| Bike the Drive – cruising was never like this
By Bob Richards
It's no secret. I'm not a great bike mechanic. When things start to go, I take my bike to the dependable local shop near my home. That was the case this spring. The chain was wearing out and the
gears weren't shifting properly. The tires were ready to burst at a time I'm sure would not be to my liking. It was definitely time for a bit of rehab on my Trek 2300. After all, I have to be ready to Bike the Drive.
 Bike the Drive? I've written before how the Mrs. T's
Chicago Triathlon affords cyclists an opportunity to ride on Chicago's Lake Shore Drive, utilizing two lanes in each direction while cars crowd into the other two. While that is great and is really a cool way to wheel through the bike portion of the world's largest triathlon (Aug 25 this year), Chicago and its bike–friendly Mayor Richard M. Daley have gone one better this year.
On Sunday, June 9, Lake Shore Drive will be completely shut down to
cars, open only for bikes, from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the first Bike to Drive. Thousands are expected to participate in the event, which will have 15–and 30–mile options. Fifteen miles of the drive will be bike–only pavement at this time. From Hollywood on the north to 57th Street (near the Museum of Science and Industry) on the south, LSD will be a two–wheeler's paradise. To put it simply, Bike the Drive, the idea of the mayor himself, will be
huge, even in its initial year. Lauren Strickler, program director the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, is in charge of the ride, and has aspirations to put it in a class with the New York Five Boroughs Ride (30,000 participants) and the Montreal Bicycle Tour (35,000).
Strickler, whose background includes working for the triathlon, has been bubbling over with excitement since Bike the Ride got the green light earlier this year.
"No event closes all of Lake Shore Drive, not all of it – not even the marathon," Strickler said in CBF's newsletter, "Bike Traffic." "The marathon (Oct. 13 this year) will have more numbers than us this year (37,500), but that won't last." Even the Friends of the Parks' L.A.T.E. Ride on July 13 (10,000 riders) will seem small after this.
The Bike the Drive routes start and finish in Grant Park, Chicago's centrally–located lakefront park. The 15–mile route goes north to
Hollywood, and then back to the park. The 30–miler goes north, and then south to 57th Street before returning to the park. The best part for Strickler and her crew is that there are no corners, intersections or construction projects to worry about. For a big–city event, that is really something. That means volunteers can help with more bike–related stuff such as sag support and food!
"And a lot of the route markings are already in place, Strickler told Bike
Traffic "They say US 41 North and US 41 South."
This is one ride I have to do. First, the Chicago lakefront and skyline can be spectacular on a warm morning, which hopefully it will be on June 9. Second, where else will you ever have access to four lanes in each direction on one of the most popular roadways in the country? I mean, this road is the stuff of show business. Now, for five hours, we cyclists can have our moment, too.
Bike the Drive replaces the also–popular Boulevard Lakefront Tour, a terrific tour of Chicago's "emerald necklace," the network of neighborhood parks and boulevards designed by architect Daniel Burnham in the late 19th century. The BLT, which draws 5,000–6,000 riders, has been moved to Sept. 1. It is another ride not to be missed, but that's for another day.
Bike the Drive is the culmination Bike Chicago 2002, the city's annual
celebration of cycling, which formally began on May 17, and continues through June 16. More than 100 events made this year's festivities a treat for pedal pushers all over Chicagoland. Activities ranged from the annual bike to work rally to small neighborhood tours, from bike parades to bike art projects, and from library workshops to kids instructional/safety clinics at local parks.
"My goal is to make the city of Chicago the most bicycle–friendly city in
the United States," Daley said. He's already on the right track through the efforts and accomplishments of the mayor's Office of Special Events. The city was named "Best big city (more than 1 million in population) in the country for bicycling" last year by Bicycling Magazine, and Daley wants to only accentuate that reputation. I know that every time I go downtown, I see more bike lanes and more racks. And at least in decent weather, I also see more people riding. You
didn't see these things in Chicago 15 years ago. There truly is a bike renaissance going on in the Windy City.
But no ride is a ride without a bike. Which brings us back to that self–propelled machine in the repair shop. As usual, I have waited for the nice weather to get the bike to the guys at J&R Cycle and Ski in Lombard. After one of the worst Aprils in a long time, the temps seem to be heading up at last. When I get my bike back, new chain, new tires
and all, I plan to log some serious miles. But on June 9, I won't be too serious. I'll be like a kid with a new toy. I'll soak up every minute of the fun of riding Bike the Drive. This is something that literally has come along once in a lifetime. And the best part is that it will continue every year, from now on.
Entry fee for Bike the Drive is $35. The usual amenities are offered, such as a T–shirt, goodie bag, ride guide, ride support, rest stops, food
and drink. And don't forget the view. It's priceless. There is time (barely, the online registration deadline is June 6) to get information and sign up. There is NO event–day registration. You can call 312/42–PEDAL (Chicagoland Bicycle Federation), or go to www.bikethedrive.com on the Web.
Some quick kudos are in order for the Bicycle Club of Lake County, which moved its annual Ramble Rides to June 16 from June 9 to open the door for more riders to attend Bike the Drive. The Ramble will be staged out of Wilmot, Wis. Wis., this year with ride choices of 30, 50, 70 or 100 miles. Call 847/604–0520.
I'm heading down to the basement. I've got to dig through all the skis and running shoes to find my cycling shoes. It's summer. Are you ready to ride? See you on the drive.
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