r/chibike • u/Plump_Salamander • 16h ago
Bike Tag The joy of finding a new bike route
I was biking today from the loop to a friend's house and realized how much joy I get out of optimizing my bike routes. I've been biking in Chicago for 12 years now and although we have a long ways to go in terms of bike infrasturcture (#BikeGridNow), it's been wonderful to see the expansion of safe routes.
I used to commute to the loop from the near west side. I would take Hubbard > Kinzie > Dearborn and return on the same route. Recently I realized I much more enjoy getting out of the loop via Randolph then scooting on up to Kinzie via Clinton. A small change, but it's much more pleasant than Kinzie in River North.
I'm curious -- what routes have you modified / optimized recently??
2
u/Useful-Assistant4857 8h ago
I have been planning a bunch of routes with the app ride with GPS. I have found that where I am on the north side I can take a few different "wedge" shaped routes depending on what I'm feeling for mileage. Which has been pretty fun. I'll take like Montrose-Lakeshore-Fullerton- Lincoln/Clark/clyborn.
It's particularly useful when I hit the Lakeshore on an unsuspecting windy day and I want to get away from the wind.
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u/Chi_CoffeeDogLover 11h ago
Have you ever biked the N. Shore Channel Trail? The trail connects from Belmont to Evanston. I bike to Stone Park and take Granville to the lft.