Bike the Drive

[Zac Labby]

Has anyone ridden the Bike the Drive in previous years? If so, was it fun and/or worth the registration fee? Anyone planning to do the ride this year? It's May 24, starting at 5:30am from downtown.

[John Hebda]

I've ridden it a few times. It's cool because you can actually ride on LSD, which you can't do any other time. Apart from that novelty factor, though, I'm not sure how great it is. As it gets later, the ride gets REAL crowded. If you're looking to do a long, fast ride, this probably isn't the venue in my opinion. If you want to have a relaxed ride on LSD, see some cool bikes and just have some fun, then it's definitely a good time...

[Suchandra]

I agree with John. I'd also like to say that things might get a little sketchy later on in the morning as tired, newish riders plus potholes in LSD lead to some iffy riding at times. Still it was fun. I'm planning on doing it this year. BTW, if you volunteer beforehand for 5-6 hours, the ATA will give you a free entry.

[Zac Labby]

So I signed up for Bike the Drive. Hope to see some other UChicago jerseys on the road!

[J]

It's not yet confirmed, but I generally operate the free mechanical station at the south side turnaround in the MSI parking lot. This is rewarding, if taxing, work. You'll get up at 4am, eat donuts, fill up 100 tires, adjust several dozen brakes, and then collapse. We will need about a dozen volunteers, so if this type of thing is up your alley, let me know. You'll get a free t-shirt out of it and can take a break to ride the course for free.

[sarah bransfield]

It is nice if you get out at 5:30am. After about 7am it is a bit dangerous with lots of kids and people with very poor handling skills out on the road.