Favorite cycling moments

Do you have a favorite moment that you experienced while riding your bike?

Once I was riding along and looked out the corner of me eye, and right next to me was this bumble bee. It was just flying along right next to my head, same direction, same speed. So this bee, for several seconds, just appeared to be suspended in air. Really cool.

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Permalink Reply by Julia 3.5/7.5 mi on October 3, 2013 at 8:59am

I've been in grad school for a few months, and one of my recurring favorites is coming home from the loop, north on Elston around 9:30-10:00pm. With a crisp fall breeze at my back and businesses closed for the night, it's like the street was left just for me! I mostly commute during rush hour, so a calm, clear street is a treat to ride on!

Permalink Reply by Anne B. on October 3, 2013 at 2:11pm

So cool, maybe it is the same one! Certainly plenty of bunny prey up this way. 

Tim J, love your story! 

Ben Gray said:

I saw a coyote half heartedly chasing a rabbit at Lawrence and Paulina recently. Might be the same one.

Anne B. said:

I like your bee story, Mike! Nice idea for a post. 

Coming home late one night recently, there was a coyote in front of me on Damen.  This was right in Ravenswood. It turned left so I turned left - no one was around so I turned off my light for about half a block so as not to freak it out. Mid-block it looked over its shoulder, saw me and took off at a jog. Made my night! Healthy looking animal. 

Pulling up to my campsite the first time I bike camped was also pretty amazing.  

Oh, one more! Epic thunderstorm in 2010 and I took shelter under a freeway overpass for a bit. The acoustics there with the thunder and pouring rain were amazing. Then that area kind of flooded so a bus coming through kicked up a massive wave that I had to dodge. This all seemed to happen kind of slo-mo and was actually very fun. Then two good natured late teens guys rode through and I followed them out and they sang/chanted for the next few miles and we were all laughing and generally rejoicing in the extreme weather. 

Permalink Reply by Marcusn on October 3, 2013 at 3:40pm

Riding at around 10pm last fall on the McClory trail (up here in Lake Bluff) I was struck with natural awe (much like others here). I was pedaling northbound at about 15mph with my trusty NiteRider helmet mounted light, when I was suddenly approached (head-on) by a completely silent enormous owl --  which flew straight toward me about head high. It seemed like it lifted just over my helmet at the very last instant, and the NiteRider light lit up it's underside like I'll never forget. I've always counted owls among my favorite birds, and seeing one this close up, on my bike was truly unforgettable.

Permalink Reply by Anne B. on October 3, 2013 at 4:26pm

Even just imagining this scene is incredible! Damn! 

Marcusn said:

Riding at around 10pm last fall on the McClory trail (up here in Lake Bluff) I was struck with natural awe (much like others here). I was pedaling northbound at about 15mph with my trusty NiteRider helmet mounted light, when I was suddenly approached (head-on) by a completely silent enormous owl --  which flew straight toward me about head high. It seemed like it lifted just over my helmet at the very last instant, and the NiteRider light lit up it's underside like I'll never forget. I've always counted owls among my favorite birds, and seeing one this close up, on my bike was truly unforgettable.

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on October 3, 2013 at 4:54pm

Early this summer I was riding the North Branch Trail when it started pouring. It was very warm out and the rain was very heavy and cool which made it feel great. Everyone took shelter but I just kept riding getting the trail to myself and the feeling of being a little kid riding through a nonstop puddle. It was wonderful :)

Permalink Reply by sosathirteen on October 3, 2013 at 6:37pm

day trips up to skokie lagoon.

Permalink Reply by David P. on October 4, 2013 at 3:18am

Echo,

Love the Sanibel pics; I used to go there when I was a kid, as my grandparents lived/live in Ft. Myers. For something similar but different, I reeeeally recommend you go visit Cumberland Island on the GA coast. It is one of my favorite places in the world. Now or spring are the best times to go, August is awful.

echo said:

That is an awesome story!!! Oh that's just so cool! 

My favorite moment occurred while in Southwest Florida this summer. In which if I didn't pay attention I most likely would have been attacked by alligators. So, the "moment" is when I heard the splashing...ahh! I can still hear it as if I were there now! 

http://echointhecity.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/periwinkle-way/

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 4, 2013 at 4:38am

Not sure if this is related but ....I get some of my best thinking done on my bike. Even in the city, navigating cars, sometimes I am able to get my thoughts organized and come up with solutions or good ways of expressing things.  The constant focus on what is around me and the physical activity together in a weird way can help me.

Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on October 4, 2013 at 5:32am

I have a few...

First one is from last year when we had that really bad storm and everyone was told to just stay home for a few hours until it passed. Unfortunately, I had already left for work and didn't get the news until I got to work. There were times that I came to a complete stop and did an unintended "Track Stand"-thingy, or I couldn't see 5 ft in front of me (even though I had 3 x 200 or more lumen front lights on my bike and helmet). There were some small trees getting thrown around. I was totally drenched (nice and cool water) when I got to work. Awesome !

The next would have to be my Apple Cider ride from this past weekend. I sucked on the hills and ended up cramping throughout the ride. The scenery was AWESOME ! However, I learned a lot about my riding and my hydration/nutrition. I was humbled on more than one occasion. I was sad that I didn't finish all 100 miles, but I did finish 62 in 5 and a half hours. Not bad for a first attempt for an overweight 45 yr old that only picked up this hobby a mere 2 yrs ago. I will go back and I will complete all 100 miles. (I will probably do the North Shore Century fist...it's less hilly...so I've been told.)

Another, was riding all over with my family. All sorts of lighths flashing and blinking. Wife on a 1978 Huffy Sea Pine (step-through), and my 10 yr old on his Schwinn 20" Falcon, Me on my Beast (26" 2009 Schwinn Frontier Mountain Bike) while pulling a trailer and going shopping. Great family time together.

Loved it !

Permalink Reply by JMinHP on October 4, 2013 at 8:46am

One of my favorite rides was Boston to Provincetown.  I was leaving Boston after 5 years in the city and returning to the Midwest, so I decided to ride (solo, no friends were up for the challenge) from my apartment to the very end of Cape Cod on one of my final weekends.  I had never biked more than about 20 miles, and had only bought my road bike a few months before.  I was just going to rely on my general fitness.  That's what you get when you're young and stupid - you just think "Yeah, I can do this."  The total distance was about 144 miles including a minor 5 mile detour for getting lost.  (Not bad for the pre-smart phone age!)  I left Boston early in the morning and got to P-town mid-afternoon to catch the ferry back to Boston that night.  The scenery the whole way as absolutely beautiful, and I was left with such a sense of awe and accomplishment.  At some point all of the nights at the Boston bars blend together, but I will never forget this ride.  

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