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Who the hell rides a bike in this weather?

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Date: 2010-01-05, 10:41AM CST

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Or more specifically: who rides a foolish hipster/fixter setup in this? Are you guys a bunch of masochists or just stupid? I actually saw a dude rockin' at least one Aerospoke this morning on my ride to work. Sheesh. Grow up.

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But he titled his post "Who the hell rides a bike in this weather?" Surely he can't be referring to himself.

Clark said:
Nice catch Howard. But I think this guy is another cyclist, since he speaks of his "ride to work..." So why be so tough on him, riding down Milwaukee Avenue on his upright Schwinn?
Clark said:
Nice catch Howard. But I think this guy is another cyclist, since he speaks of his "ride to work..." So why be so tough on him, riding down Milwaukee Avenue on his upright Schwinn?

Clark, your suggestion is indeed the high road and is admirable. But the CL dork started it!

I'm guess s/he has never tried riding fixed. I'm liking it a LOT in the winter. (Tomorrow though, I plan to work from home because while I may be both stupid and a masochist, I am also soft.)
I'd have to write a book to explain (no time right now) but to assume I started this thread with the hope of bashing the craigslist poster would be wrong, and to do so would probably say more about the person making that assumption than about me.
Ya know, I'm honestly just glad people are riding bicycles, and if only because its the cool thing to do then so be it. Just shows how riding is becoming more socially accepted/popular.
FatTireFool said:
Ya know, I'm honestly just glad people are riding bicycles, and if only because its the cool thing to do then so be it. Just shows how riding is becoming more socially accepted/popular.

I completely agree-- 15 years ago who would have dreamed that Chicago bike culture would grow to the point that we'd have actual subcultures of cyclists quasi-competing with each-other; I posted it here because I was bemused/amused and thought it was worth sharing.
I finally DID grow up after 50+ years to see the waste of using a car for simple things that can be accomplished otherwise, even in the winter. I do not commute in horrible storms, but for most of the winter the Lakefront path is clear. I need the exercise for my cardio health, and the earth does not need any extra fossil fuels (including many buses) being burned on my behalf nor energy inefficiently produced elsewhere. I have finally learned how to dress (from iceboating where our speeds are between 40 and 90 mph). You might be surprised how much intelligence, training, and judgment, as well as bicycle building skills, it requires to ride safely during Chicago's winter months. And I am never without a true connection with nature, especially along our magnificent lakeshore.
So what if you ride in the winter? Nothing wrong with you. You have guts at least. A lot of people get hung up on the fact it is winter. As long as you are prepared and equipped, go for it. I go diving in Lake Michigan in the winter and open water swimming also. I can contend that biking is no different. Granted I get plenty of stares and looks from people looking at me with amazement. The dry suit is warm and when you get moving you start to roast like a baked potato. I have the whole lake to myself like a lot of bikers have the whole street devoid of other riders. The silence is sureal when you ride in the winter that you can hear a mouse. Try that in any other season. Like your way of thinking too David. Ice boating has to be a trip! Saw it years ago on the Discovery Channel. Too cool!!!!!!!!!!!!

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