Alternate detour to LFP north of Navy Pier?

Well, it seems to be getting to the time of year when the LFP north of Navy Pier is frequently left unplowed and unsalted due to its poor sloping construction. I've been told be numerous people that it either becomes totally closed to any traffic, bike or otherwise or that it's a use-at-your-own-risk route, foolhardy at the least, deadly dangerous at its worst. I've detoured around it a few times but cutting over at Grant using the pedestrian underpass, after which I ride the inner drive as far as LaSalle where I cut through the park there and ride up Stockton to get to work (I work at the zoo). Is there an alternate northbound route to get from Navy Pier to the Zoo, without riding on the Inner Drive? Traffic isn't too heavy on the Inner Drive, but I just don't like the idea of riding there, especially early in the morning when drivers are likely to be groggy and sucking down coffee to wake up or being otherwise distracted with yakking on their phones or putting on makeup. I've ridden southbound down Astor part of the way, and I believe State for part of the way, but I still end up having to ride the Inner Drive for some of the distance. I'd just feel a bit more comfortable on a roadway where the speeds were a bit lower or maybe where there were more traffic controls slowing the average speeds down. Suggestions anyone?

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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on January 2, 2012 at 8:03am

Dearborn straight up.

 

Permalink Reply by John Wirtz on January 2, 2012 at 10:58am

You wrote Grant.  I am assuming you meant Grand Ave and not Grant [Park].  If that's right, then I think you're going to have to go at least as far as State St to avoid Inner LSD.  You might want to check out Dearborn, Rush, and Wabash for segments of the trip depending on what direction you're going.

Permalink Reply by Mark on January 3, 2012 at 5:15am

From the Loop, take Wabash north to Superior then a slight jog east to Rush St then north to State St to North Avenue.  Then take the path on the west side of State north into the park under the bridge and up to the southern end of the zoo parking lot, or go on one of the other paths to the zoo.  There are a lot less stop lights on this route compared to Dearborn.

If you're coming from Grand, just take Rush St. north.

Permalink Reply by jennifer james on January 3, 2012 at 5:43am

I love Wabash- though you do have to jog over going north as Mark says. I also usually go State Parkway from Rush to Astor and cut through the park too. 

Permalink Reply by Chuckchuck on January 3, 2012 at 6:16am

I like the inner drive, crossing traffic is mostly from the left.  If the LFP is clear north of Mich. I jump on there.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 3, 2012 at 6:24am

I like Dearborn or State Parkway to North Ave., then into the park.

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