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View Full Version : Whoa! Cyclist on LSD!



Lise
09-21-2006, 01:50 PM
No, not that kind of LSD. Lake Shore Drive, here in Chicago. I left the chiropractor's office, evidently a bit out of it. Decided that since I was downtown anyway, I might as well head south a bit on the lakefront path. It's a gorgeous day, I was testing out my new Sugar Knickers and Icebreaker shirt.

I ride up the hill on Roosevelt Rd, dum-de-dum-de-dum, stopped at the light, doodley-doodley-do, de-dum, oh hey, I should be over there, on the sidewalk, so I can go under LSD and get onto the path. WHOA! WHOOPS! Traffic's moving! I'm in the middle of two lanes, so, I start moving, too! Thinking maybe I can hop off onto a sidewalk ... at ... some ... point... NO! CRUD! I'M ON LSD! A rather fast moving, cars only road. :eek: As soon as there's grass to the right of me, I pull onto the 3' "shoulder", heave my bike over the guard rail, and scramble my butt over after it. Yikes. I was right at a curve where no one would expect a bike to be on the road. I think of myself as a pretty savvy city rider, but not today! :rolleyes:

After slowing down my heart rate, I headed south. The Gold Star Memorial Park is open, between Soldier Field and the lake. It's a memorial to fallen police officers. For the past two years, I've run a 5K in the spring to raise money for this memorial. They opened it a few weeks ago, and today was my first visit. It's beautiful, very peaceful and reflective. If you get to Chicago, please go south of the beautiful museum campus, just a little ways. You don't want to miss this.

Bruno28
09-21-2006, 01:59 PM
Geez - glad you're ok. I think I remember trying to figure how to get across that road on my visit to Chicago many years ago.

fatbottomedgurl
09-21-2006, 02:32 PM
Whoo hooo! That's the way to get the adrenaline pumping!:D

Brina
09-21-2006, 04:24 PM
oh, scary. that would freak me out.

that park is lovely, we ran through it during the accenture tri.

HillSlugger
09-21-2006, 05:03 PM
I lived in Chicago from 1985-1991. Knowing what LSD is like you are fortunate to have gotten off it without getting hurt. Glad you're OK.

Lise
09-21-2006, 07:02 PM
It was so freaky to find myself riding with the cars on LSD. And I couldn't get off right away, because the road goes over the underpass that I was supposed to be on. I had to keep riding until I got to a place I could jump over. I'd been at the chiro for my sore elbow, so lifting the bike over the guard rail was not easy, but the extra adrenaline sure helped! Then I realized I was on a grassy hill, and needed to get down on my skinny tires. At least I was out of the way of the cars. That was scary. Whew.

Sheesh
09-22-2006, 06:59 AM
OMG, Lise, right away I assumed you were talking about Lake Shore Drive! That is so scary!

The first time I commuted to work, I took Roosevelt from the lake path and had a tough time figuring out how to not get killed. Since then, I've chosen to avoid Roosevelt and now I take Harrison. That still gets my heart going, especially when I cross over the Chicago River on that steel grated bridge.

Glad you're okay!

mlove
09-22-2006, 07:13 AM
I'm originally from Chicago too and I take LSD to get to my brother's house in Evanston when I drive in from Champaign. I find it scary enough when I'm driving--cycling would really freak me out. Glad you are ok.

Lise
09-22-2006, 10:35 AM
OMG, Lise, right away I assumed you were talking about Lake Shore Drive! That is so scary!

The first time I commuted to work, I took Roosevelt from the lake path and had a tough time figuring out how to not get killed. Since then, I've chosen to avoid Roosevelt and now I take Harrison. That still gets my heart going, especially when I cross over the Chicago River on that steel grated bridge.

Glad you're okay!
I hate those grated bridges, too. Roosevelt is not too bad if I'm paying attention. It has a bike lane, at least the part that I ride. I go south/east until I hit Des Plaines, and take that south to Roosevelt. I just have to be on the park side by the time I'm at the top of that last hill. Lesson learned. :p

chickwhorips
09-22-2006, 11:40 AM
glad your ok lise and got off ok.

biking4health
09-23-2006, 03:42 AM
Holy Smokes....I'm glad you're okay! LSD is even scary sometimes for cars let alone being on a bike :eek:

Carol