Since so many people on our ride asked, puzzled, "What is this? Is it a race? Is it Critical Mass?…read moreWhat's going on?" I figured that writing a review for this great active event was only appropriate. Now, you won't have any excuse to miss the 2014 edition!! I feel that during most active/sporting events, no matter how well organized they can be, there's always something to complain about. Well, not this time. From beginning to end, it was flawless! Easy online registration (yeah, there are these annoying fees, but what can you do about it? To make it all better, I highly recommend to make a quick search about coupons. Whatever you buy online, there's a coupon for it. Most of the time. This time, I snatched a $10 off on each registration. Yay me), convenient pick up times, great directions, map, tee-shirt. And an awesome urban adventure. Here's the deal: you choose a distance. 12, 22, 35 or 62 miles.They select four different food providers. And you stop along the way for water (ice cold!!!!), food and bathroom breaks, for however long you want. You are given a map to follow but there's also excellent marking on the street. I was so impressed by the work they put into it!! It's (almost) impossible to get lost. Volunteers ride along the way with you to assure a smooth day, and you just have to enjoy the vista. This year took us all on the North Side, and we discovered great hidden gems along the way such as the Alta Vista Terrace District within a stone-throw distance from Wrigley Field, to the Indian Boundary Park in West Rogers Park and the actual Rogers Park itself, from the North Shore Channel Trail to off the beaten path streets lined with beautiful mansions and bungalows. What a glorious city Chicago is, and what little of it most of us know. My group of friends and I did the 35 miler, and had a great time. It was plenty enough for us, but not so much that we were dead at the end of it. Cannot recommend it strongly enough! Words of wisdom: - wear padded shorts, it will make the whole thing way more comfortable (REI sells pretty affordable ones) - bring a water bottle; the stops are far and in between and if it's hot out, you'll want to chug water on a regular basis - wear your helmet! - visit the ATA (Active Transportation Alliance) website http://www.activetrans.org/ for more information on the event in particular, and biking in Chicago in general - have fun!

I'm hoping that this can become a biannual event, because partaking in this years version of Active…read moreTransportation Alliance's big showcase was a day I will remember for a long time. The levels of organization and friendliness offered by the ATA and their group of volunteers was remarkable and had me beaming positive vibes all ride long. In my own words, ATA is set up as a nonprofit which advocates for people of all backgrounds to have access to more options to get around the Chicago metro area that are affordable, safe and accessible. This particular event not only introduced "newbies" to their mission, but got around 3,000 people out as examples of that mission to the rest of the city. On at least three occasions I was asked (while stopped at red lights) what we were out on the ride for, which is to say their next event will probably involve more than 3,000 riders. A very good thing, in my opinion! As for the details of the rides- you have your choice on how to participate. With four distances (12, 22, 35 and 62 mile options), you can find one to your liking. All were incredibly well-marked with volunteers scattered about to direct people on the correct path, as well as easily identifiable markers spray painted on the streets (if you were like us and didn't have a nifty map holder installed onto your bike). An overwhelmingly large portion of our ride (the 35 miler) took place on streets with either delineated bike lanes, or the segregated and buffered kind (along Dearborn going through the loop). With groups leaving in waves, there was plenty of space to go at your own pace pretty quickly upon the start of the ride, but not get too spaced out where you didn't feel like you were part of a group of riders out to do a trek. It helped that the weather was nice (mid-70s going up to the low-80s), but in all honesty, I think we would have enjoyed this event even if the weather was bad. With stations set up throughout pretty evenly for restrooms, water and the eventual snack stations - the "chow" portion, if you will - there was ample amount of ride space without pushing people too hard. Active Transportation Alliance- good on you all for putting together such a friendly, comfortable, and visual event showing off a portion of your mission to the rest of the city (well, at least this time- most of the north side). The hard work put forth by the volunteers and coordinators was evident in just how smooth and wonderful the ride and the event was. Oh, and the snacks were great! I look forward to going back to each of the vendors in the near future to enjoy their food again. Any chance you all can make this biannual? Spring ride and early-Autumn ride?

This is a wonderful crew team in the heart of Chicago. I had my best Masters Rowing experience…read morehere, and I love their emphasis on accessibility. They offer learn to row classes, and you can get scholarships to row in their competitive team.

The Lincoln Park Boat Club is completely member run by passionate folks who love boating -…read morespecifically rowing and paddling. I was into stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) so I was considered a paddler. SUP in Chicago can be hard. Lake Michigan is unfriendly to beginners so the lagoon used by the Lincoln Park Boat Club is perfect. The water is smooth, shallow and dirty enough to motivate you to keep your balance! The equipment at the LPBC is great too. There are a variety of SUP boards ranging from foam beasts that would never tip over to slender racing boards. Most of the storage was taken up by other boats. Some vessels were owned by members and others were owned by the club and could be used by anybody. Since the LPBC is completely run by volunteers, everybody has a lot of responsibility and autonomy. A lot of it is run on the honor system. For example, keeping the dock clean of goose poop and locking the garage was everyone's responsibility. To my knowledge, there was no cleaning or maintenance crew. There are no bells and whistles. The LPBC members I met were friendly. The SUP folks were competitive. It just wasn't my scene. I wanted a place to relax, skim across the water, and be outdoors. The other people I met were perfecting their techniques, getting stronger and racing. I ended up going only about four or five times, or about $100/visit. I'd remain a member if I could pay less than the competitive, more dedicated people. I asked if there could be a modified membership or a pay-per-visit deal but (as of this review) those aren't options.

Except for a year in Florida, I've lived all of my life in Chicago and today was the first time I'd…read moreever set foot in the city/town of Riverside. This may very well be the best kept secret in Chicagoland. Well, it has been for me, anyway. A few fellow Yelp runners and I were looking for a centrally located race where we could all meet and run together for the first time. For some, this was their first organized race EVER! This Riverside event was the first one suggested and after checking out the website, we all agreed it would be perfect. It all started with the price. Only $25 for registration, which included electronic timing, bib and free T-shirt (VERY nice, by the way). An early start (7:30AM) ensured the temperature will be cooler than the predicted high for the day, and the tree lined streets on the route insured it would stay that way. Plenty of winding curves along the way kept us focused on our pace and ample water stations kept everyone well hydrated. Heck, even a few of the residents were out with their hoses spraying us down as we ran by. A very welcome gesture, to be sure! But for me, the best part of this race was the plethora of incredibly stunning homes that lined the course...each one, more beautiful than the last. I think I spent so much time in awe of the architecture and gardens here that the race was over before I knew it, much to my chagrin. After meeting up when our last member crossed the finish line, it seemed we all had the same experience and will definitely be back next year to do it again. Who knows? Maybe even sooner just for a visit! It's hard to imagine another 5K in Chicagoland that's better that the Riverside Independence Day run. This one is sure going to be tough to beat...but I'll keep looking!

The 4th of July 5K in Riverside is my favorite. So far, I have ran it two years (2013 and 2014) and…read moreI plan to run it every year as long as I'm a resident of this lovely town. Race goodie bags are generally pretty good, including items like lip balm and a voucher for a free frapp from McDonalds. Last year, I got a really great coupon that got me $20 a purchase from Sports Authority for items I needed to purchase anyway (biking shorts and a triathlon waterproof watch), so entry into the race practically paid for itself. Every year, the moisture-wicking t-shirts are of high quality. If you're small like me (5'2", 105-110 lbs), I recommend choosing the youth large size shirt. Last year someone else picked up my packet + t-shirt in too big of a size. The volunteers were awesome about letting me exchange for a different size. The course is scenic. You get to run through beautiful Riverside, which has a number of stunning Victorian homes. The course brings you on winding roads, which are characteristic of the architecture of this town (the first planned community)! There are always people sitting in lawn chairs (waiting for the parade) who cheer on runners, which will help you get through it. There are runners of all ages, shapes, and sizes. A decent number of runners with jogging strollers go through every year, which I think is great! For the end, be sure that you're running over the proper finish line. Some people get confused and think they've finished. Watch carefully for signs. There should also be volunteers guiding you to be sure you make it to the finish. Upon finishing, find your supporters in the crowd, eat a bagel and some Gatorade, and stick around for the 4th of July parade and Guthrie Park festivities that will immediately follow!

*Information from site*…read more 2015 Beanie Hat - 2 designs to choose from DO-RITE DONUTS, coffee and cider for every finisher Holiday themed marketplace featuring local food and craft sellers  On course carolers from Lane Technical College Prep high school Whether you run, walk, or just stand and cheer, you are invited to participate in Chicago's Most Festive 8K and make spirits bright for youngsters in need by making a donation or contributing a new toy to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital. The Rudolph Ramble 8K is a winter wonderland of music, local food and craft sellers, freshly prepared winter treats, holiday decor, photos with Santa and more.  The Donner Dash is designed for children ages 2 to 12 years, and takes place on a loop course on the running path with the start and finish in the heart of the festivities. The race will be staged in the following heats: Each child will receive a shirt, commemorative Donner Dash Medal that (doubles as a great ornament) and a candy cane.

My cousin and I ran the Rudolph Ramble 8K in December 2014, and it was the best organized run I…read morehave ever done in Chicago! Admittedly, we really, really lucked out with weather as it was 50 degrees in December. And perhaps because it had snowed 8+ inches the prior year, participation was down (not sure, just a guess), meaning that the course was not overly crowded. I particularly loved that the race was mostly along the Lakefront path, but we weren't tripping over other runners. Like most Chicago races, the course was flat. Fleet Feet did a great job with entertainment. Santa was on site posing for pictures pre- and post-race. There was a very large inflatable Reindeer, also great for photo ops. The race kicked off with the singing of the National Anthem and Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer. The atmosphere was very festive - I love the holidays! Results were up on race day. Gear check was not crowded, and there was plenty of free food and Gatorade at the finish. The token race gift was a cute winter hat - a nice change from a t-shirt. I'll be running this race again, though I'm guessing most December days aren't so warm!

Sunnyside Mall is a fantastic outdoor community space in the Sheridan Park neighborhood of Uptown…read more I understand it used to be a questionable area, but the neighborhood association has revitalized it in recent years. It's a pedestrian strip between Beacon and Magnolia, paved, with several seats built in various placed around the mall. I'm sure the neighbors use this for all sorts of events. I've been here because my trainer, Dana (see my WHPStudios review), has been doing Saturday morning body strength classes here. Since they're super affordable ($15) I finally made it over here. Today there were just a couple of us but I know in other weekends there's been as many as 10 people at the classes. It's a really lovely, peaceful setting--quiet, with lots of shade from all the trees, and the weather has been great so for someone who doesn't love to work out, it made for a nice morning.

Go gentle to the park where the wild birds sing and the grass sings gently in the summer breeze…read more Relax your spirit while sitting peacefully among the friendly plants and sheltering trees. This jewel, nay, this talisman of the city, will spellbind you with a different energy.

this park is beautiful in summer & now that its fall the rich odor and colors are coming through…read more so what can you say negative about it? some of the teens who frequent it feel its ok to do recreational drugs meet their friends for a makeout session--- dogs are free to poo and then you see people lay down on a blanket with bottles of wine cheese & crackers----- groups collect on the gazebo---of 7 or more ppl---bring alcohol & food for parties---- but the parks beauty still remains-------until you come the next day and see trails trampled thru the grasses and flowers where kids hide their stashes. i was accepted there at first. but after a day of work i look a might dirty and open an ice cold beer to relax....i mean others do it----------but i dont look yuppy. but i grew up in a house my architect father designed & received rewards for and was in quite a few magazines---including architectual digest!!!! AND house & gardens and used me for a mini model. so when you see me in the park and i am dirty---its because i am trying to work & not beg---------because of health probs i cant commit to even 4 hrs a day. i like ppl & love dogs----to date my favorite is NACHO......a wonderful dog. i try to respect the park but am no longer allowed there. for those who were friendly---thanks. others werent so nice...& judged me by my looks. I am not homeless. Just dont live as fancy as i did when i was small. anna

Kirsten (the instructor) was FANTASTIC to work with! Communicative, patient, friendly, flexible…read more(with scheduling, skill level, etc.) - inspiring. We are so grateful we got to meet and learn from her!

Just got back from Chicago stand up paddle boarding and honestly had a really fun time. I went to…read morethe diversity harbor location as most of the beaches continue to be closed due to COVID. The view and paddle boarding towards the city is quite scenic and it is cool to be able to merge the thundering city with being on the water. It is right next to a public park so there are many people walking, biking, and having picnics which is also a nice sight, however, on the other side of the park is a highway so that takes away from some of the scenery. There are not great parking instructions on the website but we managed to find a spot hero nearby which was pretty easy. Booking a same-day reservation was not a hassle and you simply fill out a liability waiver on the phone once you get there. I was not super sure about how clean the rented equipment was which could be a concern for some people right now, otherwise the rental process was easy. Some other concerns I had were that they give you a box to store your belongings in, but the box is just sitting out in the back of a trailer and I am not sure how well guarded they were. There is also a very low bridge that I had to lay down to go under, and while I thought it was a fun little challenge others may think of it as a nuisance. Overall, good way to paddle board near the city.

I love this event, 8K IS THE BEST DISTANCE. No notes. Afternoon/evening time is my best time to…read morerun, too! Keep it going/bring it back!!

Bastille Day Run....how we meet again. The first time was in…read more2009. I just had adopted a new cat a couple of hours before, and the only thing I remember pretty clearly was getting sick in a trash can around mile 2. Yeah...good times... And speaking of good times, I wonder who came up with the slogan of the race this year (or is it every year? Not sure. I shall "invetigate") but that was a job poorly done in my humble opinion. Not that it's an easy job, and you surely don't have to please everyone. But still. First of all, using New Orleans motto to promote something as quintessentially French as Bastille Day is a bit of a faux-pas...that's about as appropriate as drinking Earl Grey on the Fourth of July, eating General Tsao chicken for Cinco de Mayo or giving out chocolate rabbits for Christmas. But then, think about it for two seconds. Even if you are not an expert in the language, you probably know that "Laissez les bons temps rouler" literally means "Let the good times roll." Kind of a, um, weird choice to celebrate the opening of one of the bloodiest times of French history. Unless your idea of a "good time" is to make heads roll. Personally, I think the Queen of Hearts has it best: "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!" Otherwise, the event itself was rather nice. Small in size, perfectly located for an evening run, free beer, music...good times indeed. But still.