L.A.T.E. Ride 2012 Wrap-Up

Sunday as the sun was rising, riders who completed the Friends of the Parks’ L.A.T.E. Ride looked happy but tired. The ride began on Saturday night at 1 a.m. and wrapped up July 1 after a 25-mile ride through Chicago’s neighborhoods and along the lakefront. The route isn’t announced until the ride begins, but cyclists cruise the South Loop, Chinatown, Greek Town, Chicago’s historic “Emerald Necklace” of boulevards and parks, and then watch the sun rise over Lake Michigan.

View and listen to the performance

The riders crossed Lakeshore Drive and lined up for breakfast, taking pictures, enjoying the sunrise, and listening to the Beethoven Festival Orchestra. Artistic Director George Lepauw was on hand Sunday as the orchestra played, handing out flyers about the upcoming Beethoven Festival: Revolution 2012 from September 8-16, 2012 in Chicago. Lisa Dell, publicist for the group, noted that the clapping piece, was a composition by Steve Reich. The percussionists performed while the string players finished breakfast.

Organizers provide music, sponsor booths and refreshments before the ride, at the rest stop and at the end of ride. The ride starts and ends at Buckingham Fountain, and although it’s 25 miles, it’s flat except for bridges — doable for cyclists of all levels.