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Lake Michigan Trail Summary

July 2, 2015 By Rolf Stengl

To finish the route, I rode north up the Lake Front Trail. I took a detour to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, and found that off-route riding in Chicago was fine. Wrigley Field is in the middle of a residential neighborhood, Wrigleyville, which bills itself as “Chicago’s proudest neighborhood”, not because of baseball, but because it is a gender friendly place.

Wrigley Field baseball stadium

Wrigley Field baseball stadium

Then I was off to the end of the trail.

North end of the Lakefront Trail

North end of the Lakefront Trail

The route then heads through Loyola University, Chicago, and west down Devon Ave to the North Branch Trail on which I started. Devon Ave is interesting because it has about three miles of Middle Eastern, East Indian, and Jewish stores and restaurants. I was surprised to find such a heavily ethnic area, and it struck home that Chicago, like America in general, has people from all ethnic backgrounds, living together under the title “The United States of America”.

Visit Chicago and you are sure to find something that interests you. I did a total of 6 days of sightseeing there. On the last day, I found the Rapid Transit Cycle shop and talked to the owner about touring bikes. I use a 2007 Dew Deluxe urban hybrid, which has served me well, and I’ve concluded it’s still the best bike for the riding I usually do.

Rapid Transit Cycle Shop in Wicker Park

Rapid Transit Cycle Shop in Wicker Park

Down to the numbers, I was gone exactly 5 weeks. Riding the route took 29 days, of which 4 were rest days. I missed about one day of the route in the Door Peninsula, but my mileage came out pretty well equal to the official length. I rode 1,376 miles / 2,214 Km, for an average of 55 miles / 88 km per day. I had 7 days of over 60 miles, with 2 days of 68 miles.

In the past, I have aimed for 2 rest days in a row every 5 days or so, but this year I only took single rest days, and I ended up more tired than I would have liked at times. I was concerned with getting back for the return flight, and I wanted to spend more time in Chicago because I liked the place. This illustrates the typical result of a schedule, even a generous one, rather than riding with no time limit. All things considered, 5 weeks worked well, and I had enjoyable riding most days, with the extra time I wanted in Chicago at the end.

North Milwaukee Ave - Chicago mural (Lake Michigan Trail Summary)

North Milwaukee Ave mural

Total cost for the 5 weeks, including Airfare, Travel Insurance, Phone USA roaming plan, Accommodation, Food and Sightseeing, was CAN $5,198.67.

This is $1,039.70 per week, and $148.53 per day.

Compare that to 9 weeks on the Mississippi River Trail last year at $5,187.39, or $577 per week, and $82 per day.

The difference is because I used far more motels in the urban areas around Lake Michigan and to avoid overnight rain. Also the Canadian dollar has dropped in the last year, so you have to take every American cost and multiply it by 1.25 to get the Canadian equivalent. Still, I think I got good value.

I had five weeks of challenge, education and entertainment. I was on a daily fitness program, and found myself enjoying an endorphin high for almost the entire time. I freed my mind from the norms of home life, got lots of quiet time to mentally free wheel, and was sightseeing all day long.

Some riders I met complained about the unusual amount of overcast and rain. I rode in the rain on three days, and only one had rain most of the day. The frequent overcast provided perfect cycling temperatures. Yes, I was tired and frustrated at times, but such is the norm on any trip. It’s a challenge, and that’s one of the reasons I do it. It’s satisfying to leave home for the unknown road ahead, and to survive with a smile at the end. Which I did.

Thank you for your emails and for joining me online.

Next Page »
long distance, self-supported bicycle trips
riding the Lake Michigan Trail, from Chicago around Lake Michigan

along the LMT

Acme Arcadia Charlevoix Chicago Duck Lake State Park Egg Harbor Ford River Glen Arbor Green Bay Hart-Montague Trail Heritage Trail Hobbit Houses Holland Illinois Beach State Park Indian Lake State Park Kenosha County Path Kohler-Andrae State Park Leelanau Trail Little Travers Wheelway Ludington Mackinaw Island Mariners Trail Menominee Millennium Park Muskegon Naubinway Navy Pier North Country Trail Oak Leaf Trail Old Dixie Highway Ozaukee Interurban Trail Pentwater Petoskey Point Beach State Forest Robert McClory Bike Path Sleeping Bear Dunes Snug Harbor St. Ignace St. Joseph Suttons Bay TART The Bean The Tunnel of Trees Three Sisters Traverse City

Lake Michigan Trail (LMT)

Lake Michigan Trail Summary

July 2, 2015

Touring Chicago Part 2

June 23, 2015

Touring Chicago Part 1

June 22, 2015

Riding into Chicago

June 21, 2015

Riding to Chesterton

June 20, 2015

Good day to St. Joseph

June 19, 2015

Holland

June 18, 2015

Muskegon

June 17, 2015

Ludington, tourist town

June 16, 2015

Fog to Ludington

June 15, 2015

Foggy day to Arcadia

June 14, 2015

Glen Arbor

June 13, 2015

Acme

June 11, 2015

Petoskey

June 10, 2015

Tourist on Mackinaw Island

June 9, 2015

Naubinway & St. Ignace

June 8, 2015

Indian Lake State Park

June 6, 2015

Ford River

June 5, 2015

Good road to Menominee

June 4, 2015

Green Bay

June 3, 2015

Egg Harbor

June 1, 2015

Cold Air

May 31, 2015

Rain

May 30, 2015

North to Point Beach State Forest

May 29, 2015

Milwaukee to Kohler-Andrae State Park

May 28, 2015

Milwaukee

May 27, 2015

Illinois Beach State Park

May 25, 2015

Boating in Chicago

May 24, 2015

Chicago

May 23, 2015

A New Ride Begins

May 22, 2015

Coming soon…

May 6, 2015

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