of cash

dedhed

Don't want to be there today

Kapusta

That is who I rented froma couple years ago.

Spent a day riding along the lakefront, and a bunch of neighborhoods to the north and northwest of downtown. Loved it.

Hiro11

Admittedly, this is has not exactly been an ideal spring for riding here in Chicago. It's been unusually cold, windy and wet even for this area. The weather here this weekend is almost comically awful.

fixedweasel

Everyday is a good day to ride in Chicago!

Garfield Cat

If you're a foodie, then Chicago is your "kind of town". That means a Cyclists who likes to experience different kinds of food will love Chicago for the food alone.

Me? I prefer the pre-Uno's type pizza. Thin crust, round, cut in squares, distinct Italian sausage. Hard to find even in Chicago anymore.

Hiro11

Nah, Chicago thin crust is readily available at any pizza place. I have two local favorites right around my house.

It's funny, everyone not from here assumes that deep dish / stuffed is all you can get here or that it's all that people here eat. Few people not from here even know about Chicago thin crust, which is absolutely awesome and some of my favorite pizza. It's also what is much more commonly ordered if you're getting pizza here.

Also, it's a big city: of course you can get coal fired Neopolitan, New York style, New Haven style, Detroit style etc here if you want it.

fixedweasel

And we just don't make thin and thick. If you are here and around Lincoln Park at early dinner time during the week, you have to try Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders. The most unique pizza out there. Get there when it opens as it gets busy really quick. They also have excellent salads and the Mediterranean Bread is fantastic. Small footprint in front, so if you sneeze, you'll drive right past it. Not many tourists know of it, but it is truly a gem for the palate.......

Our Menu | Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Co.

Afterwards go east through Lincoln Park and walk through our free Zoo. There is also Lincoln Park Conservatory right outside the Zoo. All free. If you have kids, across Fullerton is the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum which is really nice for the young one's and they have a butterfly garden in the summer. Ya gotta pay for this one though.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Seriously, Chicago is a wonderful place with so much to offer. Feel free to PM me for any other suggestions.

mightymax

Hopefully Spring will be here in the next few weeks as it hasn't gotten here yet! Average temp this time of year is 56. It has been ten to twenty degrees below average, save for one or two days this past week.
As an example I only rode ten miles today in the 38 degree misty rain. I went outside a minute ago (9pm) and it was starting to snow! Yesterday it rained all day with high wave warnings at the lakefront that went through this morning. The wind was only gusting in the 40 to 50mph range!
I have been off work now on medical leave for 10 weeks. In that time I think I saw maybe 5 nice days! I couldn't have ridden anyway but just started slow again this past week. I have lived here all my life and go out in all types of weather cause I cannot wait for nice warm sunny days cause they are rare lately. I sure hope it is decent by the time I go back to work in 2 weeks...LOL That being said you should plan for the worse typical Chicago weather but hope for the good.
Enjoy your stay here.

Max Bryant

Garfield Cat

Chicago Tribune article:2017 August 21

On the other end of the pizza spectrum, both in style and number of restaurants, is Pat's Pizzeria, which has just one location in Lincoln Park. Pat's serves an extra-thin crust, often referred to as tavern-style, that's cut into square slices. Co-owner Gina Pianetto agrees that sausage is the most popular topping choice. "We usually end up going through 100 to 150 pounds of sausage a week," Pianetto says.

Although she has no idea why sausage is so popular in Chicago, she's proud that Pat's recipe hasn't changed since the restaurant first opened in the 1950s. "It's the same recipe as my dad (Nick Pianetto Sr.) first wrote down," says Pianetto. "Plus, we don't use anything frozen. We get shipments in throughout the week, so nothing is sitting in the freezer." Pianetto's recipe, like many, contains fennel seed.

Finite Elephant

There's also a bike rental at the north end of Millennium Park, which is closer to the Loop and has good access to the Lakefront Trail. They also do repairs there.

Divvy is also a good option and has extended the amount of time you can have the bikes out to be more accommodating to tourists.

teejaythomas

Chicago has made great progress in the last 10-15 years under Mayor Daley who was a big cyclist. Rahm has continued the support and the results have been great. Many striped and protected lanes and flat, flat, flat. Divvy has been incredibly well received among locals and tourists alike. Its harder to rent a decent bike for weekends. Some hotels now have bike programs so ask the concierge or call to inquire before booking .

Fargo Wolf

Seconded. There's an MUP (Multi Use Pathway) along the waterfront and goes for miles. Google Streetveiw will give an idea.

Tombaatar

Thanks all!