Chicago Biking Along Lake Michigan

Chicago biking along Lake Michigan calls out to the adventurer in each of us. Besides if you have a daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren who live in Chicago and love to ride, it's only a matter of time before they will feel obliged to include Chicago biking along Lake Michigan as a great family activity that can even accommodate the not especially sporty grandparent or two.

The great thing about biking along Lake Michigan is that it doesn't cost anything. If you have a bike and some unburned energy you are ready to enjoy a great ride. If you come from out of town and you are visiting don't expect to get left out of the fun as there are plenty of places along the lake front where you can get matched up with a rental bike or, if you prefer, skates. Bike Chicago has 9 different bike rental centers throughout the city. Most convenient for a lake front biking along Lake Michigan is probably North Avenue Beach at 1603 Lake Shore Drive.

Three features are especially pleasant when you are biking in Chicago along Lake Michigan. First the bike way itself encompasses a lengthy course of very flat terrain which means families with younger children won't find it difficult to make the grade. For grandparents who prefer to stroll rather than roll, the pathway along the lake front is equally suited for perambulations by foot as by wheel and there are convenient benches to sit and take a breather, enjoy the view of the lake or wait for the bikers to return.

Secondly the bike way threads between one of America's great cities, Chicago and one of America's Great Lakes, Lake Michigan. For children this is an incredible ride through history and geography. You don't have to talk about anything serious when you are happily pedaling along but its wonderful before or after Chicago biking along Lake Michigan to sit down with your children or grandchildren and take a look at a map of the nation to bring your biking adventure into focus. While you are biking it is enough to look left and right to observe the Chicago skyline on one side and the wide expanses of Lake Michigan on the other. If you didn't know better you might think you were riding along the Atlantic or Pacific. This is a very special ride indeed.

Third, the people you encounter biking, walking or rolling along Lake Michigan in Chicago are likely to be as transfixed by their surroundings as you are. What you will find is people who may only be taking an afternoon off, a study break or an extended lunch hour but who nonetheless seem to be as much on vacation as you are. The spirit here is one of sheer joy and why not. Along nearly 20 miles of lake shore trail you can stick to the path or make planned or spontaneous diversions to beaches, Lincoln Park or Navy Pier.

When my daughter added a Chicago biking along Lake Michigan to our vacation itinerary I just had no idea all the fun that was in store and all the exciting possibilities that one little bike ride might include.

Sources
www.bikechicago.com
www.virtualtourist.com