Ninth Step Oktoberfest Almost-Century

No, this isn't about making direct amends to the people we've harmed whenever doing so is possible and won't injure them or others.

It's about riding to Three Floyds, and boosting our cognitive function and inhibiting peptide fibrillation and neurotoxicity, every month this year!

September is National Century Month, so this step is a century -- if you ride a little extra before or after. We meet between 9 and 9:30 at Intelligentsia Broadway to caffeinate. We then take Barry east and the lakefront trail south. Feel free to join up anywhere along the trail. Just let us know where so we can look for you.

28 miles to 18th Street Hammond. Take the South Shore Line home or ride another 7 to Three Floyds (the sixth-best brewery in the world is unfortunately still pickup-only) + 12 to Flossmoor Station = 47 miles. Take the Metra Electric home or ride another 23 to Imperial Oak Willow Springs + 7 to the 3rd annual Oak-toberfest at Imperial Oak Brookfield = 77 miles. Take the BNSF home or ride another 15 to Revolution Kedzie + 4 to the end at DryHop = 96 miles total. 15-18 mph. Bring money, government-issued ID, a lock, lights since we'll be out late, water and snacks to have en route, and panniers for beer you can't get in Chicago.

Online resources: Google map, cue sheet, South Shore Line schedule, Metra Electric train schedule, BNSF train schedule, Bikes on the South Shore Line, Bikes on the Metra, and, to save a minute at the start, the nifty online CCC waiver.

PS: I give these rides these names because I find them humorous in an ironic way. It's not my intent to make light of addictions, efforts to recover from addictions, or 12-step peer support groups like AA. If you're trying to drink in moderation, we'll support you. If you're trying to abstain, you may want to give this ride a pass.