Visiting Chicago: critique my routes

Hello Chicagoianites,

I'm visiting your fair city this week, and I'm bringing my clown folding bike. I'll be staying downtown and attending a conference at the University of Chicago. I've got a little free time on Thursday when I arrive, and I thought I'd drop by a yarn store to get my wife a present. The following Google map shows Google's suggested route from the Greyhound station, to the yarn shop, to my hotel, and finally down to the conference:

http://goo.gl/maps/Cuzp4

I'd be interested in getting feedback on what Google suggests. On the whole I find its bike directions ok, but with a tendancy to put me on wide sidewalks, when I'd prefer to stay in traffic and be more visible at cross streets, etc.

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on May 8, 2013 at 4:14am

Welcome to our fair city.  Sorry that they are predicting rain for Thursday. :-(.  Of course, one never knows if the forecast is correct.

Riding on a sidewalk is illegal here unless you are 12 or under!  The routes are okay.  One thing you need to be aware of when they say to take the Chicago Riverwalk is that you need to take the ramp down from the street level to the Riverwalk, and another ramp back up, of course!  From State to 75 E. Wacker is less than a block.  I would skip the Riverwalk there and either ride the little bit on Wacker or walk the bike on the sidewalk.  The Riverwalk is the best way to get over to the Lakefront Trail from there.

When you come out of the Greyhound Station, you could also go left to Jefferson, take Jefferson north to Fulton, turn left on Fulton up to Des Plaines and Des Plaines over to Milwaukee.  Halsted is okay, but depending on the time of day, the traffic conflicts through Greek Town (about Van Buren to Madison) can get crazy. 

Hope you enjoy your stay.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on May 8, 2013 at 5:24am

Your route is good.

 

North on Halsted is fine. Lisa is right that it gets crowded; just ride slow and be alert. There is plenty of space for you. The worst part may be the block or two on Harrison getting over to Halsted (multi-lane, fast).

 

No need to jog east at Hubbard, IMHO. Can stick with Halsted where you meet Milwaukee. I like to do a "Euro" turn here rather than getting in the left lane, since it's a 3-way intersection.

 

Going up and down Milwaukee will be great.

 

Kinzie eastbound will be great. It's too bad there isn't a simpler way to get to the lakefront trail. I'm sure Lisa's advice is good, though I have never taken that route. One alternative would be to take Dearborn south (check out the two-way bike lane!) and then head east to the lakefront on...Monroe, maybe?

 

Have fun! And let's hope for nice weather.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on May 8, 2013 at 5:27am

To clarify: you can take Dearborn south from Kinzie to Monroe even though I don't think Google knows that you can.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on May 8, 2013 at 5:35am

I missed that jog over to Hubbard--I agree not necessary.  But Alex, I plead ignorance--what is a "Euro" turn?

From 75 East Wacker, the Riverwalk is the best route.  Otherwise you have to take Wabash south to Randolph and then west to Dearborn. (Dearborn is a two way protected bike lane.)  The Riverwalk will be a lot quicker, and the ride along the river is nice.

Oh, BTW, we are "Chicagoans". ;-)

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on May 8, 2013 at 7:25am

My understanding of a "Euro" turn is: you stay on the right side of the street and cross the street on which you want to turn left. At the corner, you stop, turn left 90 degrees, and wait for your old light to turn red and your new light to turn green before proceeding.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong? Maybe there is a more common or more accurate term.

It is my preferred way of turning at any intersection with a stoplight. I feel exposed and vulnerable hanging out in the left turn lane.

I need to check out the riverwalk...

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on May 8, 2013 at 7:34am

I see!  At a regular intersection I call that a "box turn".  At a "six corners" intersection, maybe it is a "euro turn". 

Permalink Reply by Mark on May 9, 2013 at 6:49am

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm getting ready to head out. If you see a guy on a black Bike Friday looking obviously lost, give me a shout. :-)

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