bike the drive 2016

If my records are to be trusted (and I don't think that's something we can count on!), yesterday was our fourth time doing Bike the Drive (see also: 2008, 2011, and 2012). This time, though, was extra-special, because Liam came along for the ride! We had a gorgeous sunny, warm, slightly breezy day for it, and we really had a great time. We started with the north loop (we learned our lesson the one year we didn't because the north part is much hillier than the south part, so it's better to be fresh and energetic for it), and by the time we got to the first rest area at Bryn Mawr, Liam was saying he thought we should only do 15 miles and then call it a day. Luckily, they give out fruit and snacks at the rest areas, so he fortified himself with about a dozen mini muffins (seriously, he just kept eating them!) for the next segment back to Grant Park. And once we got there, he decided that maybe he could do the other half so he could have bragging rights. We had a test of will when he ran out of water on the third leg, but I gave him my water bottle and he decided to soldier on. At the bottom of the south loop, we relaxed for a while on the lawn at the Museum of Science and Industry (and Liam ate more mini muffins!), then we headed back north on the last and easiest segment of the ride. We had beautiful views of the city the whole way, and let me just tell you: Even after all this time, even having lived there for a decent chunk of my adult life, there will never come a day when I don't find Chicago gorgeous and exciting. Especially Lake Shore Drive. Having the lake on one side and the city on the other is really something special, and I'm so glad we got to share it with Liam this year. He says he's game to do it again next year, and Max thinks he might be ready to join us too. We can't wait!