Biking Chicago's Lakefront Trail Again

I've biked over 160 trails across the country so far, but our very own Chicago Lakefront path is easily in my personal top 5 list.

We parked at the lakefront just south of Foster Avenue.  All parking near beach areas have the ubiquitous Chicago Parking Payment Meters (50 cents per hour) but the parking spaces away from the beaches remain free.  We biked the trail from Ardmore to 31st Street, about 29 miles, careful to avoid the crowds around the popular beach areas.   Below you see us approaching the Oak Street Beach area with the towering John Hancock Center clearly visible in the center...

It's always fun to see the magnificent boats moored in the harbors at Montrose, Belmont, Monroe, and Burnham Harbors...

... and Buckingham Fountain is another sight to enjoy...

The trail had crowded sections but not as horrendous as a weekend ride would encounter.

Another fine way to see the downtown area is by water.  Though most do so by sailboat or power boat, here's a kayak group doing it the right way just off Shedd Aquarium, and I saw another kayak group as we crossed the Chicago River.