A couple of items:

1.  The evening commute is pitch black this time of year.  The Active Transportation Alliance is giving away free bicycle headlights from 5pm to 7pm tonight (Friday, 11/20) at the Milwaukee/Damen/North intersection. The catch: You have to be on a bike to get a light.   I'll be getting one... never can have too many...

2.  I won't be blogging as frequently next week because I am taking some time off!  Yet I am going somewhere with Gore's "Internet".... so... I will try to post on any 'vacation cycling training' -- or lack there of.

Happy Thanksgiving.

- Kye

I know I'm not going to be able to get to Ridgefield, Conneticut to see a new bike-themed art show there, so I'll have to be content with perusing some of the "Bike Rides" exhibition online, from the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum.

The show was organized by Aldrich curators Richard Klein and Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, with help from musician, artist, and bicycle advocate David Byrne.  The idea is to explore the relavance of bikes not only as transportation - but in our culture.  There are functional bike designs (including one of Lance's old steeds!)... plus more abstract cycles and video. 

Some of my faves:

Jabas Lopes 

     Peter Kirkiles

                                                                      Jonathan Brand

How to get better at changing a tire (or, more accurately, the intertube inside a road bike tire).

                                              A Step-by-Step Guide:

1.  Discover your back tube is flat outside the sausage company on Damen/Fullerton.  As you put on your spare under the wan street light... inhale the peppery scent of that night's batch, while the factory workers heading out to Popeye's during their break look at you as though you're a unicorn.

2.  Realize, about 2 miles down the road, that same tube is flat again... decide there's something sharp imbedded inside the tire, decide you'll just walk the bike home from here, considering you don't have a 2nd spare.

3.  In the morning, decide that the valve on that tube was really the problem, it looks tweaked and feels loose.  Decide that with proper tightening, it will work just fine.

4. Later that same day, as you are getting ready to leave home for work, realize that the tube has deflated again, and it needs to be changed.  Change tire in living/bike storage room, sweating profusely because you already put your rain gear on.

5. About 4 miles into your ride-to-work, in spitting rain -- realize the same friggin' back tube is flat again.  Think, 'OK, there is something in this tire, and if I don't find it, I'm not going to make it to the office on time.'  Change tube outside grocery store under dry overhang.  Everything goes well -- you find and pick out a sharp piece of gravel (gotcha!).

6.  In your enthusiasm, while using your hand pump outside said grocery store, the valve breaks off your brand new tire.  It is flat again, and that was your only spare.

7.  Walk bike .25 miles to nearest outdoor gear store.  Purchase 2 tires, and 2 Cliff Bars (you're frickin' starving by now... the Maple Nut is awesome, by the way).

8.  Change tire along side of industrial complex, faster than ever before... combination of newfound skill, and being kind-of ticked off.  Ride to work... make it... with back tire fully inflated.  Phew.   

It's pretty rare in life that you actually have something concrete, something tangible, and something finite to measure yourself against.  I know we all have our Masters, and we are all accountable in different ways for results at work and in our personal lives... yet nothing much anymore is really black and white.  Most of us grew up recieving "participation trophies" and knew that we were all really wonderful and capable of achieving our dreams because Elmo told us so.

But have you ever truly set out to do something -- then achieved it, and then gone above and beyond your original expectations?  Maybe you have.  Perhaps you've lived a life of epic goal-setting and achieving.  I think we'd all like to think we live like that -- grabbing life by the horns, and so on.  For me, the reality is, just do the best you can with the situation you're in, and hope to Goodness that it leads to something else that will continue to be challenging and rewarding. 

So what does any of this blather have to do with cycling?  Ok, ok, I'm getting there.  When I first started bike commuting, (14 miles-a-day) it was August.  It was 75 degrees, it was dry, and it was a novelty.  It wasn't hard to find motivation -- it was a pleasure to get out there, and be in the fresh air, and get a nice tan, etc. 

But that was then.  This is now. 

I have now become intimately aquainted with the need for cycling glasses to be vented on top.  Why?  Because when it's 40 degrees, and you're wearing a Balaclava so your nose doesn't fall off... you need the venting or your breath will fog up the lens and you'll be riding blind at 20 mph (and you can't take off your sunglasses by the way, because the cold air causes tears to stream down your face - which will also be peppered by disgusting pieces of mysterious debris flying up from the roadway).  I now struggle at least one day a week to find the reason why I am getting on the bike, and not utilizing the newly-subsidized CTA.  Cycling to work is no longer exciting -- it's just one more routine.

Yet lately I have discovered something about myself and my ride:  I have actually improved as a cyclist, and in a way that is measurable and definite.  I have cut my commute nearly in half.  Not by devising a short-cut-- but simply by pedaling stronger and faster.  I didn't even notice this was happening, until, after a 35-minute commute (the same route that took me 55-minutes a month earlier) my husband looked shocked when I arrived home -- like he was opening the door expecting to see one of the solicitors that love our bleeding-heart neighborhood -- but it was just me -- his sweaty, hungry, life-partner.

And the weird part was -- I hadn't even tried to jam on the pedals -- it was a totally normal pace, or what's normal to me now.  To be able to have this type of evidence that you -- and only you -- made an improvement on a particular skill is intensely satisfying.  I don't do anything else in my life that allows me this type of feedback.  I don't have sales numbers to hit -- I don't bench press -- but I bike to work.  And for now, that's good enough.

Overheard in a bike shop in Chicago:  "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear."

Too true, too true.

My newest obsession?  Finding a baselayer that is warm-- yet breathable... Technically advanced-- yet comfortable... Functional-- yet fashionable enough to wear on its own.  I'll let you know what I find.

It seems to occur about once a month -- whether due to boredom of my route, annoyance of having to organize my backpack for another wardrobe change, or just plain ambivilance... I've been finding it hard to be inspired by my bike commute.

These are the times when I'll play mental games with myself -- like promising the nay-sayer inside a piece of dark chocolate with dinner... if I can just make it a couple more days this week...

The awesome sunny weather we've been blessed with for the past couple of days couldn't have come at a better time.  It makes it a heck-of-a-lot easier to velcro-on my Sugois knowing that the Vitamin D we all crave will be making its way into my bloodstream via my pale forearms on the ride into the Loop.  This picture -- looking back on the Adler Planetarium from McCormick Place on the lakefront path says it all -- how freaking beautiful -- and what a view compared to the mundane exit signs on the IKE!

There's a blog entry on the Chicago Reader site that was recently mentioned to me as possible fodder for a blog entry of my own.  The item is mainly focused on a recent "U-turn" of opinion by the Active Transportation Alliance (formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation). 

The Reader reports that just recently, the ATA has come out and said it actually supports the city's privitization plan for parking, and the guy in charge of ATA says he regrets the organization's original scathing report of the deal.  Also in the blog post, Mayor Daley recieves an award from the ATA - for being such a great guy to work with on transportation issues. 

Now, a lot of this is just political wheeling and dealing... and who knows what this meter deal is really going to mean for EVERYONE involved down the road.  Besides, why does a community activist group do what it does?   We don't really know.  It's likely that not all motives are pure, and the ATA likely needs powerful allies like King Daley to stay relevant and productive.  Now, this is all very interesting cocktail chatter for the Kombucha tap at Whole Foods, yet it doesn't really have an impact on my everyday life.  But one point of the blog entry IS extremely important to me as a bike commuter -- and that's the lack of bike parking now in the city. 

Now, when this meter lease deal first went down, the new parking tsar/company (Chicago Parking Meters, LLC) promised it would keep old meters around, despite the 'upgrade' to new-fangled boxes... just for cyclists.  And, it is true that sometimes you'll see one, with a little plaque saying, 'Left for the convenience of cyclists' - or some other such ditty.  Yet, even if there is an old meter, it's probably already got two bikes locked to it.  Judging by the comments on the Reader's blog entry, several bicyclists agree with me - there are simply not enough racks in Chicago.  I could really get behind some sort of campaign to get funding for this... and I really don't think it's a good use of anyone's time to groan about the backroom dealings of most high-placed city officials, whom, let's face it, likely put on their "To-Do" list tasks that will ensure their security- financially or politically.

Fellow riders, check out this link, an item on the site, treehugger.com.  It was sent to me by a regular commenter on this blog, and is entitled, "How to Get Killed on a Bicycle."

This sounds morbid, and it is... but the piece is an illustrated diagram of the most common scenarios at intersections during which cyclists are most likely to be hit and killed by a vehicle. 

I was surprised at the findings.

Today I decided to take the Lakefront path into work, to switch up my routine a bit (I usually take Damen/Milwaukee to the Loop), and also give myself the opportunity to extend my ride beyond the normal 40 minutes or so... it being such a mild, sunny November Friday.

I ended up riding for about 60 minutes... making it all the way past McCormick Place, and worked up an awesome sweat riding against the Northwesterly winds the whole way down.  Around the Oak Street Beach Curve (which, by the way, has been newly re-paved -- hallelujah!) the wind was so strong I was standing on my pedals, jamming as hard as I could, and moving at a pace that a snail would have scoffed at.  Great workout, though.   Especially when I sat back down in the saddle, and was forced to isolate my lower body to force the leaden pedals around.  Totally epic.

Yet, I digress.  The point of this post was to mention something that happened on the Lakefront path up near Montrose.  I noticed a cylist pulled over, fiddling with a pump.  Normally, that means he's got a flat, and it is in the "Cyclist Code" (not written on stone tablets, but known by all who ride as "no duh") to stop and offer your assistance.  The guy said he didn't have a flat, but a girl in a pink 'Obama '08' stocking cap (his helpful description) further down the path did, and he couldn't get his hand pump to work to help her out.  I came upon her soon enough, but she was riding with thick, mountain bike tires, and the pump I carry is only for the thin, delicate valve that comes on most road bike intertubes.  I thought nothing could be done, but then the first guy rode up, and says his pump was working after all.  Between the 2 of us, we got the girl on her way.  Full disclosure:  the other dude did all the hard work, I mostly stood there offering unsolicited observations about how she probably has a slow leak, and should get an intertube change, yadda yadda.

Another example of riding for one, riding for all. 

As if I'm not already constantly on alert while in the midst of my 14-mile-per-day bike commute, one route that I use quite a bit contains a new memorial which is a scary reminder of just how deadly road cycling can be.

On Oct. 21st of this year, 20-year-old Liza Whitacre was run over by a truck on Damen and Wellington.  Nearly every day, I pass a white bike, with a wreath around it, on the northwest corner of that intersection - a tribute to Whitacre.  (I'll upload photos when I can, having some tech. difficulties with my camera phone...)

The entire official account of the accident can be found here, as it was reported to the Chicago Breaking News Center (Tribune Co.).  Now, from what I can tell, by reading the item, it seems to have been an accident, with the victim and her friend likely trying to pass the Damen #50 bus on the left, squeezing in between the bus, and other traffic headed the same direction.

The friend make it through, but according to the article, the victim fell off her bike, was underneath the truck, which didn't see her, and ran her over.  Because no charges were filed, it it possible that the entire situation was indeed, an accident-- yet not being there, and not seeing any detailed witness accounts in the story, I am hesitant to make any judgement whatsoever on the actions of the drivers, or the cyclists, in this case.

Neverthless, when I ride past the white memorial bike, which is often surrounded by flickering candles in the evenings, I do take an extra moment to think about my safety.

Yep, you read that right.  For a child of the early '90s like myself, Zach Morris, the blond prepster protagonist on the pre-teen-targeting show, "Saved by the Bell" is an iconic figure of my cul-de-sac-centric childhood.

                                                          'Zach Morris'

So, imagine my joy and surprise at this article in the New York Times Style Section, on the actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar, he of Zach Morris fame (who has also been on NYPD Blue, and now stars in a TNT legal drama).  Turns out, Gosselaar is not just a celebrity who rides (Matthew McConaughey, former President George W. Bush, etc.)... he is a major cyclist who competes in Category 2 races.  And he just 'happens' to be an actor.

Great read. 

If, as a relatively new bike commuter (like myself), you've yet to check out Chicago's independently-run online stolen bike registry, I strongly suggest clicking through the site.

Your first impression, as mine was, will likely be one of horror and disgust at the number of bike thefts going on in the city - and suburbs.   Just in the last week, 5 people have posted on thefts, from across Chicago in areas as varied as the South Side, Logan Square, Wicker Park, and the Northwest Side.  Yet something I didn't plan for was just how educational the site is.  Obviously, for the people posting, they are leaving their e-mails, and hoping someone will spot their stolen bike and they can somehow get it back.  However, because I luckily am still in possession of my bike, I found it most interesting to read how each bike was stolen, from where, how it was locked, and what it was locked to.

This is facinating, because theives seem to have penetrated all types of locks -- heavy combo locks, newer U-locks with flat keys (which is what I have) -- and they take bikes even when the lock is through the front wheel, the frame, AND the bike rack.  These are not riders who carelessly left their bikes, unlocked (except for that Potbelly delivery guy-  for 3 minutes he says!)  And it was also worth noting that the reports of theft came from every possible location in the city -- near the site of the Chicago Marathon finish line, at suburban train stations, outside a Lincoln Park McDonalds, outside Water Tower Place on Michigan Ave, at CTA train stations, at various Colleges and University campuses, at Navy Pier... absolutely everywhere... no discrimination.  And even in broad daylight, in high traffic areas, in areas where people they work with also lock their bikes everyday.

It just made me realize how lucky I am that the building I work in has a secure bike lock area that is only accessible by other employees.  Plus, there is a security guard -- and that probably discourages any lazy thief.  Finally, check out the "statistics" header at the top of the home page -- it documents which situations, by percentage, are likely to lead to theft.  And the stat on how often bikes are recovered?  Less than 1-and-a-half percent.  Yeeps.

I've posted previously on this blog that I eat more than ever now that I'm bike commuting.  I've written about how I actually had a hunger pang in the middle of the night... and how I'm eating healthier than ever, because I've never been more conscious of how important having energy is.  

Now, I've always been a nutritionally vigilant... A habit that I developed in my early 20s, when I worked on morning news shows in Fresno and Sacramento over a period of 7 years.  You see, when you are messing with your internal body clock, and getting up at 3 a.m. for so long, your body will shut down on you (sickness, extra lbs, general malaise and resentment toward life in general) unless you feed yourself extremely healthily, and work out regularly. 

But I thought I'd document what I eat on an average day now, and what I do to burn that energy while bike commuting.

6a-7a:  (Burn) Rock climbing on indoor climbing wall/Pilates.  

7:30a:  (Eat) 12 oz oat milk latte from neighborhood coffee shop (with Intelligencia espresso -- I usually drink tea, but when I go for the good stuff, I'm such a bean snob!), a very large steroidy-looking banana from home, 2 huge tablespoons of almond butter from the jar. 

11a:  (Burn) 45 min. bike commute to work.

12a:  (Eat) 1 Granny Smith apple, Salad with a surely-hormonally-enhanced avocado and half a cucumber drizzled with an abundant pour of olive oil, huge oatmeal cookie.

6p: (Burn) 45 min. bike commute home from work.

7:30p: (Eat) Massive salad with tofu, butter lettuce, pear, dried cranberries, tomato, hazelnut oil, roasted nuts... basically whatever I can find goes into this baby.  For desert, usually some whole wheat toast with honey, or perhaps some carob chips -- or a large chunk of dark chocolate.  

I would say the biggest difference in my diet now is that the serious, weird cravings I have are not for sodium, or sugar -- but seriously, I am not making this up -- fruit.  I'm pretty sure this is because a piece of fruit is basically all carbs, i.e., immediate energy -- and I think I eat about 4 pieces of fruit a day, minimum.  I also eat more at breakfast now, and always include a protein source there -- something I never used to do before. 

Ok, readers -- I'm going to go all Vogue on y'all, and let you know that I'm lusting after some new, cool, cold-weather-friendly cycling gear.  I am so bored of throwing on the same fleece baselayers and the same 'ole cycling knickers every dang day.  Maybe some new duds would help me stay motivated to continue to bike commute... better continue to pick up those extra traffic reporting shifts!

1. This Sugoi Braveheart jersey, available at www.sugoi.com.  The pattern is so awesome -- like Burberry, but with tech fabric!  Love it. 

2. This jacket and knickers from Harlot Clothing Co., a cycling brand that has a ton of street style to go with the technical element.  I could sooo see myself hanging out at Whole Foods in this outfit.

          The Sophia Jacket:

Harlot's Scarlet-X Tech Knicker (both available at www.harlotwear.com)

3. And finally, just 'cause -- I've gotta have this.  It's the KOR ONE 'Hydration Vessel' (OK, people, it's a water bottle, but isn't that so awesome that KOR is in denial of that?  Ha ha!)  Each color corresponds to a different eco-friendly organization that gets a part of the profits.  WAY slicker then carrying around the beat-up water bottle that I use while riding.  Word is that both Gwenyth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz have one.  I think I would actually be more motivated to stay hydrated with this design-snobby item.  (Snag it at www.onlinefitness.com).

Whenever I tell someone I bike commute -- I often get the (rather insensitive) comment. 'Ooh, I think bikers are sooooo annoying... they never obey traffic laws."  Hello!??!?  Didn't I just tell you I am one of "THEM"!??!?  I wish people would dialogue more politely about this subject, which I actually think is very important.  I too, think that it is very annoying when intense, risk-taking cyclists put everyone on the road (vehicles, peds, other cyclists) in danger by not obeying traffic laws.  That said, I've posted here before that I do not come to a full stop at every stop sign or red light if I can safety move through the intersection without disrupting the flow of vehicle traffic, therefore blatantly breaking the law.

I read a great article in Slate on this issue.  The full text can be found here.  In a nutshell, the article debates all the pros and cons of allowing cyclists to legally do what I described above, otherwise known as 'The Rolling Stop.'  Basically, Idaho is the only state that actually has a law on the books saying it's OK for riders to roll through red lights and stop signs if there is no other vehicle traffic.  I've found that here in Chicago, if you bend the law a little bit, cops will not ticket cyclists -- they probably have too much other stuff coming across on the scanner.

Yet I agree with the author of the Slate piece that more serious infractions of traffic laws-- like driving the wrong way on one-way streets-- SHOULD induce some sort of crack-down.  Unfortunately, with all of the big-picture problems this city is dealing with, I think it's probably going to be left to the cycling community to police ourselves.  We need to realize that some drivers are always going to judge those who bike as dangerous/annoying because of their bad experiences with the bad apples, and we all have a responsibility to represent ourselves well on the road.

A few days ago, reader Dave asked how he could bike commute into the Loop from Arlington Heights.  Fortunately, an experienced cyclist reading this blog has just the convoluted road-tested route for you... if you've got the guts.

Here's what he suggests...

"...taking Palatine, Euclid, or Golf is surely a setup for death. I used to live near the A. Hts. train station and Dave's real problem is getting beyond I-294 and the Des Plaines River. Once beyond those 2 obstacles it gets "easier". I work for a local mapping company and I hesitate to say this, but Google maps has a feature that allows you to create a route and then drag a portion (white dot on route)of the route to fit your needs. Let's say our starting point is the A.Hts. Metra station and the ending point is, um, the Boeing Building in downtown Chicago.  Hop on the train, oh wait, by bicycle, that's right.

Let me just summarize the streets I would take from that point. Sigwalt, Davis, short stretch of NW Hwy, Prospect, Warrington, Wolf, Prairie, Busse Hwy, Glenview, Monroe to Caldwell where you pickup the bike path, this will drop you off at Devon & Caldwell, Leoti, Leader, Lansing, Forest Glen, to Elston (bike lane!), Milwaukee to downtown. Don't forget the required stop at Blommer's (tell them Kye sent you)! Comes out to a little over 26 miles. It is also possible to hop off the bike path at Superdawg (Devon & Milwaukee) and that would leave you the choice of Elston or Milwaukee (personally I take Elston) If you  keep that up you'll be riding Cat 2 by summer and The Tour in '11.

Ride Fast.

--Speed Racer

These gloves could save my pinkie from falling off.  I decided my 'makeshift' winter riding gloves (which consisted of regular fingerless riding gloves, layered under some Nike fleece gloves made for running) could end up being detrimental to my preference for maintaining all 20 of my digits.  So I picked up these Pearl Izumi Cyclone gloves.  Water and wind resistant... and with enough grip to make braking and steering easy.   Forty degrees for another 2 weeks?  Bring it on, baby.

The Gear:

Recently, blog commenter Dave asked about a decent route to bike commute into the Loop from Arlington Heights.  Dave, I have to say, my first, visceral reaction to your query was 'ack!'  Having made a gnarly bike trip out to the inlaws' place in NW Suburban Palatine... I can tell you right now that it is going to take some serious dedication to do this ride a couple of times a week.  That said, it is very do-able.

Here's my first instinct:  All roads lead to Milwaukee Ave, which leads right into the Loop (ending at Canal/Lake).  So basically, get to Milwaukee.  Now, depending on where in Arlington Heights you live, you just want to find the best, safest East-West road that you can ride east to Milwaukee.  This could be Palatine Rd, Euclid Rd, or Golf Rd.  You'll probably have some hairy moments figuring out which is better.  Now... Milwaukee is great once you get south of Niles (designated bike lane, most of the way)... but I have to tell you that a resurfacing project of doomsday proportions is going on in freaking Niles.   This may drive you to detour on Harlem, and take that south for several blocks.

I think finding your quickest/safest/smoothest route is really a matter of trial and error.  Even my relatively simple commute is something I'm always tweaking -- trying to find the most efficient, bike-friendly, and relatively-pothole-free ride is like the Holy Grail for road warriors.

God Speed, and let me know what you discover!

Remember the first day of 10th grade physics when we learned that some old white dude named Newton said, "To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction?"  This post is to counter the admittedly glowing cycling-zealot post from yesterday, when I waxed poetic on the top 10 reasons to ride to work.  

Yet this companion list must be done.  I realize this list is only half the size of the original, but I really couldn't think of a full 10 on the negative side.. this despite a yucky commuting experience today (drizzly, frickin' freezing).

So, here they are: the top 5 reasons NOT to bike commute -- ascending to most negative:

5.  Gotta Plan for the Apocalypse -- in Your Backpack.

     There is so much stuff to carry around with you at all times when you bike commute.  Your hefty U-lock, your helmet, your rain gear, your gloves, your shoes, a hat, an extra layer, food, cellphone, travel toiletries, office clothing... you get the idea.  Everytime you leave the house it's a freaking production.  Like going on a day-hike in Yosemite five days a week.  This is such a pain in the (albeit firm) you-know-what.

4.  A Waterproof Jacket is HOW MUCH?

     Good quality cycling gear for commuting or otherwise costs money.  A lot of it.  And when you realize how reliant you've become on waterproof-this, dry-wicking-that, reflective-this, breathable-fiber that... you suddenly start to justify spending all that savings in your fuel budget on gear.  Case in point?   This nau jacket that I absolutely can't commute without. 

3.  Does Black Lung Still Exist?

     It can be downright disgusting out there -- huffing and puffing for air while trapped behind an emission-belching city bus or box truck.  You're doing something aerobic, therefore your lungs desire more oxygen -- and as you search for that blessed gulp of clean air, more often than not the city streets will reward you with rotting, blackened, exhaust-filled choke dust.  Yech.  (Extra gross factor for smells of excrement wafting up from the gutter in River West,  vomit on the streets of Wrigleyville, or old burritos tossed out of a car and into the street in Bucktown).

2.  Mother Nature Hath No Mercy.

    This one speaks for itself.  Just imagine being outside your warm, dry, climate-controlled car/train interior -- and for 45 minutes at a time.  You get pelted by rain, blown side-to-side by gales, freeze your fingers and toes, and end up at your destination looking like a wet, mangy dog.  In fact, my loving husband has a nickname for me describing how I look after a rainy commute home: "William Wallace."  Yep, Mel Gibson's character in Braveheart.  My hair is insane, and my mascara (if I'm too lazy to take it off) has run down my cheeks like urban warpaint.  At the time the moniker was first coined I neary cried-- but now it's kinda awesome.  "You can take my Camry -- and give me back my freedom, hah!"

1.  Getting Injured -- Or Dying.

     According to the Sun-Times, this year, 5 cyclists have been killed in Chicago in vehicle accidents.  This includes a deadly crash during "Bike to Work" week, when a cyclist was doored by an SUV - forcing the rider into traffic, where he was struck by a second car.  I think about dying pretty much every commute.  It's just part of the routine.  But that doesn't mean I don't wish things were different.  The driver of that SUV was cited with a traffic ticket for "opening a car door in traffic."  That just seems so inane.  Yet without more education/public affairs campaigns, etc.  I'm afraid "defensive cycling" is the way to go.  In other words, pretend like every vehicle on the road could kill you , and you'll likely get to your office/home in one piece.

Trust me, it's only irony that I am posting this Letterman-esque list during the height of the ratings boom being enjoyed by the philandering late night talker. 

The fact is, I've been pondering a list like this for awhile, especially during those days when my motivation to ride to work is a bit lack-luster.  Thinking about some of the benefits keeps me off the El (oh so tempting sometimes) and in the bike lane.  

Here goes, in ascending order to the most awesome reason: 

10.  Heightened Senses.

     There's nothing better than smelling fresh-baked bread at Gonella, or the sweet perfume of whatever sinful delight they're churming out at Blomer's Chocolate Factory.  Of course, being ultra-aware of what's going on around you includes the trash truck and that passed-out homeless dude, but you do feel 'at one' with the urban landscape.

9.  Time to Think.

     More than driving, when we usually distract ourselves with music/sports talk/news updates... riding provides a break from the constant 'white noise' of life.  I don't use my iPod while commuting for safety reasons, and I've had some of my best ideas and clarity of mind while churning up Damen Ave. 

8.  Saving the World.

     Not to be eco-trendy, but the fact is that while not driving, you are doing one small thing to lessen the CO2 emissions in the city.  On your commute, running other errands that you'd normally do in the car also cuts down on those short trips around town that burn through your gas tank.

7.  Becoming a Better Driver. 

     Knowing what it's like for cyclists has made me more defensive and sensitive behind the wheel.  I'm better about always signaling my next move, and am hyper-vigilant about checking my mirrors -- especially before opening my driver's side door into a bike lane.

6.  Being Part of the "Crew."

     The feeling of belonging to a secret underground community of Chicagoans who bike commute is pretty cool.  It's the code on the roads that all cyclists must stop and help a rider in need, the feeling that we're all in this together.

5.  Gaining Basic "Gearhead" Skills.

     When I was simply a recreational rider, I didn't take seriously the need to practice changing a flat.  Yet now that a flat fix determines whether I get on-air on time (crucial to my job, of course) I have actually tinkered with my bike enough to feel good about basic maintenence skills, and have successfully changed an intertube or two.  

4.  Bye-bye Google Maps Crutch. 

     This is a benefit I didn't see coming - knowing the city streets and their quirks like never before.  Traversing from one neighborhood to another is now no longer a mystery, the best routes to and from the loop are a no-brainer, and the need to lock-down bike-friendly streets has turned me into a human GPS device.

3.  Health is Wealth.

     Injecting a significant amount of physical activity into my normally sedentary daily commute/work routine has probably already added years to my life.  My cardio fitness has never been better.  My legs and core have never been leaner or more muscular.  My metabolism has never been swifter, and my cravings for processed, chemical-laden food has never been weaker.  With my body now my primary means of transportation, I treat it like a Porche.  Only the finest premium fuel for this machine, baby. 

2.  Wealth is Wealth.

     Bike commuting saves cash.  It's that simple.  Parking is free, there is no gas budget, there is no Metra/CTA fare cost.  Never worry about a parking ticket, and your car (sitting in your driveway) requires fewer oil changes.  The maintenance and gear required for your bike will set you back several hundred bucks - but you'll re-coup that investment in a few months. 

1.  The "Whoa" Factor.

     The way people react when they find out you ride to and from The Loop is the best.  They think you're slightly nuts, basically camping out 'on the fringe of society' -- and if you're like me, you get a kick out of defying the norm.  Most everyone you encounter who doesn't bike commute themselves will say things like, "Wow, isn't that dangerous?"  "How freaking far is it?"  "Even in the rain?" Yeah, I do feel like I've lost my mind sometimes, especially when a 30 mile-per-hour wind is coming at me while I'm tenuously navigating a steel grate slick with motor oil... but seriously, you read the list, so am I really that insane?   

OK, so that supposed "pothole patching crew" that was (in my mind) working on my own personal "Hell's Corner?"  (Thusly named because of its punishing terrain for delicate road bike tires...) Well, turns out the workers just tore the ground up some more, and put a metal sheet down.  Observe:

And, a tight shot of the manhole cover that, when slick with a light rain, threatens to dump me into a crazed taxi driver:

I could barely believe my eyes when I rounded the corner of the alley that feeds me onto Randolph street in front of my building... a traffic back-up several blocks long that could only mean one thing -- pothole patching! 

What's more, the crews were hard at work patching up a spot at Randolph and Canal that I had taken to calling Hell's Corner.  The moniker relates to the fact that I have to make a right turn here at the corner, and the street is so chewed up that every time I come out of this asphalt Picasso alive -- I am shocked.  This was the kind of minefield where the manhole cover at the corner was higher than the pavement, the pedestrians were always making their own crazy moves to avoid a puddle -- all I know is I have never been so happy to see those orange cones!

I did it.  I broke down and finally spent a hefty chunk of change on a nice Trek U-lock.  I got the lock not for security while at work in the Loop -- the traffic offices are in a building with a secure bike lock area, only accessible to bike commuters. 

Actually, I really need the added security for running other errands around Chicago's 'hoods -- where a trip to Whole Foods or the gym could be the end of your beautiful steed if your chain lock is the type that can be cut with tools sold at the local ACE (which mine was).

So I now have this security, but there are different ways to use the "power of the U."  The proper way, to ensure that ALL of your bike will be there when you come out of the drug store is to take off your front wheel (if it detaches) and line it up with the back wheel.  Then thread the U-lock through each wheel, the bike rack/meter/tree and frame.  This does take some work.  And time.  But the front wheel is worth about $70 bucks, and the back (with the components for gears, etc.) is worth about $100.  Thieves do take the wheels if they aren't locked with the frame.

The faster way to use the "U" is to short cut this process -- and not worry about the wheels.  It's so tempting!  But then again, physics dictate you wouldn't get very far without this component of the machine... it's worth it to take an extra couple of minutes I guess.  After all, I wouldn't leave my car unlocked on a Chicago city street with the keys sitting in full view, now would I?

This week was an extremely mixed-bag, weather-wise.  Now in my car-commuting days, I would have noted the different forecasts calling for high winds, clouds, a few showers, some sun, and a storm with mild interest.  Now, though -- I find myself watching studying reports like a addict.  (Paul Konrad, Duffy, and Tim, you are my gurus).

On the bike, you are extremely vulerable to mother nature.  On Monday, the high winds were so extreme by abs were sore the next day.  That's because I practically rode the whole way home standing up on the pedals, using my core for stabilization, to avoid being blown into a parked or moving vehicle.  Several times along this commute I noticed a few commuters giving up to walk their bikes.  A lot of these riders were "fixies"  (fixed-gear riders).  They don't have the ability to gear down when a heavy wind strikes (allowing you to keep pedaling, even through the strongest gale).

Tonight (Friday), it looks to be a gnarly, wet-rat-esque ride.  I'm prepared.  I know I'll arrive home with my rain pants matted to my body by sweat, and my bike splattered with muck.  It's sooo worth it though -- the hot shower and glass of burgandy that await make anything bearable.

If there's one thing that drivers do that scares/annoys me on my bike commute it's NOT SIGNALING.  After more than a month of riding to work, I'm getting way more in tune with people's road safety habits, and I've finally realized why I hate this so much. 

A lot of bike commuting is about anticipation.  For example, if someone just finished parallel parking, I'm going to anticipate they are going to open their door into the bike lane, and I'll plan to swerve to avoid getting doored.  If a light is on the verge of turning yellow, I'll look ahead, and try to gage whether I'll be able to make the intersection safely, or if I'll need to stop at the light.  At a four-way stop -- I'll see if a pedestrian forces one vehicle to wait longer -- therefore allowing me to pass through the intersection safely, though out of turn.  You get the drift.

Yet so many drivers don't signal (and idiotic cyclists, too, but that's for another time).  This annoyed me when I DROVE to work as well -- because people would be turning in and out of the side streets with no warning -- forcing you to slam on your brakes.  Well, it's even worse on the bike.  I can't anticipate my next move when drivers are just making decisions with no warning.  There may not be a ton of vehicle traffic when they make that sudden right into the gas station -- but a cyclist may be in the vicinity -- and we need to know what you're thinking as well!

Here are a few things that I've found to be essential for bike commuting.  It's a strange jumble of products -- but equally useful in a jam.

First, the practical.  For changing a tire punctured by a piece of glass, rusty hanger, or twisted nail -- this lifetime warranty set of tire levers is the ultimate.  For anyone who's had the experience of flimsy plastic breakage -- pick up some of these hefty bad boys, called Pedro's Tire Levers -- every local bike shop has 'em: 

Also, the nutritional.  If you don't have an easliy-accessible source of carbohydrates handy, you can sometimes bonk during your commute.  I've had this happen to me, where my energy reserves were so low that I drifted through a red light in a fog of weakness and stupidity.  Apples rock.  All other fruit is too bruisable (word?).  Here's one in a mesh pocket in my backpack:

And -- the superficial.  Yes vanity it's a sin, but who wants to look like death-warmed-over every day at the office?  No time for a luxurious hair-washing in your buildings' gym?  (Or no showers at your workplace?)  This product rocks.  It's Orlando Pita's T3 Dry Shampoo.  Just spray and massage into your slightly sweaty roots -- and your locks look totally fresh and non-greasy.  It's pricey ($28), but worth it, because a can of this will last forever (you don't need more than a smidge to achieve desired results...) 

My post yesterday on "World Carfree Day" and the organization's lofty goals has sparked a debate.  I'm putting the comments in an actual blog post, because I don't want them to be missed!  (For clarity, check out my original post before entering the fray).  The first Comment is from somebody at Carfree Chicago.  The response is from regular blog commenter Speed Racer.  Where do you stand?

COMMENT #1:

I think of Car-Free Day as being about personal choices rather than getting rid of cars altogether. And for a surprisingly high number of people in Chicago, car-free living is an everyday reality, not a dream. One-third of our city's households don't have cars -- that's about one million car-free Chicagoans. Many neighborhoods count an even higher percentage of residents among the car-free ranks. This Lakeview East Chamber study pegs the car-free count at 40%, with 56% having car-free commutes: http://www.lakevieweast.com/open-business-in-chicago-economic-study.htm . I think this day is about celebrating these great choices that we have and thinking about ways we can make car-free living even better, so that it's a more viable option for more people.  -Carfree Chicago

COMMENT #2:

Mr/Ms Carfree Chicago:
I have to say I'm a bit hesitant about your numbers but perhaps that's because Kye seems to refer in her post to the legal boundaries of Chicago while I get the idea you have defined your Chicago as, let's say, within 4 miles of downtown. Within that imaginary 4 mile radius I see two problems, the expense of parking, and a HUGE range income levels. When you can easily pay tens of thousands of dollars for a parking space to go with your hip downtown high-rise condo then I can see why you'd choose public transportation, and within that radius you have pretty good transportation service access. If you have to take the dreaded bus (people hate buses) you are only on it for maybe 20 minutes. Move to the far reaches of the legal boundaries of Chicago and suddenly you could easily reach a 30 minute mark just to get to a train or Metra line, and even then those two options may not go where you need to go. If not you're back to the bus, and frankly if that's the option and I have to spend an hour on the bus I'm probably going to opt for my car. Now go even farther out from downtown and the transportation options drop significantly. In Chicagoland much of the commuting options look like a spoked wheel with all lines leading to downtown. If I need to go from Schaumburg to Evanston then you have a problem.

I would think that income levels play an important role in reducing the number of cars in the "4 mile radius Chicago". We have the wealthy of Streeterville and the much lower income of near south and west side. One group fits the Mercedes profile to other fits the "I'll take the bus because I can't afford a car" profile.

I'm all for $6 a gallon gas because in general it might get us fat Americans off our butts but ultimately, as Kye said, you without a doubt have your heart in the right place but there are realistic obstacles to overcome. I do my part everyday to help your cause. I encourage my kids to walk or bike to school. We try our best to reduce our trips to Jewel, Menards, etc. For a suburban family we "only" put about 8,000 miles-a-year on the car. All representing alternative ways to help your carfree message.

Keep spreading the message, we are behind it.  --Speed Racer

I've been bike commuting 5 days a week now for nearly a month-and-a-half.  While I'm still confident that this is a good thing in the long run, for me economically, and for my eco-footprint in this city, I'd be lying if I said that every day I was excited to get on my trusty steed and hit the bike lane.

Whereas, in your car, you create a sterile, hermetically sealed 'bubble world' tailored to your specific likes and dislikes (controlling the temperature, the music, etc.), on the bike you are really at the mercy of the environment around you, and sometimes that can be downright unsavory.

Take for instance, my ride in today.  Never before have you realized how dang loud the sirens on an ambulance are until one passes two feet from your left ear.  I still don't know if I have my hearing 100% back after that experience on Damen.  Then, on Milwaukee, my own personal nightmare -- the dreaded Trash Truck Trap.  This is the dry-heave-inducing experience of riding alongside/behind a garbage truck.  Now, this is not a rip on the city's sanitation dept. -- they are just doing their job, and the drivers are generally good to cyclists.  But my gosh, the stench!  Without the ability to close your car windows, and needing to take deep breaths to keep your lungs working--  the reeking, rotting, smell of Chicago Life envelops you until you can escape through the next yellow light.

Rides like this one sometimes have me wishing for the cool faux-leather interior of the Camry.  Oh Blessed Generic Pod of Ordinary -- why have I forsaken you? 

How do veteran bike commuters stay exited about the ride?  Does thinking about the money you don't spend parking/fueling-up inspire?  Do you reward yourself with soy chai lattes? (OK, that last one was my idea...)

Help?!??! 

Hey you, betcha didn't know today is a very special holiday!  Yep, it's World Car Free Day.  Now, I know you're skeptical.  Believe me, I would be too, and I'm the kind of gal who organized a suburban block clean-up on 'Earth Day' back in 1992 -- Waaaay before it was cool to "be green" and the prefix "eco" meant "economics," not "ecologically."

Yet apparently, every September 22, people from around the world get together in the streets, intersections, and neighbourhood blocks to get out of their cars, and explore alternative transportation.

As you can gather from this paragraph directly from the World Carfree Network's site, these folks mean business:

"We do not want just one day of celebration and then a return to "normal" life. When people get out of their cars, they should stay out of their cars. It is up to us, it is up to our cities, and our governments to help create permanent change to benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and other people who do not drive cars. 

Let World Carfree Day be a showcase for just how our cities might look like, feel like, and sound like without cars...365 days a year.

As the climate heats up, World Carfree Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet, and put it on city planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport, instead of to the automobile."

OK, so that sounds awesome -- but it is just a fantasy world for most of us.  Consider me, a test case.  For 1 year and 3 months I was a gas-guzzling, CO2 emmitting son-of-a-gun, with a commute that was 2-hrs round trip.  Where I was going?  Mass transit was only an option if I was willing to part with 5 hrs a day -- NOT realistic.  I only recently have the opportunity to bike commute because of a Loop work location, and an awesomely secure area for my bike in the building.

And even my paltry 7-mile commute down-and-back takes committment and planning EVERY SINGLE DAY,  and yeah, by Friday evening I'm freaking exhausted, and the last thing I want to do is get on that spindly seat and propel myself through air choked with diesel fumes, avoiding death at least twice a night. 

So I guess what I'm saying is -- hey, World Carfree Network -- your heart is in the right place, but your head is a mess.  Practically speaking, for Chicagoland residents, your dream is just that.  And for those of us lucky enough to have an opportunity to be carfree -- we're doing the best we can, day-in, day-out, to contribute to society positively in the teeniest way, and that's all we can ask of ourselves.

Over the past few weeks I've written about my many brushes with death as a bike commuter when it comes to automobiles, but lately I've had some gnarly close-calls with pedestrians as well.

It's weird, but it seems as though folks crossing busy streets sans crosswalk (i.e., jaywalking) only pause to check for cars, and not for a cyclist.  This is ignorant though, considering that away from a crosswalk, bicyclists are likely doing about 20 miles-per-hour. 

The most recent incident that freaked me out had to do with a guy who had one hand pressing his cell up to his ear, and the other holding a styrofoam package of carryout.  Milwaukee Avenue is pretty crazy as it is, so my heart almost stopped when this pedestrian sorta glanced both ways, then meandered right in front of me in the bike lane.

I swerved to avoid the collision and all I could muster was a "Whoa!"  He called out "my bad!" and kept on walking.  I'm just lucky there wasn't a car in the lane I swerved into.  I am adding spaced-out pedestrians to my list of things to be vigilant about now on the ride.

Despite logging roughly 14-miles-per-day on my bike for my commute alone, I'm finding that one challenge of my new lifestyle is finding the desire to keep up my regular cardio workouts.

This may sound weird at first, but I've noticed lately that I now barely break a sweat on my commute.  I attribute this to two things.  One, I'm getting a lot more proficient on the bike.  Jamming up a slight hill while trying not to get squeezed by the buick with the duct-taped bumper now barely registers a burn in my quads.  My heart is definately not getting the workout that I was at the start of this experiment.

So today, I am re-committing myself to squeezing in other cardio workouts at LEAST three times a week to supplement the day-in-day-out calorie burn of the commute.  This could mean asking (making) my husband tow me along for one of his heart-attack neighborhood runs, or waking up early to make a spin class at the gym. 

Basically, my goal is to get to the point where during a physical, a doctor might ask, 'are you by chance a tri-athlete?'  (That happened to me once- I was unemployed, and had nothing to do but run around the city, and when the doc tested my heart rate, she said is was equivalent to like, top athletes.  Probably a highlight of my medical life.  Sad, I know... but I love bio-physics and stuff.)  

This hasn't happened to me yet -- but many bike commuters I've talked to have had the horrific experience of being "doored" or, hit by someone opening their driver-side door after parking on the street.

I met fellow bike-commuter Megan, and she said she came away from this nasty incident relatively unscathed, in fact, she said the driver was more shaken up than she was.

I've had some close calls, of course, but I've gotten into the habit of checking inside the cars as I'm riding, so I can anticipate whether anyone might be opening their door into the bike lane.

This brings me to another point -- awareness.  I find that there are so many things that my mind has to process on an average commute that I would never consider listening to my iPOD on my ride.  For me, every sense is needed just to navigate my route safely.  Yet I know many others listen to music on their commute.  Perhaps they've been doing it a lot longer -- and have the experience under their belt to relax a little more!

Considering this is a blog about a transportation alternative to car-commuting, I'm going to use this forum to vent a little about mass transit in this region.  Specifically, the way Metra officials appear to have drug their collective feet all the way to the modern era.

I am referencing September 9th's changes regarding Metra, which have brought a new, much-better-looking website debuting today, and the ability to use that website to purchase tickets/passes with a credit/debit card (Metra then mails them to you).

This story, of course, has been a long time coming, and it will continue to evolve.  By February 2010 Metra has to install a system to enable customers to use their credit card at train stations to buy tickets.  Yes, I said "has to."  All of this would never be happening without legislation mandating this modernization.  Granted, it IS an unfunded mandate.  Meaning, lawmakers say 'do it,' and Metra has to figure out how to pay for it.  Now, hearing Metra officials quoted in various news stories, you will notice them reference the Springfield baddies who have imposed upon them the dreaded "UM" (unfunded mandate).  You may also see the point brought up that credit card companies will be skimming all of the user fees off the top as profit, and with Metra reluctant to raise ticket prices, they'll be taking a huge financial hit by providing this service.

Now, I understand, I really do.  As an interest-spewing Average American Consumer, I am well aware of the credit/debit industry and all it's wrought.  But seriously.  It's 2009, and every major cosmopolitan city (a category which it's obvious Chicago considers itself a part of) has at least some digitization in place when it comes to mass transit (credit/debit being the bare bones, Smart Cards on the higher end - ooh London!)  Besides, when the lady who owns a small nail shop on Western is paying similar fees on every relatively paltry transaction, she may not like it -- but she knows she'd lose countless customers without this convenience.

So what I'm saying is, yes, we know your budgets have been stretched to the max for years, we know that any extra money you get you first want to use to replace the sketchy rail cars on the Electric Line.  We know the credit card companies are going to suck you dry until possible increased ridership and a streamlined system starts to pay back your investment in this technology.... but get over it.  We commuters are already stressed to the max, whether we bike, ride, or drive to work, and you won't find sympathy here. 

Well, another entry here about the unspoken, unwritten code on the roads between cyclists:  never leave a man behind.  This is a code that I'm discovering that occurs when riders are in need -- and I experienced it twice over the holiday weekend. 

Basically, the code is this:  if you, while on a ride, see any other rider off to the side of the road/path looking to be mechanically or physically hurting -- you offer your help, usually with a shout like, 'everything cool man?' or, 'you guys all good?' The downed cyclist in question will respond with something to the effect of:  "just a flat, Bro, I got it... thanks," or, "just a little road rash, I'm fine, thanks." 

Saturday in Wisconsin my husband's seat somehow became bent out of whack in the middle of an epic 30-miler on some country roads.  We were off to the side of County Road Z, with me trying to brace his handlebars while he attempted to re-bend the soft metal (stupid us, no wrench!), when a dude tightly packed into his racing duds (he never met a cheese curd he didn't love) rode by and offered his help.  Very cool.  Then, on Labor Day, with the hubby suffering a flat tire on the way to a family gathering, another cyclist out for his morning ride stopped to ensure we had what we needed. 

It feels good.  It's like a roving pit crew of strangers out there having your back.  I saw a girl on the lakefront trail wipe out seriously the other day on a patch of gravel near Montrose.  She was dressed casually, and did not appear to be a regular bike commuter -- so I think she was weirded out when I stopped to offer assistance and moral support for what I know is a painful experience.  It's just part of the code, Bro.

OK, so as I'm approaching the end of my third full week of bike commuting, I felt it was time to really knuckle-down and calculate some actual statistics regarding what (if any) cash I've saved in gas, how I'm helping the environment, and how many extra cals I'm burning.  I used a really cool "bike commuting" calculator that gear-mecca REI has on their site.

First, you put in how many miles you bike in a week = 72 (14.4 mi./day, round trip).

The information on calories burned on the bike/week = 3,384

Then, it calculated how much money I saved in fuel per week = $15.84

Finally, the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) reduction per week = 69 lbs  (for every 6 lbs of gas saved, you save about 20 lbs of the burn-off, CO2).

So what am I taking away from all of this?  I'm not really saving a ton of money.  That 15 bucks a week is being obliterated by my need to buy more food for all the extra calories I'm burning.  Yet I do feel good about my reduced carbon "footprint."  Not in an ultra-hippie, hemp-clad sort-of-way, but in a practical, stress-free, "one-with-the-road" kind-of-way.

Just a reminder as we (too) slowly chug towards this holiday weekend, Metra's bike restriction policy will be in effect, system-wide.  Here's an exerpt from Metra's web site regarding bikes on trains:  "Bicycles are permitted on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30 AM and leaving Chicago before 3:00 PM and after 7:00 PM, and on all weekend trains, with the following exceptions:"

• Blues Fest June 12 - 14 (weekend only: June 13 & 14)
• All days during Taste of Chicago June 26 - July 5
• Lollapalooza August 7 - 9
• Air and Water Show August 15 - 16
• Jazz Fest September 4 - 6 (weekend only: September 5 & 6)

Even if you aren't headed to Jazz Fest, it's probably a safe bet that you won't be able to bring a bike on system-wide, due to the anticipation of increased ridership on Sat. and Sun.

Today on my commute something odd happened.  It was as if the Universe quickly spun into a parallel of itself - spitting me out into a momentary alternate reality.  Here's what went down:  I, on my bike, scared the bejeezes out of a driver.

Now, this is very strange considering I have spent the last few weeks doing a "Yay I'm alive!" celebration dance every time I cross the threshold of my apartment after putting myself at the mercy of Chicago commuters.

What happened? Well, this lady in a silver Acura made a last minute decision to pull into a mini mart tucked into a small strip mall -- and she made the move from the right lane without checking her blind spot.  Which I was in.  Thing is, it all happened in what seemed like slow motion -- seeing her make the move, realizing I'd likely get hit at a relatively low speed, and I was making corrective motions subconsciously, and practically bracing for my next date with the pavement. 

Yet somehow, she slammed on the brakes, and stopped an inch from me.  I just went on with my ride, yet she looked like she'd seen a Garneau-clad ghost.  I had seriously startled her.  I know that next time she's on a street like this, well-traveled by cyclists, she'll be checking that blind spot.

I know there are cyclists with years of knowledge under their spandex that are reading my blog, and finally one of you wrote in with some sweat-stained tips for us relative-newbies out there!  Thanks much, "Speed Racer!"

Kye:

I suppose a loaded handgun is not quite what you had in mind because when it rains the cars either choose to ignore you, aim for you, are mad at you for having all that fun, or maybe just don't see you. I would have to say the number one piece of equipment would have to be a helmet, and not just for the nasty weather, all the time. After 20+ years of racing I can tell you that when an accident happens you will be down before you knew what hit you. Protect the head. Lecture complete.

The nasty weather really depends on the time of year. In the nice weather the only thing that's nice to have is a backpack with a rain cover. It's just water and if you're not the wicked witch there really isn't much to worry about. Picture a nice shower if need be. In the cold rainy/snowy weather the key (at least for me) is keeping the feet warm. They make various styles of "booties" that will still allow you to wear your clipless cleats and they work pretty well. Cover the face as best you can. As for the rest of the body you may be surprised how little you can get away with. The body tends to warm up after about 7 minutes, so suffer through that much and you won't be taking off layer after layer. Cross country ski gloves work great in the cold weather.

And finally, invest a bit in your equipment. I know it looks pricey at first but I can tell you that 10+ years later I am still wearing some of the same clothes, 20,000+ commuting miles later;
fashion be damned.  Keep up the good work, on the bike, in the studio, and with your writing cause you are hilarious.

- "Speed Racer"

There's nothing like the humiliation of considering yourself at least a decent road cyclist, beyond the days of falling on your butt -- and then discovering that you can still wipe out, hard -- in front of many people.

It happened when I was trying to enter the parking lot of Whole Foods in Lincoln Park.  Not only is this giant structure a mecca of organic produce, but it's become a hot-spot for NFL Pre-season micro-brew drinking-- and the place was packed.  I was trying to be cool.  But those slick old trolley/railroad ties in front of the store had other ideas.  In full view of about 20 yuppies, my front tire suddenly skid across the unusual surface, then slipped into a deep groove, sending my body careening toward the pavement.  My pride hurt the most, but here's a gross picture of some of my road rash anyhow:

That's on the elbow - and I've got some other gnarly spots.  Ah well.  Just goes to show, you're never too experienced or too advanced to fall victim to uneven pavement.

I got this comment the other day from John, and thought I'd reprint it here, along with my response:

"As a sometime-cyclist who (unfortunately) ends up driving more than riding in the city, I have a bone to pick with bikers.  While I love the fact that people embrace bike-riding in the city, I wish they would take the time to learn (and abide by) the rules of the road.  I can't tell you the number of times I've almost hit bikers because they don't stop at stop signs and come flying out of nowhere into an intersection or ride blindly the wrong way down the middle of a one-way street with no regard for the vehicles trying to avoid them.  Kudos for lightening the traffic and being reducing your carbon footprint, but do us all a favor, bikers - before you head out there, learn the rules of the road!!"  -John

John: I couldn't be more in your corner. In fact, I'm so far into your corner I'm wiping the blood off your eyebrow with a wax-dipped Q-tip. I believe that if you are choosing to ride on the roadways with cars, you should obey most of the rules of the road that cars do. After all, you wanna play with the big boys, be prepared to meet the same standards. I think there are two kinds of cyclists who are most dangerous. One, the inexperienced. These folks don't use and may not even be aware of basic hand signals. They are scary even for other cyclists. Two, the uber-risk-taking-serious-cyclist. This is equally as freaky, as these cyclists make extremely risky moves in intersections that could cause danger for drivers and bicyclists alike. The thing is, I'm not going to pretend to obey every letter of the law on my bike. I mean, at a four-way stop, if I don't see any cross-traffic, I may slow down, but I won't stop at that stop sign. It's just about knowing what's a time-saver, and what's stupid.  -Kye

When I left for work on my bike this morning the skies were grey, but I was NOT anticipating the deluge of rain that would start as soon as I was two blocks into my commute.  On a tight schedule, there was no way to turn back... but I wasn't prepared.  I don't have any real rain gear to speak of -- and needless to say that in a matter of moments water was streaming off my helmet, spitting up from my tires onto my legs, and generally I was miserable.

Luckily I live close to many a bike shop.  This was an emergency stop.  I got to one of my favs, and the guy looked at me with pity in his eyes.  He knew.  I knew.  I was such a rookie.  I swallowed my pride, and he helped me buy and install a back fender.  I also picked up some waterproof rain pants that Velcro tight around the ankle to prevent getting into your gears or interfering with your pedal stroke. 

An example of a bike with a fender below:

On the road again --- of course it had stopped raining by now!  So I rode the rest of the way as if I were a high school wrestler -- you know, sweating it out in too many layers to try and drop weight before a fight?  So musty and damp and perspiring, I made it.  Thank heavens for the gym/showers on the 7th floor.  I was like a drowned rat.  Live and learn.  Or, I should say, ride and learn.

What are your tips for bike commuting in nasty weather?   

Every weekday evening I come face-to-nostril with one of my greatest weaknesses:  chocolate.  You see, my new bike commute takes me right up Milwaukee Avenue, and where it intersects with Kinzie, in the West Town area, there is a deliciously sinister smell that wipes out even the most disgusting exhaust emissions.  It's the Blommer Chocolate Factory, and by the smell of it, you don't need a golden ticket to know they are churning out some serious treats in there.

The only problem is -- I'm usually already getting hungry as I pedal by -- and it's almost torture to be enveloped in that rich, chocolately aroma.  Here's a pic of the Blommer gift store:

Mmmmmm...

Across Chicago, there are neighborhoods where drivers are used to bike commuters whizzing by, and neighborhoods where drivers act as though they've never seen this new-fangled invention known as a bicycle before, let alone ever shared the road with one.

How can you tell if a 'hood has a high "Bike IQ?" Here's a prime example.  Sometimes you'll be pedaling along (in a marked bike lane) and you'll see a hulking delivery truck jutting out into the right lane on the horizon.  In a bike-friendly area, drivers will allow you to proceed first around the protruding FedEx truck (you still signal that you are going, though), before they themselves squeeze through.  In an area not so friendly to cyclists, you may find yourself dangerously caught between a massive truck, oncoming traffic, and the car right behind you.

From my (admittedly limited) experience so far, I think the Northcenter/Lakeview area, plus the Bucktown/Wicker Park areas are among the best for cycling IQ.

A view of Bucktown from redfin.com:

Some of the worst, where I can feel most threatened, are the Mayfair area on the Northwest Side, and the city's still mostly-industrial areas like River West/River North.

I'd love to hear from other cyclists on this issue.  Where do you feel most safe or unsafe?

Let it be known that I am a gearhead.  Not a "good with all-things-mechanical" gearhead.  A person who loves all sports clothing and equipment that is high-tech, sweat-wicking, eco-friendly, lycra-poly-blended, sleekly tailored, and generally over-priced.  What's worse, I seem to believe that if I paid $75 bucks for a Pearl Izumi cycling skirt, I'm going to ride better.

That said, it's hard to believe that I held out so long on Lance Armstrong's new collaboration with Nike on the "Live Strong" line of performace gear/post-workout gear.  Yet I finally broke.  Or, I should say, my mother did.  She bought me this very cool lycra-blend hoodie that I was staring at lustily, and it rocks.  One wrist even has yellow trim, as though you are wearing Lance's ubiquitous fund-raising rubber bracelet.  Is there any gear you can't resist?

There is a bond among bike commuters, I'm finding.  Sometimes, while waiting at a red light, I'll even strike up a conversation with my fellow two-wheelers.  That's what happened yesterday evening, on a beautiful night to ride -- bone dry, 75 degrees and sunny.

Stopped at Irving Park/Lincoln/Damen in Northcenter, I met Shannon, a strong rider who had been pacing me up Damen for a few miles.  I asked him how long he'd been riding to work, and he said he was fairly new to the game -- moved to the city after traveling, and was getting used to the routine.  He said his favorite thing about being a bike commuter is beating the Brown Line as far as travel time. 

Shannon -- hope you are enjoying those extra minutes you gain, daily, and good luck with the commute!

For the next few weeks, my traffic blog is going to take a pretty major U-turn.  It's actually a reflection of a big construction project that has nothing to do with IDOT, and everything to do with melding CLTV's day-to-day operation with that of WGN's. 

This consolodation by our parent company (Tribune) means that we at Chicagoland's only local 24-hour news channel are moving work space -- from the Western 'burbs -- to the Northwest side of Chicago.  For me, your traffic anchor -- I am studio-less for a few weeks, and therefore reporting your afternoon road conditions from the headquarters of Navteq Traffic, which is located down in Chicago's Loop.  Why am I telling you all of this?  Well, I've decided to put my money where my mouth is -- and try bike commuting.

Yep, I'm that person at cocktail parties always moaning about the slow slog in the car everyday... saying, 'if only I worked in the city, I could bike to work....'  Well, now that this transition period has landed in my lap, I would be hypocritical not to take this chance to see what bike commuting in Chicago is REALLY like.

So follow my blog.  I'm going to describe experiences like almost getting hit by a cab on Day 2 (and it was actually MY fault for trying to go straight through a one-way, and not turn right with him, and the rest of the traffic).  I'll tell you about Mill, the awesome security guard here at the Boeing building who, when he saw me fumbling in my backback for my security pass to get into the bike-lock area-- sweat dripping down onto my exhaust-stained face -- opened the heavy black gated door FOR me, with a smile.

This is about a real person cycling to work everyday of the week -- to a job where a Naked Raygun t-shirt and nylon cargo board shorts AREN'T worn in the workplace.  I am a recreational cyclist, sure -- but I'm not a fixed-gear trendster with an '80s style tight-fitting Euro cap and a commuting bag made from tire treads in Amsterdam.

So commute with me.  If you've ever wondered if riding a bike to work may or may not be a good choice for you, get on my wheel -- I may just pull you into the slipstream.

Have you ever had the experience of thinking you are pretty decent at a certain skill (athletic or otherwise), only to be utterly and completely humbled by a massive number of people who have devoted much more time an energy to said skill?  That's what happened to me over the weekend.

Readers of this blog know that I often write about cycling here, despite the fact that the hard-core two-wheeling folks who pedal their way to work make up a pretty small portion of the Chicagoland commuting public.  I basically write about cycling because I love it - and it's my main hobby and stress-reliever when I'm not on the air.

If you don't know much about the formal organizing of the sport -- basically there are three types of formal competition in road cycling.  First, there's Time-trialing.  This is just you, racing alone against the clock over relatively short distances.  Road races are lengthier, and can stretch over a few days, and in this category falls a "Grand Tour" like the Tour de France -which is about a month long.  A third variation is Criterium Racing, or "Crits."  In a Crit, you do laps around a fixed course that's 1-2 miles long -- with several turns and short straight-aways.  You race in heats of anywhere from 20-100 riders -- and dive in and out of turns literally inches away from fellow racers. 

This past weekend, I decided to dip my Shimano-clad toe into the very active pro-am racing circuit here in the Midwest by taking part in the Tour of Elk Grove - more specifically, the Women's Category 3/4 Criterium.  This was the "lowest" level that the Elk Grove event was offering for women... and silly me, I thought I was in great cycling shape, and at the very least would make a good showing.  Hah!  I sensed I was in major trouble when the 25 women in the heat pedaled to the starting line.  Every single rider in the pack was sponsored except for me and some poor soul on a beach cruiser.  Their jerseys were covered with cool cycling-club logos like "XXX" or "Spidermonkeys" or even alcoholic beverage logos.  Oh man.  I even heard some fierce-looking riders talking about the drive up from Missouri that morning.  Huh?  These were chicks who had crossed state lines, and were obviously serious about competitive riding.  What had I gotten myself into?  I was about to find out. 

At the sound of the starting gun -- the pack was off at a full sprint to the first corner.  I knew from reading something on the web called "Crit 101" that if I fell too far behind the peloton from the start I'd be dead.  Cycling is all about physics.  If you can't use the slipstream of other riders in a pack to conserve energy, you WILL fall so far behind you will never catch up.  You can be pedaling just as fast alone as the group is -- and you are still dead in the water, becasue they have aerodynamics on their side.  We came out of the first turn still sprinting.  I was hanging in there-- but my heart was beating so hard I felt like a sledge hammer was pounding me directly in the chest.  My so-called 'training' had not prepared me to reach maximum cardio output 2 minutes into this race.  Needless to say, when I found myself grasping onto the back of a 6-woman group I was estatic.  My breathing ragged, my mouth hanging open like a thirsty dog -- I was clinging onto their back wheels for dear life.  I went so deep into a state of physical pain that my mental focus was laser-like.  I've read about this happening... you have to psych yourself out just to deal with what you're putting your body through.  With every pump of the pedals, with every short sprint out of every turn I faced my greatest fears -- embarrassment, humiliation, weakness.  This, dear reader, was the very definition of a character-building experience.  

After 30 minutes or so, I heard the heavenly tinkle of the "last lap" bells.  Did I have anything left for a finishing sprint?  No.  But I stood on my pedals anyhow -- visualizing Lance Armstrong's side to side power-stroke that won him 7 Tours de France.  I came in 23rd out of 25th -- but I've never felt so fulfilled by anything so horrific.  I literally felt 'high' after the race.  I don't think I had any oxygen flowing to my brain -- it was all getting sucked in by my poor, stressed aorta.  To all those professional and amateur racers out there -- you officially gained my highest respect.  I can't wait for you to kick my butt again next time. 

With hundreds of hipsters looking to converge on Chicago's Union Park this weekend for Pitchfork (the Indie music fest)... it got me thinking about the best way to get to outdoor public events this summer.  Obviously, public transportation is a no-brainer, and for Pitchfork, it's the CTA's Green Line, Ashland stop (at Lake). 

Yet my preferred method of getting around to these people-watching meccas is by bike.  Most of the events provide a free, secure, monitored bike check... awesome to not be worried about someone sawing through your chain lock while you down gourmet sanria and soaking in some sun.

By the way, I have it on VERY good authority (from a friend who is totally dialed in to what is cool and happening in this town) that a must-see music act at Pitchfork is The National.  They are a mellow rock act takin the state on Saturday.  See the whole line-up at www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com 

I must start this Blog post with a warning -- if you have not even the slightest interest in the sport of cycling, believe Versus is just that strange cable network that showed NHL play-offs, or think Lance Armstrong is just a guy that sells rubbery yellow bracelets, please stop reading this.  Because if you keep reading, you are going to realize that there are cycling nerds like myself out there -- who live, work, and yes ride among you... and we are a little strange.

Nevertheless -- I know you're still reading by the way -- let me tell you why I believe the Tour de France is one of the most epic televised sporting events of the year. 

First, you thought Skipper Lou's moving Soriano out of the lead-off spot was drama?  Pshaw!  The insane soap-opera-like histrionics that take place within cycling teams, and between the teams is ten times that.  The most obvious example is the controversy between fellow Astana Team Members Alberto Contador and the now-un-retired Lance Armstrong.

(In this pic, courtesy the Telegraph newspaper, Lance is on the left, Alberto on the right) 

You see, Contador was the Alpha Male -- the other guys were going to give their blood, sweat, and tears for him to win the Tour.  Then Lance came back.  And, oh yeah, he's still got it -- and now the two riders are playing a sweaty game of cat and mouse -- mid-mountain, and in the media, as everyone waits to find out who is the official leader of the team.

Second, cycling has an odd and facinating "gentleman's code" of sorts -- very similar to golf -- that is all about which teams are required to do the lions' share of work in the front of the pack -- and which riders are free to draft (or coast in the slipstream) off them in back.  And the different attackers that move toward the finish line in subsequent waves?  There are rules for that too.  If your teams' position in the overall standings is already assured, and you assert yourself for personal glory, it's considered unseemly.  Also, if you're not a star, you are a mule -- you must bring water and food to your master on the road -- and don't dare beat him to the line.

Thirdly -- France.  (And a small bit of Spain).  The views are freaking awesome.  The Peloton streaking through what looks to be a 3D version of a Van Gogh masterpiece... day after day.  Add to these idyllic scenes the crazed hordes of speedo-wearing fans waving devil pitchforks and Basque flags -- and you've got good video.

Fourth -- the crashes.  Yes, this is morbid -- but you can't turn away.  The riders that go down around a sharp curve will often come back up the embankment missing all of the skin on their knees and elbows -- and if you've ever eaten up a chunk of asphalt yourself -- you know the burn.  And the chain-reaction crashes involving multiple bikes are even more damaging -- to skin and carbon-fiber.  Yet if they don't break anything -- they'll jump back on their bikes and ride 60 more miles to finish the stage.  Can you image a baseball player insisting he finish the game after a painful hangnail??

Finally, the sheer athleticim.  Most cycling experts would agree the sport is for the most part in a post-blood-doping-era... and the (hopefully natural) cardio conditioning of these guys makes mere mortals want to ride 50 miles in the morning and injest 5 peanut butter protein gel packs before 8 a.m.   Talk about inspiration.  When these athletes finish a punishing 13 miles straight uphill through a ski-town... then still have enough gas in the tank to stand on their pedals and sprint to the finish -- your jaw will drop. 

The Tour runs all month.  I'll be watching -- and if you are as well... let me know why you love it.  Or tell me that indeed, I am in need of professional help.

Dear Lake Shore Path Joggers.

I love you, I admire you, and more importantly, often I am one of you.  In fact, if I hadn't become the recent owner of a sweet-looking 2009 aluminum-framed kick-butt road bike, I'd probably be sweating it out along side of you on my own two legs in 90% humidity at 6 a.m. 

Yet, as cycling is my preferred outdoor sport in these temps, I must communicate to you one request that all lakefront cyclists are thinking to themselves, but not saying.  Please, please can you run in packs that are no more than two runners abreast? 

There.  I've opened the can of worms.  Now, I know this doesn't apply to most of you runners and joggers - you are the intelligencia of the path -- understanding that running two, three, even four abreast on one side of the yellow line makes things exceedingly hairy for those on two wheels.  You see, when these wide-berthed packs take hold -- to pass them we have to veer into the oncoming lane -- where there are joggers, bikers and rollerbladers coming full speed ahead.  It's essentially a death wish. 

I tried calling out, "On your left" to a pack today... but by virtue of physics, I was already squeezing by in opposide traffic by the time the words floated into the heavy air.  All I got for this was a dirty look.

Now mind you, I'm not out there thinking I'm the female Christian Vandevelde -- whizzing around corners at speeds so inconsiderate for a busy path that you can barely make out the logo on my "Waste Managment" sponsored jersey.  Yet I would love for us all to de-tox alongside one another in harmony.  Life is too short, and the Lakefront too awesome to do otherwise.

Sincerely,

A Lakefront Cyclist