BIKING THE 

CHICAGO LAKEFRONT TRAIL

Chicago is a city in the forefront in providing biking opportunities for its citizens, thanks in large part to Mayor Richard Daley who is an avid cyclist. The Lakefront Trail runs 20.1 miles from Hollywood Beach on the north to 71st Street on the south, passing 31 beaches, a golf course, numerous harbors, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago's famous Navy Pier and Downtown and Buckingham Fountain, the Museum Campus, Soldier Field, McCormick Place, and much more. The trail is blacktop although several sections parallel gravel equestrian paths.

If possible, avoid summer weekends when there are so many people that riding is very slow and sometimes dangerous.

This photo looks north at Monroe Harbor and Chicago's Loop skyline from the bike path which circles around the Shedd Aquarium. The Amoco Building (center) is partially obscured by the low cloud cover. South of here, the trail passes Burnham Harbor, Soldier Field, and McCormick Place as it heads south to Jackson Park. A number of former Nike missile bases were turned over to the city years ago and have been converted into public park space.

The Chicago Bike Path abuts Navy Pier, and bike racks allow bikers to park and walk the mile long pier and grab a lunch at one of the many eateries available there. Or if a snack is all you want, plenty of kiosks offer ice cream, pretzels, etc.

After leaving Navy Pier, the bike path crosses the Chicago River and then passes The Chicago and Columbia Yacht Clubs as it approaches Monroe Harbor on the way south to the museum Campus.

This view looks north at the famous Oak Street Beach area north of Navy Pier. Strong winds from the northeast were crashing breakers up onto the bike path as evidenced by the wet area in the right of the photo. Some of North Lake Shore Drive's famous residential high rises are visible in the background, and the entire remainder of the ride north comprises tall building after tall building.