The daily commute

I'd like to propose a new topic of discussion where we can relate interesting experiences about our commute to and from work. Here's my first entry: 

My bike commute is along the LFT from roughly Foster Ave to downtown and back along the same route.

On my ride home this evening, I passed a bunch of geese just south of Randolph, some of whom had the effrontery to be in the path as I was approaching. I quacked at them, as I normally do. I run into them frequently in this area.  One of them turned his head and looked in my direction. I felt vindicated.

Moments later, I passed a few police officers by the cul de sac at Randolph. I quacked at them too. One of them, who was talking on his cell phone, turned and looked toward me. I pedaled as fast as my little feet could turn the crank. Tense seconds passed, but I was able to get away with it without being stopped. I was lucky (this time). But believe me, I won't be foolish enough to pull that stunt again.

Just after that, I saw a guy with a plastic rear milk basket on his bike as I was reaching the river bridge, which had a 12 pack of Pabst in it. Now this is significant in relation to this article, which I had just read this morning. As I passed him, I told him I prefer Old Style. He turned his head toward me, but I didn't slow down to discuss our beer preferences, as I had other priorities to deal with at the time. 

As an aside, as I mentioned in a previous post, there's heavy construction equipment in DuSable Park and I noticed beams on the ground nearby that looked an awful lot like the superstructure meant to span the bridge for the expanded LFT over the river. I had to pinch myself. 

I swear on a stack of bibles (old testament) that everything stated above is true to the best of my recollection, your honor. 

The weather has turned brisk lately, and the days are getting shorter, making it harder to find the motivation to pedal into work. These true life stories, about life in the big city, make it a little easier.

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Permalink Reply by Ernesto Lube on October 15, 2018 at 3:53pm

Geese? You mean, Cobra Chickens?

Was the officer int he cul-de-sack... did he have a beard?

Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on October 15, 2018 at 4:55pm

You know, those geese, allegedly from up north, eh?

I'm sorry, but I don't get the beard reference. Hard to say, it was pretty dark by that time, but I doubt it, as I haven't seen many Chicago police officers wearing beards. (It might be against regulation, not sure.) 

Granted, I've still got a lot of work to do to, to bring myself up to speed on all this hipster vernacular, even though my lifestyle probably falls into that category. Fading hipsters, unite!

Permalink Reply by Ernesto Lube on October 16, 2018 at 12:49am

I rode by there around 5:37PM, saw an officer on a phone - he had a beard. The other one didn't. Because he must shave. 

Plenty of geese for goose tacos. 

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on October 16, 2018 at 5:37am

Article states, 'beards permitted in certain circumstances'. Bump card(health exemption). Religion, undercover, tactical. 

https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/beards/

Maybe he could have been a hip bike cop.

Goose beards:

http://www.outdoorcanada.ca/help-solve-the-mystery-of-the-bearded-c...

Permalink Reply by Ernesto Lube on October 16, 2018 at 9:58am

I think he was sheikh. 

Permalink Reply by David P. on October 17, 2018 at 3:39am

Sheikh Yerbouti?

Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on October 20, 2018 at 10:40am

Are geese tasty? Should we skip the traditional turkey dinners this holiday season and do Canadian geese instead? We actually gave up on turkey some years ago. The meat is too dry and not as tasty as a well cooked chicken. 

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on October 20, 2018 at 12:19pm

Permalink Reply by mike w. on October 20, 2018 at 2:35pm

i've heard that Canada geese are a bit gamey and greasy, and i believe that they are a protected migratory species, although the ones out my way don't seem to migrate -or at least don't seem to migrate very far.

Permalink Reply by Ernesto Lube on October 16, 2018 at 9:57am

Let's see what today brings. For sure, some pedestrians lost on the Dearborn bike lane, shoalers, cars on the bike lane, the crossing at Oak St. and Michigan Ave.

The latter I always cross on foot because I just immediately start walking as soon as I get the pedestrian signal... forcing cars who are running their red light/turning to stop and block Michigan Ave. Is that so bad?

The look of FUK and frustration on their faces when they think they have the right of way. Nope.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on October 17, 2018 at 5:00am

I often meet some friends on Wednesdays at 630 am at the Starbucks at Lincoln/Damen/Irving.  I ride  there from  Skokie. We ride down Damen to Wishbone near the late Harpo Studios. Wishbone is now closed and we will  eventually go to the new location in  the West  loop. Today we  met at the totem  pole and rode down the lake to breakfast at the Pittsfield Building.  The  lakefront was dramatic in  that  it  was  pitch  black and  the new routing was new  to me lit solely by my Nightrider. After  we met the sun was beginning to  rise on the mostly placid lake providing a beautiful  view  to our left as we rode down  to  the Randolph bike lane which  I  had  never  before used. 

Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on October 17, 2018 at 4:15pm

Agreed, my ride to work this morning, southbound along the LFT was terrific. I'm hoping we have a mild winter this year.  Winter riding is certainly more challenging, but it's also more rewarding. 

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