I have had the pleasure of being lost in Chicago a couple of times in a four wheeler. I'm 72 and have never lived inside the city limits. I can count the stoplights in our near by town on one hand and I avoid those when I can. I don't like sitting in traffic. We did enjoy our visits to Chicago.
And I forgot to ad while your trying to do the impossible you got some old A hole dispatcher chewing you out over a scratchy old garbled up Squak box Motorola short wave that is being relayed from the top of the Sears tower back to the garage on 3226 S Shields Ave Chicago Just a four min walk to the Chicago White Sox ball park
I'm so glad to see you're posting videos. I miss riding shotgun with you. However, I would much rather ride with you on a snowy mountain highway than in downtown Chicago. You did great but I'm a nervous wreck.
Wow, what an exciting ride. Your skills at driving these difficult situations never cease to amaze me. I had no idea Chicago was so big and so busy. Thanks for recording this video.
Two videos in two days! Glad to see your videos. It's been 40+ years, since I was in Chicago. What a mess. It was nice to see part of downtown. Glad you were able to get back to park for the night. Normally, we see you driving on highways and smaller roads, no matter the weather. It was nice to see something different. Thank you! Can't wait to see the next one!
Old Chi-Town, Chicago, Chicago my Old/very old home town, I left Chicago in April of 1968 several months after I got out of the Army my first stint. I left there and never looked back because I found that there were other places in the USA that were so much more nicer.
Hey Mike good to see another video.they have been getting few and far between. Please add more videos if you can I like watching yours better than any of the other trucker videos. Keep up the good work and stay safe you guys are the lifeline of this country
In the winter of 2006, I got my trainer and myself into Chicago, and we got off on Upper Wacker Dr, and did our business. He took over attempting to get us out of Chicago, but because of construction and a detour, we ended up going the exact same way you drove through the tunnel. Lucky for us, a police officer escorted us out of the mess we were in....Great video and fun riding with you sir. Stay safe out there....
From the moment of realization that you were innocently heading to Lower Wacker Drive, to the moment you finally emerged in the sun, this drive was more nerve-wracking than any thriller I've ever watched lol
Oh my gosh Mike ! That was pure torture ! Can’t imagine what it was like for you ! I enjoyed your trip hopefully we can see your delivery 🚚? Your driving skills are outstanding!
You took Lower Wacker Express, which saved you time. Upper Wacker local has lights at every street. When you exited Wacker onto Michigan Avenue (left with buses) and crossed over the bridge (lake on the right)…. The second building on left after bridge is the building they show as Bob Hartley’s office building on the old Bob Newhart show. How you navigated Chicago streets in the afternoon is amazing. Keep posting please.
Canadian here…I drove across the country with my friend following behind in a separate car. Heading into Chicago just like the beginning of your video, I took an exit. I have no clue why but I remember watching my friend continue along over the bridge. This was at the dawn of cell phones so it wasn’t an easy fix. I decided I should stop, find something, some kind of landmark, and park my butt. If I’m recalling correctly, I found an abandoned (could have been just closed) purple motel(?) and ya know what? 45 minutes later, we were back on track!
Good job Mike! Glad to see some posts from you, miss them so much! Was in Chicago ( midway airport ) today. The traffic there especially daylight hours is awful, you’re a real pro for sure!
I remember smoking joints down there on "lower wacker" as a Bike Messenger, I would deliver mail and packages all over the city. Good old days.. . . In all my time on the job I never saw a semi downtown underground lol. Well done sir
Well that was a surprise. I had no idea about the roadways in Chicago. We have a few underground roads/tunnels and lots of heavy traffic here in the northeast . I couldn't believe you were taking us into the city because we all know you like those empty highways. You really did a fine job with only one outburst. Like many others here, I m glad to be along. Ty MMM. God Bless You
Awesome video I also was entertained by your low clearance adventure . Be advised that due to re paving occasionally the actual clearance may vary . My father sold semi trucks on Pershing Rd I can recall a low clearance that would would open at least a trailer per day sometimes several . So visiting Chicago and taking the clearance signs to be accurate can make your day wildly more interesting than you planned .
mike ive been watching you since the beginning and i neeeeevvvvvveeerrr thought youd make a video in dt chicago, let alone lower wacker drive. sheesh it takes patience
G'Day Mr Pierce AKA 'Mountain Man Mike' it's fantastic to have you post again. I have the 2 most recent ones to watch. Looking forward to a quiet moment todo just that. Thank you. Much appreciated. Missed you for months....
I love your videos. The winter keeps me on the edge. But driving in Chicago? This was the most intense and funniest videos I’ve seen you do. You are always so calm and patient but this one seem to bring out a little different side of you. Thanks for the laugh. It’s hard to not loose your cool in that area.
From OHara airport 94 East 24 miles to Indiana line 4 hrs Friday rush hr. How did you get sucked in to that load/delivery😂. First time ever I’ve seen you rattled. Calm in mountain blizzard but Chicago will make a man out of you!!!!🇺🇸😎
I’m from Chicago and watch your channel. You were WAY off the reservation 😂! Miracle you didn’t get a ticket for taking a semi on Michigan Ave and lower Wacker. There actually is a lower-lower Wacker, that would have been fun!
Mike, I've driven through Chi town half a dozen times in a car and HATED it with a passion. I admire your patience and only one f-bomb. I'd have dropped twenty plus. Thanks for sharing and hope you made it out with an intact rig.
As someone who lives a couple hours from Chicago, I can say I absolutely hate driving there. Chicago and Atlanta are the two cities that if driving through them I make someone else do the driving if possible.
i have a lot of respect for urban truck drivers, it's a hard job. I imagine you need truck only directions in chicago. I think this is why chicago deliveries happen at 5am .
My compliments to you on driving in Chicago downtown with the rig! I've been riding shotgun with you for quite a few years, and I've never seen you in this area before. I live about one hundred miles out where it's quiet. You can have Chicago. I'll get back in and ride as soon as you get back out. lol. Enjoy and be safe Michael!!
Good to see you alive and kickin. Oh man - Chicago would not be my first choice of cities to be in. That is one ugly underground mess. Am I imagining things, or were you the only semi-truck downtown? Lots of busses but no other big trucks downtown, just on the actual freeway. Anywho, stay alert, stay safe and keep on trucking.
But Chicago is so beautiful, people enjoying the nice weather, the hustle and bustle. If your from Chicago you love Chicago. Go ahead and que Frank Sinatra’s “Chicago”.
#140 Thank You, Mike! This was a very challenging drive that required all your skill sets. I would rather drive the Million Dollar Highway, south, than Chicago! I sure hope your delivery made you plenty of money.
I’m literally sitting in a chair right of Wacker Drive right now. Thanks for the video tour. We’re a long way from Tennessee today. Not really my kind of town. But neat to see you pave the way for my trip this week.
I'm a fan or your fair weather treks through the mountains but this one caught me right off. My backhauls from the east coast often went to the windy city... your trial today surpassed my memories... Back then it was trying to get under the elevated commuter trains that ringed the city... coming out the trailer would sit higher. I'd heard of some places that would leave a forklift in there to get drivers under a nearby underpass. I don't wonder your throat was dry as you made your escape. You must have wished you were cruising through a mountain pass as you passed under Chicago. Really good driving.
I’m from Chicago and your do-in good my frand. I would drive in the city with a car and it was not good. Most people living in the suburbs haven’t been in the city for years. You better takeoff early tomorrow, be there before 6 Am & you’ll be good.
On the edge of my seat. Only been in downtown Chicago twice in my life. Both times on charter buses, no desire to go back again. I'll take the mountain passes in a snowstorm before Chicago. I actually live only 4 hours from Chicago. Thanks for the "interesting" ride.
Grew up in the Chicago area and commuted to the city for a few years. You develop a take no prisoners driving style or you won't get anywhere. Took me a while to get rid of it, but once I get back in a city environment the instincts start creeping in again. Can't imagine making that drive in a semi. I actually wonder if you were legal as back in the day they had a lot of truck restrictions. I believe lower wacker is specifically for truck deliveries for those businesses on wacker
Great vlog, its amazing how they all want to be in front of the truck, even when they are taking the next exit, complete Wallies, 2 vlogs over 2 days great. regards John
Thank you for the very entertaining adventure driving the streets and undergrounds of Chicago. The one time I visited there I became lost on the Wacker. It's a wonder I survived and your trip sure gave me some chuckles. You are da man..
lol, I actually lived/worked in Chicago for two years. Drove those exact roads daily. The traffic is as you have shown, a "nightmare" and it's daily, you live in your vehicle!...can you imagine that "chit" in the winter!!!...you do "adjust", adapt, you are forced to. Downtown Chicago is desirable, unlike Detroit!. Great food, restaurants, bars, pubs, stores, it actually becomes "fun". Great baseball relating to Wrigley Field, Soldier Field is "challenging" being the climate. Many of the interstates have tolls, another nightmare, then there is the airport, or O'Hare, which is a city in itself and the surrounding interstates....again, you "adapt" and learn...
What! I did not know Chicago had all of this, what a nightmare. Just watching all this made my anxiety go over the top. You have more patience than most, hope it all ended well. OMG.
Hey Mike, just texted my brother in Arkansas and asked him if he had ever drove his semi thru underground and on the streets of downtown Chicago and he told it IS NOT FUN. Kansas City is the same way..underground. He is retired..turning 70 in June and I am 68. Love retirement!!!!!
Watching you go under those bridges was harrowing. Definitely a change of pace.
Glad to see you posting.
I've lived in Chicago all my life, which is 75 years. Your adventure on Lower Wacker was very funny. We all hate the CTA buses, tho. Great episode!
I have had the pleasure of being lost in Chicago a couple of times in a four wheeler. I'm 72 and have never lived inside the city limits. I can count the stoplights in our near by town on one hand and I avoid those when I can. I don't like sitting in traffic. We did enjoy our visits to Chicago.
Bad enough to drive a regular car in the Loop and on the expressways with all the traffic and people, can't imagine doing it in a semi
😅😅 I’ve been here and done this in Cleveland once, never again and NY too.
Worked downtown for 20 years . Retired in 1987. worked for AT&T at 1 North Wacker, 10 South Canal.
And I forgot to ad while your trying to do the impossible you got some old A hole dispatcher chewing you out over a scratchy old garbled up Squak box Motorola short wave that is being relayed from the top of the Sears tower back to the garage on 3226 S Shields Ave Chicago Just a four min walk to the Chicago White Sox ball park
I'm so glad to see you're posting videos. I miss riding shotgun with you. However, I would much rather ride with you on a snowy mountain highway than in downtown Chicago. You did great but I'm a nervous wreck.
I'm a nervous wreck too! 😬 Felt my BP climbing steadily.
Wow this was somehow more intense than the wintertime drives. City semi driving.
My thoughts, too.
I would rather be on any Colorado pass in the winter then that mess downtown!!
No. "Big" city semi driving 😂
Wow, what an exciting ride. Your skills at driving these difficult situations never cease to amaze me. I had no idea Chicago was so big and so busy.
Thanks for recording this video.
Chiraq sucks in a big truck... LOTS of low underpasses!
It's the most congested city in North America and the 2nd most congested in the world. He was lucky. I've seen way worse traffic in Chicago
We don’t compete with New York for no reason.
Especially during rush hour . It's crazy
How did you not know Chicago was so big?
Semi Truck driving in Downtown Chicago is like flying Helicopter in the Livingroom!🤪🚛🇺🇲
I lift my Hat Mike!🤠👍🚛🇩🇪
Two videos in two days! Glad to see your videos. It's been 40+ years, since I was in Chicago. What a mess. It was nice to see part of downtown. Glad you were able to get back to park for the night. Normally, we see you driving on highways and smaller roads, no matter the weather. It was nice to see something different.
Thank you! Can't wait to see the next one!
"I don't need no stinking GPS" -signed Mike
Old Chi-Town, Chicago, Chicago my Old/very old home town, I left Chicago in April of 1968 several months after I got out of the Army my first stint. I left there and never looked back because I found that there were other places in the USA that were so much more nicer.
Hey Mike good to see another video.they have been getting few and far between. Please add more videos if you can I like watching yours better than any of the other trucker videos. Keep up the good work and stay safe you guys are the lifeline of this country
OMGosh! No words. I'm a country girl and will remain that way.
In the winter of 2006, I got my trainer and myself into Chicago, and we got off on Upper Wacker Dr, and did our business. He took over attempting to get us out of Chicago, but because of construction and a detour, we ended up going the exact same way you drove through the tunnel. Lucky for us, a police officer escorted us out of the mess we were in....Great video and fun riding with you sir. Stay safe out there....
From the moment of realization that you were innocently heading to Lower Wacker Drive, to the moment you finally emerged in the sun, this drive was more nerve-wracking than any thriller I've ever watched lol
Oh my gosh Mike !
That was pure torture !
Can’t imagine what it was like for you ! I enjoyed your trip hopefully we can see your delivery 🚚? Your driving skills are outstanding!
You've got skills my friend. I drove a semi through Chicago for 3 years And never knew the underground was there wow
You took Lower Wacker Express, which saved you time. Upper Wacker local has lights at every street. When you exited Wacker onto Michigan Avenue (left with buses) and crossed over the bridge (lake on the right)…. The second building on left after bridge is the building they show as Bob Hartley’s office building on the old Bob Newhart show. How you navigated Chicago streets in the afternoon is amazing. Keep posting please.
thats the first semi at the end that i saw the whole time you were driving downtown you were the only one..
Good ol downtown Chicago it's a good challenge a big rig. I hope to meet you in person someday. Thanks for the video
Canadian here…I drove across the country with my friend following behind in a separate car. Heading into Chicago just like the beginning of your video, I took an exit. I have no clue why but I remember watching my friend continue along over the bridge. This was at the dawn of cell phones so it wasn’t an easy fix. I decided I should stop, find something, some kind of landmark, and park my butt. If I’m recalling correctly, I found an abandoned (could have been just closed) purple motel(?) and ya know what? 45 minutes later, we were back on track!
Glad you posted this. What a ride, I think I stoped breathing a couple of times.
Good job Mike! Glad to see some posts from you, miss them so much! Was in Chicago ( midway airport ) today. The traffic there especially daylight hours is awful, you’re a real pro for sure!
I remember smoking joints down there on "lower wacker" as a Bike Messenger, I would deliver mail and packages all over the city. Good old days.. . . In all my time on the job I never saw a semi downtown underground lol. Well done sir
Yeah, lower wacker was a low key spot even along the river before it became the river walk with tons of tourists now.
Thanks Mike! Lots of fun watching someone else drive these roads 😜 Kudos to your skills and patience!
Well that was a surprise. I had no idea about the roadways in Chicago. We have a few underground roads/tunnels and lots of heavy traffic here in the northeast . I couldn't believe you were taking us into the city because we all know you like those empty highways. You really did a fine job with only one outburst. Like many others here, I m glad to be along. Ty MMM. God Bless You
Wow - two videos in one day - aren't we so lucky!
YES!!!!
Glad your back, missed your videos. Hope you keep recording your trips
Glad to see you posting again!
Awesome video I also was entertained by your low clearance adventure .
Be advised that due to re paving occasionally the actual clearance may vary .
My father sold semi trucks on Pershing Rd I can recall a low clearance that would would open at least a trailer per day sometimes several .
So visiting Chicago and taking the clearance signs to be accurate can make your day wildly more interesting than you planned .
mike ive been watching you since the beginning and i neeeeevvvvvveeerrr thought youd make a video in dt chicago, let alone lower wacker drive. sheesh it takes patience
I'm from the Chicago area and your video just reminded me as to why I no longer live there. That traffic! Ugh.
G'Day Mr Pierce AKA 'Mountain Man Mike' it's fantastic to have you post again. I have the 2 most recent ones to watch. Looking forward to a quiet moment todo just that. Thank you. Much appreciated. Missed you for months....
Hellp Mike, good to see you back, and that was an awsome ride . Be safe and take care.
what a mess, glad it was me riding with you and not having to drive it. take care
WOW are we ever out of your element , Country Road's take us home to the place we belong !
you had me on the edge of my chair on this one.🥺.Take care 👍✌
I love your videos. The winter keeps me on the edge. But driving in Chicago? This was the most intense and funniest videos I’ve seen you do. You are always so calm and patient but this one seem to bring out a little different side of you. Thanks for the laugh. It’s hard to not loose your cool in that area.
Sooooo glad you're back letting us Ride Shotgun again !!! Been missing these trips !!!
This is the stuff of nightmares 😳
THANK YOU! That's me in Chi-town. Never get it right. It IS a skill...you did great! Spoiled in the Spgs now...Denver is cake, too!
From OHara airport 94 East 24 miles to Indiana line 4 hrs Friday rush hr. How did you get sucked in to that load/delivery😂. First time ever I’ve seen you rattled. Calm in mountain blizzard but Chicago will make a man out of you!!!!🇺🇸😎
That’s a hell of a place for a mountain man to be ! But ya done good .
Welcome to my hometown - Chicago, IL!
Cool..a Bonus video..much appreciated Mike..hope there's a Part 2..lol
I’m from Chicago and watch your channel. You were WAY off the reservation 😂! Miracle you didn’t get a ticket for taking a semi on Michigan Ave and lower Wacker. There actually is a lower-lower Wacker, that would have been fun!
Yea, I was like he’s on Michigan with that semi get off before the police see you. Lol
Nav systems can have problems with satellite reception in high rise urban environments and absolutely in tunnels.
Chicago has 3 underground levels. You were in the 1st
Enjoyed this! Liked the f-bomb
you just made me appreciate even more being retired from that 😅🤣😂 some scenes from The blues brothers was filmed on lower wacker Mike
Hello, Mt Mike,No time no see, I appreciate you, thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts
My blood pressure is up just watching. Great job of navigating the streets though
13:46 you are currently on Lower wacker st 2.2 miles long ..scary 😊maybe you should try deep dish pizza 🍕 it’s awesome
Sweet Home Chicago!!! Said no one ever! I live 35 miles SW of the city and i have never been on lower Wacker!!
Welcome back‼️‼️I miss hearing the semi’s engine. And your narration - its fun to ride shotgun,,
🍭SWEET🍭MERCY!!! You just aged me 20 years son!
Awesome, another one . Ii really enjoy your videos. I hope you're doing fine. Stay safe and God Bless.
Thanks, Mike! That was awesome. Loved the ride through Lower Wacker Drive; always wanted to see that place. What a great view you gave me!😀
I always love getting a delivery to a town that is full of no trucks-allowed streets; it gets interesting, to say the least, cops really love you
My anxiety level would be off the charts!!!
Mike, I've driven through Chi town half a dozen times in a car and HATED it with a passion. I admire your patience and only one f-bomb. I'd have dropped twenty plus. Thanks for sharing and hope you made it out with an intact rig.
As someone who lives a couple hours from Chicago, I can say I absolutely hate driving there. Chicago and Atlanta are the two cities that if driving through them I make someone else do the driving if possible.
Hello there glad to see that you are back. I miss seeing your videos. Watching you from Jamaica 🇯🇲.
2:46, I still refer to that building as the John Hancock building
i have a lot of respect for urban truck drivers, it's a hard job. I imagine you need truck only directions in chicago. I think this is why chicago deliveries happen at 5am .
My compliments to you on driving in Chicago downtown with the rig! I've been riding shotgun with you for quite a few years, and I've never seen you in this area before. I live about one hundred miles out where it's quiet. You can have Chicago. I'll get back in and ride as soon as you get back out. lol. Enjoy and be safe Michael!!
Good to see you alive and kickin.
Oh man - Chicago would not be my first choice of cities to be in. That is one ugly underground mess. Am I imagining things, or were you the only semi-truck downtown? Lots of busses but no other big trucks downtown, just on the actual freeway.
Anywho, stay alert, stay safe and keep on trucking.
But Chicago is so beautiful, people enjoying the nice weather, the hustle and bustle. If your from Chicago you love Chicago. Go ahead and que Frank Sinatra’s “Chicago”.
Saw one other semi down there the entire video...two brave souls
Cool Carm and Collected !!!
Great job Mike
Bonus. Thanks again for posting. Hope your well. :-) Space trucking...(Deep Purple) lol
I thought it was bad enough on the roads in the UK, but that beats the lot, you did so well to get out of Chicago like you did,
The Blues Brothers had no problems with lower Wacker Drive, although the Chicago PD and the Cook County Sheriffs and the Illinois State Patrol did!!
#140 Thank You, Mike! This was a very challenging drive that required all your skill sets. I would rather drive the Million Dollar Highway, south, than Chicago! I sure hope your delivery made you plenty of money.
He is back 🙌🏾 I thought something happened to him glad he is back
Wow downtown Chicago and a few days later you were out west wow😂peace!
I’m literally sitting in a chair right of Wacker Drive right now. Thanks for the video tour. We’re a long way from Tennessee today. Not really my kind of town. But neat to see you pave the way for my trip this week.
Cool stepped away and this pops up
I need to get to work eh.. lol. On videos that is.
I'm a fan or your fair weather treks through the mountains but this one caught me right off. My backhauls from the east coast often went to the windy city... your trial today surpassed my memories... Back then it was trying to get under the elevated commuter trains that ringed the city... coming out the trailer would sit higher. I'd heard of some places that would leave a forklift in there to get drivers under a nearby underpass. I don't wonder your throat was dry as you made your escape. You must have wished you were cruising through a mountain pass as you passed under Chicago. Really good driving.
I’m from Chicago and your do-in good my frand. I would drive in the city with a car and it was not good. Most people living in the suburbs haven’t been in the city for years.
You better takeoff early tomorrow, be there before 6 Am & you’ll be good.
After 9PM downtown is a host town.
rather ride in the Canyons of Colorado than those of Chicago.....
All I can say is you did a great job. Never been to Chicago driving. Have a good night, and hope everything works out for tomorrow.😊😊😊😊
Thank you for the ride!
Great video I've never seen chi downtown at street level buildings are bigger then i.thought
Well hello mountain man mike. Sure have missed my shotgun rides.
This is so exciting! There are still square holes and steel plates! Some things never change!
Glad to see you’re having so much fun
Welcome to Chicago! , it's built by and for truckers, but navigate it - it is a hell
LOL you were certainly the duck out of water in this one. Mountain Man Mike in the City. You dealt with it pretty well.
For a city that relies on trucks to survive there wasn't many of them.
On the edge of my seat. Only been in downtown Chicago twice in my life. Both times on charter buses, no desire to go back again. I'll take the mountain passes in a snowstorm before Chicago. I actually live only 4 hours from Chicago. Thanks for the "interesting" ride.
Love the channel man. GFYM come on back.
Grew up in the Chicago area and commuted to the city for a few years. You develop a take no prisoners driving style or you won't get anywhere. Took me a while to get rid of it, but once I get back in a city environment the instincts start creeping in again. Can't imagine making that drive in a semi. I actually wonder if you were legal as back in the day they had a lot of truck restrictions. I believe lower wacker is specifically for truck deliveries for those businesses on wacker
Glad to see you survived, Mike. Keep on truckin'...
Great vlog, its amazing how they all want to be in front of the truck, even when they are taking the next exit, complete Wallies, 2 vlogs over 2 days great. regards John
Mad skills mountain mike.
Oh lordy that was intense awesome driving…..I enjoy the mountains much more less stressful. Be safe 🍻
Thank you for the very entertaining adventure driving the streets and undergrounds of Chicago.
The one time I visited there I became lost on the Wacker. It's a wonder I survived and your trip sure gave me some chuckles. You are da man..
Underground. What fun. I remmbr when you were wondering around in the salt mines.
Buen Camino~
At least you had good weather, Mike. Nice to see the construction zone is gone. Can you imagine driving downtown during a storm?
lol, I actually lived/worked in Chicago for two years. Drove those exact roads daily. The traffic is as you have shown, a "nightmare" and it's daily, you live in your vehicle!...can you imagine that "chit" in the winter!!!...you do "adjust", adapt, you are forced to. Downtown Chicago is desirable, unlike Detroit!. Great food, restaurants, bars, pubs, stores, it actually becomes "fun". Great baseball relating to Wrigley Field, Soldier Field is "challenging" being the climate. Many of the interstates have tolls, another nightmare, then there is the airport, or O'Hare, which is a city in itself and the surrounding interstates....again, you "adapt" and learn...
What! I did not know Chicago had all of this, what a nightmare. Just watching all this made my anxiety go over the top. You have more patience than most, hope it all ended well. OMG.
thanks 4 the ride from liberty ky pops
Hey Mike, just texted my brother in Arkansas and asked him if he had ever drove his semi thru underground and on the streets of downtown Chicago and he told it IS NOT FUN. Kansas City is the same way..underground. He is retired..turning 70 in June and I am 68. Love retirement!!!!!