The Chainlink

I Rode - Spring 2011

Gorgeous sunrise on LFP today.  So glad Spring is only a few days away!!!

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on April 14, 2011 at 6:25pm
Permalink Reply by April on April 14, 2011 at 6:41pm
Found a beautiful vintage wicker baker's basket at a yard sale on my way to work today.  I think riding a bike begets good karma!
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on April 14, 2011 at 7:25pm
I used to love/hate that ride.

envane x said:
27 mph going to work. 10 mph going back. The LFP giveth, and the LFP taketh away.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 14, 2011 at 10:33pm
wish I had taken my full fingered gloves today instead of regular riding gloves....
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on April 14, 2011 at 10:35pm
Love it.  Since I now have the most amazing fold up grocery rack on my Redline when I find stuff on my way I can actually carry it safely home!

April said:
Found a beautiful vintage wicker baker's basket at a yard sale on my way to work today.  I think riding a bike begets good karma!
Permalink Reply by April on April 14, 2011 at 10:40pm
I've got sunlite folding baskets on my rear rack. I got them last weekend. They are awesome.  I've gotten groceries with them and use them to carry my gear during my commute. It is so wonderful knowing I can carry stuff.  I'm going to put the "new" basket on my front rack as soon as I figure out a safe way to attach it so that it is secure and removable.  I'm thinking straps with buckles, any suggestions fellow bikers?    I second what Julie said about the gloves.  I was plenty warm on my ride thanks to my tights and wind breaker but my fingers were quite chilly.
Permalink Reply by Liz on April 15, 2011 at 9:58am
Took me 50 minutes to get to work this morning (normally 35), the Eastward slog down Division was painfully slow.
Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on April 15, 2011 at 11:37am

Angry Lake, grrr!

Permalink Reply by April on April 15, 2011 at 6:58pm
I had my first foul weather commute today (intentional that is, I got caught in a storm last summer).   It was quite an experience but I am glad I did it.  Now that I've started I don't want to think about going back on the train. Biking is so much freer. I think the rain must have let up quite a bit by the time I got started (5:15 or so) because I stayed fairly dry consider all I had in lieu of rain gear was a windbreaker. Is it just me or do drivers seem more aggressive in the rain?  It seemed like far too many were speeding up really close to me. Also I got honked at twice!  I took my husband's advice and brought a whistle.  It was great for getting people's attention through their steel cages. I work in Rosemont so I have to go through suburbia to get to my job.  In general it seems that suburban drivers are surprised by bikers even on beautiful days.  They seemed a little mad at me in the rain. Oh well I had fun.  I think the greatest challenge today was that wind.  I think you call it a headwind when it heading right towards you.  All I could think of was that song "running against the wind."  I had to really push it at times.  Michelle my bike is filthy after our adventure, I think I should probably go downstairs and give her a sponge bath! She has an internal hub and fenders, but still...keeping your bike clean is important right?   Well I'm having glass of wine right now and I am raising it to all you wonderful people who have been so very inspirational to me.  Salute Bike people!  Thank you!
Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on April 15, 2011 at 7:45pm

April, I enjoyed reading about your ride, and I am borrowing that great idea of your husbands!  I have always felt I wanted a car horn on my bike :), but a whistle will do.  Something tells me you will understand when I say that I am happiest on my bike and love my new found 58 year old passion! My commute right now is from River North to Truman College, Wilson/Broadway.  How about you?  and yes, gloves would have been great the other day:)

 

Michelle (a human)

Permalink Reply by April on April 15, 2011 at 8:05pm

Hello Michelle, the human.. (*grin*)  I think it so great to share our experiences and to be part of a community.  Biking could be a lonely activity but with all the wonderful people on chainlink, it never is.  I think about the great advice I have received and the stories of courage, endurance and discovery when I ride. 

That whistle is a powerful tool.  I stopped somebody from turning blindly into me and made it through a terrible construction zone at a bridge (Devon & Des Plaines Ave.).  My commute is west on Higgins to Talcott to Devon.  On the way home I vary it up my route with plenty of side streets to keep it interesting and to avoid rush hour suburban traffic. I live in Jefferson Park.  It is a little over six miles which I consider to be pretty moderate. 

I like biking on Wilson. I use it to get to Ginko Organic Gardens on Saturdays.  Wilson is such a lovely street, plenty to see, moderate traffic and the blessed bike line.  I have yet to do River North or Broadway though.  Are they nice?  I used google maps to find bike-friendlier routes and so far it has been very helpful. It is very nice to make your acquaintance. I look forward to hearing about your rides.

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on April 15, 2011 at 9:40pm
I love that stuff along the wall part of the lake. Funny how 4 miles (Humboldt park) vs 2 blocks (Edgewater) makes you miss out on all the LFP fun.

in it to win it said:

Angry Lake, grrr!

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