I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on March 20, 2014 at 3:30am

I rode through the water tower removal section of Clark on the sidewalk at about 8:00 am. Are they removing the old one with the Swedish flag painted on it I wonder? If so, that crane looks like it could remove the entire city block. I stopped to look at it, man that thing was impressive. I wish I could be there to see them lift it.

Rest of ride was fine, I was in a hurry and going pretty fast. Came to a red light and when it turned green I stood up on the pedals and sprinted through the intersection. Realized a large crowd of people were right there on the corner waiting at bus stop looking at me (at least felt like it). I was expecting them to applaud my cycling skills but just silence. "you can do it commuter guy! way to go!" I noticed another pothole so big the old red bricks were exposed.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on March 20, 2014 at 3:37am

Andersonville Water Tank Removal Spurs Loss of Neighborhood Identit... - The water tank, a symbol of the neighborhood, graces T-shirts, postcards, art and more.

Robert Underwood said:

Are they removing the old one with the Swedish flag painted on it I wonder?

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on March 20, 2014 at 3:38am

I rode past crane on Clark also, looks like they are taking down the old water tower with the flag on it.

CHICAGO (CBS) – Crews have begun removing an iconic water tower on top of a museum in Andersonville, after it was damaged by the extreme cold this winter.

Swedish American Museum spokeswoman Karen Moen Abercrombie said the process to remove the water tank on top of the museum at at 5211 N. Clark St. began shortly before 8 a.m. Friday.

The removal could take 12 hours or more.

The water tower has stood atop the building for 87 years. The Swedish American Museum moved into the building in 1987, and painted a likeness of the Swedish flag on the tank in 1999.

Consultants have said the tower must come down because severe weather this winter left the tank in a perilous state. Water in the tank is believed to have frozen and damaged the support bands holding the tank together.

It’s unclear if the tank can be repaired and placed back atop the museum.

It’s the third time in recent months a water tower has caused problems in Chicago.

Last month, gallons of water poured out of a water tank in the 400 block of West Huron Street, forcing more than 200 people in the building below to be evacuated.

Last August, three people were hospitalized after a water tank toppled from its perch atop a historic Lakeview building. The tank fell more than 100 feet, and sent tens of thousands of gallons gushing through the parking lot and alley below, sweeping people off their feet.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on March 20, 2014 at 4:06am

Sorry for double post, I thought I accidentally deleted first one when I didn't see it post at first.

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Permalink Reply by T.K. 3.5 mi on March 20, 2014 at 4:18am

First day of what?

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 20, 2014 at 4:34am

Totally....

T.K. 8.4 mi said:

First day of what?

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on March 20, 2014 at 4:38am

The advantage of the road block was that Clark SB between Foster and Irving Park was abnormally quiet. very nice.

Robert Underwood said:

I rode through the water tower removal section of Clark on the sidewalk at about 8:00 am. Are they removing the old one with the Swedish flag painted on it I wonder? If so, that crane looks like it could remove the entire city block. I stopped to look at it, man that thing was impressive. I wish I could be there to see them lift it.

Rest of ride was fine, I was in a hurry and going pretty fast. Came to a red light and when it turned green I stood up on the pedals and sprinted through the intersection. Realized a large crowd of people were right there on the corner waiting at bus stop looking at me (at least felt like it). I was expecting them to applaud my cycling skills but just silence. "you can do it commuter guy! way to go!" I noticed another pothole so big the old red bricks were exposed.

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Permalink Reply by EssFresh on March 21, 2014 at 2:21am

Rode the skinny fixed gear today because it appears I have a SLOOOOOOOW LEEEEAAAK in The Barge's back tire, did not have time to change it before my soul sucking work day began. Was going to ride the stock tires for the warm part of the year and then upgrade once weather begins to suck. Guess not..

Saw tons of cyclists out and about... Sprrring has got sprrrung.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy on March 21, 2014 at 2:45am

Pretty uneventful ride in this morning, until I stepped away from locking up outside my office and GOT RUN INTO by someone else riding by on the sidewalk. I'm officially counting down the seconds until I can go home this afternoon.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on March 21, 2014 at 3:15am

Sorry you got run into and sorry about the flat. I've had the same thing, an unexpected flat in the morning with no time to fix da flat. I noticed more old bricks in some pot holes this morning, like a glimpse into the past. The crane was gone from Clark so the street was opened up... more bikerz out der. I saw one guy on one of those Rivendell bikes? with two top tubes running parallel. although I saw more cyclists on the road, the bike rack that I use by me jobby job was still empty save the one other bike that is usually there, I don't know if its being ridden or if that's where its kept when not in use.