Life in the bike lane

Elston path
Elston is quite possibly the only road in the country that starts and ends on the same street (Milwaukee Avenue), so to be able to say you traversed the whole damn thing, start at the Café Sandwicheria (455 N Milwaukee Ave) for a hearty fuel-up with a classic turkey, bacon and swiss sammich. Then pedal north, take a gentle right onto Elston, and pedal north to Stanley’s Fruits and Produce (1558 N Elston Ave), essentially a full-time indoor farmers’ market where hipster foodies from the nearby Ukrainian Village and Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhoods flock for top-notch produce at bargain prices. Next, continue past factories and drawbridges to Urban Gardener (2211 N Elston Ave), a garden shop with botanical baubles at every turn—last time we were there, they had gorgeous bell jars perfect for violets or orchids. In the same shopping complex, you’ll find x y zanne, where artisanal treasures from distant shores adorn every nook. Accoutrements at this spacious bohemian-meets-bourgeois boutique include jewelry, furniture and vases—all of which impart a touch of functional creativity amid everyday living spaces. And if your budget doesn’t allow for such splurges, don’t despair: A clustered trio of tilted white-rice-seed vases ($35) made in Thailand throws a curve at any square side table. Time your trip to coincide with a performance at Prop Thtr (3502–4 N Elston Ave), one of the city’s foremost fringe theater companies, known for its biting political commentary. Now it’s on to the long last leg of your journey: The trek to hot-dog Valhalla, Superdawg (6363 N Milwaukee Ave), where the fries are delicious and the vibe is straight-up ’50s. If you’ve still got energy to burn, you’re right at the start of the North Branch trail, where 16 tree-lined miles will take you all the way to the Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe). Now that we think about it, you should probably eat two hot dogs at Superdawg.

Damen path
The Damen bike lane provides lots to see, but remember the painted lines are not an invisible force field—keep an eye out for cars parking or pulling out. Start your trek at Open End Gallery (2000 W Fulton St), an arts and events space. Peddle north and drop in to Sprout Home (745 N Damen Ave), a home-and-garden shop that offers everything from acacia-wood serving bowls to tomato plants. Another two blocks takes you to Just Baked (901 N Damen Ave), for delicious homemade sandwiches and ice creams. The menu changes seasonally, but the “Frenchie” ($9)—Brie, green apple and cracked-pepper vinaigrette on a baguette—is a current favorite. Roll across the street to Willow (908 N Damen Ave), which offers nature-girly housewares and pretty sterling-silver rings and necklaces by owner Amy Doehla. It also offers facials and waxing in the back, so if your eyebrows are out of whack, make some time for a tune-up. Another few blocks up is Paper and Print (1940 N Damen Ave), with a staggering selection of papers, envelopes and handmade wrapping papers to make posh gifts posher. Cap off your tour de Damen with some refreshing ceviche maki at sushi joint Coast (2045 N Damen Ave).

MLK path
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive takes you through the heart of Bronzeville, along a scenic route of trees and massive graystones. Start at the Monument to the Great Northern Migration (King Dr and 25th St), a statue of a suitcase-toting man that commemorates African-Americans who came to Chicago in the 1920s. Follow the Bronzeville Walk of Fame (25th St to 47th St) past the Victory Monument to the Eighth Regiment (at 35th St), built in honor of an African-American fighting unit that served in World War I. Stop at the Jamaican Market Place (4655 S King Dr) to pick up some jerk spices for summer barbecues, or a Ting grapefruit soda. If you’ve got time, stop in at Blu 47 (4655 S King Dr), a fancy Cajun-inspired restaurant in the same shopping center, and snag some spicy conch fritters. Another five blocks or so, and you’ve reached Washington Park and the end of the official bike lane. If you’re not quite ready to call it a day, continue down the park to South Chicago Street and bear left, where a bike lane will take you to the breathtaking, historic Oak Woods Cemetery (1035 E 67th St), final resting place of Chicago notables such as Harold Washington, Chicago’s first black mayor.

Elston path - Damen path - MLK path

For more Chicago cycling info, including safe-riding techniques, and tips on how to fix a flat, check out the City of Chicago’s “Student Cycling in Chicago” pamphlet. To get a free copy, and a free Chicago Bike Map, call 312-742-2453 or visit www.ChicagoBikes.org.