August 29, 2010

Event Info

Ride

The 2009 Boulevard Lakefront Tour features:

• A new, fourth route
• Event T-shirt
• Post-ride festival
• Optional picnic lunch (meat or veg)
• Volunteer support and five rest/water stops on the routes
• Ride guide with points of interest along the routes
• Live entertainment at the post-ride festival

The Boulevard Lakefront Tour benefits the Active Transportation Alliance’s work to improve bicycling, walking and transit in Chicagoland. The ride takes place rain or shine; no refunds are available.

Advance registration closes at 3 p.m. Saturday Sept. 12. Day-of event registration opens at 6 a.m.

Choose one of FOUR routes:

South Side Ramble - 15 miles Start between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.

For families and casual riders, this 15-mile route highlights the architecture and history of Chicago's Hyde Park, Kenwood, Bronzeville and Chinatown neighborhoods. View a map

Beverly Cruise - 27 miles Start between 7:30 and 8 a.m.

The newest ride on the Boulevard Lakefront Tour! This tour features Beverly's Longwood Drive, the Major Taylor Trail, many bungalow neighborhoods, historic Pullman, a rest stop at Pullman's Hotel Florence, and uncommon views of familiar landmarks. View a map

Boulevard Tour - 35 miles Start between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.

A tribute to Chicago's famous architects and urban planners, this 35-mile journey winds through the city's extensive boulevard system and beautiful parks. View a map

Ultimate Neighborhood Ride - 62 miles Start between 7 and 7:30 a.m.

Get the best of both worlds. This route, designed by the Chicago Cycling Club combines the 35-miles Boulevard Tour and the 27-mile Beverly Cruise. Tour through Chicago's oldest parks and extensive boulevards. View a map

Festival

Join us after your ride for music, fun, food and beer! The BLT start/finish and post-ride festival will be in Washington Park between South Payne Drive and South Cottage Grove at the intersection of East 54th Street. Click here to see the exact location

Don’t forget to stop by the Active Transportation Alliance tent! We will be out there from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m Don't miss live music from The Webstirs! This smart, catchy indie pop group is one of Chicago’s best kept secrets. Like a primer on 30 years of great pop music—from British Invasion to New Wave to Modern Rock—the band carries the torch of timeless, tuneful rock. 

Enjoy lunch for only $7. $2 goes directly to Active Trans. Choose one of these delicious lunches:

• BBQ Pulled Pork Taco w/pico de gallo
• Falafel Pita w/ hummus & tzatziki sauce

  All sandwiches served with a bag of potato chips and soda or bottled water. 

 

Support

Rest and water stops will be evenly placed along the route to keep you going strong.

They will provide:

• Water
• Port-a-potties
• Food/treats (rest stops only)

Volunteer course marshals and ride marshals will be available to guide you and help out if you get a flat or need a quick bike adjustment.

Getting to the Boulevard Lakefront Tour

The Boulevard Lakefront Tour starts and finishes at Washington Park between South Cottage Grove and South Payne Drive at the intersection of East 54th Street.

By Bike
Exit the Lakefront Trail at the bike underpass at 55th and head west to South Cottage Grove. Take a right heading north to East 54th Street.

From the west, ride east on Garfield into Washington Park and turn right on Morgan, following the flow of traffic around the park. Continue to veer left in the northbound direction around the park. Morgan gradually turns into S. Payne Drive. Head north to East 54th Street and South Payne Drive.

By CTA
With CTA's Bike & Ride program, you can take your bike on trains and buses. The CTA will relax its two-bike-per-railcar restriction on the day of the BLT (exact hours are TBD). Be sure to visit www.transitchicago.com for official train and bus route start times.

From the Red Line, head south from downtown and exit at the Garfield station (5500 South).

Once you're off the train on Garfield Boulevard, ride east into Washington Park and turn right on Morgan Drive, following the flow of traffic around the park. Continue to veer left in the northbound direction around the park. Morgan gradually turns into S. Payne Drive. Head north to East 54th Street and South Payne Drive.

(You can also use the East 63rd/Cottage Grove stop on the Green Line, but the Green Line trains may begin too late for your travel needs. If you do take the Green Line, don't get off at King Drive/63rd—there's no bike access at that station heading toward 63rd/Cottage Grove.)

In addition, you can take your bike on all CTA buses. The following routes will take you to and from a location near the BLT start/finish area: #3 King Drive, #4 Cottage Grove, #6 Jackson Park Express, #15 Jeffery Local, #28 Stony Island, #55 Garfield, #59 59th/61st.  Please consult a map and call the number below with questions.

Go to www.transitchicago.com or call 1-800-YOUR-CTA for more information on CTA's Bike & Ride program.    

By Car

Please note that Lake Shore Drive will be partially closed from 31st Street south to 67th Street from 6-11 a.m. for the Chicago Half Marathon. Also expect possible construction delays on the Dan Ryan and other expressways.

Lake Shore Drive:
Lake Shore Drive will be closed from 31st Street south to 67th Street.  From the north exit on to the Stevenson Expressway/55. Exit 55 eastbound onto the Dan Ryan – 90/94 Expressway. Take the Dan Ryan to the 55th St. (Garfield) exit. Go east on Garfield into Washington Park and turn right on Morgan, following the flow of traffic around the park. Continue to veer left in the northbound direction around the park. Morgan gradually turns into South Payne Drive. Head north to East 54th Street and South Payne Drive.

I-90/94:
Exit at 55th St. (Garfield). Go east on Garfield into Washington Park and turn right on Morgan, following the flow of traffic around the park. Continue to veer left in the northbound direction around the park. Morgan gradually turns into South Payne Drive. Head north to East 54th Street and S. Payne Drive.

Parking

There is a Park District parking lot accessible off of South Payne Drive. The lot is only accessible from South Cottage Grove. From South Cottage Grove, turn southwest onto Payne. The lot is immediately to your right (west). This parking area opens at 6 a.m. There is typically free, on-street parking available in the area also.

Bike Rental

Bike & Roll Chicago
Rent a set of two wheels from Bike Chicago for a special rate. Check out the rental bikes at any of the Bike Chicago locations, including the DuSable Museum of African American History at 740 E 56th Pl in Chicago.
$20 for any of these bikes:

• Beach cruiser
• Geared cruiser
• Comfort bike
• Hybrid
• Mountain bike

$35 for any of these bikes

• Fitness bike
• Road bike
• Triathlon bike

All rentals include a helmet and lock

Bikes can be picked up after 6p.m. the night before or on the morning of the event. Reserve yours here or by email at info@bikechicago.com

Bobby’s Bike Hike
$20 for a full day rental for BLT participants from their downtown location.  All rentals include a helmet, lock and map.  Reserve yours online today

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House:
Enjoy a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House after your ride. Robie House is both a masterpiece of the Prairie style and an icon of modern architecture. Advance tickets are highly recommended.