Where to bike in Chicago or Kalamazoo
I'm heading to Chicago the Kalamazoo MI for work. Looking for a place to ride. I haven't decided if I should over night in Chicago and ride there Friday morning or ride in Kzoo Friday morning. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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If you are downtown Chicago the best place to ride would be the south end of the Lakefront Path. The north end is very crowded. From downtown going south it is about 8 miles each way so you might have to make several loops depending on the length of your ride. There are, however, very few street crossings.
I would also be interested in Kalamazoo area ride options since I am in that area quite a bit during the summer.
William, if Chicago proves to be your destination, how far/long are you looking to ride and where will you set base camp?
If you have a car and want to avoid admin miles, go to Plaza Del Lago in Evanston/Willmette. Follow the advice above and take the Sheridan route north. It's a solid ride.
If you do not have a car and are on the path, head north. Yes the path gets packed, but during a week day in the am starting out north is manageable. I'm on Holiday now in Chicago and I've done this several times this week. You will not be able to complete any intervals, but you can log admin miles. Please note some of the path is closed during the weekday for painting/resurfacing. I know the open it on the weekend but not sure about Friday.
I might also reach out to the Kalamazoo bicycle club (http://www.kalamazoobicycleclub.org/index.php or on their Facebook) and ask. I was in South Haven (about 40 min from Kzoo) the 3 weekends before Lake Placid and they helped me find a 100 mile ride route.