The Chainlink

I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

Views: 138536

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Barish on March 6, 2013 at 12:45pm

Setting aside the dialogue above, I feel that grates on metal bridges are more important than the lane itself.  I have gotten along just fine without protected bike lanes for many years.  Bridges without grates are a hazard.  Many years ago a fellow rider started riding the sidewalk on the Wells St. Bridge at a time before the grates were put in.  He called it "the intended user route" in reference to the Boub court decision which promised him and I no protection against the City of Chicago.  The grates got us back off the sidewalk.  I completely understand why marked and protected lanes help especially with novice riders and kids. However, for me, putting in the grates and keeping the roads in decent condition are much more important factors for my well-being and safety.

That being said, Adam, your important point loses a bit of its vitality with repetition ad infinitum. We all know how you feel, and many of us agree.  If you continue to preach you annoy the choir. We are on the same side.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Sue Clark on March 6, 2013 at 1:07pm

Oh yay, kerfuffle. Where's the popcorn?

I haven't had too many problems on the open-grate bridges until yesterday. The Halsted bridge was pretty slick last night, and I skipped Dearborn this morning and took Clark instead.

Permalink Reply by Adam Kitzmann on March 6, 2013 at 1:25pm

+1. The grates (aside for traffic) are the most dangers aspect of riding in the city IMO. During the winter they go from being hazards to being damn near life threatening. I really hope the city can do something about that. As far as bike lanes go, what can be said on The Chainlink that hasn't already be said and argued over 1000 times already. 

David Barish said:

Setting aside the dialogue above, I feel that grates on metal bridges are more important than the lane itself.  I have gotten along just fine without protected bike lanes for many years.  Bridges without grates are a hazard.  Many years ago a fellow rider started riding the sidewalk on the Wells St. Bridge at a time before the grates were put in.  He called it "the intended user route" in reference to the Boub court decision which promised him and I no protection against the City of Chicago.  The grates got us back off the sidewalk.  I completely understand why marked and protected lanes help especially with novice riders and kids. However, for me, putting in the grates and keeping the roads in decent condition are much more important factors for my well-being and safety.

That being said, Adam, your important point loses a bit of its vitality with repetition ad infinitum. We all know how you feel, and many of us agree.  If you continue to preach you annoy the choir. We are on the same side.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on March 6, 2013 at 1:45pm

Not necessarily. A lot of people here chose to stop riding Dearborn until conditions improve. How are they supposed to know that they have not improved if no one is talking about it?

David Barish said:

That being said, Adam, your important point loses a bit of its vitality with repetition ad infinitum. We all know how you feel, and many of us agree.  If you continue to preach you annoy the choir. We are on the same side.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Barclor on March 6, 2013 at 2:06pm

So, the question is "...did you?" The answer: Yes.

Here's some video of last night's commute home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4TR77B4Z8Q&feature=youtu.be

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on March 6, 2013 at 2:13pm

U da man.

Barclor said:

Here's some video of last night's commute home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4TR77B4Z8Q&feature=youtu.be

Permalink Reply by David Barish on March 6, 2013 at 2:15pm

As to how bad the conditions are...that is a judgement call and a personal opinion.  I don't see as large of an issue as you.  That being said, conditions are not great.  My problem with the lane is it is really slow. its not slow because of conditions. Its slow because of the reality of timing the lights etc.  I find that I stop almost every block.  Conditions are not great but are they really any worse than any other street?

At this point we have a titanic degree of thread drift. Sorry for my contribution. This would all be appropriate in the Dearborn thread.  Julie?  In any case, had the lane opened in Spring I think the public would have gotten used to it by the time Winter rolled around and things might be different as regards cabs, pedestrians etc. We all expect a greater volume of traffic in the lane during warmer weather. Insofar as loose snow etc, it sucks but its Winter.  Some of our complaining has done some good.  It seems some buildings are no longer, or at least less often, simply dumping snow in the lane. 

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on March 6, 2013 at 2:39pm

I come in on Clark (or Wells when the bridge work is done) and go out on Franklin/Orleans.  I find both better than Dearborn.  I've tried Dearborn southbound a couple times, never northbound.  I won't try it again until the plates are installed on the bridge.

I agree about the drift.  I went looking for the Dearborn thread yesterday but failed to find it.  Maybe I just didn't page back far enough.  Google to the rescue:

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/i-rode-dearborn-today-anyo...

The last comment was on Feb 28, so I imagine the popularity of the Chainlink has just caused it to drift down the discussion list.  I promise I will make no more comments here about the Dearborn PBL.  Scouts honor...


David Barish said:

Conditions are not great but are they really any worse than any other street?

...

This would all be appropriate in the Dearborn thread.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on March 6, 2013 at 3:51pm

I won a free Pedaling with a Purpose gift certificate from The Chainlink good for one training class with Kristen Meshberg. For multiple reasons I cannot take advantage of this wonderful offer, so I am re-gifting it to the first Chainlinker who says yes.

There are three locations with differing times for the class: Chicago, 2003 W. Fulton, First Floor, Wednesdays 7-8:30pm and Saturdays 9-11:30pm; Hinsdale, Hartley's Cycle Shop, 24 W Hinsdale, Ave, Thursdays 7:30-9pm and Sundays 8-10:30am; and Oak Park, Greenline Wheels, 105 S. Marion St., Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 am. You can view Kristen's blog-site for more information by clicking here.

Permalink Reply by spencewine on March 6, 2013 at 5:59pm

Awesome ride home. Turned onto Dearborn from Madison and hit every green bike until Kinzie. The lane was clear, Kinzie was clear, even the side streets in my hood were clear, which usually doesn't happen for a couple days after. Props to city.

Permalink Reply by Tim Heckman on March 6, 2013 at 9:54pm

Back on my bike for the first time since Friday, due to weather and some work issues.  Very happy to get six easy miles in...

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on March 7, 2013 at 8:59am

GREAT ride in this morning even though I had to stay on Milwaukee.  So glad to be back on the bike.  When I started pedaling, I just got this warm fuzzy feeling . . .

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service