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I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by Minh on March 2, 2011 at 10:05am
Guess it's time to dust off the flannel shirt and portable cd-player. Might have to wait a while before wearing the aloha shirts and tracksuits

Davo said:
The 80's were last year. I feel the early 90's returniing. I can't wait for parachute pants.

Adam "Cezar" Jenkins said:
And thus the 80s return.

Minh said:

I've also noticed that hipster kids are now getting into rollerblading... seriously.

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on March 2, 2011 at 11:05am
The ride this morning was refreshing and it is true about more people out riding- I actually saw 5 riders this morning on my commute, where the past few months I was lucky to see 1 or 2 the entire way to work and back. I was seriously considering dropping my bike off at lunch at a shop to get it washed-although I do rinse off the road grime and salt when I get home, nonetheless, my poor bike is looking pretty grungy and gross from this winter.
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on March 2, 2011 at 11:07am
Yes. Killer frigid headwind from the north, but sunny and dry.
Permalink Reply by Amy Y on March 2, 2011 at 12:11pm

Today is my first official day this year back on bike commute!! I figured with the beautiful weather and just-tuned bike I should get back in the saddle.

 

I took the LFP from Roscoe st, which was good until Fullerton, where I had to go through the zoo parking lot. I tried to go back to LFP at LaSalle/North, but the path was pretty torn apart there as well and there were maintenance trucks on it so I went back and took State down to Chicago, where I tried to reenter the LFP but entrance was blocked, so I kept going and ended up on lower level Columbus and Walker - not a good place to be!! I tried to get out and being clueless in directions (that's another reason why I prefer LFP) I somehow end up in the Millenium Park underground parking lot. Finally I walked back to Randolph/Wacker and re-entered the bike path there. From there it was smooth sailing until I get off at Promontory point.  The commute today took me ~1 hr 40 min because of getting lost/detour, compared to the usual 1 hr 10 min at my normal commute speed. It was good that I biked at non-commute hours because LaSalle/North and Wacker/Columbus are usually pretty crazy. On the plus side, the areas outside of Fullerton-Randolph are in pretty good shape and I saw about 5 cyclists too.

 

Does anyone have suggestions for what to do between Fullerton and downtown? I'd love to know before my evening commute tonight! Thanks!!

 

Addendum: Is the area around Fullerton-North-Oak just a few chunks of pavement ripped off and I could just walk my bike over those, or is the entire path pretty torn and I'm better off seeking an alternate path?

Permalink Reply by Liz on March 2, 2011 at 12:23pm

When I was commuting between lakeview and downtown I would go down state street after lincoln park until deleware, then take Wabash the ramaining part into downtown (my office is on wabash) in the winter.  See the linked map for details. 

 

http://tinyurl.com/4lc44v8

 

I found Wabash to be a much better alternative to Deaborn, Clark or State street through the gold coast/streeterville area. You can easily get back on the lake front path at Monroe street, simply turn left down it.

 

This route is also a little better for protection against wind off the lake, if there's still a lot of wind, go down stockton instead of cannon since the park will act as a buffer.

 

Going North it would probably be easiest for you to exit the path at Grand, and take Rush st. North until it merges with state and then go through the park.

Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on March 2, 2011 at 12:43pm


Amy Y said:

Addendum: Is the area around Fullerton-North-Oak just a few chunks of pavement ripped off and I could just walk my bike over those, or is the entire path pretty torn and I'm better off seeking an alternate path?

 

 


There are only two streches of bad pavement (south of Fullerton, and between North and Oak) and they are both passable just by taking the bumps very slowly. Its really not worthwhile to exit the LFP just to avoid them. At Fullerton you can even take the dirt path to avoid it.
Permalink Reply by Holly on March 2, 2011 at 12:52pm

I went somewhere at 9 a.m. and froze. Suddenly, I've lost all interest in riding my bike around town today after having come in from a dog walk that felt absurdly cold to me. What's going on? Why am I feeling less psyched about riding now that we've seen the worst of it? Plus--it's so sunny out there! I should be thrilled about that.

 

Yesterday was fine, even though I got a flat. Today just feels so windy! Blargh! It's still winter. I'm so over it!

 

I parked on my porch today which tends to keep my bike riding habit in check. I think I'm putting it in the basement and driving. Don't hate me! I'm just not in the mood. (And, I know--I'd feel way better if I did ride, but I just want to listen to the radio and have a heater blowing on me. I'll regret this later, I'm sure.) 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on March 2, 2011 at 1:06pm
Please don't feel bad Holly, it is only 25-30 degrees out today which is still very cold. I admit sometimes I have my boyfriend drive me to the train or to work when it is too much for me to ride- too cold, too snowy, too icy, etc.  Taking a break isn't that bad and no one will hate you for it as it is your own personal decision. I just make sure that I get back to riding when I feel the urge again- which for me, is pretty quickly as I get cranky without my daily ride. But there is no shame in taking a break from riding, and sometimes it makes you appreciate riding the bicycle even more due to traffic and other drivers- I get very impatient in the car now...lol

Holly said:

I went somewhere at 9 a.m. and froze. Suddenly, I've lost all interest in riding my bike around town today after having come in from a dog walk that felt absurdly cold to me. What's going on? Why am I feeling less psyched about riding now that we've seen the worst of it? Plus--it's so sunny out there! I should be thrilled about that.

 

Yesterday was fine, even though I got a flat. Today just feels so windy! Blargh! It's still winter. I'm so over it!

 

I parked on my porch today which tends to keep my bike riding habit in check. I think I'm putting it in the basement and driving. Don't hate me! I'm just not in the mood. (And, I know--I'd feel way better if I did ride, but I just want to listen to the radio and have a heater blowing on me. I'll regret this later, I'm sure.) 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Liz on March 2, 2011 at 1:27pm

I honestly feel the same way today!! You are not alone.  Its cold, winter has been long and the wind sucks. 

 

This is the temperature range we are most likely to get hypothermia.  If you ride to your appointment, start sweating, and then walk around wet from the sweat you can began to chill yourself.  The addition of wind means our bodies are uninsulated and losing heat.  If you begin shivering, that is the first sign.  If your movements become slow and labored, and you find yourself confused you are expiencing moderate hypothermia. Wearing wool or synthetic materials can help remove moisture from the skin and provide good insulation. If you find yourself having symptoms, go somewhere warm, remove wet clothing, apply blankets and drink a warm beverage.   If symptoms persist seek medical help. 

Taking an imediate bath can actually overwhelm the cardiovascular system.  Try cuddling with someone else instead.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothermia/DS00333/DSECTION=symptoms


Holly said:

I went somewhere at 9 a.m. and froze. Suddenly, I've lost all interest in riding my bike around town today after having come in from a dog walk that felt absurdly cold to me. What's going on? Why am I feeling less psyched about riding now that we've seen the worst of it? Plus--it's so sunny out there! I should be thrilled about that.

 

Yesterday was fine, even though I got a flat. Today just feels so windy! Blargh! It's still winter. I'm so over it!

 

I parked on my porch today which tends to keep my bike riding habit in check. I think I'm putting it in the basement and driving. Don't hate me! I'm just not in the mood. (And, I know--I'd feel way better if I did ride, but I just want to listen to the radio and have a heater blowing on me. I'll regret this later, I'm sure.) 

 

 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on March 2, 2011 at 2:07pm

I feel the same way also, but I found a solution that saves thousands a year and immeasurable stress.

It involves selling something . . .

Permalink Reply by Amy Y on March 2, 2011 at 4:00pm
Thanks Liz! Very helpful. Will definitely try that. On the way back I plan to just walk the bike path as I wouldn't be pressed for time and see how much damage there is along the whole path.

Liz said:

When I was commuting between lakeview and downtown I would go down state street after lincoln park until deleware, then take Wabash the ramaining part into downtown (my office is on wabash) in the winter.  See the linked map for details. 

 

http://tinyurl.com/4lc44v8

 

I found Wabash to be a much better alternative to Deaborn, Clark or State street through the gold coast/streeterville area. You can easily get back on the lake front path at Monroe street, simply turn left down it.

 

This route is also a little better for protection against wind off the lake, if there's still a lot of wind, go down stockton instead of cannon since the park will act as a buffer.

 

Going North it would probably be easiest for you to exit the path at Grand, and take Rush st. North until it merges with state and then go through the park.

Permalink Reply by Liz on March 2, 2011 at 4:32pm

No problem I would often take this route in the winter even when ice or road segments wheren't a problem since it does actually reduce the wind coming off the lake. 

 

It also makes a good alternate summer route home when the path gets clogged up in nice weather.

Amy Y said:

Thanks Liz! Very helpful. Will definitely try that. On the way back I plan to just walk the bike path as I wouldn't be pressed for time and see how much damage there is along the whole path.


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