ination guides, and the latest travel industry updates.">
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
HomeCruiseThousands cruise DuSable Lake Shore Drive for Bike the Drive

Thousands cruise DuSable Lake Shore Drive for Bike the Drive

Bicyclists enjoy the ride on North DuSable Lake Shore Drive through Lincoln Park on Sept. 3, 2023 during the 22nd Bike the Drive, an annual event hosted by Active Transportation Alliance that closes the roadway to vehicles from Bryn Mawr to 57th Street for the morning. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Andrea Navos biked 30 miles Sunday morning alongside her family down DuSable Lake Shore Drive, glimpsing views of Lake Michigan and the downtown Chicago skyline.
It was an important milestone for the 28-year-old Streamwood resident, who gave birth in July. She said she stopped biking when she was pregnant, and Bike the Drive marked her first ride postpartum.
Advertisement
“It’s fun,” Navos said. “We have the privacy of the whole street so we get to see the view. We get to enjoy it with family and all the other riders.”
Three generations of the Flynn family pause for a picture of their ride on North DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Sept. 3, 2023, during the 22nd Bike the Drive event. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
About 16,000 riders joined Navos for the 22nd annual bike ride on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, organized by Active Transportation Alliance. The event kicked off at 6:30 a.m. between Bryn Mawr Avenue and 57th Street, a 30-mile loop. The route started closing at 10:30 a.m., with car traffic resuming about an hour later.
Advertisement
[ 10 things to do around Chicago for Labor Day weekend: Bike the Drive, the parade and the last summer fireworks at Navy Pier ]
Participants could ride however far they wanted. Rest stops along the route offered water, snacks and restrooms on the warm morning, with temperatures reaching about 80 degrees.
Amy Rynell, executive director of Active Transportation Alliance, thanked participants for supporting the nonprofit, which advocates for equitable and safe walking, biking and public transit in the Chicago area. Registration this year cost anywhere from $64 to $84 for adults depending on when they registered, and $18 for kids.
“If you’ve never done it, you’re missing out on one of the best biking events in the nation,” Rynell said in a news release. “It’s such a delight to ride along the beautiful lake with people of all ages from across the city and region.”
After participants finished their rides, they could cool down at the post-ride festival at Butler Field in Grant Park, and listen to music, peruse businesses that sell bike supplies and munch on pancakes and doughnuts.
Cyclists head north on North DuSable Lake Shore Drive on Sept. 3, 2023, during the 22nd Bike the Drive event. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Bicyclists enjoy the ride on North DuSable Lake Shore Drive through Lincoln Park on Sept. 3, 2023, during the 22nd Bike the Drive. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
After finishing her ride, Tania Sebastian decided to go with a more savory treat — a chorizo empanada. This was Sebastian’s 15th year participating in Bike the Drive with her husband and two kids.
“It’s a tradition for us, we do it every year. Sometimes it’s a little hard to get up in the morning for it, but once we actually get on the drive, everyone smiles,” the 48-year-old Lincoln Square resident said. “We hit 10 miles and didn’t even really feel the pain because it’s just so exciting to be on the drive with no cars.”
Along with the view, Sebastian said one of the best parts of the event is watching little kids power through the route with small bikes, pedaling quickly to keep up with their parents. She said her two kids used to do Ride the Drive on training wheels.
“Somehow it’s always beautiful weather. It’s just joyous to see the sun rising coming down Lake Shore Drive,” said her husband, Jason Sebastian, 49.
Advertisement
rjohnson@chicagotribune.com

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisment -

Most Popular

Recent Comments

ŞENAY on In
ERDAL on
Start earning money, learn useful skills: http://google.com NNNkjyfvbLLL 6882531 on FanDuel Ohio Promo Code: Sign up now to be set for launch
Translate »
×