L.A.T.E. Ride

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 11, 2005 3:45PM

Chicagoist's sports section is still a little bleary-eyed and sore as we drag ourself back into the Chicagoist offices today. While the rest of Chicagoist was no doubt downing their last few beverages of the evening, we were strapping on our bike helmet as we prepared for the 17th annual L.A.T.E Ride.

Chicagoist joined almost 10,000 other rides on a 22-mile ride through Chicago. The ride began in Grant Park at 1:30am, passing through Greektown, heading northwest up Elston and Kedzie, east along Foster and then back to Grant Park via the lakefront path. Chicagoist reached the finish line in time to watch the sunrise.

While Chicagoist had a fun-filled, mishap-free event, others weren't so lucky. For the second year in a row, we witnessed a nasty spill in exactly the same location -- a sharp S-curve just north of the Belmost Harbour access road. Last year, we had to detour through the grass as an ambulance loaded an injured rider. This year, we again saw a rider down and not moving while the rider's friends called on cell phones for help and to inform family. The combination of the sharp turn, the upcoming road, a drop-off to the east side of the path and very dark conditions at that curve have proven to be a recipe for disaster. Hopefully, next year the organizers will bring in temporary lighting for that spot.