Bike the Knife

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Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on September 6, 2010 at 5:52pm

I do most of the length of Elston (from Diversey northward) twice a day, sometimes four times a day.

I tried Milwaukee once a couple of months ago and it was terrible with potholes and construction. I was on Lawrenc at Milwaukee and it still looked like it was under construction on parts.

I love Elston though! There's a few carwashes up and down Elston that sometimes have cars double parked in the bike lane but it's usually not bad. There are a few rim killing craters that are etched into my memory that if you are not paying attention could cause you to have a real bad day. I love coming home on Elston late in the afternoon and just flying by the cars locked in total gridlock.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Maher on September 6, 2010 at 6:25pm

I think I rode over 500 miles on Elston this past winter - definitely prefer it over Milwaukee. Other than the Big Box area, Elston just feels safer than Milwaukee.

Was this an alleycat route from Tour da Chicago?

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on November 7, 2010 at 6:56pm

Rode it for the first time this afternoon. Went west originally planning on a North Branch jaunt, but decided to head south on Milwaukee when I was at Milwaukee and Devon. Steady pace (17ish?) down Milwaukee until North Avenue, overshot to Grand and zigged when I should've zagged up Elston a couple times, but still holding a nice pace.

Fun times, why didn't I do this sooner?!?!?

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Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on November 7, 2010 at 11:32pm

That section of Elston is awful, especially on Saturdays. "Should I ride my bike on Elston today?" A yes for six days of the week.


Bob Maher said:

I think I rode over 500 miles on Elston this past winter - definitely prefer it over Milwaukee. Other than the Big Box area, Elston just feels safer than Milwaukee.

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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on November 8, 2010 at 11:31am

I enjoy both routes, Milwaukee has great camaraderie, despite its dangers, and Elston is a great way to safely push oneself to top speeds.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Fiasco on November 9, 2010 at 3:41pm

The Elston side is all bike-laned and easy going but offers very little scenery to enjoy. The Milwaukee side has a lot more going on. Car traffic seems to move more slowly on Milwaukee so parts of it could be a little safer.

This reminds me of one of those stupid Mayhem-Allstate radio commercials: "You're about to bang a left on Milwaukee and you're given the choice between hitting a cyclist (ching-ching) or going into oncoming traffic." I think there was a third choice to stay put and not harm anyone...

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