Favorite Loop to Northside routes?

I work in the Loop.  I live near Irving Park Road and the park.  In my case the route seems easy enough -but I keep changing it to find the best one.  I take the park south all the way to North, then State to Kinzie to Dearborn (I would take Dearborn at North but the city is working on the road and it is bike inhospitable right now).

I generally go through the tunnel that is a few hundred meters south of Belmont near Belmont Harbor and then up that walking path - but it is not ideal for tires (some bikers go on the earthen running path - how do they stay up?  Especially after a good rain?).  When I hit that car park near the Mini Golf and Grill In The Park the nicest way is in the car park to the entrance of the sidewalk of the harbor itself.  Another great way is biking along the eastern side of Diversey Harbor.  Only people there are a few fishermen, and often no one.

What I don't like about taking the Lake Front the whole way is that wind!

When heading north I often go on the sidewalk past the zoo as Stockton Drive is probably lethal to bike on since it is only car lane each way and buses go up and down it at the speed of light.  But with all the visitors to the zoo and park it is not ideal for the summer months.  Thursday mornings I try to hit the farmer's market on the way south.

I could take roads the whole way but I like combining roads and park, but of course I know I am lucky and that many of you have no other options but roads the whole way.

The ride up State to Kinzie is pretty easy going.  The double bike lane on Dearborn is cool.  I wish it wasn't just Kinzie to the Bridge but extended further north.  That is what the city should do - is carve out sufficient special super protected lanes that bikers could rely on most extensively to go anywhere.  But I guess that is what they are trying to do (thanks!) and it will all take a little time.  We are, after all, a pretty big city.

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Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on June 13, 2013 at 9:33am

I'm a routing geek and have been looking for a park/bike lane/residential street route from Active Trans (River North) to my home in Rogers Park. Our Bike Commuter Challenge Dude, Brian Morrissey and I have been working on this route for a couple years now. 

We call it the Super Secret (cause we're geeks). It's not secret, of course.

It involves State Street (Dearborn or Wabash work too) to North and into Lincoln Park. Then taking Wrightwood, you'll enjoy the new buffered lane on Clark to the Halsted Lane to Clarendon and then back into Lincoln Park at Lawrence.

Take advantage of the "Catalpa Cut-Thru" to cross Broadway at a signalized intersection and head north on Glenwood and Greenview (crossing Ridge at a signalized intersection).

The route can be seen here: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5968055 

If I ride up Clark the whole way it takes me 45-minutes to an hour and the Super Secret takes an hour to an hour fifteen.

Enjoy,

Ethan Spotts, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 13, 2013 at 9:40am

I would take Dearborn at North but the city is working on the road and it is bike inhospitable right now

The resurfacing is complete on Dearborn.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on June 13, 2013 at 9:44am

Glad to hear that.  I think that is going to by my route tonight.  I just do not feel like battling the 17mph NE wind on the LFP. (It was nice coming in this morning, though!)
 
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The resurfacing is complete on Dearborn.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 13, 2013 at 9:47am

Oh yeah, that tailwind was nice this morning. I might check out the newly completed Milwaukee protected bike lane today instead of my usual Dearborn-LFT route.

Lisa Curcio 6.5 mi said:

Glad to hear that.  I think that is going to by my route tonight.  I just do not feel like battling the 17mph NE wind on the LFP. (It was nice coming in this morning, though!)
 
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The resurfacing is complete on Dearborn.

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