Out of town chainlinker ideas....

I am coming to town for Bike The Drive with three ladies this weekend. I have in the past rode on many streets, but am a little worried about one the ladies as they are not used to riding in traffic. We are staying in River North, and I have checked bike maps. It looks like we can get to the Lake Front Path on Illinois. Also I think Wells has a bike lane for on our return trip. Do these routes seem good?

I was hoping to do Critical Mass, but there is an extra Friday so we will miss it. Would we be better off heading North Friday evening, or South? Any biker friendly pubs or restaurants we should try and hit? Thanks for the info!

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Permalink Reply by Mark Newald on May 21, 2013 at 3:11am

Wow Lisa, I had no idea. You have me rethinking all my locks. All I have are cables, and many times I use them on my car bike carrier. Looks like a trip to the bike shop before Friday...

Permalink Reply by WillG on May 21, 2013 at 3:32am

Don't know if Mark asked for restaurant recommendations, but while we're giving them, I second HopLeaf. This is my neighborhood hang out, it's awesome. It'll be easy to get to (straight up Clark) and I think it's one of the best pub/restaurants in the city. You can park directly in front of the restaurant at their on street bike rack.

Mark, in addition to the U-Locks, if you'll be riding at night, be sure to have front and rear facing lights.

I drove last night after dark, for the first time since January or so...the bike ninja's have really come put in full force. 

David P. said:

If you're open to roaming a little further, go up to Andersonville and, say, Hopleaf. I really like Andersonville and Hopleaf is terrific, though on a weekend night you will have quite a wait. There are plenty of other options up there. From River North, take the Lakefront Path - Clark is packed with crazy taxi drivers and oblivious people on weekend nights between roughly Armitage and Racine.

Permalink Reply by Zach Roberts on May 24, 2013 at 5:07pm

I too will vouch for the quality of Hopleaf. It is great. Another cyclist related favorite in the Wicker Park / Bucktown hoods is Handlebar, though less crabon and more no-brakes. If you do venture up to Hopleaf, I would recommend avoiding Clark Street after say 9pm, more drunken foolishness (and driving) than you should subject yourselves to. On your return journey, just take the lake front path south from Andersonville, and cut back west on a lesser trafficked street. Lights are definitely a good idea. 

Also, with full 4 carbon frames, u-locks are a must, and overnight I would still be concerned. Make sure you lock them up to properly secured mounts (no silly removable poles or wooden deck posts). Thieves here are good and 4 at once would be a nice grab. Hopefully you have a garage or some place "secure" to stash them for the nights.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on May 25, 2013 at 2:44am

When I did my bike trip up the east coast I just took the bike into my hotel room and no one ever batted an eyelash.

I guess if they're bunking up 4 to a room, 4 bikes could be a little much, though.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 25, 2013 at 4:20am

agreed about hopleaf.  I am a fan of Konak's next door too.  I love this yelp review

"It isn't a dive bar, though some folks call it one.  Call it Hopleaf's poor cousin, but in a good way.  The type of cousin that welcomes you any day of the week and has enough room for you and your friends and also is gentle with you, particularly your pocketbook."


Will G - 10mi said:

Don't know if Mark asked for restaurant recommendations, but while we're giving them, I second HopLeaf. This is my neighborhood hang out, it's awesome. It'll be easy to get to (straight up Clark) and I think it's one of the best pub/restaurants in the city. You can park directly in front of the restaurant at their on street bike rack.

Mark, in addition to the U-Locks, if you'll be riding at night, be sure to have front and rear facing lights.

I drove last night after dark, for the first time since January or so...the bike ninja's have really come put in full force. 

David P. said:

If you're open to roaming a little further, go up to Andersonville and, say, Hopleaf. I really like Andersonville and Hopleaf is terrific, though on a weekend night you will have quite a wait. There are plenty of other options up there. From River North, take the Lakefront Path - Clark is packed with crazy taxi drivers and oblivious people on weekend nights between roughly Armitage and Racine.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 25, 2013 at 4:22am

Mark - You better swing by The Chainlink table too and say hi! We will be at the big top, Tent #25.  The big top is next to Divvy so if you find them, look for the tent next door.  Chicago Cycling Club will also be there.

I will not personally be at the table the whole day, but will be in and out.

Permalink Reply by Allen Wrench on May 25, 2013 at 12:50pm

general info about BtD from a family point of view is at http://www.chicargobike.blogspot.com/2011/05/biking-drive-family-st...

but going faster than a kid means you can certainly go both north and south easily. If you are willing to go as far as Hopleaf (across about Foster from the lakefront path) in the evening you are close enough to the mostly Vietnamese restaurant strip on Argyle at Sheridan (across Lawrence) to make it worth a mention. The Indian and Pakistani area on Devon at Western isn't as easy to get to but also a hit with friends from out of town. Both are areas with lots of big city activity, bikes not the main focus though.

Agree with the lock suggestions - U locks with TWO notches in the shackle are harder to open. And keep them in your hotel room even better. 

Permalink Reply by Mark Newald on May 28, 2013 at 12:58am

A big thank you to all who responded and gave some great idea's. We got in some good rides, I was able to get in 48 miles on BTD. We loved the protected bike lanes on Dearborn, which was the street we stayed on. We were able to bring all the bikes up to the room, so they were safe. And I noticed every bike I saw was locked with a U-lock or chain. Can not wait to come and ride my favorite city again!

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 28, 2013 at 1:07am

great to see you again!

Mark Newald said:

A big thank you to all who responded and gave some great idea's. We got in some good rides, I was able to get in 48 miles on BTD. We loved the protected bike lanes on Dearborn, which was the street we stayed on. We were able to bring all the bikes up to the room, so they were safe. And I noticed every bike I saw was locked with a U-lock or chain. Can not wait to come and ride my favorite city again!

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