BUCKTOWN — Who is using The 606 at 6:30 a.m. on a Monday? And, how long does it take to bike the entire length of the 2.7-mile-long path that runs through and above Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park?
Assuming you're not going too fast, it could take about 15 minutes, based on a bike trip I took between 6:22 - 6:37 a.m. Monday.
There were about 40 joggers, 30 walkers, 15 cyclists, four roller bladers and one skateboarder who were also enjoying the path with me early Monday.
My journey began at Walsh Park, 1722 N. Ashland Ave. in Bucktown/Wicker Park.
Walsh Park, eastern 606 Bloomingdale Trail ramp, 6:21 a.m. Monday (DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser)
The first interesting person I saw was a gray-haired man riding a Mork and Mindy-esque eggshell bike.
The man's unique bike looked sort of like this Cab-Bike, described as "a recumbent trike with a fully enclosed aerodynamic shell for comfortable riding in all weather conditions."
I was determined to get some exercise, plus if I stopped every time I saw someone or something unique, I'd never get an accurate gauge on how long it takes to bike the trail, so I continued on.
The next person of note was a very tired looking woman, possibly a grandmother, holding a newborn in a papoose-like pouch strapped to her chest. They were walking just west of Churchill Park.
Had the baby kept her up all night? Was the walk helping?
Also spotted were about 40 joggers, 15 cyclists, four roller bladers and 30 walkers, including several people with leashed dogs.
A city worker armed with a stick was scanning the ground and looking for trash to pick up.
There was just one lone skateboarder, a teenager with a pink skateboard.
Western Trailhead, 3750 W. Ridgeway on the Bloomingdale Trail, 6:37 a.m. Monday (DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser)
So there you have it, the 6:30 a.m. Bloomingdale Trail scene, much less crowded than the 3 p.m. commuter crowd or the opening weekend masses.
Pro tip: Be sure to go to the bathroom before you go, since there are no public restrooms on or off the trail.
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