Requesting route tips - From Humboldt Park to the Hancock building

I started a new job this week near the Hancock building and I need some advice on a more "friendly" bike route. For the sake of simplicity I've been been riding downtown from Humboldt Park on Division Street and there's several pinch points along that road that are making my commute a little stressful.

I'm considering changing my route from the Park to California->Augusta->MKE->Chicago->Wells->Dearborn->Delaware. Any advice that might lead to a better route?

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on October 17, 2013 at 2:22am

I agree that Division sucks to get over the river. My friend takes it and rides the sidewalk in the "dead zone." YMMV.

 

California->Augusta->MKE->Chicago sounds good and is probably what I would do.

 

I'm confused by the last three steps of your trip; why do you need to use Wells and Dearborn? I would just stay on Chicago. The scariest part, as with almost all streets, is getting over the river (where the cars often drive very fast). Once you're in River North things slow down substantially, in my experience, and it isn't bad riding. What time of day do you head to work?

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on October 17, 2013 at 2:48am

Once Wells open in a couple of months you can do ...>MKE->Wells->Dearborn->Delaware.

 

Permalink Reply by Rich S on October 17, 2013 at 3:22am

Between Division and Chicago I prefer Chicago to get over the river. If you're riding during rush hour then be prepared for a ton of traffic in the evening on the few blocks east of the bridge. If you want to avoid that then Grand is a good alternative to get over the river. It's a few extra blocks out of the way but the traffic is better. 

Permalink Reply by igz on October 17, 2013 at 5:23am

augusta>milwaukee>chicago>state>delaware place would be my preferred route

Permalink Reply by T.K. 3.5 mi on October 17, 2013 at 5:32am

Grand isn't as exciting, but it is a clear shot downtown with less traffic and wide lanes. Its bridge is nicer than Chicago and Division. Going out of the way is worth it sometimes, and its nice to have a few routes. 

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on October 17, 2013 at 6:30am

Here is the route I took this morning:

Home>Hirsh>Shiller>milwaukee>chicago>dearborn>delaware place

Next time I'm going to skip Hirsh and Shiller because they run past two or three different schools and that environment around 8:15am was pure chaos. I almost got doored by a cop and a mom within three blocks. Note to self: leave extra braking distance while riding in the rain! Next time I'll take Augusta.

I'll keep Grand in mind if I have extra time. 

 

Permalink Reply by Michelle on October 17, 2013 at 10:48am

I work at Lurie Childrens, and I ride from Logan Square to near the Hancock (Lurie is 225 E Chicago, I work nearby.) I started out doing Elston to Division, but didn't love the ... division... at Orleans street and the speed from it being so wide open. Now I go Milwaukee (which is fine, most drivers know there's a lot of cyclists and are courteous/wary of them... just be careful for the few who turn without thinking.) to Chicago. Im not sure where you work exactly, but I usually turn off at Wells and take Superior the rest of the way (it's a one way and has more stop signs than stop lights, and a little less busy and more direct.) I would suggest turning off of chicago as soon as you can after the bridge and taking smaller streets the rest of the way (Im not sure how to turn onto dearborn from wells though...or why you would do that?) 

So yes, I'd say that looks good (I dont know about california or augusta though.) The thing on Chicago is the bridge. It kinda sucks. 95% of the cyclists I see in the morning, myself included, go up on the sidewalk by the tribune building and take that over the bridge, because the cars and busses pretty much leave no room whatsoever.Obviously be careful for pedestrians there, and also DO NOT fly over at high speeds - there are 2 stairs on the East end of the bridge which you will crash over. It's a pain in the butt, but feels far safer than the bridge. 

Good luck! 

Permalink Reply by Bliss BT on October 18, 2013 at 5:42am

I agree with using Grand. I use it everyday and has much more space than Chicago.

Permalink Reply by Reba 4.0 mi on October 18, 2013 at 6:31pm

You will have the same problem with schools on Augusta as you do on Hirsh > Schiller. Augusta and Western, Augusta and Hoyne, and Augusta just east of Ashland are all total chaos between 8:00 and 8:15 and something really needs to be done to protect kids/parents and cyclists in those school zones. 

Take Grand, it won't take you much longer to go six blocks South. You'll make up for it with not having to dodge as many pedestrians and cars. 

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