I got to work literally a minute before it started. Whoa!
I hope everyone out there has taken shelter and otherwise safe.
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I put on a poncho because nonsense for life.
Cool morning dodging falling trees and such.
I worked from home and then rode into the Loop from Evanston after it cleared. I couldn't believe the size of the trees that were knocked down. One tree near Dodge/Howard was literally uprooted. Some of the trees had to have been 100 years old at least.
Much respect to anyone that rode through that storm.
I checked the radar before leaving and knew I wouldn't make it, sent cam a warning text and then went to the bus stop instead of riding. Unfortunately I missed the bus and had a 15 minute was to the next one. The timing left me making the transfer to the blue line right when the storm hit, a fire escape stair case nearly came down on top of me. I had to stop at CVS and buy a new shirt since mine was soaked.
Cam was walking to the train right when it hit and a billboard exploded above the shell near his apartment, he got soaked and went back home to change before work.
Kevin Conway said:
I hid under the stairway/deck of a 3-flat near Milwaukee and Thomas when it started. Watched the garbage cans blow by for about 20 minutes, then rode into work in the steady rain. It was a scary storm.
My career as a weatherman abruptly ended yesterday, I figured I had at least 45 minutes before the storm would hit. It was sunny when I left for my 5 mile ride from Lincoln Park to Van Buren and Wells area, and the sky turned grey by the time I hit Division. The monsoon came at about the worst time, just as I was passing Merchandise Mart and crossing the river. I had already committed to the bridge, and the winds nearly blew me right into traffic. I unclipped from my pedals and jogged the bike the rest of the way across the bridge, and got back and rode slowly in traffic lanes until I got to the office.
My bag kept my work clothes relatively dry, I had a hot shower waiting for me in my office gym, and their laundry service had my bike clothes dry for the way home, although my shoes are still wet. All's well that ends well.
Love the commentary on yesterday's storm. I was moving a bit slow yesterday morning, eating breakfast and getting ready for the day when I heard the news that the storm was on its way. Still lollygagged around and finally got it together and hit the road. From Wicker Park to the Loop is not a long ride, but I should have left five minutes earlier.
There were a group of about ten other cyclists in my pack who didn't seem to be too disturbed by the wall of darkness creeping up. We got taken out at the Kedzie/Milwaukee intersection. I agree with the earlier comments that once you accepted that you were soaked, it was fun. Except that I had my light road bike instead of the commuter. I would have liked to have had some more weight as I was pushed some quality distances from the cross winds.
Howard has a point here.
I still saw tons of small branches and plenty of large branches down as well as a few trees here and there taken out both down low and topped halfway up. I suppose it could have been worse.
Way to see the silver lining in that last hail-storm. I'm glad I'm not a gardener, if so I'd probably take issue with any praising of the hail.
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