Chicago Bike Blog

Chicago Bike Fashion Show 2012

The Bike Winter Fashion Show, brought to you by Rapid Transit Cycleshop, was the closing party for the 15th Anniversary Bike Winter Art Show and was a benefit for West Town Bikes.  All the models in the show are real life Chicago cyclists who sported the latest spring bikes and gear from Rapid Transit, Boulevard Bikes, Comrade Cycles and vintage fashions from online retailer Lucitebox, This year's event was hosted by Gala Gallery,a new space owned and operated by Tyrue “Slang” Jones, a veteran Chicago artist who helped pioneer Chicago's graffiti scene in the ‘80s.
Sponsors include many volunteers from Rapid Transit Cycleshop, Lucitebox, Boulevard Bikes, Abus, Levis the Steven Vance of gridchicago.com, Bike Winter, a volunteer- run, grassroots organization established in 1999 that encourages bicyclists to break out of winter hibernation mode and ride their bikes all year long.  

And now, on to this years show.....

April’s early morning commute takes her to Namaste Elementary in Mickinley Park where she teaches soccer practice before the school day begins.  But April’s no soccer mom! 

Her vehicle of choice is the Twin City by Civia Cycles.  Daybreak can be nippy unless you’re snugged in fleece lined Marmot Work Gloves and a handmade Floyd Boberg wool cap.  Each hat is as unique and special as April herself and fits neatly under her Lazer Armor helmet.  She totes a handmade reed handlebar basket, woven by women in Ghana for living wage.  Tonight the basket contains complimentary water bottles while supplies last, but on an average day April would carry a Dr. Seus book for story time with the kids. 

This bike looks pared down, but it’s internal 7 speeds can conquer even the largest highway overpass hill.  Further down the road, even the scariest underpass at 16th Steet is no match for April’s Beam Bug lighting system!  She’s not messing around--by nightfall April’s parked in Bucktown, tucked in for a long evening of D&D roleplaying as Ia (Ee-aa), the dagger slinging rogue.  April can play until sunrise without worry because her Twin City is securely locked with the Abus Bordo X Plus in white!  It provides U-lock type security with a unique folding design and it’s silicone exterior won’t scratch April’s frame.  Deft Strike April and roll a D20 for a good deal on this bike!!!! 

For local musician Ian, the Civia Halsted is a whole new world of cargo hauling. 

This isn’t your mother's front loader of yester year, this is Ian’s magic carpet ride to any gig. Impulse shopping and late night alley treasure hunting are all possible with this rig and his limited edition London Yalta backpack from Chrome.  Ian won’t get caught in a dark alley with his rechargable Knog Boomer headlamp.  And if playing music doesn't pay the bills, Ian can get a pizza delivery job with this set of wheels.

All the extra delivery miles are no sweat for Ian’s bomb proof Cordura Chrome sneakers and Levis Commuter jeans.  The pants are double thick in the rump and thanks to a crazy thing called Sanitized® odor protection fabric, they won’t come home smelling like the pizza parlor.  These 511’s leave the stank behind!

Someone could take a nibble off Ian’s hamburger bell while the bike's locked up, but no one can mess with his Abus Ivy Chain.  Abus locks are good enough for the US Army and they hold up in the big city.  Its mesh cover won’t absorb water in the rain and like all Abus locks it will perform down to minus 40 degrees
celsius.  Ian's ready for the cold in his Marmot Snowy Night Cap.  Cheerio cargo carrier! 

Meet Anne, a sociology student who’s figured out what all city cyclists want, the Handsome XOXO.

If you think this bike’s out of left field, with its 26” wheels, you’re right. The XOXO is an American classic like baseball.  Anne’s been to a baseball game ONCE and she can’t wait to go again on this throwback to the Bridgestone XO.  Everything on this bike is a home run starting with the Reynolds 631 frame, cotton harlequin handlebar wrap, Soma saddle, Abus City Chain, Clean Water Bottle and Minnehaha saddle bag to carry all Anne’s girly accoutrement.  After a few margaritas, Anne’s ready to take this puppy on the road to an away game.

Jacob’s new puppy hasn’t slowed him down. 

He rides all through the city on his Big Block by All City wearing his Pace Chicago cap and Levis Commuter jeans as his uniform. Whether he’s biking to the park for a walk or to obedience class to keep his new charge in line, this pair stays dry with SKS Raceblade fenders and jeans that are water repellent.  Go ahead, spill a beer on these 511’s.  Everything rolls off, except for his Abus Mini U-Lock.  It’s safely tucked into the pants built in waist band, away from this teething pup.

Not only do girls love a puppy, but they love a guy with a pink wheel.  Jacob and puppy have rolled over the hearts of many girls with his pink Fyxation tire.  Remember to get your pets spayed and neutered! (Jacob doesn't have to worry about that with his Cyclelogical Top Bag and Top Tube Protector and ergonomic Soma saddle.)

Jen does math for fun, always wears her Lazer Cityzen safety helmet, locks up with a trusty Abus Catena chain and can build a particle accelerator.


Yeah, she knows she’s smart and she’s chosen the Linus Dover as her vehicle.

Its classic mixte frame is suitable for men or women.  And Jen is all woman.  She likes the step-through for no hassle with heels.  As a young professional, Jen can’t afford to show up sprayed with mud, her waterproof Timbuk2 pannier set and elegant rosewood fenders keep her looking 100%. 

Chris is into flexing in his muscles in the mirror, protein shakes and the power of a folding bike.

When he’s not selling financial services he’s tearing ass all over town, wearing a Waltz cycling cap, on this tiny ti Brompton.  With the most compact size, this is the only folding bike worth having. 

The Brompton S-bag makes carrying life easy.  As the graphic flap indicates... these impeccable engineered machines are hand-built in England.  Throw your U-lock away and buy a Brompton!  Never lock up outside again.  Simply fold your Bromi and carry it in!

Where in the world is Sara Laurino?

She’s just back from the dirt trodden trails of Africa. Overseas and in the states, Sara’s Handsome Devil is her lifeline for everyday necessities.  In Burkina Faso, the Velo Orange racks helped Sara haul all her drinking water from the well.  Sara’s U-lock of choice is the Abus Granit Futura.  This is the worlds strongest lock for its feather weight size--perfect when she’s toting 25 liters of water!  She’s put many a mile on her Brooks B17 Special, and relied on this bike's fine steel frame to transport her knowledge of soap making across the the region!

Now that she’s back in Chi Town, Sara is ready for Randonneuring in all weather thanks to her solid chrome Velo Orange fenders.  Don’t put the Guidonnet brakes on yet Sara.  She’s riding North to Lawrence and Western to reminisce over Vietnamese sandwiches with an old Peace Corp friend.  Her Floyd Boberg cycling cap keeps the sun out of her eyes and fits under her Lazer pinstripe helmet.  

Daisy thinks Victor is the best big brother ever!

Especially when he shuttles her to Tae-Kwon-Do class on the back of the Kona Minute cargo bike.  This pair stays extra safe with reflective Spoke-ee-dokes and safety Nathan ankle straps. Victor always sets a good example with his Lazer helmet.

No one dare side swipe this bike with it’s graphic Bad Car Bell telling it like it is.  Spacious panniers are part
of the stock package with this practical city bike and they give Victor plenty of room to carry art supplies.
Release your inner graffiti artist like Victor, who upgraded to neon green Oury Grips.  Victor may get loud with color but when it comes to cargo this precious, he won’t take any chances.

Thanks to this fabulous group for modeling all the cool stuff above available at Rapid Transit Cycleshop!

Vintage fashions presented at the Bike Fashionshow came  from Lucitebox with additional bikes from Boulevard Bikes and Comrade Cycles.

Dottie (left) from letsgorideabike.com and Ash (right and below) wearing Lucitebox riding with Boulevard Bikes


Liz (left) and Kim (right and below) wearing Lucitebox riding with Comrade Cycles.



Pre-show entertainment from BMX dance troop the Racketeers

DJ Montay

Credits:


Bike Winter Art Show Curators
Steven Lane & Stuart Hall

Bike Winter Fashion Show Coordinator : Elise Robison

Photography : Melisa Gin, Steven Vance, Jay Madden

MC : Al Schorsch

Lights: John Clark
Sound: Nick Wilson

Thank you everyone
including the Volunteers!!! Angela Dave Doug Franziska Jeff Joe Holly Katie Ronnie,
and Chris for the use of the van.

Fashion show script, story and concept by Elise Robison, the Buyer for Rapid Transit Cycleshop.
Here's Elise herself with her Wheel American Flag.

Bike Fashion Show 2011

By guest writer & photographer Elise Robison.

At Rapid Transit we have a lot of enthusiasm for bikes that are fun and functional, but what does that have to do with fashion?   Imagine riding...the sun kisses your cheeks as you glide here and there, seeing the sights and being seen on your bicycle.  Urban cyclists are out there on the world's stage, so put your best foot forward and explore what Rapid's Lifestyle Cyclist Models are riding this Spring!

Unstoppable function and style, June Ko’s staying fit on her Linus Dutchi.  Nothing is too good for her derriere--she’s sporting the embossed B18 Brooks saddle and matching leather mud flaps. Her sturdy Nantucket wicker basket fits this bike’s elegant lines and she buys American with her stylish and practical Cyclelogical Townie Backpack.  June Ko alerts pedestrians to her arrival with the mini Ding Dong bell.

Can you say dream bike? The only thing with more depth than Brandon’s bow-tie, is the Velocity B43 rim. His souped-up Linus Roadster rides like a cloud, thanks to his Cardiff Natural Suede saddle, matching leather toe clips, Strong-V camo track grips and brass Crane bell. Topped off with a Torpedo water bottle, Brandon and his 2011 Cyclelogical Weekender tote are going to steer this sweet ride straight to heaven.

What’s more timeless than half-naked dancing ladies? A split-T frame! Kristin’s got plenty of get up and go on her way to dance the burlesque with her Linus Mixte internal 3 speed. She has plenty of room for all her rhinestone bedazzled panties and pasties thanks to the Limited Edition Chicago-made PoCampo Loop pannier. Kristin is a dream to be seen with her retro style Soma Torpedo LED headlamp and reflective sidewall smooth and creamy Schwalbe tires.

Never vacation without one. The world is Jeremiah’s oyster whenever he gets the itch to travel in his Kona apparel and Brompton folding bike, featuring the turquoise Brooks Colt. This saddle looks good and lets his rump romp in comfort all day long.  Bromptons are handmade in London with all the utility of a full size bike.  It has 3 internal speeds to keep up with the big boys, plus luggage rack, fenders, EZ rolling wheels and a revolutionary compact folding size that allows Jeremiah to pedal the globe with plane, train, boat and bus trips in between!

Pamela has tamed her sweet ride, the Kona Humu, while looking good in her designer Chelli Harms Rider Harem equestrian pants and leather CAW Messenger bag. It’s like no cruiser you’ve seen before! This sturdy steel steed can plow over any curb or rough road with the confidence of a clydesdale.  Move out the way for the disco light party in the back with her Serfas seatstay light and stealth Origin8 bell.

Temped to tame the landscape? Nobody clocks more miles than Dalawn. With a comfortable green leather Cardiff Cornwall saddle on his Marin Four Corners Touring bike, he can tote all his creature comforts using his Velo Orange canti-rack, and save precious space since his stainless bottle cage is equipping with a Traxsource tool kit. No chance he’ll be stranded in the middle of nowhere in need of a bicycle repair. Dalawn’s waterproof head to toe thanks to hammered Velo Orange fenders and tweedy Showers Pass rain suit. You ain’t going to rain on his parade!

Want junk in your trunk like fashion model Kristin? She’s in Kozie Prery as she zips to deadlines with ease and hauls up to 500 lbs of fashion accessories on her Kona Ute cargo bike. Last minute casting calls are a breeze with the endless hauling capacity of the elongated rear rack and two waterproof panniers. Her Japanese Brass Crane bell turns heads. As if she didn’t already.

Street and Sans crew taking a furlow day?  Dosen’t matter to Ryan wearing Cyclelogical’s latest waxed canvas Tour pack on his Kona Unit. Ryan-be-nimble,  Ryan-be-quick, he’ll use that pothole for ridiculous tricks! He also loves to throw his Unit through the mud-spattered glory of single-track while clipped into his SPD DZR Strasse Tennies. Bottom line: tackle any log or road rift with this super sturdy and stable bike, featuring a custom-designed WTB Valcon saddle and reflective Pake Top Tube Protector.

Katie’s on her way to the 6th Annual J16 dance competition on the prototype Kona Bandwagon. This bike was stolen - then recovered - in a sting operation by Rapid Transit, so now everyday is payday for Katie with hand built Kona Payroll rims laced to Miche track hubs. Her bike is no-holds-barred with brand new PDW Machete fender, MKS GR-9 pedals, San Marco Supercorsa white leather saddle and Fyxation tires.  Katie has to ride something flashy to keep up with her style and this bike is it. So cool it’s hot, literally because after this one was recovered, the one-and-only container of Bandwagons was stolen from Canadian customs. Money can’t buy this bike so unless it’s Katie’s, report it stolen.

Bailey is feeling the urge for cheese curds! He’s going over the Wisconsin border on his trusty Kona Honky Tonk to cart home enough curds and rootbeer to share using his Brooks waxed canvas Bricklane roll-up panniers. Bailey’s precious cargo will stay dry - and so will he - thanks to his stylish rosewood fenders. He’ll be on the road all day without a worry since he’s equipped with his chrome Lezyne high pressure road pump and Brooks Challenge Tool Bag, patented in 1896. Classic!

Will’s popping here, there and everywhere on his lightweight Marin Inverness, but he didn’t spend all his green to get this budget buy. Will has total control of the streets with his feet tightly snuggled into his Burro Toe Straps and his hands locked to the bars with matching green made in USA Oury grips. Also, Will is seen and heard thanks to his reflective Spoke-e-Dokes.  Ride kids!

Shout outs...to all the talented people it took to put on the show, couldn’t have done it without you!!
Backstage Photos by Elise Robison and Ronnie Lobello. Runway photos by Jay Maden. Lights John Clark and Dave Kerrigan. MC Al Scorch. Director Nick Wilson, Elise Robison and Amy Grace.
 
To see more photosClick here.

Elise Robison is a Buyer at Rapid Transit Cycleshop.

 

 

Getting to know your bicycle

By guest writer Angela Chan

I remember the first time I learned how to fix a flat, about 5 years ago.  I used to see bicycles as mysterious machines, believing I had no place trying to fix anything on it.  I knew the very, very basics--how to fill my tires with air, and remove the wheels and seat.  I’m not sure I even knew there was a tube inside the tire. 

I didn’t know there was such thing as chain lube, so when I figured out the squeaky noise was coming from my dry and rusty chain, I used vegetable oil to get the squeak out (which I don’t recommend at all now!).  After repairing my first flat, I felt great.  My hands hadn’t been so dirty since art school and they kinda hurt from getting a tough tire back on the rim but I didn’t care.  I didn’t have to go out of my way to a bike shop, I saved some money, and it was rewarding and fun. 

Bicycle maintenance classes are now underway at Rapid Transit Cycleshop.  And I think I speak for myself and my co-workers, when I say that we’re pretty excited to share our knowledge with those wanting to learn. So far, we’ve done classes on basic repair, complete tune-up, wheels and brakes.  We’ve had great students who are willing to learn and ask lots of questions.  

But truthfully, we would love to see more students.  If you love your bike, I do think it’s beneficial to learn how to assess its condition  I still use the assessment techniques I learned from a class years ago, and they have been invaluable.  Recognizing that there’s something wrong early on prevent a more costly repairs down the road, and, most importantly, might prevent you from getting into an accident. 

I know not everyone wants to get their hands dirty, or maybe some of you don’t have the time or inclination,  and prefer to let a professional does the work.  That’s fine too.  Even if you ultimately decide not to work on your own bike after a class or two, you will surely have  gained a better understanding of how your bike works, and more appreciation for the work your bike mechanic does to keep it running smoothly. You’ll be supporting your friendly local bike shop, just like I support the sewing machine or vacuum repair shops.

If you’re new to bikes and want to learn but don’t know where to begin, the Free Roadside Class is a good start.  We’ll demonstrate some basic repairs, assessment techniques and offer up some tips about winter riding.  And did I mention it’s free? 

If you’re a little bit more experienced or ambitious, and are willing to shell out a little moola, the focus classes and tune-up classes will allow you to work on your own bike more intensely.  Winter is great time to learn how to work on your bike, whether or not you ride through the cold season.  If you don’t, you’ve got several months of working on your skills and tinkering to get your bike in tip top shape for the Spring.  If you do cycle through the cold and snow, your bike will need the most attention in the Winter. The salt, moisture and the potholes that pop up throughout the winter take quite a toll on bicycles.  

For me, fixing that first flat was a revelation. 

It was a similar feeling that I had when I first biked (after not cycling for 6 years) with my boyfriend from his place in Lincoln Square to Working Bikes—about an 8 mile trip.  I had realized that there was really no place in the city I couldn’t get to by bicycle.  And with my first flat fix, it occurred to me that, potentially, there was no part of my bike I couldn’t work on.  I was looking forward to getting to know my bicycle.  I’m not a mechanic, but 5 years later, I’m proud to say that I’ve worked on every part on my bicycle, including building the wheels.  I can’t believe the amount of appreciation and respect I’ve gained for this humble machine since my first flat fix. 

We invite you, too, to get to know your bicycle. The complete class listing and schedule is posted on the shop's website, at www.rapidtransitcycles.com. 

Angela Chan is a Sales Person at Rapid Transit Cycleshop.

The Dignity of Bikes

This ad, found in a weekly circular of major home improvement center, is frankly insulting.

It is insulting to bicycle riders, bicycle advocates, bicycle shops, bicycle manufacturers, and all of us who have worked relentlessly to raise the profile of urban cycling. This ad undermines the very notion of the bicycle being a legitimate human-powered vehicle worthy of being used on the road.

Unfortunately, the people the above ad insults the most are those consumers who get lured into buying one of the items being advertised. It cheats them into thinking they're getting the real thing. It turns the noble Bicycle into yet another cheap and disposable thing, that brings only superficial smiles at Christmas, and can be discarded along with the heap of other unnecessary stuff before the wrappers have even made it to the recycling bin.

Now, it is true that a Bicycle, a real Bicycle, with a capital B, such as the Kona Makena pictured below, may cost as much as ten times the item being peddled in the ad above.

But you get so much more than an item to be shoved under the tree! A quality, professionally assembled Bicycle is a piece of finely tuned mechanical artistry that is powerful, reliable, durable and safe. And, there are many ways in which a real Bike can make your child a better human and better citizen.

1. It will teach your child independence. It is the first vehicle many children ever ride on their own. Don't treat it like a toy. Let your child learn about the freedom and responsibility associated with controlling a vehicle.
2. It will teach her autonomy. It offers a way to get from point A to point B without relying on the automobile. Children from a very early age can appreciate the difference, and older children can actually use the bike to chauffeur themselves around.
3. You can help your child learn the rules of the road using your Bikes on quiet streets around the neighborhood
4. You can sign up for a bike repair class with an older child to learn practical skills, and further boost the sense of responsibility and autonomy in your kid.
5. You can use the Bike to illustrate some principles of physics (many online resources are available).
6. A Bicycle is a vehicle for social change. You can discuss how Bikes are used around the world to alleviate poverty and and offer mobility solutions in developing countries (for some ideas, click here).
7. A Bike will help your child build awareness. Unlike a car, which isolates us from our surroundings and fellow humans, the Bicycle puts us in touch with the environment & people around us. It's hard to space out on a Bike. You have to pay attention. And when you are not looking out at the world through a smoked glass window, you notice things like prowling cats, sparring squirrels, dragonflies, homeless people under a bridge, the weather, nasty smells exuded by cars, and other interesting things you might otherwise miss.
8. It will teach your child about health and fitness. He will learn how using his own body, and the food he has consumed to fuel it, can produce the energy to propel him efficiently from one place to another. We would all enjoy better health if we committed some of our daily travel to a Bicycle.
9. The Bicycle can teach your child economy. The cost of a Bicycle and its maintenance, spread over the number of years the owner will enjoy it, adds up to a very affordable annual expense. If we use a Bicycle in place of a car or bus, the savings increase dramatically.
10. The Bicycle can teach your child the value of unstructured exploration, and how to unwind and relax. 

And, as Christmas gifts, Bikes are unbeatable. A bike doesn't need batteries. A couple of strong legs, and a little air and oil once in a while. That's all. It won't scatter small parts all over your house. And it is the most fun your kid will have without being plugged in.

For most kids, it is simply THE BEST gift you can give. A Bicycle, especially The First Bicycle, is different from any other gift. It represents a coming of age, a new independence, a right of passage. Owning a Bicycle creates new transportation options, and your child will instantly recognize the new independence. Because of this, a Bike is a gift that will keep on giving. It will not be discarded or forgotten. Your child will use it enjoy it for a long time to come.

But, you say, it's winter. SO? Your child will actually WANT to go outside in the cold. Trust me, I've been there. So a Bike is really a gift for your whole family. Now you can enjoy cycling outings together. Or you can walk or jog, while your child cycles along.

It is a fancy gift that's worth it's price. Think of a price of a popular doll with a couple outfits, a fancy box of Legos , or a video game system, and you will see that the price of a quality child's Bicycle is actually quite reasonable. Plus, it makes a very effective presentation. Imagine this giant package under the tree!... Or rolling it with great fanfare from the garage... wow!

And that's the best reason for putting a Bike under the Christmas tree: the expression on your child's face. As they say: priceless.

FREE Roadside Maintenance Class at Rapid Transit

Rapid Transit Cycleshop will be kicking off the new maintenance class series with a FREE class this month!

What: Roadside Maintenance Class
When: Rapid Transit Cycleshop, 1900 W. North Avenue in Chicago
When: Sunday, October 25 at 5pm
How: Call 773-227-2288 to register and for other class details.

As the chill takes hold of Chicago once again, we will be helping the intrepid cyclists to gear up for the winter riding by offering a range of maintenance classes. So keep checking our website for the newest details.

It's time again for the Winter Tune-Up

This year, we have revamped our Winter Tune-Up a bit. The new Winterbike 2010 is a complete, season-long maintenance program for your bike. When you join for a one-time fee of $155, you will receive:

Our Deluxe Tune-Up

• Full adjustment of braking system,
• Full adjustment of shifting system.
• External adjustment of both hubs.
• External adjustment of headset.
• External adjustment of bottom bracket.
• Complete wheel dishing  & truing.
• Complete drivetrain cleaning or replacement (as needed).
• Chain lubrication.
• Inner tube replacement (if needed.)
• Tires inflated to correct pressure.
• Full check of parts and accessories to ensure safety.
• Free installation on additional accessories purchased from us.

INCLUDED ongoing maintenance through March 31, 2010

• Full bike wash and lube, as often as you wish
• Adjustments and tuning whenever needed
• Free labor on fixing flats
• Free labor installation of parts and accessories purchased at Rapid Transit.

Since we and our staff need to eat, all rubber, parts & accessories are extra, however, this year, as a Winterbike 2010 member, you will also receive a 10% discount on any merchandise purchased through March 31, 2010.

If you are planning to ride this winter, you really can't afford not to get this service. It is the best thing going in Chicago for winter bikers. And, the earlier you sign up for the program, the longer you get to enjoy its fabulous benefits.

Navigating the suburban wasteland with my son

My son, who is 12, recently asked if he could ride his bike alone to Games Workshop, where he could indulge his passion for playing Warhammer, without the inconvenience of having me wait for him and tap my foot.

The Games Workshop is located in a suburban shopping center, perhaps three miles from our house. There are several major arteries that have to be crossed, as well as an interstate, but there are also plenty of signaled crosswalks, a bridge over the highway, and a number of small neighborhoods streets that I imagined could conveniently be used. So, I thought that with a couple of trial runs with me, he could handle it on his own.

I decided to follow a route along residential streets that we sometimes take to our martial arts class. With a light at Peterson and a push-button light at Devon, this route would take us about half-way there. Then, I was planning to show him the special shortcut I like through suburban Lincolnwood.

Like others, I look back with longing and nostalgia on the days when kids could easily go off on their own with little or no parental supervision, but these romantic visions don't seem to find any reflection in modern day reality that I see before me from the saddle of my bicycle. And, what I thought was going to be a fairly simple undertaking turned out to be much more complex and fraught with difficulties, partly having to do with my own nervousness, partly with my son's inexperience, and hugely with the inconsistent, unpredictable, haphazard traffic patterns, city planning, street signals and bicycle/pedestrian facilities in place on the border between Chicago and its neighboring suburbs of Lincolnwood, Skokie and Niles.

Although I have ridden the first part of the route with my son many times previously, my nervousness kicked into high gear when I realized that I was now prepping him to ride without me, to make his own decisions and rely on his own judgment. It was one thing to have him ride on the pavement behind me, and quite another to imagine him trying it on his own. Suddenly, things that I do through force of habit acquired over 20 years of street-riding experience were not so obvious. After all, he doesn't have that experience to guide him.

The frustration with the urban-planning aspect of the ride began as soon as we got to Devon. A bicyclist riding on the street is too light to activate the green light. The push-button activator for the green light was placed with pedestrians in mind. If I was riding alone, I would simply wait for the gap in traffic, and ride through regardless of the traffic signal (gulp!). But with my son, I insisted we cross with the light. Thus, we had to duck-walk our bikes onto the sidewalk to push the button to get the light to change.

Things got even worse when we turned onto Devon. With two lanes of curb-to-curb each traffic way, I had already planned to ride a few blocks on the sidewalk, thinking we would again use the push-button crosswalk signal at Cicero. Well, I am here to tell you that that is the most poorly designed set of signals in the city, and while the right-turning vehicles get their own special green arrow for the entire duration of the green light, pedestrians have to wait out a full light cycle to deserve their own signal. My nervousness increased as I was having visions of my son getting impatient, and running the light while traveling on his own, with all those right-turning cars just waiting to run him over.

We proceeded along the sidewalk on Devon over the Edens Expressway, and arrived at the very pleasant street called Sauganash just on the other side. A broad, quiet, tree-lined residential street runs on a soft diagonal through the posh Lincolwood suburb. The kind of street bicyclists dream about. If the route consisted of only streets like this, I would have absolutely no qualms about my son riding alone. Alas, after several blocks of this paradise, the street ends abruptly at Central, with no bicycle or pedestrian crossing to make things easier. There is a light half a block down at Pratt, but there is no sidewalk, and not enough shoulder for a young bicyclist to safely reach it. So, we make a run through a gap in traffic for the sidewalk on the other side of Central. But I can't have my son do this when he's riding without me!

Now, we're pretty much home-free. The sidewalk continues down toward Touhy, and curves around the shopping center to deposit my son safely at the Games Workshop. Because we are riding on the sidewalk, I still admonish him to look over his left shoulders for any cars who may be turning right out of the parking lots.

By the time my son is done playing games, and I have scoured the shelves of the local second-hand book store, I have completely revised my riding strategy. Although I have always believed that cyclists should ride with traffic and behave like traffic, I find that my convictions do not hold when the safely of my child is at stake. Sidewalks in this part of town are rarely used by pedestrians, and they might as well be used by budding cyclists. On the way back, we forget all shortcuts and finesse. We ride in straight lines on sidewalks to major intersections with dependable pedestrian signals, we make only right-angle turns, and we arrive home safely, in one piece, and with little stress.

Sam & Sarah's bicycle wedding

These are Sarah and Sam, back when they both worked here at Rapid Transit. Sarah has gone on to get her law degree. Sam has stayed on with us to manage our service department.

Last Sunday, they got married in a bicycle-centered ceremony that took guests on a two-wheeled procession through Douglas Park, and culminated in a reception at the HUB cooperative, that the happy couple call their home.

Light rain gave way to hazy sunshine as guests arrived at the ceremony site in Douglas Park on Chicago's south side.

Members of the families arrived by rickshaw.

Wedding guest (and former Rapid Transit employee) Christopher Wallace and his guest arrived by tandem recumbent.

The happy couple dispensed with some traditional elements, but kept others. Rather than walking alone down the aisle to the tune of Here Comes The Bride, Sarah arrived hand-in-hand with Sam, accompanied by the joyous ringing of bicycle bells, and the two ducked under the chuppah.

She eyed the gatherding clouds with some dimay, and indeed, more than a few raindrops fell on the guests assembled in the park.

 

Rain or no rain, they both looked terrific, and their wedding promises brought tears to my eyes, and those of many other guests.

Ceremony over, they are off to the party in their special limo.

Congratulations!

What happened to July?

Perhaps I should have thought a little harder when I came up with the name for this here blog. Chicago Bike Blog implies that every day, every post will be about biking. Biking in Chicago. And after a certain number of years being a bike retailer in Chicago, you'd think I'd never run out of having things to say about biking in the Windy City.
And yet.... writing about biking is hard. It's a little different than working in the bike shop.
On the one hand, working in the bike shop involves a lot of repetition. You've changed one flat, you've changed them all; you've carried so many bikes down the stairs, you don't count the steps anymore, you simply know when you're at the bottom; with customers, you ask the same questions a thousand times a day, and you provide answers to the same question asked a thousand times.

And yet.... every flat has a different history, every bike tells a different story, and every question is an opening to a new relationship. Life in the bike shop defies routine, because of the life that people breathe into it every hour of the day.
A couple years into this blog, I have already written about most of the things I had to say about biking. I've shared my fundamental philosophy of biking and of bike retailing, imparted tips, advice and product information. Some of that stuff bears occasional repeating. But, unlike the human interactions in the bike shop, the stories don't get any richer from the retelling.
I sometimes find myself at gatherings of cyclists, and feel oddly out of place, a bit like a fraud. Cycling isn't to me what it is to them.
As a bike shop owner, without bicycles, my life would have to be radically redefined. Yet, I don't really see cycling as being the center of my life. It is not any more the center of my life than the very idea of being self-employed, which is perhaps the most defining choice I have made in my life. It is also not any more central than the unschooling lifestyle we have chosen for ourselves and our kids. Nor is it any more central than the free-form garden that surrounds our house, which dismays some of our neighbors and delights others, and from which we freely pluck edibles for our kitchen and flowers for the vase. In short, cycling is just one of the many manifestations of a life of autonomy and self-determination to which we aspire.
That's why writing about biking it hard. It's hard to confine yourself to biking, when, together with a group of unschooled children, you are trying to figure out how many kernels of popcorn will fill a minivan. Or, when you've discovered that you really enjoy baking bread at home. Or making yogurt. Or when the garden needs weeding (when doesn't it?), or watering, or the produce is ripening so fast that you can barely keep pace with it. And who wants to write about biking, when you are actually doing it: biking on a lazy Sunday morning to a farmers market, or helping a 12-year-old negotiate traffic on his own?
And yet.... I will continue to build my life around bike retailing because, along with our backyard vegetable patch, that is what puts the food on the table. New stories will emerge: customers walking in the door, workers busting their butts, assholes on the road, inspiration during a ride, our search for a new home for the shop. But these stories don't come every day. And between them, life goes on.
I hope you'll forgive me if it finds its way into this here blog...

Where the heck is the Weber Spur Bike Trail?!

In the last twelve years, we have walked down this abandoned trail track virtually every week. When we first moved int our house near the corner of Bryn Mawr and Kostner, there was an occasional rail maintenance car that went along the track. For many years, there has been nothing. We, and many of our neighbors use the right of way for walking, jogging, skiing, and as an access route to the adjacent LaBagh Woods Forest Preserve and Chicago River.

I have conducted nature walks with my kids along this track, spying on wildlife large and small, and picking out the native plants from the invasives.

Deer like to hang out in the clearing in the woods visible from the train track.


We have found praying mantises and their coccoons along the tracks.

Goldenrods, milkweed and native asters grow abundantly here, along with attractive but terribly invasive teasels.


A dilapidated rail bridge offers glimpses of the Chicago River.

This quiet and somewhat forgotten corridor is hardly a place of pristine and undisturbed beauty. It's strewn with broken glass, beer cans, discarded car tires and other debris that people frequently leave in places that no one seems to own. But with a little work, this route would make one heck of a bike path.

Imagine our surprise, when one day we came home to the sound of heavy machinery working, accompanied by loud metallic clanking. We went out to the track to see what was going on, and discovered that the track was being ripped out. The workmen said something about rails-to-trails, but were unable to provide any more information. They were simply hired by Union Pacific to rip out the track.

A call to alderman Margaret Laurino's office also produced no immediate insights. The person we spoke with was unaware of any plans for the railway corridor. However, she took down the information, and the next day we received a call from a representative from the Pulaski Industrial Corridor and explained that Union Pacific has lease the land it owns to be converted to a recreational trail.

I sent an email to Randy Neufeld of Active Transportation Alliance asking if he knew what was being planned. He wasn't sure, but forwarded my email to Keith Privett at the City of Chicago. Usually, bike projects create a buzz in the Chicago cycling community and among the neighbors. The proposed Bloomingdale Trail in Bucktown even has its own website, and last year, a short, one mile section of trail along the old Valley Line Rail was inaugurated with great fanfare. So, although what the lady from the Industrial Corridor said sounded really good, we were skeptical.

However, after a couple of days Keith Privett sent an email back, confirming the plans. He stated that a trail is being planned for the Weber Spur, which will run through Lincolnwood from approximately Touhy Avenue south toward Elston. He explained that Ald. Laurino herself is familiar with, and has long supported the trail project, but her office may not have known that the Union Pacific crew would be out there removing track metal already.

This is approximately where the new bike trail would be. It would give southbound suburban and northwest side cyclists access to downtown via the Elston bike lane, and northbound riders from the city access to the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park trail.

Exciting stuff. Why aren't more people talking about it?