Commute to the loop tomorrow - route ideas?

I checked through the Metra post, but didn't see anything specifically about those of us that come into the loop. I generally come southbound on Des Plaines around 8:45am, but Des Plaines/Washington is the start of the official parade route, and Tribune is citing "streets may close at 8am." Going across Kinzie to come down Dearborn doesn't seem like a realistic idea either, since the parade will cross Dearborn/Washington too. I'm thinking I might just try to head down Des Plaines, then bounce over to Halsted if I can't get through. I need to get to Balbo/Wabash area by 9am.

How are the rest of you planning to get to work tomorrow?

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on June 27, 2013 at 9:29am

I generally arrive fairly early (at my desk by 7:30), so I'm not making any special plans.  I assume I'll still be able to get through on Clark or Dearborn.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 27, 2013 at 9:51am

Take the Metra in; then Divvy my way home, one bar and bike station at a time.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 27, 2013 at 10:24am

Why not use Halsted or Morgan to go south through the West Loop, then try crossing the river on Harrison?  That will get you very close to Balbo/Wabash and should keep you clear of the Blackhawks crowds.

Permalink Reply by Julia 3.5/7.5 mi on June 27, 2013 at 10:38am

That's what I was thinking, but I scoped out Halsted on google street view and the section from Grand to Fulton looks particularly gnarly. Is it actually better than the narrow, pothole street shown? Morgan looks nice - hadn't considered it before! Harrison is part of my regular route, so something that easily connects to it would be perfect. 

Anne Alt said:

Why not use Halsted or Morgan to go south through the West Loop, then try crossing the river on Harrison?  That will get you very close to Balbo/Wabash and should keep you clear of the Blackhawks crowds.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 27, 2013 at 11:05am

Crap! I forgot how lousy that section of Halsted is right now - not so nice from Chicago to Fulton.  Okay - better alternative - stay further west and take Noble to Hubbard to Morgan. Pavement isn't perfect, but it's better than Halsted and traffic is light to moderate. Morgan used to have crappy pavement and railroad crossings, but that section got nicely fixed up a few years ago so it's a nice alternative to get through the West Loop with a lot less traffic than Halsted, decent major street crossings and no bus traffic.  Continue on Morgan to either Jackson or Harrison.

Julia C 7.5 mi said:

That's what I was thinking, but I scoped out Halsted on google street view and the section from Grand to Fulton looks particularly gnarly. Is it actually better than the narrow, pothole street shown? Morgan looks nice - hadn't considered it before! Harrison is part of my regular route, so something that easily connects to it would be perfect. 

Anne Alt said:

Why not use Halsted or Morgan to go south through the West Loop, then try crossing the river on Harrison?  That will get you very close to Balbo/Wabash and should keep you clear of the Blackhawks crowds.

Permalink Reply by David P. on June 27, 2013 at 1:55pm

Second Morgan being better than Halsted. You might also consider turning onto Ogden and taking Racine, too.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on June 28, 2013 at 2:12am

I rode in Elston->Milwaukee->Kinzie->Clark->Randolph->Wells.  No problema.  I passed Washington and Wells about 7:20.  People were already starting to line the parade route, but I encountered no traffic problems.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 28, 2013 at 3:35am

I rode in on Washington from Racine to Wells at about 9:10 am. No car traffic, police blocking intersections, barricades blocking the sidewalks, crowds lining the street. I even got some sporadic cheers and numerous high-five offers. All in all, a very unusual and unique commute.

Permalink Reply by maryrachel on June 28, 2013 at 4:03am

Desplaines was closed at Washington. The cops directed me to ride the parade route in front of thousands of drunk fans. In a dress. On a windy day.

Permalink Reply by Julia 3.5/7.5 mi on June 28, 2013 at 11:00am

I ended up taking Milwaukee to Green to Hubbard to Morgan, then came across Harrison to meet up with my regular route. It was actually quite lovely, and I enjoyed how calm Morgan is! A little bit slower than I expected (plus had to wait at the Metra crossing), but definitely a good north/south street for biking. Thanks for the tip, Anne!

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