Crashaversary Ride tomorrow

I thought I would let people know that tomorrow I'm hosting/leading a ride for my Crashaversary. Last year on September 10, I got hit at Chicago and Halsted and wound up with a totaled bike and broken ankle. Not too bad in the grand scheme of bike crashes, but my worst to date.

While I was able to get back in the saddle within a couple months, I've never actually ridden through Chicago and Halsted. The few times I've passed through the intersection, I've walked my bike... so tomorrow I'm going to change that.

We're meeting at Uptown Bikes at 11AM and then we'll do the route I was trying to do that day when I was so rudely interrupted by an SUV.

South on Clarendon to Halsted and down to the French Market for lunch. We'll stop at the CTA HQ to practice putting our bikes on a bus (I don't know how). When we head north we'll take advantage of the Kinzie bike lane, then get on the lake path and head north. People can peel off as they need to along the lake front path.

The official event is over here and it should be a nice afternoon ride of 15-18 miles (depending on your start/stop).

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Permalink Reply by Ace Mann on September 9, 2011 at 12:10pm

Can't make the ride but have fun. I know how hard it can be. Your post are an inspiration to others who have been hit, about getting back on the bike

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Permalink Reply by Steve Tanner on September 9, 2011 at 4:02pm

This is a great idea, Leah. If I was actually able to ride these days, I might have joined you! :)

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Permalink Reply by Leah Jone on September 9, 2011 at 5:41pm

Oof, that's quite a way to have seen the towers get hit. I'm glad you survived your crash and your riding again! Thanks for the kind words, too. I'll never forget my date, either, because of the 9/11 connection. (It was also the 2nd day of Rosh Hashanah on the Hebrew Calendar.)

soud'side said:

My 'big' accident was 10 years ago yesterday.

At least I think it was-- I'm sure it was September 8, 2001, and that it was a Sunday, and that Tuesday morning a nurse came in the ICU and turned on the TV in time for me to watch the second plane hit the WTC. So the dates don't quite add up . . .

I have also never ridden on that road since (mostly because it's in southern Michigan . . .)

Leah Jone, I hope your ride is fun and the weather gods smile on you, and that you are able to tame your demons. I understand how places can change forever for one once something bad has happened there.

Edit-- had to have been September 9-- so today is 10 years.

I guess Sept 8 stood out in my mind because it's my sister's birthday (oops . . .)

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Permalink Reply by Leah Jone on September 9, 2011 at 5:42pm

You'll be riding soon and we'll go on an All Healed Celebration Ride!

Steve Tanner said:

This is a great idea, Leah. If I was actually able to ride these days, I might have joined you! :)

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Permalink Reply by Leah Jone on September 9, 2011 at 5:42pm

Thank you, Ace Mann! I wish I'd been better about commuting this summer, but I'm happy that I ride as much as I do. Tomorrow we'll conquer Chicago and Halsted and I'll have my main route back. :)

Ace Mann said:

Can't make the ride but have fun. I know how hard it can be. Your post are an inspiration to others who have been hit, about getting back on the bike

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on September 10, 2011 at 2:25am

See you soon lady at Uptown Bikes.

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca on September 10, 2011 at 10:24am

How did everything go???? Thinking of you!

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Permalink Reply by Leah Jone on September 10, 2011 at 12:21pm

Rebecca (and everyone)

My crashaversary ride was superb and I think we should start recommending people host them - you don't even have to wait a year, but it's great to have a group of people ride your route with you. I went through the intersection with my fist in the air and hooted and hollered.

It was a fun ride with a few new experiences for people - like the CTA HQ's fake bus where you can practice putting your bike on a bus rack, the French Market and going through the Kinzie bike lane.

Big thanks to everyone who rode with me this morning!