I was also going to use the term "adventure" in the name of today's post -- I guess Dottie and I think alike! Whatever you want to call it, yesterday's ride took me off my beaten path and allowed me to face a new challenge: Green Hills. Any Nashvillian knows that the traffic on Hillsboro Rd. anywhere south of Wedgewood is pretty heinous. It's so bad that I take back roads when I drive. But there was no reason I couldn't bike those same back roads -- or at least that's what I told myself when setting off after a happy...
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Today's commute was a hodgepodge of scenery. As always, the gorgeous sunrise over Lake Michigan was the one constant. Will I ever tire of taking pictures of my bike and the sun? Probably not.
But this sun is deceiving. Let's go back in time half a day and see what Sunday morning brought ...
...a whole mess of snow. I was not happy. All I could think was that I'd already taken the studded tires off Oma. This mini snow storm was not welcome by anyone in Chicago. Luckily, it was a wet spring affair and beg...
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What is the absolute worst way to introduce a friend to cycling in the city? Perhaps by taking her through heavily trafficked streets in the freezing rain. What is evidence of the lure of cycling? When the friend still has fun.
My best friend Melissa is in the city from the suburbs this weekend, and we wanted to check out some thrift stores in Wicker Park. Melissa agreed to travel by bike on Smurfette. I was a little worried about the route because it requires us to go over a big bridge and through two huge i...
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You start driving your bike commute route instead of your car commute route (luckily I realized what I was doing before I got to the crosswalk portion of my route).
You try to open your car door with your U-Lock key.
After a few days of not driving, you can't remember where your car is parked.
The chief criteria for a new hairstyle is that it be helmet-proof.
I'm sure you all have more to add...
03.27.09
ETA a few of my faves from the comments so far:
When you bend when driv...
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Crashing waves. Howling winds. Seagulls. Had I gone to sleep in Chicago and woken up in North Carolina on the eve of a hurricane? Nope. Just another morning commute in the windy city.
Untitled from Dottie White on Vimeo.
Chicago could be many things - the laid back city, the deep dish pizza city, the pothole city, the small live music venue city, the Obama city - but the windy city is as accurate a nickname as any.
I'm with you, Yehuda!
(If you don't already read Yehuda Moon and the Kickstand Cycle...
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I might have to cede that "cycling with style" title (though we all know it's Ms. D who brings the class to this here blog) after today. With just a few hot pink cable ties from the Dollar Tree and an old crate from my hall closet, Le Peug was transformed into a cargo bike. And I think he might stay that way for a while, because I'm loving the new functionality.
I don't think Dottie will mind though because beneath my lunch, the office Kindle and my purse lurks the real reason I needed the crate: a package destine...
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One of my favorite things to do on the weekends these days is make the rounds of the neighborhood shops on my bike. It's never a long ride -- 4 miles roundtrip, max -- but it's relaxing, and going on Le Peug keeps me from buying too much. I especially like visiting the thrift and antique stores in the area since I'm always looking for a bargain.
Yesterday my mom left a comment that proves this runs in the family:
I live in Anniston, AL and decided this would be a day of “firsts” for me. I took my first bike...
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My fanciest ride was this weekend, to a fundraising gala for a domestic violence organization I volunteer with. Deciding to ride my bike was natural, as I have no car and taking a cab would have been lame when I live only two miles from the location. I was a bit worried about hurting my silk, lace and beaded Badgley Mischka cocktail dress and silk Anne Klein heels - my one and only black tie outfit. Turns out I had no reason to worry: the ride was effortless in every way!
Mr. Dottie was quite dashing in his s...
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Along with the gorgeous mast that Trisha designed, we'll soon have a new addition to Let's Go Ride a Bike. My decision is made, finally! Long-time listeners may remember my first steps to finding a bike to replace my stolen Jamis. I oggled bikes the I could not afford, such as ANTs and MAPs. I encountered annoying bike shop guys. I toured Chicago's bike shops. At one point I thought I had something on the horizon, but that did not work out. After (almost too) much thought, I've decided that I will purchase the...
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