Ninth Step 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 trying to ride to Three Floyds every month this year.

September is National Century Month, so this step is a century -- if you ride to and from the start, or if I work another 5 miles into the route.

We start by taking the lakefront trail south from the Clock Tower. You can join up anywhere along the trail. Just let me know where so we can look for you.

New beer since last time: War Mullet, a double IPA that makes you want to grow a mullet (if you don't already have one) and go to war (if you haven't already gone).

35 miles to Three Floyds + 10 miles to Flossmoor Station = 45 miles. Take the Metra Electic home or ride another 30 miles to Brixie's = 75 miles. Take the BNSF home or ride another 20 miles to Revolution, West Lakeview, and back to the clock tower = 95 miles. 15-18 mph. My goal is to get to Three Floyds before they open (at noon) so we don't have to wait as long to get in (it's the second-best brewery in the world, so sometimes there's a line). Bring money, a lock, water and snacks to have en route, panniers for beer you can't get in Chicago, and a light since we're staying out late.

Online resources: Google map (revised 9/24), cue sheet (revised 9/24), Metra Electric Flossmoor schedule, BNSF Brookfield schedule, Metra rules, and, to save us all a minute at the start, the nifty online CCC waiver.