Is anyone thinking of doing the Ride the Drive in Chicago May 29th?

[pll]

I've been doing "Bike the Drive" for several years and probably will do it again this year. It's a lot of fun to ride on Lakeshore Drive and being able to take in the views -- it simply looks different than on a car, and very much worth waking up at the crack of dawn.

Last year, the organizers implemented a change that, quite frankly, is very dangerous: in order to catch bandits, they now have at least two checkpoints where everyone is forced out of LSD so that their wristbands are checked, and then back on. That funnels hundreds of riders with varying riding skills into a narrow exit/entry --- you really have to be careful.

Bike the Drive attracts a lot of riders who cannot ride on a straight line, lack the common sense to keep right and instead might veer to the left, usually randomly and without looking. Every year, I have seen an ambulance at some point. You need to be super careful, but it is a blast.

[Bike Writer]

PLL, thanks for the tips about novice riders. I am sorta one too but I do take care in a group or in high people traffic areas. I'm glad you confirmed how much fun this ride can be. Still considering it.

[pll]

Did I mention it's a blast?

One thing I will recommend against is paying for the breakfast. Did one year. I have no spot in my heart (and stomach) for cold pancakes and sausages... Life is too short and there are too many nice places in Chicago for food to be paying for cold, crummy calories.

[Bike Writer]

PLL, hope you go and enjoy the ride, as it turns out I won't be making it this year but it's something to look forward to because it does sound like a blast! It's got to be great riding along the shore of Lake Michigan. Cold breakfast, yuck!

[pll]

That's a bummer. I hope the weather is good -- rain I could handle but not a thunderstorm. Anyone else signed up?

[kimikaw]

My husband and I are doing it. Will be our first time. Looking forward to a night in Chicago and then the ride. The following weekend we're doing the UPAF/Miller Lite Ride for the Arts here in Milwaukee

[pll]

Nice! Let me know if you want any dining recommendations. In downtown, there are tapas-type spots I like a lot:

• Avec
• Purple Pig
• Mercat a la Planxa

I've never heard of the Milwaukee ride. Have you done it before? Is it a nice area to ride?