Let’s be honest. Most of us can barely handle riding the CTA for more than 20 minutes, let alone a couple of hours. But Chicago newcomer Jack Brandtman took it upon himself to learn a little more about the transit system by completing the Chicago “L” challenge—a roughly NINE-HOUR undertaking—and documenting his journey on video. (Talk about commitment.)
The “L” challenge consists of consecutively visiting all 145 CTA rail stations in a single day without the use of private transport, meaning only public transportation, walking and running are allowed to get between stations.
The 28-year-old Lincoln Square resident moved to the city from Australia in mid-October. He spent nearly four days planning his route, using Google Maps and the CTA website to get aquainted with all the rail lines and stops.
“I ended up carrying a seven-page document that had all my transfer times on it with half an hour wiggle room on either side of it, just in case I missed a connection,” Brandtman said via email. “It was easier to have on hand than pulling it up on my phone.”
Brandtman started his journey at the Linden Purple Line station and ended at the Clark/Lake station, with a few minor setbacks along the way. It took 8 hours, 51 minutes for Brandtman to complete his trek, and it cost him only $10 in fares because he bought an unlimited rides, one-day Ventra pass.
Former RedEye transit reporter Tracy Swartz completed the same challenge in 2012; it took her 9 hours, 17 minutes.
“On my journey, my mind was opened to the sheer size of the city and the numerous multicultural neighborhoods of Chicago,” Brandtman said. “This was a unique experience of the city, and I want to encourage the people who live here to branch out and explore beyond their usual neighborhoods.”
@RianneCoale | rcoale@redeyechicago.com
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