Nov-Dec riding???

[bouncybouncy]

OK...it is a done deal! I will be in Chicago for a weekend seminar and one WHOLE day to play!!!!

Playday will most likely be Dec 4

Now looking at the temps it will be a chili 40 degree average...soooo, generally speaking...is that waaaay too cold to even thinking about a cruise along this non-traffic lakefront path I hear about??? I am unfamiliar with the "feels like" temp of a lake front.

Please tell me if I have the right clothing that it will be fun!

[indysteel]

Admittedly, I haven't ridden along Chicago's notoriously windy lakefront, but from my experience with cold weather riding, how "fun" it is kind of depends on the day. I don't mind the cold too much if it's at least a sunny day. That lightens my mood quite a bit. It's hard to get too motivated to ride--at least for me--if the day is both dreary and cold.

In any event, you can dress for it. Layers, a windproof jacket, head/face covering, winter gloves, wool socks and the like. Count on being a bit cold when you start and then warming up as the ride progresses. One rule of thumb that I stick to. If I'm warm enough for the first 10 minutes of the ride, I'm overdressed.

Good luck. With or without a ride, enjoy Chicago. It's a great city.

[bouncybouncy]

Thanks

We have been known to ride in what most would call "bad" weather...but that is on a mtb in the woods where you are shielded from the wind...but it is too far away to plan that now...

meanwhile...I will be in class for 4 days while hubby searches the city for entertainment...any links and/or ideas for him would be great!!! I am artsy one of 2 of us so the art museum will be on my day but anything else to keep him from going crazy...???

[Sheesh]

Chicago weather = unpredictable. I was just looking at my bikejournal to see whether I was riding outside in December last year, and I did do two rides outdoors. One on Dec 16 and one on Dec 28, and both were on the lakepath. Once the weather gets cold, the lakepath is beautiful because there's very little pedestrian traffic. But, it's hard to know whether December will be cold this year or not. Last year's December was relatively warm (40s) and rainy.

What does your husband like to do and where will you be staying (downtown or suburbs)? I might be able to give some suggestions with a little guidance in terms of what he might be looking for...

[bouncybouncy]

AW Sheesh!!! I know we have plenty of time but I have heard great things about Chicago and am very excited!!!

Our first obstacle is a hotel...my seminar is at a photography studio on West Willow & North Howe streets in what I am assuming the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The first hotel i see is the Inn at Lincoln Park

http://www.innlp.com/

any thoughts? It is more than I want to spend at $124 a night but I am not seeing anything else within walking distance...unless I just need to spend more time researching...but if you have a "local" recommendation at a low price I would LOVE the tip!!! Thanks

As for entertainment...hubby is into cycling hehe!!! Also, I see Frank Lloyd Wright is in the area...I think I will set up a day for him there and hopefully even arrange for a cab and all as a surprise

Other than that he is a car freak and computer geek...I found a great site I am finding great info!!! Chicago is a great city uh?

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/home.do

Thanks...and OH BOY!!! I love exploring new cities!!!

[Sheesh]

Chicago is a GREAT city and there is tons to do here. Just in Lincoln Park, alone, are great shops, eateries, pubs, etc. Make sure you visit the Lincoln Park Zoo!

DePaul University is located in Lincoln Park, so I searched for where they suggest folks stay when they visit, and came up with this site.


More ideas of things to do in Chicago:
http://www.christkindlmarket.com/ - German Christmas Market
http://www.downloadchicagotours.com/ - This might be fun, but I haven't tried it
http://kozy.com/page.cfm?pageId=12&storeId=3 - Bike Shop in Lincoln Park if hubby likes to visit bike shops...
http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/ - if you're into theater
http://www.cso.org/index.html - symphony?
http://www.cafebabareeba.com/index.htm - yummy Tapas!

Too bad you're not coming in February.
http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/

[tab123]

I am a dedicated Chicago winter biker and only stay off the bike path when there is too much ice. (I'm too old for those kinds of falls.)

The lakefront path is Chicago's jewel, and Lincoln Park is at the heart of it. So long as the temperature is above 40 degrees, you should be fine with a few layers, a wind jacket, decent gloves, head cover, and shoe covers, unless the wind is off the Lake at 20+ mph. (We may not have hills but we have the wind off the Lake.)

Try the Lincoln Park Zoo; it is incredibly quiet in the winter. The Peggy Notebart Nature Museum in Lincoln Park is geared to kids, but the butterfly exhibit is worth the price of admission. If you like to bird watch, Chicago is a major stopping point for shore birds in the winter (lots of gulls, terns, and waterfowl).

Enjoy!