Participated in Bike the Drive for my tenth consecutive year. Left my Fairmont Hotel room at 5:12 a.m. for a mini breakfast at 5:18 and onto the bike at 5:35. I took Columbus to Randolph to Michigan Avenue sidewalk to Cloud Gate in Millennium Park (5:40), then on to the starting point at Jackson and Lake Shore Drive. Riding onto LSD at 5:44, I headed north on LSD and rode to the northernmost point of the course at the Bryn Mawr Avenue rest stop (at 6:20). I left the rest stop at 6:25, passed Lincoln Park Zoo at 6:44, the Drake Hotel at 6:53, continued around the Butler Field square at 7:03, then continued south to the Museum of Science and Industry rest stop (7:32-7:48). I then rode north again, pausing to take photos from the Oakwood Blvd bridge (8:02), and continued to the Grant Park rest stop (8:26), then on to the Fullerton Avenue exit (8:50) before heading back south back at Butler Field square at 9:08. My final leg brought me south to the 18th Avenue exit, where I turned back north to end my ride at Butler Field (9:30).
Rain and thunderstorms had been predicted for the Ride as late as Saturday morning. In reality, the ride saw skies ranging from dim to hazy sunshine to mostly cloudy by ride's end. . . and no rain whatsoever! Temperatures started at 60 and rose to 71. Winds started calm and ended light W. I wore tights, LS jersey over base layer, and regular gloves. I probably could have removed base layer mid-way through the ride. I stopped a number of times to take photos and video clips with my iPhone and took numerous photos on my bike with Canon camera.