No, this isn't about trying, after having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, to carry any message to others, or to practice any principles in all our affairs.

It's about riding to Three Floyds and boosting our cognitive function every month this year! There's a somewhat consistent schedule -- usually the 4th Saturday of the month -- and you can qualify for the F-12 Award.

Note the later-than-usual start. After our pilgrimage to Three Floyds, we (or at least those of us not returning via Flossmoor Station) rock out with 18th Street at their 6 year anniversary celebration. The guest draft list is still growing, but Windmill, New Oberfalz, Off Square, Burn ‘Em, The Devil’s Trumpet, 3 Floyds, Pipeworks, Off Color, Sun King, Bare Hands, Speciation, and many others are pouring. Pale Horseman, Knight of the Round, and Dos Santos perform live. The celebration requires a $40 ticket (but the ride doesn't). The name on the ticket must match the government issued photo ID of the ticket holder. The celebration is cash only, 21+ only.

We meet between 10:30 and 11 at Intelligentsia Broadway to warm up and 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.

45 miles total if to return you ride to Flossmoor Station and take the Metra, 50 if you ride to 93rd and take the Metra or to 100th and take the J14, 55 if you ride to 71st and take the J14, 70 if you ride all the way. 14-17 mph. I prefer to get to Three Floyds before they open at 11:00 (they're the seventh-best brewery in the world, and the food, like the beer, is unapologetically in your face with flavor), but we won't this time, so we may have to wait in line. Bring money, government-issued ID, a lock, lights since the day is the almost-shortest of the year, water and snacks to have en route, and panniers for beer you can't get in Chicago.

Online resources: Google map, cue sheet, conversation about this ride, Metra Electric train schedules, Jeffrey Jump (J14) bus schedule, Bikes on the Metra, Bikes on the Bus, 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.